Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1916)

Tic ays an avers FACTS AND NEAR-FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT AND NEAR-GREAT OF FILMLAND @y<5a{2/or/i TALK about taking chances in order to give the public a thrill, what do you think of an actor who would butt right into a real battle and face a rain of bullets? Xow, mind you, we aren't saying that Crane Wilbur did that little thing. We are merely mentioning it, incidental like, while awarding the month's prize to the author of that thrilling story "Mutual Star in Clash with Mexicans and American Troops." Lack of space precludes publication in its entirety but listen to these exciting excerpts : "The conflict lasted fifteen minutes, during which Wilbur and members of his party braved a storm of bullets coming from all directions in the eagerness to secure several much needed scenes . . . the tripod upon which Cameraman Turnbull's machine rested was shattered by bullets. . . . Although facing a storm of machine gun fire, the Americans charged and captured the gun and the Mexicans. Not once did Turnbull stop turning his machine and every move was filmed. So as to use the scenes in his latest starring vehicle, Mr. Wilbur joined in the rush and was in the thick of battle." What? You don't believe it? Why, that makes it unanimous ! SIR HERBERT BEERBOHM TREE is through celluloiding and is once more on British soil. His parting with Fine Arts is said to have been hastened by a directorial desire to have the distinguished actor appear in blackface. The desire, it is said, was inspired by the discovery that the limited success of Sir Herbert's filmed "Macbeth" did not justify his large salary. AFTER satisfying herself that the relentless camera was not too cruel, Ellen Terry, England's most noted actress, ventured into the lens' vision for one photopla)'. The title is "Her Greatest Performance" and London will first glimpse it in January. Here is Henry Walthall "hitting 'em up " on a Chicago course. OXE of the most important personal^ shifts of the past month was that of Kathlyn Williams, whose name has been almost synonymous with Selig productions since the beginning of photoplay history. Miss Williams left her old affiliations to go with Morosco, the manager of which is Charles F. Eyton who recently became the husband of the star. It is said that she will return to ingenue roles and to play opposite her, Morosco has obtained the services of Thomas Holding, erstwhile Famous Players lead, seen most frequently with Pauline Frederick. SEISMIC disturbances have changed the contours of Yitagraph payroll during the last thirty days. Among those who have gone elsewhere are Leah Baird. now at Universal City; Donald Hall. Harry Xorthrup, Belle Bruce, Rodger Lytton, Harry Davenport. Yan Dyke Brooke, Donald McBride and Caroline Birch. Rollin Sturgeon, for a long time leading director for Western Yitagraph, also made his adieus during the month. Mn reports that Douglas Fairbanks had signed up for another year with Fine Arts at a salary of $3,000 a week were denied by Mr. Fairbanks. FOLLOWIXG the example of Mrs. Castle and Mae Murray. Joan Sawyer is to dance her way through a motion picture story. The William Fox Film Corporation will sponsor it. EDXA HUNTER, who went from Universal to play the part of Rita in Clara Kimball Young's "Common Law," is now serialing for the Monmouth company, a newcomer among the producers. Other familiar names on the cast are E. K. Lincoln, Paul Panzer and Doris Mitchell. BRONCHO BILLY ANDERSON is playing a new role these days, that of supervisingdirector for a series of films in which Kitty Cordon will appear. Nothing has been said as to the probability of Mr. Anderson featuring himself in any of the Gordon pictures. 100 BLAXCHE SWEET. Lasky star, has a new director, viz: Marshal Xeilan. who recently clambered onto the directorial map with "The Prince Chap" and "The Country that God Forgot." for Selig. Xeilan and Miss Sweet formerly played together in early Biograph days. Since that time he has been with a number of companies.