Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

July 6, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 85 <& US jf3 g> <s? ^» g» g° g« <g« g* <s? <£• g« g» .<g • ♦ ♦ ^ £521 Si '^ SI2S -^ °^ °^ Manufacturers' Advance Notes 3 g= 15 g£ g. g 15 ^^!El£gE^S15SlSlSE^2S2gS *s S S 5§ S ^ S 2 -^ s » Scene from "The Great Love" (Artcraft). Gr/^^ 7a//cs of the Making of "The Great Love' "I never really knew the full meaning of the word 'graciousness' until I went to England and began to produce my pictureplays over there. I was in a rather delicate position. The personages with whom I was working had kindly offered me their services as actors and actresses in my story; they were giving me their most valuable time simply as a courtesy. But a more willing and obliging assembly I have never had." David "VVark Griffith was speaking in a brief pause during the assembling of his forthcoming Artcraft release, "The Great Love." and explaining a remark he had dropped but a few moments before concerning courtesy. Mr. Griffith will soon offer "The Great Love" to the public as the first of a series of special productions following "Hearts of the World." It was in return for producing "Hearts of the World" as a propaganda film for the British Government that the foremost personages of the empire offered to appear in one of the master director's photoplays, and in addition to such popular photoplayers as Lillian Gish, Henry Walthall. Robert Harron, George Fawcett he has Queen Alexandria, Elizabeth Asquith. Lady Diana Manners, Countess Maserine, Mrs. Montagu, Lady Lavery, Katherine Stuart-Wortley, and a number of others. "The title of my picture, 'The Great Love,' may mean many things," said Mr. Griffith. "It may mean the love of country, and again it may mean the love of individuals. I am not going to tell you whether or not it is either or both," he smiled, "but I hope to show the remarkable transition of the butterfly life of British society to that of stern, sincere, hard workers in the great cause of winning the war. "I was permitted to photograph practically anywhere I wished. I remember one place. It was at a beautiful country place that at one time was one of the favorite spots of King Edward VII. In the back of an arbor was a tree planted there by the Emperor of Germany while on a visit long before the war. The tree still stands and blossoms, but the tablet which commemorates the occasion of the planting has been buried deep in the ground at its roots. "Queen Alexandria was gracious enough to come down to Lady Diana Manners' hospital which she conducts on her country estate and devoted nearly an entire day in arranging the hospital scenes and appearing in them herself. The Queen is greatly interested in the cinema, and showed a familiarity with a number of photoplays, and when they visited "Intolerance," the first time they had been to the theater in two years, she and the King sent for me to come to their box. "I went to London a total st*anger to those with whom I worked. I felt that I could do some good toward letting the world know war conditions and what England and France were doing toward winning it. These ladies and gentlemen who appear in 'The Great Love' agreed with me, and, although they are directing and supervising the affairs of the empire, they gladly took the time to assist in the making of the picture. It was an honor paid the photodrama which could not be equaled." "Ghost of Rancho" Soon. Pathe announces for release this summer the new Bryant Washburn romantic comedy, "The Ghost of the Rancho." This is an interesting comedy drama of the Southwest with Rhea Mitchell in the cast. Here's Metro's Cast for "Our Mrs. McChesney" PLAYERS of prominence on stage and screen have been chosen to surround Ethel Barrymore in Metro's "Our Mrs. McChesney," which has been adapted for her use by Luther A. Reed from the Edna Ferber stories as dramatized by Miss Ferber and George V. Hobart. At least two members of the screen play also supported Miss Barrymore when she presented the stage production at the Empire theater, New York. Huntley Gordon has been chosen for the important part of T. A. Buck, Jr., playing opposite the star. Emma McChesney (Miss Barrymore) is the traveling saleswoman, and later the secretary of the "Featherbloom Petticoat" company, and T. A. Buck, Jr., the junior member of the firm, is later the owner. Lucille Lee Stewart, another prominent member of the cast, has the feminine role second in importance to that of the star, Vera, the "chorus lady." A favorite Metro player, Ricca Allen, will have the amusing role of Henrietta Stitch. Miss Allen has been identified with more Metro successes than almost any other player. The versatile actor, John Daley Murphy, has the part of Abel Fromkin, representing the "Fromkin Form-Fitting Skirt," represented by Emma McChesney. Wilfred Lytell, brother of Bert Lytell, the Metro star, has been engaged for the leading juvenile role of Jack McChesney, Emma McChesney's son. William H. St. James is the "Fat Ed Myers" of the production, a part that will be remembered by all who. have seen the stage play or read the stories. Mr. St. James was the originator of the role in Miss Barrymore's dramatic company. Walter Percival, known favorably in every branch of the theatrical profession, has been engaged for the part of "Beauty" Blair. Rose Wood, a Baltimore girl who has only recently adopted screen acting, has an interesting role. Big Top All Ready for Fred Stone. Preparatory to the advent in the Western film colony of the redoubtable Fred Stone, comedian extraordinary and athlete supreme, who is to make pictures for the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, a big circus top is going up across the street from the studio at Selma and Vine. The canvas men, the stake drivers, all are busy. And soon there will be the performers in spangled tights, clowns with plastered faces, horses — tanbark and pink lemonade, peanut butchers, and ticket sellers — but the circus will not be open to the public. Donald Crisp will direct Fred Stone, and he is as busy as a bee preparing for his distinguished star. Nat Deverich is assisting, and Henry Kotani, the Oriental camera expert, is getting his lenses polished. Rhea Mitchell in Lytell Support. Rhea Mitchell will play opposite Bert Lytell in the Metro star's "Boston's Blackie's Little Pal." Miss Mitchell, who as a screen star in her own right has gained a large following, is cast for the leading feminine role in the Lytell production, that of Mary, business partner of "Boston Blackie," gentleman, scholar and master crook.