The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

September 8, 1923 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 187 Chaplin's Latest Different, Says Los Angeles Reviewer The motion picture rveiewer for the preview section of the Los Angeles Times gives high praise to Charles Chaplin's seven reel feature photodrama, "A Woman of Paris," which is scheduled for premier showing in New York in October, prior to release througn United Artists Corporation. The reviewer declares there is not a slow movement in the whole film. "A Woman of Paris" was written and directed by Mr. Chaplin and features Edna Purviance and Adolphe Menjou. In the course of his lengthy review the Times' critic says : "Of late there has been considerable concern among produ cers over the fact that instead of developing along original lines the photoplays have been becoming more and more the victims of technical conventions of production and presentation. There has been a growing sameness in the manner of handling situations; originality has been, in most instances, lacking in the way of putting over scenes, emotions, plot developments, and characters. "People who have not made a study of the technicalities of photoplay production and plot building will probably not realize why they find this picture so refreshing. They will probably say that it moves along quickly — that there isn't a slow movement in the whole film. Hut those who study screen plays will find >\ packed with innovations. "A Woman of Paris" was nearly eight months in the making, and almost 400,000 feet of film were used. The painstaking way in which Mr. Chaplin went about his work is shown by the fact that the big scene between mother and son— Lydia Knott and Carl Miller —was photographed 110 times. "There is.no 'fuzzy stuff'; there is no 'trick lighting'; no gauzes art' used. Credit for this must be divided between Mr. Chaplin, who ordered simplicity, and RolliTotheroh, who handled the cameras." Fox Starts Work on "Big Dan" Work has begun at the Fix: Film Corporation Studios in Hollywood on "Big Dan," the next Charles Jones starring vehicle. William Wellman is directing the picture. Marian Nixon will play the feminine lead. Metro Preparing to Film "Happiness" Preparations are being made at the Metro studios in Hollywood for the arrival of Laurctte Taylor next month to start work on "Happiness," the first of the two pictures which this noted actress will make for Metro for the coming season. Miss Taylor will begin production soon after her arrival on the west coast. Vitagraph Starts on "Man from Brodneys' "The Man From Brodney's," the David Smith production picturized by C. Graham Baker from the novel by George Barr McCutcheon has been cast and work will begin immediately at the Vitagraph studios in Hollywood. This production is one of the twenty-six specials which Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, announced for the season of 1923-24. J. Warren Kerrigan heads the cast and other leading roles have been assigned to Alice Calhoun, Wanda Hawley, Pat O'Malley, Miss Dupont, Bertram Grassby and Kathleen Key. Others who have important parts in this great special are Arthur Hoyt, Glen Cavender, Henry Hebert, Robert Bolder, Otto Hoffman, Dave Clifton. Eugene Beaudino. Charles Wellesly and Henry Barrows. Planning Distribution of Principal Pictures Mabel Normand Film Portrays Movie Life With the arrival in New York City of Sol Lesser, president of Principal Pictures, speculation is rife as to what plans will be made for the distribution of the Principal product during the coming twelve months. Notwithstanding that Mr. Lesser is the vice-president of First National, his distribution channels have not been decided upon. The award will be made entirely upon the merits of each proposition submitted. Several well known distributors are said to be in negotiations with the eastern offices, of Principal Pictures. Formerly, releasing arrangements were made by Principal Pictures after the production was completed, each picture, or scries of pictures,' being arranged for separately. Now the entire output for the coining year will be contracted for before Mr. Lesser leaves for Europe, September 9. Mabel Normand has so far recovered from her recent injury, sustained when she was thrown from a horse, that she has been able to resume golf playing, a telegram to Arthur S. Kane, president of Associated Exhibitors, states. It was feared at first that her collar-bone had been broken, but this proved incorrect. In "The Extra Girl," Miss Normand's first starring production for Associated, Mack Sennett, her producer, is said to have touched the high spot for which he has been long striving. The part is that of a country girl, irrepressible but lovable and alluring, who, longing to achieve fame on the screen, deserts her home, her sweetheart and her girlhood friends, and journeys to Hollywood, casting her lot with countless other seekers after places of prominence in the great institution of picture-making. "The Extra Girl" is to have its world premiere at the Mission Theatre, Los Angeles, on the completion of the run of "MerryGo-Round," which is now in progress. Schulberg Announces Cast for "Maytime Work on "Maytime" has been started at B. P. Schulber-g's studio. Mr. Schulberg has just announced the completed cast which will enact the Preferred version of Rida Johnson Young's famous stage play, which has been running on the stage for six years. Ethel Shannon and Clara Bow will be' the leading women players, and Harrison Ford, leading man in "Little Old New York," will be the hero. William Norm, who played in the stage vi-si• will have the comedy par' «••* Matthew, and other ' prominef players will be Wallace MacDonald, Netta Westcott, Josef Swickard, Martha Mattox, Robert McKini. Betty Francisco, Edna Tichenor and Mertha Sterling. The production of "Maytime" will be the most elaborate of all the Preferred Pictures to date. It is being made by Gasnier on a large and beautiful scale, it is stated. TRADE MARK RCQ.US . PAT QWF* MOTION PICTURE DEVELOPING AND PRINTING TELEPHONE AUDUBON 3716 203 Tp 211 W. 146 St., New York City