Paramount Press Books (1918)

EXHIBITOR’S PRESS BOOK CHARLES KENMORE ULRICH, Editor PRESS STORIES FAMOUS PIAYERS-LASKY CORPORATION ;^iPH ZUKOR JBSSE LLASKYl^/«P^ CEClLB.DSMIiiEfi/foJw^JrterBi 1 AD CUTS and MATS Notes of Value on Enrico Caruso and His Photoplay My Cousin” ENRICO CARUSO, FAMOUS TENOR. The most commanding figure in the operatic world today is Enrico Caruso, world-famed tenor, for many years the chief artist of the Metropolitan Opera Company in New York. Mr. Caruso is as capable a dramatic actor as he is a singer and his genius for dramatic portrayals qualifies him exceptionally for screen work. The recent announcement that the great singer was to appear in at least two Artcraft pictures during the current season caused no end of discussion in art centres as well as among the general public. Is Signor Caruso screenable? From the standpoint of cinema art, can he logically and successfully sustain a screen characterization? In his first photoplay, written especially for him, both questions are answered emphatically in the affirmative. Signor Caruso has acquitted himself in “My Cousin,” in which he plays dual roles, admirably, and it is predicted by those who know, that his debut in motion pictures will create a sensation no less decisive in its way than that made by him years ago when the magic of his unsurpassable voice thrilled the operatic world. THE AUTHOR The author of “My Cousin,” the first photoplay in which Signor Caruso makes his cinema debut, is Margaret Turnbull, one of the best known screen writers in the country. Mrs. Turnbull has written many stories for the screen and they invariably have been highly successful. She has done capital work in “My Cousin,” the story affording the great singer dual roles roles of exceptional power and interest. THE DIRECTOR Edward JOSE, who directed Signor Caruso in “My Cousin,” is a director of exceptional skill and talents, who is responsible for many photoplay successes, notably those starring Mme. Lina Cavalieri. Mr. Jose is a trained actor, stage director and cinematographist, so that he is splendidly adapted for the work in which he is engaged. In the production of “My Cousin” he was capably assisted by W. J. Scully. AN ABSORBING STORY Mario NANI is a poor artist who makes models for plaster casts and whose proud boast is that he is a cousin of Cesare Carulli, the great tenor, whom he greatly resembles. Mario loves Rosa Ventura, cashier in a restaurant, and although she flirts occasionally with Bombardi, proprietor of a fruit and vegetable stand, she really loves Mario. Mario takes her to the opera one day and Bombardi becomes furiously jealous. He ridicules Mario’s claim of relationship with the great tenor. Carulli is accorded a magnificent reception and after the opera he goes in disguise to a restaurant where Mario is drinking wine and vowing his love for Rosa. Mario proposes a toast to Carulli, whereupon the tenor rises to leave the restaurant. When he passes Mario, the latter offers him a glass of wine to drink to the toast, but Carulli refuses the tender and quits the place. Mario learns that the stranger was Carulli himself, and Bombardi alleges triumphantly that Mario’s alleged relationship to the tenor is false, else he would have recognized the great man. Rosa becomes angry at Mario and refuses to listen ro his vows of love. Mario calls upon Carulli on the following day and believing Mario desires to try out his voice, Carulli consents. Mario bungles the effort whereupon Carulli orders him ejected from the apartment. When Ludovico, a boy, hears of Mario’s sorrow, he goes to Carulli’s home and reveals the truth to him. Carulli seeks Mario and orders him to complete the bust of him he had started. This establishes Mario’s position as the tenor’s cousin and despite the protestations of Bombardi, Rosa gives her heart to Mario. CAPABLE SUPPORT SIGNOR CARUSO is splendidly supported in “My Cousin.” His leading woman is Carolina White, a famous soprano, and a delightful actress. Henry Leone has a strong role and others in the cast include Joseph Ricciardi, A. G. Corbelle, Bruno Zirato and Ma,ster William Bray. The minor roles are in good hands. TABLE OF CONTENTS Front Cover — Billing Inside Front Cover Production Cuts and Mats Page Editorial and Contents 1 Special Feature Story 3 Cast and Story 5 Press Review 7 Advertising Cuts and Mats 9-10-11 Advance Press Stories 13-15 Exhibitors’ Accessories 17 Mail Campaign 18-19 Inside Back Cover Paper and Slide Back Cover Latest Releases