The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

642 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 16, 1922 Real Chinese Color in Hyrnan Prologue Real Chinese in native costume served as supers in the elaborate stage introduction prepared at the Brooklyn Mark Strand Theatre for Constance Talmadge's "East Is West." In addition to reproducing' behind the footlights the love boat scene from the film 'or this atmospheric prologue, Managing Director Edward L. Hyman used two operatic stars and a pair of classic dancers, all of who were dressed in Chinese robes. The night Chinese setting contrived was futuristic with contrasting lights to aid the eflFectiveness of the dances and songs, Mr. Hyman reproduced as nearly as possible the scene and costumes from the film. Strings of odd Chinese lanterns added to the color. The prologue stepped right into the film furnishing the advance atmosphere and eliminating an abrupt break. Mr. Hyman used the Chinese type of lettering as a trademark for the advertising done by the Mark Strand for "East Is West." This letter motif prevailed in newspaper display, in lobby cards and in stands in front of the theatre. Ballin Still Adds to "Vanity Fair" Cast Hugo Ballin is still adding to the big cast which he is assembling at the Goldwyn studios for his photoplay version of Thackeray's "Vanity Fair," starring his wife, Mabel Ballin. Adele Rowland, famous musical comedy star, has been signed for an important part. Doris Stone, an English musical comedy star, has also been engaged, as have Leo White, James Marcus and Otto Lederer. This makes one of the longest and ablest casts ever assembled for an American picture. Other players engaged are Hobart Bosworth, George Walsh, Eleanor Boardman, Harrison Ford, Willard Louis, Earle Fox, Robert Mack, William Humphrey and Tempe Piggott. Director Ballin has nearly finished the great ballroom scene for "Vanity Fair" and will soon begin on the battle of Waterloo section in which thousands of extras will appear. "Outcast" Listed for December As its release of December 10, Paramount presents Elsie Ferguson in "Outcast," a picturization of one of Miss Ferguson's greatest stage successes. This play was written by Hubert Davies and it was in 1914 that Miss Ferguson starred in it in New York. One of the features of the picture which should prove especially attractive to women is a fashion show held in a setting presenting an ultra-exclusive modiste's shop. Chester Withey directed the picture, and David Powell is leading man. Jack Pickford's **Garrison's Finish " Set for Release January 15 A definite release date for January 15 next has been set for Jack Pickford's "Garrison's Finish," an Allied Producers and Distributors Corporation release which marks Mr. Pickford's formal return to the screen as a star after two years directorial work with his sister, Mary Pickford. "Garrison's Finish" is based on W. B. M. Ferguson's famous racing novel of the same title — a story that has been read and loved by many hundreds of thousands. It is a big picture in every sense of the word, and for its racing scenes has the actual running of the last Kentucky Derby won by the great Morvich at Louisville, as well as the last Metropolitan handicap at Belmont Park. "Garrison's Finish" has been booked for a pre-release run at the Grand Theatre, Pittsburgh. After the theatre management had seen the picture everyone was strong in congratulations for Jack Pickford and heartily endorsed the film as an excellent box-office and entertainment feature. Arrangements were made for a private showing of "Garrison's Finish" to all the member of "Sally," the stage play in which Marilyn Miller (Mrs. Jack Pickford) is starring, as well as for members of all other theatrical companies playing in Pittsburgh. Because the Grand Theatre print had not yet reached Pittsburgh plans were made for having a print sent on by special messenger for this private showing. Marion Davies Busy on Christmas Gifts Saw No Wickedness in Hollywood Back in New York after a sijc weeks' tour of the United States^ Lord Louis Mountbatten, son of the former Prince Henry of Battenberg and cousin of thePrince of Wales, declared that he looked everywhere for signs of wickedness while at Hollywood,, but failed to see it. Accompany ing Lord Mountbatten on the journey, which was made in a pri vate car, was Lady Mountbatten^ England's wealthiest girl. Speaking of his experiences in Hollywood, Lord Mountbatten said : "We stayed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks,. Charles Chaplain was our