Paramount Press Books (1919)

ADVANCE PRESS STORIES ON “THE POPPY GIRL’S HUSBAND” To be Sent to the Newspapers Prior to and During the Presentation of William S. Hart’s Latest Photoplay AN ARTCRAFT PICTURE BARBARY COAST WAS * ’ THE UNDERWORLD OF OLD SAN FRANCISCO Infamous Resort of Criminals Pictured in “The Poppy Girl’s Husband” XXT HAT and where is the Bar** bary Coast? To be exact, there are two. The original was the “Coast of the High Barbaree” of old piratical days. The other and more modern, is the underworld of San Francisco. Today it is more of a name than anything else, for cleaning up days in the Golden Gate City have been frequent and the denizens thereof have mostly been scattered to the four winds of heaven. The Barbary Coast of San Francisco is comparable only with the old Five Points in New York or Whitechapel in London. It is, or was — though it is still there as a shadow of its former self— the resort of the worst element of the city. Yet some of it was outward show and the horrified slummer sometimes saw things that were really only there for his especial benefit. Yet there were tragedies in the district and it was never a pleasant place to find oneself in after dark. The new William S. Hart picture, “The Poppy Girl’s Husband,” which will be shown at the Theatre next , is laid partly in this section of San Francisco. It is said to be one of the most dramatic stories ever supplied the star. Juanita Hansen is the leading woman, and in the cast will be found’ Walter Long, a famous character actor of the slcreen, recently released from service in the army, as Captain Long. Jack Boyle wrote the story and it was adapted by C. Gardner Sullivan. PRISON SCENE IN NEW HART PICTURE MOST ELABORATE Splendid Sets Provided for “The Poppy Girl’s Husband” r\NE of the most elaborate sets ever constructed at the William S. Hart studio was built for “The Poppy Girl’s Husband,” a new Artcraft production, which will be shown at the Theatre next It shows three tiers of cells in a State’s prison. The gloomy corridors of the prison are admirably represented with stone flagged passages, the “iron” gratings and platforms rising above to the roof of the studio structure. Each cell contains a white iron bed, and when a hundred or more extras dressed as convicts did the lock-step down the corridor, the effect was highly realistic and painfully reminiscent to those who have visited some of the penal institutions in the country. This picture is said to differ materially from anything in which Mr. Hart has hitherto made his appearance. Juanita Hansen in the role of the “Poppy Girl,” is declared to have a part that suits her well and to which she has done full justice. Among others in the cast appear Capt. Long, late of the U. S. Artillery, and one of the best known “heavy” actors in the business. San Francisco, the Barbary Coast and the prison are all features of the picture which was written by Jack Boyle for The Red Book and scenarioized by C. Gardner Sullivan. Many of the scenes were taken in San Francisco and its environs. Those presenting the Barbary Coast, the underworld resort of the city, are highly realistic. NOTABLE PLAYERS SUPPORT W.S. HART a IN NEW PHOTOPLAY Juanita Hansen Leading Lady in “The Poppy Girl’s Husband” I N “The Poppy Girl’s Husband,” his latest Artcraft offering, which will be displayed at the Theatre next W. S. Hart, star in pictures produced under the supervision of Thos. H. Ince, is supported by a most notable cast of players. Juanita Hansen, known as one of the most beautiful women of the screen, appears in the leading feminine role, while Capt. Walter Long, late of the U. S. Army, -has the part of Boston Blackiec Little Georgie Stone, who was so successful in the part of the little Belgian boy in C. B. DeMille’s Artcraft picture, “Till I Come Back to You,” will be seen as the son of the star, who has the role of a convict, parted from his wife and child to serve ten years in prison. Fred Starr in the heavy part gives a fine performance, and David Kirby, who once inhabited the Barbary Coast of San Francisco, where the scenes are mostly laid, has the role of Montana Kid. Jack Boyle wrote the original magazine story from which C. Gardner Sullivan adapted the screen drama. The direction is by Mr. Hart and Lambert Hillyer. Joe August was the cameraman. Power and novelty are the two big features of the picture. It differs from most Hart pictures, yet it has all the dramatic strength and emotional quality of his best work. The scenes are laid in San Quentin prison and in the infamous Barbary Coast of San Francisco, which for decades has been the resort of the denizens of the underworld. 13