Variety (May 1919)

■,. : "'- .■•'■■ i ^:, " T • ' - -: \ | * s -.v^^-*^ <& 50 O V I N 0 P I G WLJ R E S . ; ; . ■ - ' '■, ■■• NEWS OF THE FILM WORLD BROKEN BLOSSOMS. iSV:;..;•'.. . ■'*, .. ■ ■ ? MS . i . :■*■•■' ° ■' l '*'V Rgft ■-<■' ■■ ! .-. ■ 3'-',' Hp I • l - .-■ ■ "l. - ■ ■ v f Naslmova In "The Red Lantern".has been booked (or a return showing at the Rlvoll., r Wanda Hawley has been placed under con- . tract for three years by Famous Players. .Bernard Miller has quit as assistant of tbe president of tbe Anita Stewart Co., . "Full of Pep," with Hale Hamilton as tbe star, will be released by Metro May 20. Charles Ray's latest Paramount from tbe Thomas H. Ince studio, "The Busher." a base- v ball story, will be released May 18. . An editorial department baa been added to the organisation of the Pioneer Film Corjpn. William A. Rudkin is In charge. "The Knickerbocker Buckaroe," with Doug- las Fairbanks, will be released on the Artcraft schedule, May 18. Louise Huff has been signed up by America Cinema Co. and her lint release will be ready in June. Conway Tearle has been engaged as leading man for Marion Davles In her uext picture, entitled "April Folly." "The Man Who Turned White," starring H. B. Warner, will be .released by Robertson- Cole next month. ■ Lou Teliegen is to appear in pictures with his wife, Qeraldlne Farrar, according to a Goldwyn report. ' Federal Judge Julius M. Mayer, May 7, upheld the action of License Commissioner John F. Gilchrist in threatening to revoke tbe licenses of picture houses which shall show the film, "Fit to Win," a picture shown in training camps, to check the social evil. Tbe Girl "Battling" Burrows The Chinaman .... ..Evil Bye;....:...,,.;. .........Lillian Qlsh ........Donald Crisp .Richard Barthelmess ........ .Edward Pell Jack Mulhall has been selected by Metro as leading. man for Emmy Wehlen In her next release, "Fools and Their Money." "Almost Married," "The Family Tree," "Patricia," "One-Thlng-At-a-Tlme O'Day," are the titles for the four Metro June releasee. Bert Lytell's next Metro release, "The Lion's Den/' will be released May 10. Tbe story Is by Frederick Orln Bartlett "A Bachelor's Wife," with Mary Miles Mlnter In tbe stellar role, will be released by American Films, June 1. L. B. Davis bas been appointed Goldwyn resident manager in Minneapolis, succeeding J. W. Hicks, Jr. Qoldwyn's new Tom Moore picture "The City et Comrades" will be released in June. it is a pleturixatlon of Basil King's new novel of the same title. W. W. Hodkinson Corp. has obtained the distribution rights for America for J. Parker Read, Jr.'s "Sahara," In which Louise Glaum Is starred. Allan Dwan was the director. ' Mr. and Mrs. Carter de Haven, wbo have Just been signed to play In Goldwyn Capitol comedies, will appear in tbe following titles, "In a Pinch," "Some Honeymoon." Frank X. Flnnegan has been placed under a year's contract to work In the scenario department of Famous Players West Coast studio. '■'■' It Is stated on what is considered good authority that Louis Buraton has signed King Baggot for a new serial, work on which will be begun In a fortnight. The' Greater Victoria, of Harrlsburg, has been sold by the George Bros., to the Stanley Co., of Philadelphia. Tbe transaction In- volves almost b (1,000,000. .--. •■'■:.■ ■■ >■'■ K ' "In tfoerch of Arcady," featuring Blllie Rhodes, will be released by Robertson-Cole through Exhibitors Mutual this month. The production was directed by Bertram Bracken. FrlUl Brunette plays opposite William Rus- sell In a new picture which was filmed un- der the working title of "The Signet of She- ba." It is an American Films production. Acting under the suggestion of District At- torney Swann, Asst. Prosecutor Tatley. May 11, arrested the manager of the Gotham, 160 Bast 125th street, Manhattan, at the end of an exhibition of the film "Fit to Win." Evelyn Nesbttt Thaw finished her work for Fox Wednesday when the last scene of "My Little Sister," Elisabeth Robins' white slave story, was taken at Fort Lee. Miss Nesbltt's next picture will be for another firm. Thompson Buchanan, who recently joined the Goldwyn organisation, is working on an 'original story for Madge Kennedy, of modern setting. In which the star will play a society part. . Wlnfleld R. Sheehan, general manager of Fox Films, returned from Europe May 10 after spending ten weeks in France, Italy and Belgium. Mr. Sheehan stated that American films would be seen in the film theatres of all neutral, countries with tbe exception of Hol- land. Taking advantage of local option in pic- tures, the