The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 27, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 387 Paramount Making Supreme Effort in Picturizing ''Old Homestead" Paramount promises one of the biggest screen productions in years in "The Old Homestead," with Theodore Roberts heading an allstar cast in the picturization of Denman Thompson's famous classic of the stage, which has had a never-failing appeal for audiences throughout the world for forty years. One of the features of the production, which is to be directed by James Cruze, will be a cyclone in which a whole village is destroyed, the only thing remaining unharmed being the old homestead. The part of Uncle Joshua Whitcomb was made to order for Theodore Roberts. For a long time letters to the production department have asked why he has not been given leading roles. In "The Old Homestead" he will have his greatest opportunity. Features in the stage production of "The Old Homestead" that had to be left to mere description will be incorporated in this work. Reuben's travels to China and other far-off countries will be portrayed with fidelity to detail. There are brilliant contrasts between the simplicity of the New England fireside and the luxury of a city home. A strong cast will support Mr. Roberts. In it will be T. Roy Barnes, who will play Happy Jack, the tramp ; Fritzi Ridgeway, as Rickety Ann, and George Fawcett. The Denman Thompson play was adapted by Pearley Poore Sheehan and Frank E. Woods, the scenario was written by Julian Josephson and Walter Woods will supervise. Material in Sport Review Said to Be 75 Per Cent Exclusive Lloyd Hamilton Sees Sing Sing Lloyd Hamilton, the comedian, has just served a brief "term" in Sing Sing. Major Lewis Lawes, warden of the New York State Prison at Ossining, described it as "the shortest twenty years I ever knew anybody to serve." Hamilton took pictures in the cell rooms and throughout the grounds, but in each instance the warden informed the prisoners nearby that motion pictures were about to be taken so that any prisoner who wished to do so could turn his face away from the camera. Scenes of the visit are shown in a current issue of Kinograms. Movie Chats Give Social Etiquette The inclusion of a series of articles on good manners and social etiquette in general as a part of the Official Urban Movie Chats of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America has caused interesting comment in newspapers all over the country. Most of the motion picture editors have had a good deal of fun with the idea, but the large amount of space they have devoted to the subject is evidence of how interesting the subject is proving to motion picture patrons. Released Soon Marshall Neilan's newest production, "Fools First," featuring Claire Windsor, Richard Dix and Claude Gillingwater, has been scheduled for public presentation throughout the country commencing the week of May 22. It is a First National attraction. The picture was suggested by Hugh McNair Kahler's story in the Saturday Evening Post. The series of single reel Sport Reviews which Jack Eaton is producing for Weiss Brothers' Artclass Pictures Corporation are distinctive in many respects, according to their sponsor. Eaton advances the claim that these short films contain all of the prominent personalities of the sport world, contain interesting scenes of practically all the championship events in the field of athletics and depict with interesting slow motion photography, various phases of sport which contain intricate action and require detailed explanation. Among the champions appearing in the diflferent releases may be mentioned the mighty "Babe" Ruth, Walter Hagen, golf expert, Ethelda Bleibtry, champion mermaid, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, boxer and trainer, Ty Cobb, premier baseball swatter, etc. In addition to these interesting personalities, some of the releases contain scenes enacted by Ring Lardner, famous slang humorist, George Ade, Rex Beach, etc. It is said that seventy-five per cent of all the material secured for Sport Reviews is exclusive and every issue contains new pictorial treatment of some popular pastime or sport of the American Race. In order to assure the authenticity and authority of the various sporting events depicted by Eaton, Grantland Rice, famous newspaper writer and recognized as an authority in the field of sports, has been especially engaged to edit each release. All of the intricate camera work required in the production of the picture is under the direction of J. L. Hawkinson, specialist in the field of slow motion photography and formerly one of the leading news weekly cameramen. Lloyd's ''Grandma s Boy'' Opens for Run in Los Angeles