The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 13, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 163 Co-Operative Production Begins at R'C Studio; More Stars Named The eyes of film executives are now centered on the R-C Studios in Los Angeles where, for the first time in the history of the motion picture industry, production on a large scale is being put on a cooperative basis. Actual work on the first units on a profit-sharing basis has now been started. The new R-C producing units, which are now lined by P. A. Powers, managing director of R-C Pictures, are: Ethel Clayton, who has come to R-C after her successful work as a Paramount star. Harry Casey, noted exponent of outdoor characters. Mr. and Mrs. Carter De Haven, resuming their domestic comedies after a year's retirement from the screen. Jane Novak, leading woman for some of the foremost male stars, who will be featured in big outdoor dramas, to be directed by Chester Bennett. Other stars for Chester Bennett productions will be announced later. Helen Jerome Eddy, who will be featured in plays of spiritual significance as befits her usual personality. These will be known as Ray Carroll productions. Norman Dawn productions. The continuity for the second of that series is now in preparation. The first is "The Son of the Wolf." Robert Thornby, noted director, who will direct six all-star features a year. Emory Johnson, who will produce big special productions, the first of which "The Midnight Call" is now complete. Doris May, who is continuing in her light comedy successes. Aside from these developments, negotiations are said to be pending for two series of comedies to be made at the R-C Studios. It is also known that Mr. Powers now is negotiating with one of the leading male stars and another director equally well known. Miss Clayton will star in society plays of a calibre that made her a favorite on the Paramount program for the past few years. Each picture, however, will be produced as a special attraction, under the direction of a well known director, who will be announced shortly. Her latest release is "The Cradle" and her "For the Defense" has been completed and will soon be given to the public. Mr. Powers always has personally directed the picture activities of Harry Carey, though the pictures were seen on the program of Universal, of which Mr. Powers was for a long time treasurer. This star will produce six outdoor specials for R-C annually. He will be directed by Val Paul. To the De Havens goes the distinction of being the first unit to start actual production at the R-C Studios under the co-operative plan. The first comedy, now com pleted, is entitled "They're OflF," and others will follow at regular intervals. All of these comedies will be in two reels. Malcolm St. Clair, who has had a long experience in comedy directing, will handle the megaphone for this unit. Jane Novak's first R-C subject will be made under the direction of Chester Bennett. Edison Marshall's book, "The Snow Shoe Trail," scenariozed by Marion Fairfax, will introduce her as an R-C star. "Colleen of the Pines" will be her second starring vehicle. Further stars for the Chester Bennett unit will be announced in the near future. Miss Eddy has written her own story for her first R-C production. Tentatively it is titled "A Slice of Life." Winifred Dunn, of the R-C staff, is preparing the continuity. Mr. Powers selected Robert Thornby to direct a series of special pictures with all star casts after mature deliberation as the best man qualified to interpret for the screen certain books and originals which R-C controls and which are promised to result in productions of an unusual type. Doris May, who has been making a series of light comedies for R-C, will continue production. She is about to start her sixth R-C pic To Start in June Gloria Swanson will be back in California around the first of June when the Paramount star will begin work on "The Impossible Mrs. ture, tentatively titled "In Search Bellew," a story by David Lisle,, of a Thrill." Her fifth production, adapted by Elmer Harris and Percy recently completed, is "An Unex Heath. It will be a Sam Wood pected Honeymoon." production. George Fitzmaurice Producing Famous *'To Have and To Hold" Paramount executives, both in the production department and in the sales organization, are said to be elated over the fact that George Fitzmaurice was available to produce "To Have and to Hold," the famous romantic-historical novel by Mary Johnston. This story, first published in 1899, is recognized as one of the real masterpieces of American literature and requires handling by a director possessing the keenest artistic sense. Mr. Fitzmaurice, following a long line of Paramount successes in which Elsie Ferguson and Mae Murray were the respective stars, reached the pinnacle with his production of "Peter Ibbetson," "Three Live Ghosts" and "The Man from Home," the last two of which were produced abroad, and only recently returned to this country. "It was decided to film 'To Have Mayer Completes Triumvirate of Directors, Signing Barker With the signing of Reginald Barker, Louis B. Mayer recently completed the formation of a great directorial triumvirate. The other two points in this triangle are held 'by John M. Stahl and Fred Niblo. These three directors will produce as independent units under the Louis B. Mayer banner, working at the latter's spacious studios on Mission Road, Los Angeles. Their pictures will have all-star casts, and the stories will be selected from the best material available. J. G. Hawks, for three years man aging editor and supervisor of production at Goldwyn's, and for five years previously associated with C. Gardner Sullivan at the Thomas H. Ince studio, has been appointed by Louis B. Mayer as managing editor of all of his productions. Mr. Mayer is now completing arrangements with Metro for the release of some of these pictures, but just which ones has not yet been announced. There still are some Mayer productions to be delivered to Associated First National for distribution. Gish-Reid-Griffith Picture Revived by R-C Corporation A revival of "The Fatal Marriage," supervised by D. W. Grififith and starring Wallace Reid and Lillian Gish, is announced by R-C Pictures as a June release. The picture is a screen adaption of Tennyson's "Enoch Arden." While the picture was made several years ago, it is said to be thoroughly modern from a technical standpoint, and as it is a costume play, being laid in England in the latter part of the eighteenth century. it is almost impossible to detect that it is not a modern picture, states R-C Pictures. That it is a story of sufficient dramatic merit is made certain by the number of times that the Enoch Arden theme has been used on the spoken and silent drama. In "The Fatal Marriage" Tennyson's story is closely adhered to, and the beauty of his descriptive poetry, some of which is used for titles, will be accentuated by beautiful scenes. and to Hold,' " said Mr. Fitzmaurice, "because its unique combination of history, drama and romance makes it of undying appeal. And at the present time there is a decided vogue for plays, of the costume variety. Our last reason for the production is that we were able to secure for the part of 'Lady Jocelyn' Miss Betty Compson, an actress whom I consider above all others to be eminently fitted for the extremely appealing central role." Century Films Signs New Contract On the eve of his departure for Europe Abe Stern announces that he and his brother, Julius, have signed a new contract with Universal by which the latter will release fifty-two two-reel Century comedies during the coming year. This contract was signed on Saturday, April 29, and orders have already been wired to the coast giving the outline of a most original and elaborate two-reel program for the coming season. High Praise for Educational Film "The Rainmaker," the latest Mermaid Comedy featuring Lloyd Hamilton released by Educational, which James W. Dean, critic of the Newspaper Enterprise Association declared entitled Hamilton to a place in the comic hall of fame, continues to win warm approval from newspaper critics throughout the country, Educational says. Completes Work Nita Naldi has completed her work in "Blood and Sand," the Fred Niblo production for Paramount in which Rodolph Valentino is to star. Miss Naldi played the Spanish vamp. In "Borderland" "Borderland" is a new Agnes Ayres Paramount picture now in production. There two complete plots two leading men, two "villains," two cute little "kiddies," and the star plays three distinct parts. BURTON HOLMES LABORATORY f« U I f« n O 7510 North UniUlluU Ashland Ave. QUALITY FIRST 'rr,',r NEW YORK PRINTING DEVELOPING TINTING TONING