The Moving picture world (November 1921)

December 10, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 671 Twelve Prominent Players in tied matron— a great lady of New York society. She has been aptly styled the "greatest Grande Dame in AIM 7 T 9 ((~TT • 7" _i_7 TT7 ff pictures," and was formerly on the Thomas Inces Hail the Woman xiSS-M„a^^ Players selected for their particular ability to portray the roles of the drama as well as for their popularity with the public and their past performances on the screen constitute an "all star" cast in the opinion of Thomas H. Ince, whose dramatic masterpiece, "Hail the Woman," for First National release, is portrayed by twelve widely known artists. Perhaps no production heretofore released has been produced with such an illustrious cast of popular players. Every name in the list of twelve who portray the various characters is widely known to the theatre-going public, and every player has a record of accomplishment in screen drama. Drama of Today "Hail the Woman" is an American drama of today. It has a tense emotional appeal and deep human interest. Critics who have seen it are loud in their praise of the brilliant interpreations of the theme of the story as well as the portrayal of individual parts by the members of the cast. Florence Vidor takes the leading role, that of Judith Beresford. It is that of a highminded, sensitive daughter of the New England hills, whose soul rises in revolt against man's immemorial cruelty and injustice to woman. In her matchless devotion she consoles the weak, cherishes a forlorn childhood, and brings redemption to the erring souls of those she loves. Native of Texas Miss Vidor is a native of Texas, and has the broad view of life characteristic of Western womanhood. It is the possession of this point of view that fits her so well for the interpretation of the role of Judith Beresford. Her recent appearance in "Lying Lips," another great Ince success, is still fresh in the public mind. Playing opposite Miss Vidor, is vivacious little Madge Bellamy. Miss Bellamy was until recently a popular actress on the New York stage. Here Thomas H. Ince "found" he when she was playing in "Dear Brutus" with William Gillette. Has Powerful Role Miss Bellamy takes the part of Nan, the loyal, abused girl-wife of David Beresford. Always preferring strongly dramatic roles, Miss Bellamy has given to the part a whole-souled devotion ensuring its most vivid and emotional interpretation. Her acting throughout is superb, and especially in the great death scene, when Nan wearily lies down the burden of life, and gratefully commends her child's future to the loving care of Judith, does she attain a dramatic power of intense pathos. Miss Bellamy's personal appearance is in complete harmony with the part. One dramatic critic has described her as "the beautiful child with wonderful eyes, enchanting youth and grace, and everything fairyland could give a girl." Like Miss Vidor, she was also born in Texas. She is nineteen years old, and made her first appearance on the New York stage when only fourteen. She made her debut in motion pictures in the recent Thomas H. Ince production, "The Cup of Life," when she took the part of Pain which called for her presentation in the beautiful costumes of a Chinese lady of high caste, setting off her exotic beauty in a most picturesque manner. Strong Characterisation Theodore Roberts takes the part of sour and grim Oliver Beresford. Lloyd Hughes gives a splendid characterization of David Beresford. His interpretation of David's obedient acceptance of his father's commands, effacing his own personality, and of the spiritual transition to the point where David "finds" himself in the great church scene, indicate his complete absorption in the part. Hughes heard the sircm call of the motion picture stage five years ago, when he was seventeen, and had only just left the high school of his native town of Bisbee, Arizona. Tully Marshall is in his element portraying the role of the vicious odd-jobs man in which he is quite as successful as when he recently took the part of Chan-Chang in "The Cup of Life," the preceding Ince production. He gives an excellent interpretation of the mingled elements of cupidity and vicious malice which sway the character. Gertrude Clair in Strong Role The part of gentle, self-effacing Mrs. Beresford, who yet finds courage to defy her masterful husband for the love of her children, is interpreted with great fidelity and truth by Gertrude Clair. Vernon Dent makes an excellent Joe Hurd, the bucolic, crude and vindictive suitor for the hand of Judith Beresford. As Wyndam Gray, Edward Maitindel is a typical, nonchalant manof-the-world, wise in the ways of women, yet good-natured, and interested in Judith's career and character. Charles Meredith is a suave type of the wealthy New Yorker, who falls in love with Judith in the course of her work among the poor of the metropolis. Mathilde Brundage makes a digni a splendid "little boy," as pathetic little David Junior, and Eugenie Hoffman is a chubby, delightful little thing in the part of the baby. John Griffith Wray has scored a great success as the director of "Hail the Woman." His previous notable effort, likewise under the personal supervision of Thomas H. Ince, was "Lying Lips." Variety in Comedies Coming from Christie A fine example of the variety that Christie is putting into the comedies he is making for Educational release is seen in four being made or planned at the Christie studios. Dorothy Devore is appearing as a knight in armor. Bobby Vernon is cook and bottle washer in a country town hotel. Viora Daniel is a New York flapper. Neal Burns is a romantic Romeo. The titles of the four pictures in which these players head the casts are, respectively, "One Stormy Knight," "By Hook or Crook," " 'Twas Ever Thus" and "A Rambling Romeo." "Nobody" Is Third Big Film in Which Jackie Coogan Will Star Jackie Coogan started his third big production this week. Space has been re-leased in the Brunton studios and now the "starlet" will make some new friends in the persons of Norma and Constance Talmadge who are also busy on new productions at Bruntons. The title of the new Coogan production is "Nobody" and Jackie will appear in the same old clothes that he made famous in "The Kid." An excellent supporting cast is beingselected. In it. are Wallace Beery, playing an important part opposite Jackie.; Gloria Hope, who has just completed an important part in Frank Lloyd's production, "The Grim Comedian," and Eddie Gribbon. Others of equal note will be selected, it is stated. Like "My Boy," the third Coogan film, is an original story, and Jerome Storm has complete charge of direction. This is the first picture that Mr. Storm is to do for the Coogan organization, but it is understood that he has a contract calling for his megaphone services in connection with the remaining four pictures. The print of "My Boy" reached New York City this week. It will open Christmas Day at the Mark Strand and soon will be nationally released. Many of those who have seen the picture say it is the greatest work Jackie Coogan has ever done on the silver sheet and that it should not only equal but overshadow the records made by the "Peck's Bad Boy" offering. WILLIAM CHRISTY CABANNE, THE WELL-KNOWN DIRECTOR (CENTER), AND TWO SCENES FROM HIS LATEST R-C SPECIAL, "AT THE STAGE DOOR," SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE THIS MONTH, W WHICH LILLIAN DOVE, THE FAMOUS FOLLIES BEAUTY, HAS THE LEADING FEMININE ROLE