Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1928 - Feb 1929)

58 Hollywood High Lights eight or nine years ago. Who that saw it does not remember his picture, "The Sign of the Rose"? It was one of the most successful productions of its time. He made various other films, and with most of these, as well as with "The Sign of the Rose," he went on personal-appearance tours. Beban had retired at the time of his death, and was living comfortably on a rather ample fortune that he had accumulated. He was gifted with foresight in respect to saving his money, often rare in the actor, and furthermore, he was fortunate in his business activities. Semon, on the other hand, suffered sundry hardships in recent years. He tried to break away from short reelers several years ago, and made "The Wizard of Oz," which failed financially. He underwent other reverses which led eventually to the bankruptcy court. The strain and worry shattered his nerves, and led to his death. Semon was very well liked personally in Hollywood. Kent's career was cut short, when he was struck down by an automobile, while crossing Sunset Boulevard. He was taken to the hospital with a broken back and other serious injuries. He died within a day or two. Kent will have several posthumous pictures. He is in "The Woman Disputed" with Norma Talmadge, and "The Sins of the Fathers" with Emil Tannings. These are just now being released. The Trials of Mae. Mae Murray seems to go from one court battle into another. A New York modiste recently sued her for $1,065. But that is a small matter compared with all the ramifications of litigation over the house that she purchased a few years ago from Jack Donovan. At latest reports, this legal battle was still going on in about the twelfth or thirteenth round, with the honors just about even. Mae once won the suit for $40,000, but after that the case was reopened, right in the midst of a very pleasant vaudeville engagement. Slapstick Exacts Toll. Comedy falls have serious consequences, old axiom, perhaps, but can be reapplied Vernon. He recently underwent a spinal operation for a chronic ailment, caused by repeated slight injuries to his vertebrae during the filming of slapstick comedies. This is an to Bobby Harold Lloyd also had his session under the doctor's cnre, but this was due to breaking a rotary bone in his elbow while playing handball. The fracture aggravated an old injury that he had once suffered in the same arm. Harold refused to miss any time at the studio on account of the accident. He came there every day with his arm in a sling and supervised the making of scenes in his new tong-war comedy, in which he himself did not have to appear. Lupe Calls Camilla Down. New case of the pot calling the kettle black, so to say, Lupe Velez correcting Camilla Horn for her pronunciation of English. She did this recently, we are told, at the United Artists studio. Camilla, by the way, surprised everybody, when she let it be known that she is, and has been for some time, the wife of a wealthy business man who has interests in London and Berlin. She kept the secret very well for a whole year, and she says that she loves her husband deeoly and is hoping that some day he will come to Hollywood. Family Party At Premiere. Family friendliness is duly exemplified by film folk. We find this true, at all events, with Norma Shearer, Mary Astor, and Sally Eilers. They were all in a party at the opening of "Mother Knows Best." As you know, Mary and Sally are about to become related through the marriage of the latter to Miss Astor's brother-in-law. A relationship, rather indirect, already exists between Miss Astor and Miss Shearer, through Norma's sister's marriage. At the same premiere, we were surprised that Janet Gaynor, who sat just across the aisle from us, was unattended by any of her sundry male admirers. She was with her mother, to whom she is very devoted. They might at times almost be taken for sisters, as Mrs. Ga)'nor is very young looking. An Aquatic Forecast. "Dynamite" is the curious title of Cecil DeMille's next picture. Even more curious, perhaps, is the fact that it is to be a modern society drama. Probably it will contain several explosive dowagers, or one or two crackling subdebs ! However that may be the public is assured of seeing one of those much-dolledup bathrooms in this picture, for which "C. B." was at one time famous. In the latest DeMille film his heroine had to content herself with rustic ablutions in the babbling brook. Whicb isn't doing at all right by a Isn't Gloria Lloyd getting to be a dreat, big dirl? Mrs. Lloyd thinks so, with a mother's pride.