Reel Life (1915-1916)

“The Floorwalker,’’ First Mutual-Chaplin Release May 15, date of first release — Exhibitor s swamp Mutual with requests to book comedies HE FLOORWALKER” is the first of the new Mutual Chaplins. Mr. Chaplin and his company have started to work at the studios in Hollywood. They are working up material which Chaplin gathered in a certain big New York department store while he was in the East in connection with the signing of his $670,000 contract. The Floorivalker gives Chaplin a role that fits him like his alleged moustache. The script is from the pen of Vincent Bryan, who utilizes the material and ideas which Chaplin hoards in his mental “trick bag.” The Floorwalker will be released according to schedule on May 15. This and the following Mutual Chaplins will be in two reels. Bookings have been signed with exhibitors in all parts of the country and the demand is growing as release date nears. Seventy-five prints of this picture will be used in the city of New York alone to cover the present booking schedules. A cast of players with wide experience in high class film comedy will support Chaplin in The Floorwalker and subsequent releases. Edna Purviance, who will play leads opposite Mr. Chaplin, will be remembered for her excellent portrayal of similar roles with the Chaplin-Essanay Company. Miss Purviance is a dashing blonde just twenty years of age. She is a graduate of Vassar College where she attained a reputation for rare histrionic ability in college theatricals. While appearing in an amateur performance for charity at San Francisco, Miss Purviance was discovered by Mr. Chaplin. He was so attracted by her beauty and ability that he offered her a place in his company which she accepted and which she has since filled with much success. During the short time she has been appearing in film productions, she has made a host of friends and has won a big following. It has been reported that Miss Purviance was a stenographer in San Francisco which she wishes denied as untrue. She is the daughter of a prominent Nevadan. Another player of note in the Chaplin company is Charlotte Mineau, a Titian-haired Junoesque beauty who was with Essanay for five years and who, for the past six months, has been supporting Otis Harlan in the picturization of the Hoyt farces at the Selig studios. Miss Mineau was born in Bordeaux, France, and educated at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Paris. Ingenue roles will be played by Leota Bryan, an attractive blonde, who attained fame in musical comedy and with the La Salle Theatre Stock Company, of Chicago. A familiar figure in previous Chaplin comedies is Leo White, the comedian, who has supported Chaplin ever since he was first starred. Mr. White was born in Manchester, England, in 1886. His first stage appearance was with the Gus Edwards Gaiety Theatre Company, in London. He was in the original “Mile. Modiste Company” with Fritzi Scheff and had prominent roles in many other popular musical comedies. Eric Campbell, who will play heavies, left “Pom Pom,” which is now one of the biggest musical hits of the season, to join the Chaplin company. He was for seven years with the Lyric Theatre Stock Company, of London, and Charlie Chaplin is a versatile fellow. Here he is shown as a still camera caught him “shooting” his company at work. played in several productions under the management of Klaw & Erlanger, in this country. He also wrote and produced film comedies for the London Film Company, of England. Lloyd Bacon, character man of the Mutual-Chaplin Company, was educated at the Jesuit College, Santa Clara, Cal. He has appeared in stock for several seasons and entered the moving picture field last year. William Foster, considered one of the best cameramen in the business, will be head Mutual-Chaplin cameraman. He was with the Selig studios for three years and came to the coast in 1912 with the Universal. Roland Tetherch will be his assistant. d [j REEL LIFE — Page Two