The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

November 18, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 247 A Millarde Film The famous character* of Georges Ohnet's celebrated novel, "Dr. Rameau," have, Fox says, come to life on the •creen in the William Fox version of the story adapted under the title of "My Friend the Devil," to be released on the November schedule of Fox Film Corporation. Charles Richman, one of the screen's foremost dramatic actors, is said to set a high mark for emotional depiction in the role of George Dryden, eminent surgeon. Barbara Castleton is the beautiful, but faithless wife. Among others in the cast are Peggy Shaw, former Ziegfeld Follies beauty, and William H. Tooker. "My Friend the Devil" was directed by Harry Millarde, who was responsible for the production of "Over the Hill." Fox Releases for Week, Nov. 6 Two features, a Clyde Cook Special Comedy, a Sunshine Comedy, and a Mutt and Jeff Animated Cartoon comprise the releases announced for the week of November 6 by Fox Film Corporation. "Shirley of the Circus" is the Shirley Mason publication. It was directed by Rowland V. Lee. John Gilbert appears in "The Love Gambler," directed by Joseph Franz. Clyde Cook comes in his new two-reeler, "Lazy Bones." "The Ranch Romeo" is the title of the new Sunshine Comedy, and a Mutt and Jeff Animated Cartoon, "Wishing Ducks," is also on the week's release program. Arrangements Made to Release Film Allied Producers and Distributors Corporation, a subsidiary organization of United Artists, will release the Nazimova production of "Salome." This picture, aside from its general release, will be presented at a Broadway theatre in New York at the same time, it is understood, that the great Russian screen and stage star makes her appearance in a new stage play. Much public interest has been Elinor Glyn's Name Aids Attendance A brief shopping expedition, then a box of sweets and an Elinor Glyn matinee — these seem to afford a perfect afternoon for the average woman, says Playgoers Pictures in summarizing exhibitor opinion after the first week of its current Elinor Glyn attraction, "The Man and the Moment." "It is an established fact, recognized among theatre owners, that the magic name of Elinor Glyn is a wonderful stimulant to matinee attendance," says the Playgoers statement. aroused also, it is said, by the action of the National Board of Review in indorsing "Salome" as not only a beautiful and highly artistic photoplay, but as being also free from censorable qualities. The National Board's report, it is stated, certifies the eligibility of the picture for all classes of picture theatres, and stands as well as testimony of its dramatic effectiveness and beauty of presentation. Willat Directs Two Scenes at One Time Directing two scenes at one time was the feat of Irvin V. Willat durmg the filming of the Metro screen version of "All the Brothers Were Valiant," Ben Ames Williams' great sea story. This feat was performed aboard a whaling schooner during the "shooting" of scenes showing a hair raising battle between a mu Beban Honored by State Governor George Beban, touring the larger cities with his stage and screen combination of "The Sign of the Rose," was received in Tokepa, Kansas, for his appearance si,^' |thfi . Orpheum Theatre, under U^il$M'dli)6onditions. Because of the political convention which overcrowded the city, hotel accommodations could not be provided for the star and his company, whereupon a suite was placed at his disposal in the executive mansion by Governor Henry J. Allen. tinous crew and the captain's men. Mr. Willat's chair was situated so that he could view but one scene, the other being at a point back of him and to the left. He directed the action in both spots, aided by a megaphone and a mirror, the latter being so suspended that Mr. Willat could view both scenes in their different locations. Records Broken Having rounded out its second year of continuous playing "Over the Hill" now holds all records for length of continuous run, attendance, number of theatres played, and gross receipts, according to a statement from the Fox Film Corporation which first presented the play in New York City on September 17, 1920, and paved the way for a mass box office attack all over the world. Entering its third year, the statement says, it has bowled' over every record set up for it to shoot at, and is now sweeping the world with no let-up in sight. It has been the feature attraction in 7,813 houses in the United States. Canada has played it in 571 of its theatres. In England it has been played in 1,628 public places of amusement. Leah Baird Picture Now in Preparation "When Civilization Failed" is the title of a forthcoming production featuring Leah Baird, which is now being cut in preparation for its delivery to Associated Exhibitors. The picture was adapted from "All Mine," by Dorian Neve, the well-known New York playwright. The atmosphere for the production was acquired on a voyage made by the Baird company to South American waters and along the coast of Lower California. Instead of only one "big" scene, or spinal thrill in this picture there will be four, according to Arthur F. Beck, the producer. Included with Leah Baird in the cast of "When Civilization Failed" are such well known players as Tom Santschi, Richard Tucker, Walter McGrail, Alec B. Francisc, Bobby Bolder and Ruth Mitchell. "Bella Donna" Easy to Adapt Paramount claims to have discovered at last the novel that lends itself perfectly to screen adaptation. It is "Bella Donna," in which Pola -Negri is to star as her first American-made picture. Moreover, Ouida Bergere, to whom was intrusted the task of scenarizing the famous Robert Hichens' story, is the authority for the statement that it is the perfect novel for screen adaptation. This George Fitzmaurice production boasts of the unusual feature of two leading men playing opposite the Polish star — Conway Tearle and Conrad Nagel. Vitagraph Says Its Film Is a Thriller Director David Smith has completed and turned in for revision the first of Vitagraph's big twelve special productions, "The Ninety and Nine." This picture is frankly a thriller, Vitagraph says. The big thrill is the rescue of an entire country-side from the fury of the flames, as a forest fire races toward a surrounded town. Great stretches of burning forest are shown, whole towns in flames, hundreds of men, women and children running frantically to cover. The little telegraph office is besieged with shouting, cursing, praying men, demanding an engine to take the trapped inhabitants to safety. Finally a young derelict who chances to be on the scene commandeers an engine, and with a young woman at the shovel, he rolls the steel monster out on the main track and heads into the furnace of roaring flames ahead. Warner Baxter is the volunteer engine driver in this great production, and beautiful Colleen Moore is the winsome Ruth Blake who handles the shovel for him. Picture Draws Big Theatre Crowds Associated Exhibitors attractions packed two big theatres simultaneously in Detroit last week. One was Harold Lloyd in "Grandma's Boy" in its second week at the Fox-Washington, and the other was the Florence Vidor feature, "Dusk to Dawn," which was appearing at Warren & Cohen's Colonial Theatre. Mary Minter's Next "The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," by John Fox, Jr., the famous romance of the Cumberlands, is soon to be made into a Paramount picture with Mary Miles Minter as the star. Miss Minter's choice to play this story is considered especially fortunate as she is a Southern girl and her greatest successes have been made in tales of this sort. Before joining Paramount she made a big hit in plays of the Southern mountains, especially in another story by John Fox, Jr., "A Cumberland Romance," which she did for Realart. Olcott to Direct Marion Davies Sidney Olcott has been engaged by Cosmopolitan Productions to direct Marion Davies in her next picture, a screen version of Rida Johnson Young's famous stage play, "Little Old New York." Work on the picture, the scenario of which is by Luther Reed, will begin about the middle of December. The engagement of Olcott to direct Miss Davies comes as a result of the proposed world's tour by Robert G. Vignola who directed Marion Davies in some of her big productions. Meantime, Olcott is on his way to Europe, but will be back ready to start work on "Little Old New York" in about five weeks.