Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1916)

96 Photoplay Magazine W 'ONDER what is the status of those Universal eastern stars who didn't like the order for West Coast mobilization, and who arc said to have refused to migrate to Universal City ? Among these was Mary Fuller, whose contract expired July I. Violet Mersereau had a "New York clause" in her contract, and so did William Garwood. Edna Hunter, who played opposite King Baggot, also remained East, joining Vitagraph to support Comedian Barney Bernard. Miss Fuller's contract appears to have been renewed, whatever her residential determination, judging from the present cordial relations between her and her employers. BIOGRAPH is back in the producing business with some short comedies in which Bert Williams, the ebony star of the Follies, is featured. HAVING incorporated herself, Clara Kimball Young has insured her life for something like a half-million dollars, according to the Selznick caligraphist. The fact is also heralded that in the event of illness, the star will collect a thousand dollars per week. o ANANIAS note: Little M a ry Miles Minter is designated by the news dispenser of Mutual as the "sixteen-year-old bundle of beauty and sunshine." Yet we we're solemnly assured some months ago that Mary-o'-theEms was just fifteen on April first last — .that is, on April i, 1916. CLOSELY following his announcement as a presidential candidate, comes the word that Edwin August has separated himself from the World payroll. No reason was assigned, as the morgue reporter says, but apparently it was not that the candidate desired to devote all of his time to furthering his candidacy. BIOGRAPH is realizing regular returns by resurrecting, renovating and releasing many of the early one and tworeelers in which Mary Pickf ord, Blanche Sweet and other stars appeared in the days when their names were unknown to fame and their salaries easily contained in two figures. Most of the releases were directed by D. W. Griffith, a fact which Biograph is not backward about exploiting. The warlike implement of which only the trigger shows would indicate that Hclene Rosson is a disciple of preparedness. Also, she was one of the several June brides of the California film colony. black corporal in "The Birth of a Nation." So remembering, you may be interested in the news that Walter Long has gone to Lasky's to play in a Blanche Sweet production. Long has been a character bad man for Griffith during many years. AND now it is Margaret Anglin who has deserted the stage for the screen, which she is to invade in a company of her own. Much money has been expended in preliminary advertising. EUGENE O'BRIEN — t h e handsome fellow who played the district attorney in "Poor Little Peppina." with Mary Pickford — is now with Essanay in Chicago. His first appearance with that company i^ to be in a picture with Edna Mayo. Another recent acquisition by Essanay is Antoinette Walker, who is playins: opposite Henry Walthall in "The Sting of Yictorv." RUMORS that M ARY CHARLESON. whose service in the films dates from the time they referred to leads as "movie queens," has joined Selig and is playing in "The Prince Chap." The Chicago studio was utilized for the picture, and Marshall Neilan directed it. persist John D. Spreckels, San Diego millionaire, is the new controlling owner of Universal, and film people accept it as a fact. However, Carl Laemmle is still president, and Pat Powers remains treasurer. But the Hub of the Universal is now in the West. CHARLIE CHAPLIN is "scared to death" of an auto. Says so himself and admits that lie couldn't be hired to drive one. Early in his career he drove one into a building and since that time he has been perfectly willing to let the chauffeur do it.