The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

ML News Fb(5M the Producers EDITED BY T. S. DA PONTE "Joan o/^rc" According to an announcement by Inspiration Pictures, Inc., Lillian Gish will begin work on "Joan of Arc" soon after she completes "Romola," her next big picture. In accordance with Inspiration's policy of making pictures in the actual locale of the story, "Joan of Arc," will be produced in France, just as "The White Sister" and "Romola" were made in I taly . "The Eternal Three" in New York Soon "The Eternal Three," Marshall Neilan's second production for Goldwyn will receive its first New York showing at the Capitol Theatre, beginning Sunday, September 30th. This is the picture which Neilan wrote as well as produced. Frank Urson assisted in the direction. The cast contains : Hobart Bosworth, Claire Windsor, Raymond Griffith, Bessie Love, George Cooper, Tom Gallery, Helen Lynch, Alec Francis, William Orlamond, Victory Bateman, Lillian Leighton and "Peaches" Jackson. "Monna Vanna" Has Broadway Premiere A percentage of New York's picture-going public witnessed the world's premiere showing of William Fox's super-production, "Monna Vanna." This flashed on the screen of the Central Theatre, Broadway, stupendous scenes and a multitudinous cast for over two hours Monday evening, Sept. 24. Statistics may be referred to when it is said that the mob scenes outclass any production ever made from the point of thorough "mobbiness." Spectators, in addition to this sea of people, were treated to some artistic photography of landscapes in Italy, where the picture was made. A series of gigantic sets, correct in style with the date about which the story is made to revolve by the author, Maurice Maeterlinck, and costumes in coherence with that time, are a part of this huge production so successfully undertaken by Mr. Fox. Finish Picture Tom Forman has put the last finishing touch on his elaborate production of "The Virginian," which has Kenneth Harlan in the title role. The director cut the picture, which will be an eight reel feature production. His next work for Preferred Pictures will be the screening of "White Man," the novel by George Agnew Chamberlain. Potash and Perlmutter" Magnetizes the Crowds Basil King Novel a Vitagraph Film "Let Not Man Put Asunder," Basil King's great novel dealing with the divorce evil,, will be J. Stuart Blackton's forthcoming production for Vitagraph. This announcement was made at the Vitagraph studios by President Albert E. Smith last week. Mr. Blackton's first new Vitagraph production, "On the Banks of the Wabash," is now being titled and edited by George Randolph Chester and will have an early Broadway showing. On Sunday, Sept. 23, Broadway witnessed what is said to be the gathering of the largest crowds ever assembled in a motion picture theatre when the big special S. G. production, "Potash and Perlmutter," released by First National Pictures, opened at the Mark-Strand Theatre. From 12 o'clock noon, when the house opened, until after 10 that night there was a continuous line at the box office that extended to the corner of Forty-seventh street. Until 10 o'clock the lobby of the Strand was crowded with people six lines deep, waiting to gain admission, and the house also boasted of standing room inside three or four lines deep up to 11 o'clock at night. The picture has broken all box office records for the Strand, it is said, despite the fact that press departments were handicapped by the newspaper strike. To overcome this inconvenience as best he could, Harry Reichenbach sent out sixty men dressed as Town Criers beginning on Tuesda>, the day the strike was declared, and continuing throughout the week. These men announced the current news of the day including the latest stating that "Potash and Perlbaseball scores and finished by mutter" opens at the Strand Theatre on Sunday. King Baggot Starts New Picture Under the temporary working title of "Blackmail," King Baggot has started work on his new picture at Universal City. The story is a mystery play adapted by Raymond L. Schrock from the stage play, "The Co-respondent," written by Rita Weiman, author of "The Acquittal." Universal Leaning Toward Specials "Twenty-One" Nears Completion "Twenty-One," the Inspiration production, distributed by First National Pictures, in which Richard Barthelmess is starred, will be completed some time during the coming week at the Universal studio in Fort Lee. John S. Robertson is directing the picture, which is the first production in which Barthelmess has played the role of a modern young American boy since "The Seventh Day." Dorothy Mackaill plays opposite Dick, and in the cast are Elsie Lawson, Joe King, Ivan Simpson, Dorothy Cumming, Bradley Barker, Nellie Parker Spaulding and Helen Trace. The Steadfast Heart* For October Release Distinctive Pictures Corporation announces that "The Steadfast Heart" will be released on October 7 through Goldwyn Cosmopolitan. This production is based on the story of the same name by Clarence Budington Kelland and was adapted to the screen by Philip Lonergan. The direction is by Sheridan Hall. The cast includes : Marguerite Courtot, Miriam Battista, William B. Mack, Mary Alden, Joey Depew, Joseph Striker, Jerry Devine, Hughe Huntley, Sherry Tansey, Harlan Knight, William Black, Walter Louis, Mario Majeroni and Helen Strickland. The Universal Pictures Corporation is going in heavily for the big specials under the supervision of Bernard McConville, which some experts believe the public today wants more than average pictures. Hobart Henley, whose production of "A Lady of Quality" was completed not so long ago and is the next Universal-super-jewel offering of the company, is working on "The Turmoil," by Booth Tarkington. In this picture George Hackathorne, Eleanor Boardman, Emmett Corrigan, Eileen Percy, Pauline Garon, Edward Hearn, Bert Roach, Kenneth Gibson, Theodore Von Eltz will appear. Clarence L. Brown, director of the film version of Rita Weiman's "The Acquittal," will start shortly on "The Signal Tower," a short story by Wadsworth Camp in which the important casting will be concentrated on the acquisition of three big artists for the roles of the "triangle" which motivates the story. Irving Cummings is well into production on Mary Philban's new Universal-Jewel starring vehicle, "Morality." Reginald Denny is being directed by Harry A. Pollard in an original story by Byron Morgan, "There He Goes," under the working title of "The Spice of Life." Laura La Plante is his leading woman. It will be a Denny special Jewel. Edward Sedgwick just completed Hoot Gibson's "The Extra Man" and will start soon with the same star in "Hook and Ladder." "The Right to Love" is the title of the third big starring vehicle of Baby Peggy, directed by Jesse Robbins, produced by Universal and Julius and Abe Stern of the Century Film Corporation. "Born of the Cyclone" Is Completed Emile Chautard has just completed "Born of the Cyclone" at the Pat Powers studio for F. B. O. release. In the cast arc Derelys Perdue, who has the lead; Lloyd Hughes, Ralph Lewis, Max Davidson, Emilie Fitzroy, Mickey M'Ban, Joe Dowling, John O'Brien and others. Joe Dubray and Pierre Collings were the cinematographers.