common council of Coboes voted to allow picture exhibitions on Sundays. Troy bas had Sunday pictures for many months in spite of the efforts of Certain ele- ments in tbe city to stop them. Margarita Fisher's next release will be "Trixle From Broadway." It is from the story by Agnes C. Johnston. ' Emory Johnson Is tbe leading man. Others in the cast In- clude Olga Grey. George Periolct, Frank Clark, J. Farrell McDonald, Perry Banks. H. B. Lots, branch manager of Select's Den- ver Exchange, has been appointed Pacific representative. Oren F. Woody, a salesman in the Denver office, will succeed Mr. Lots. Archie W. Moses, salesman at Select's Buffalo office, has been appointed manager of tbe branch. ■ - -The appeal of the Corner Amusement Co., from an order restraining It from ousting the Bmar Amusement Co., from the Standard The- atre, Broadway and 00th street, or interfer- ing with it in conducting Sunday picture ex- hibitions for the balance of this and next season, was argued in the Appellate Term last week. The .appelant's contention that Sun- day exhibitions arc a direct violation of the Penal Law, was set forth by Frederick Hem- ley, of House, Grossman & Vorbaus. The respondent contended Sunday exhibitions have been, and still are, In force throughout the State of New York. Cyril V. Nichols, as assignee of the late Edwin Arden, acting through Paul N. Tur- ner, recovered Judgment for S130 against Wharton, Inc., representing the costs of the Judgment debtor's appeal from a verdict awarding tbe plaintiff damages aggregating In the. neighborhood of *4,0O0. This sum was recovered by Mr. Arden on a contract with the film concern, executed 1016, whereby he was to create the leading role in tbe picture "Hazel Kirke." After the plaintiff had ex- pressed bis desire to arbitrate for the flat sum of $1,500, which the Wharton people re- fused to consider, the action was begun with the resulting Judgment award. Upon the defendant's appeal, last week, the Appelate Division upheld tbe Judgment Appealing from a Judgment dismissing the complaint of the Export 6 Import Film Com- pany, Inc., against Harry C. (Bud) Fisher, the plaintiff, through its attorneys, Sarfaty ft Griffiths, contended they were entitled to an Injunction against Fisher, by virtue of the fact that.Harry Grossman, then (1917) the co- partner of Fisher, bad entered into an agree- ment with the plaintiff corporation, acting through the tatter's assignee, Benjamin Blum- enthal, whereby they were granted the World's release rights, except U. 8., Canada and Aus- tralia, to all of Fisher's animated cartoons . ("Mut and Jeff" series). This contract, en- tered into by both parties in 1016, was sud- denly terminated by Fisher the following year, although It still had six years to run, ex- cluding certain renewal options. Tbe theory by which the plaintiff seeks to hold the de- fendant Fisher to the articles of the contract, which were signed by Grossman only, lies In their allegation that Grossman, as Fisher's partner, had authority to bind Fisher to any contracts signed by him. This, Fisher denies, including any knowledge of having ever been In partnership with Grossman. Decision in two weeks. THE LAW OF MEN. Laura Dayne Enid Bennett Denis Connors.... Niles Welou Benton Wade Andrew Robson Mildred Wade Sorcas Mathews Jamison Keene Donald MacDonald A drama of New York City life In which Enid Bennett has been starred by Paramount, wltb Niles Welch In tbe leading male role. Fred Nlblo directed and the story is by John Lynch, with scenario by Ella Stuart Carson. George Barnes did the photgraphic work. The star as Laura Dayne Is seen as a sculptress In the Washington Square district, termed the Bohemian Quarter. She lives with a little coterie of artists and her only point of contact with the outer world is through tbe devoted friendship of her guardian, Ben- ton Wade (Andrew Robson), supposed to be one of the greatest criminal lawyers of tbe day. nuob Welch as Denis Connors, an artist, makes a good looking hero and shows an Im- provement In his work as an actor. Mr. Welch has developed wonderfully In tbe last two years, and apparently Is taking his work more seriously. The story has a number of unusual twists which "bold the Interest throughout, and while It ends In a clinch it is not until tbe hero and heroine have suffered much, and one is pleased when the end comes and tbey are finally united. The stars have a small but able cast supporting them; and technically the picture leaves little to be desired. "The Law of Men" Is a high class program feature. When' the