The Moving picture world (November 1921)

December 10, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 669 Powell to Direct Paul Powell has been assigned to direct Dorothy Dalton in "Theron of Lost Valley," her next starring picture for Paramount Work on the new picture will begin as soon as Mr. Powell finishes cutting his latest picture, "For the Defense," starring Ethel Clayton. Miss Dalton has just finished work in "Moran of the Lady Letty," George Melford's production of Frank Norris's story in which Rudolph Valentino has the leading male role. Critics Find "Our Mutual Friend" Motion Picture of Unusual Appeal "Over the Hill" Shown in Prison Cable despatches from London announce the showing of "Over the Hill," the Fox super-special production, at the Pentonville Prison November 20. This is said to be the first film ever shown in a British prison. Green to Direct Thomas Meighan Al Green, who directed Mary Pickford in "Little Lord Fauntleroy," has been specially engaged to direct Thomas Meighan in his next Paramount picture. The picture is temporarily titled, 'The Proxy Daddy" and is from the story by Edward Peple, author of 'The Prince Chap." Olga Printzlau wrote the scenario and production work will start at the Lasky studio as soon as Mr. Meighan returns to the Coast from New York, which will be about December 5. Charles Dickens' "Our Mutual derstand. Any lover of Dickens Friend," long heralded as "the per need not be afraid to see the picture, feet movie," was given its New York We will guarantee satisfaction." premier by Wid Gunning at the "The film is beautifully done and Lyric Theatre, New York, last Mon will give rare pleasure to the lovers day evening. A distinguished audi of Dickens," said Helen Rockwell in ence, made up of leading figures in the Telegraph. "The acting is perthe industry as well as city, state fection and every character distinc and federal officials and prominent tive. The spirited Belle is exquispeople in the city's social and busi itivcly portrayed by Catherine Reese, ness life, witnessed the opening of the daintiest, prettiest little actress the production. we have been permitted to see of The marked pleasure of the first late." audiences was reflected in the en The Evening Telegram said : "The thusiasm with which the New York many lovers of Dickens, and in fact reviewers received the picture. Al anyone who likes a good story of most unanimously they declared the a melodrama with just enough touch production one with a universal ap of humor to smooth away unpleasant peal both from an artistic and audi details, should not miss the chance ence standpoint. That the story of seeing 'Our Mutual Friend,' as written by Dickens was one as which was presented by Wid Gunwonderfully adapted to the screen ning last night at the Lyric Theatre as if it had been typed in the shadow to a large and appreciative audience, of the studio, that it contained as It was a literary classic and an many thrills and as much mystery achievement seldom seen on the as the most up-to-the-minute serial screen." and that it was most aptly cast and The Evening Mail said : "The acted, were the central points of the Dickens atmosphere has been excelcomment of the first nighters and lently brought to the silver sheet, the critics. The cast is uniformly excellent. In Catherine Reese, American audiences are introduced to an extremely pi"It is Dickens transferred from quant charming young woman who the pages of the book intact to the is a delight to the eye, while Peter pearance in 'Remorseless Love" and "The Way of a Maid," the two most recently released Elaine Hammerstein stellar vehicles, is said to be calling forth expressions everywhere which prove the soundness of Mr. Selznick's judgment that Niles Welch is destined to become one of the most popular men on the screen. Ball Scene in Paramount Film Fifty of the prettiest girls in film circles and an equal number of the best looking men, were engaged for the grand ball scene in George Melford's production "Moran of the Lady Letty" for Paramount Pictures, in which Dorothy Dalton is featured and Rudolph Valentino is leading man. Praised by Newspapers screen, " said Harriette Underhill in the Tribune. "How any actors, without the guidance of the author himself, managed to achieve such perfect portraits of the Dickens characters is more than we can un Gloria Swanson, Betty Compson Start New Paramount Pictures Monday, November 28, witnessed the starting of two new Paramount productions at the Lasky studio. They are "Beyond the Rocks," the Elinor Glyn story, in which Gloria Swanson is to be starred, and William D. Taylor's production, temporarily titled "The Noose," starring Betty Compson. The Gloria Swanson picture, which is promised to be quite