House Fairbanks Announces Cast of Principals for ''Robin Hood" In the selection of the cast for his forthcoming, production of "Robin Hood," now in the making for release early this fall through United Artists Corporation, Douglas Fairbanks carefully searched the entire field for the best artistic talent in order that he might find the principals who best could interpret the spirit of chivalry and romance that dominated 800 years ago in the days of the Third Crusade. Mr. Fairbanks, of course, takes the role of the Earl of Huntington and Robin Hood. In seeking some one who properly could portray the difficult role of King Richard I — called "Richard, the Lion-hearted" — he finally settled upon Wallace Beery. Sam de Grasse was chosen for the role of Prince John, the usurper, who betrayed his brother Richard. Miss Enid Bennett will impersonate Maid Marion, sweetheart of Robin Hood. Paul Dickey will be seen in the role of Sir Guy of Gisbourne. the arch-villain, with William Lowery as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Alan Hale as Little John, Willard Louis as Friar Tuck, Dick Rosson as Alan-a-Dale and. Roy Coulson. Allan Dwan is directing, Elten Thomas is the author, with Arthur Edeson as the cinematographer, Lotta Woods as scenario editor, Wilfred Buckland, supervising art director, Dr. Arthur Woods, head of the research division, and Robert Fairbanks chief of production and construction. To Dr. Brockwedel's Symphony Theatre, Los Angeles, was accorded the honor of the world's premier of the newest Harold Lloyd-Associated Exhibitors feature, "Grandma's Boy." The picture, the star's first in five reels, opened there May 14 for a run of indefinite length. Telegrams to Arthur S. Kane, president of Associated, early in the week told of crowds on the opening day and enthusiasm on the part of the spectators at each performance. Months ago, when the production of "Grandma's Boy" at Culver City was nearly finished, leading exhibitors in many cities made known their ambitior: to be awarded the film for its first run. They were confident that Mr. Lloyd's universal popularity and the extraordinary success of his most recent features amply justified them in bidding for the opening engagement, "sight unseen." The decision to award the honor of presenting "Grandma's Boy" for the first time to the big Los Angeles Symphony of necessity was made so recently that Dr. Brockwedel has only a few days in which to exploit the attraction. But his efficient publicity department immediately got busy and Los Angeles was bill-boarded with block twentyfours much advertising space was purchased in the local newspapers, and, as always, an original and elaborate lobby display was made in the Symphony. Miss Davies' Next Is "Young Diana" The next Cosmopolitan Production to be released will be "The Young Diana" by Marie Corelli starring Marion Davies. The story deals by a prim and faded old maid who is transformed into a beautiful young girl by a famous scientist. First National to Release Morosco's First on June 12 Poor Buster! Having completed "The Frozen North," described as "snow stuff comedy," Buster Keaton, First National comedian, is filming "The Electric House." Buster's horseshoes, four leaf clovers and rabbit's foot have failed him thus far in the making of this film, for he has sustained the following injuries: two sprained fingers, abscess on right harnl, one black eye and one sprained ankle. Oliver Morosco joins the ranks of motion picture magnates officially on June 12, when the first Morosco picture. "The Half Breed," will be released by the Moroscoe Holding Company through First National. By the terms of the contract with First National, four Morosco pictures are to be delivered before January 1, 1923. Four additional pictures are to be made and deIliVered the following yeari. The first two Morosco pictures are completed and negatives have been deposited with First National. The second picture, called "Slippy McGee," will be released September IS. The Morosco Holding Company has announced the fourth in this year's series of pictures to be a film version of the "Rose of the Ghetto." The title of the third picture to be made and delivered for future release has been held back, pending the result of negotiations now under way by the Morosco Holding Company to acquire picture rights to "The Bat," the mystery play now in its second year at the Morosco Theatre. This would be the third release. Farnum to Make a New Picture William Farnum is enjoying a final rest at his Sag Harbor home before going to the West Coast. Farnum is about to start a new picture at the Fox New York studio under the direction of Herbert Brenon, and upon its completion will leave at once for California.