distinguished host, as Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks were in the East. There is a private theatre in the Fairbanks home, and we saw film* which have not yet been prO' duced. We liked Charlie Chaplin'* new picture, The Pilgrim,' and enjoyed Jackie Coogan in 'Oliver Twist.' " Meantime "Oliver Twist" has been generally released by First National. "The Pilgrim" wUl shortly be released also by First National. Marion Davies, Cosmopolitan star, will be one of the busiest girls in New York City during the month of December. Besides starting work on her new picture, "Little Old New York," soon after the first of the month. Miss Davies is dressing one thousand dolls to be given away on Christmas Day to New York children. Five hundred of the dolls will be given out through the New York American Christmas Fund and five hundred will be given away by Miss Davies herself at the gigantic holiday celebration she plans to hold on Christmas Day at the Cosmopolitan studio at 127th and Second Avenue. The sick children are not to be forgotten, as the little ones at St. Joseph's Hospital, 143rd Street and Brook Avenue, Bronx, New York City, are Miss Davies' special proteges. They look upon her as a fairy godmother as they have but to express a wish for some particular thing and it will be forthcoming. The Cosmopolitan star has told them that if they will write her letters telling just what they want, their wishes will be granted on Christmas Day. Twenty-five hundred children will be given presents at the celebration at the Cosmopolitan studio. On Christmas Day Miss Davies will entertain six hundred exservice men at a big Christmas dinner, to be followed by a theatre party at the Cort Theatre to witness "Merton of the Movies." Over one thousand men will be included in the latter invitation as the entire house has been bought out for the Christmas matinee. The ex-soldiers to be the recipients of Miss Davies' hospitality will be selected through the Reconstruction Hospitals and the American Legion. Big Circuit Books Hodkinson Picture An important booking announcement has been made by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation to the effect that the Fox Circuit has booked the melodrama, "Bulldog Drummond," adapted from the stage success by "Sapper" and featuring Carlyle Blackwell and Evelyn Greeley, into seventeen theatres in Greater New York and vicinity. This contract, which, according to the distributors, is one of the largest and most important of its kind, covers twelve theatres in New York City and Brooklyn, among them being some of the "Broken Chains" Is Booked at Capitol Goldwyn's production of th{ prize winning scenario in the Chicago Daily News $30,00') scenaric contest, "Broken Chains," by Win ifred Kimball, is booked for shoW' ing at the Capitol Theatre next week. This story was selected for firs' prize by the judges out of 32.00( manuscripts submitted. Goldwyr engaged Allen Holubar to direc the production and gave him : cast including Coleen Moore, Mai colm McGregor, Ernest Torrence Claire Windsor, Gerald Pring Beryl Mercer and other wel known players. "Broken Chains" is the story o the redemption of an Fasten youth, who is a physical and mora coward, through his pity for brutally treated young wife whon he stumbles upon in a little West ern cabin, chained and pad locked so she cannot leave thi house. The production is an elaborati one and contains many beautifu shots among the California red woods. largest and best of the Fox Circuit, including the Academy of Music, Audubon, Jap Garden, Nemo, Washington and others. Furthermore, it is stated that this contract covers theatres controlled by Fox in New Jersey and Connecticut. Among the most important of these are the New Britain Theatre, New Britain, Conn.; American, Paterson, N. J.; Terminal and American, Newark, N. J., and Liberty Theatre, Elizabeth, N. J. It is further announced that Bim's Schuyler, 103d Street, West End and Standard have also contracted for this Hodkinson release. Fox Releases for Early December Fox Film Corporation an nounces its release program fa the week of December 3 to coil' sist of a William Russell feature a Sunshine Comedy, a Mutt an( Jeff Animated Cartoon and tw«|C|! issues of Fox News "The Great Night" is the titli of the only Russell vehicle whicl will be distributed during Decern ber. It was directed by Howan M. Mitchell Eva Novak play opposite Russell. The Sunshine Comedy is "Thi Fresh Heir." The Mutt and Jel release is titled, "The Chewini Gum Industry." Fox News wil have its bi-weekly publication.