distinctive in the matter of settings and costuming, is being directed by Sam Wood. The full cast will be announced shortly. Jack Cunningham adapted the story which is exotic in atmosphere and it is said to deal with a heart interest situation that it both unique and compelling. Miss Compson's picture, which is her first to be made under the direction of Mr. Taylor, is from a story by Constance Skinner to be more or less reminiscent of her first big part, that of Rose in "The Miracle Man," for she is cast as a dancer and a member of the Apaches of the Paris underworld. Jack Holt was expected to finish during the week his second starring picture for Paramount, "While Satan Sleeps," which Joseph Henabery has been directing. This is an adaptation by Albert Shelby LeVino, of Peter B. Kyne's story, "The Parson of Panamint." George Melford has finished his big production for Paramount, "Moran of the Lady Letty," in which Dorothy Dalton is featured and Rudolph Valentino plays the leading male role. The story by Frank Norris was adapted by Monte M. Katterjohn. Mr. Melford, it is understood, will take a well earned vacation following his strenuous work covering a period of many weeks. James Cruze has brought his company back from Pine, Crest, Cal., where location scenes were made for the Paramount comedy special, "Is Matrimony a Failure?" which Walter Woods adapted from the European play. A long series of interior scenes will follow with a medley of comedy situation that should evoke laughter of the most hearty character from those who see the screen version. T. Roy Barnes has the role made famous on the stage by Leo Ditrichstein. A superlative cast includes among others, Walter Hiers, Lila Lee and Lois Wilson. Work is scheduled to start December 5 on "Across the Continent," Wallace Reid's next Paramount picture, an original by Byron Morgan. Philip E. Rosen is to direct. Locations in various sections of the country will be utilized possibly entailing a trans-continental journey for the star and some of the supporting players. Penrhyn Stanlaws is expected back at the Lasky studio shortly with several stories from which he will select and prepare his next production for Paramount Pictures. Walton is an upstanding hero." The Times said : "Many of the characters in Dickens' 'Our Mutual Friend' seem to come to life in the film which opened at the Lyric last night. One must write it down an extremely good production. Above all else the picture has what so many of its contemporaries lack, namely, characterization, rich and vai ied characterization. Its people are alive." The Sun said : "Among the things that make this story suitable as a motion picture is the fact that it contains more melodramatic action than anything else Dickens ever wrote. Alfred Miller's Boffin, Charles Wilken's Mr. Venus, Bertram Cross' Silas Wegg are all portrayals which no worshipper at the Dickens shrine can afford to miss." Welch Said to Be Growing in Favor Reports from Selznick field men throughout the country give every indication, the Selznick company states, that Vice President Myron Selznick, in charge of production, has added another strong string to the Selznick Pictures bow through teh employment of Niles Welch on a long term contract to appear in leading roles. The young man's ap Universal Lists Strong Short Films for End of Year A comprehensive schedule of short subjects is anounced for release by Universal during the closing weeks of the old year. The list includes six two-reel western dramas, four two-reel comedies, four one-reel comedies, one two-reel newspaper life drama, and the opening of a new serial. The Western dramas feature such stars as Eddie Polo and Eileen Sedgwick. They are, in order of their release, 'The Yellow Streak," with Eddie Polo; 'The Dream Girl," with Miss Sedgwick; "The Heritage of Hate," with Polo ; "The Alarm" with a special cast ; "A Ride for a Rancho" with Polo, and "A Battle of Wits" with Miss Sedgwick. "Ned of the News," a short drama founded on the thrills of a reporter's life, has been filmed at Universal City, with Percy Pembroke in the featured role. It will be released during the third week of December. One-reel Star Comedies to be released in the coming few weeks are "Heart Breakers," 'Show me your Samples." "Fur Coats and Pants," and "Oh Nursie !" In addition to the foregoing short subjects, the first episode of Eddie Polo's latest serial, "The Secret Four," written around the international struggle for oil lands, will be released. The usual bi-weekly release for International News Reels, completes the Universal Short subjects schedule. In the holiday season remember and be remembered. Your greeting carried in Moving Picture World's big Christmas number will be in good company. Don't delay it.