audience filed out of the Cohan Theatre Tuesday' evening, after witnessing, the premiere of D. W. Griffith's latest photoplay, . "Broken Blossoms," none could be found, other than the usual assortment of sycophants. Who was prepared to give it as his opinion that the picture would prove a money-getter. The majority connected with the selling end of tbe Industry shook their beads dubiously. Yet,- without a single exception. It was con- ceded to be an artistic masterpiece, from the standpoint of direction, acting and photo- graphy. Although the picture consumed only 00 minutes, it somehow seemed draggy, for the reason that everything other than the scenes with the three principals seemed extraneous and tended apparently to clog the progres- sion of the tale. "Broken Blossoms" is adapted from a story by Thomas Burke entitled "The Chink and the Child," and was produced by D. W. GrlC- fith under that name, scheduled for release next month by Artcraft It was considered so good that It was removed from the regular releasing schedule and another Griffith fea- ture, "True Hearted Susan," substituted. The photoplay might possibly be construed SB Chinese propaganda, but there Is* probably no foundation "for such an assertion other than the fact that the story Idealizes a single Mongolian and the initial scenes show that the teachings of Buddha preach the "golden rule" with as much fervor as do the so-called "civilised" religions. The footage allotted tbe titles Is a point to be commended, ample time being allowed to read them slowly and digest their meaning. Then there are a series of color schemes - In the tinting, which Is carried out in the titling, with a gorgeous blue the dominant note. ' ■•' The story it a drama of pathos, culminating in tragedy, A pure-minded young Chinaman, reared In the beautiful teachings of Buddha, Journeys to London to spread the gospel of his faith, with the altruistic Idea of civilizing the white - race.' His youthful dreams come to grief against the sordid realities of life. He comes to a little shopkeeper In the "Lime- stone" quarter of London and is there visited by a couple of missionaries, one of whom bands htm some Christian literature and says: "My brother leaves for China to convert the heathen." In London there resides In his vicinity a brutish prize-fighter. One of his many con- cubines had departed, leaving him a- daugh- ter, who had reared herself to almost woman- hood, cowed and beaten-by her father—a child with a tear-aged face. The child often passes the young Chinaman's shop and his observation of her is the one joy In bis other- wise hopeless existence. The "Bill Sykes" type, of parent beats tbe child into helplessness and she crawls away, half dead, falling insensible into the shop of the. Mongolian. With perhaps a whirr of the lilted pipe still In his brain, be finds her on r the floor, carries her to his living room above and there keeps her for'a couple of days, showering her with every conceivable luxury, gorgeous raiment etc., and watching over her with a love so pure as to be wholly un- natural and Inconsistent One of her father's cronies informs her father the child has taken up with a "Chink," and the brute rushes to the place while tbe idylllo. Mongolian is out buying flowers for "the girl. He wrecks the establishment, drags the girl to his home and beats her to death. Tho young Chinaman follows, too late to save her, and with a magazine revolver rid- dles tho brute. He then carries the body back to his place,' places It reverently upon his divan and commits suicide. Tbe atmospheric detail of the picture would occupy pages and then would fall to ade- quately describe them. Lillian Qlsh as the girl, shrinking, self- effacing, timid, fearful and wistful, has never before done anything so fine In the long list of her artistic photodramatlc achievements. Donald Crisp Is the brutal father, charac- terized so vividly as to be almost repellent. His Is as great a trlmph of histrionic artistry as that registered by Miss Gish. Yet not one whit behind these two master- ful portrayals Is that of Richard BarthelmesB aa the young .Chinaman, Idealized, .necessarily, in the matter of facial attractiveness, yet visualizing to the full the gentle delicacy of the idyllic Oriental youth who, when he faces the brute who killed his adored one, is trans- formed into a vengeful. fiend, "Broken Blossoms" is well worth seeing. JoU>. JNCORPORATiONS. Anna Spencer, Inc., Manhattan, cos- tumes for theatrical purposes, $15,000; S; F. Katz, W. M. & A. Rlordan, 19 W. 69th street, New York. Friar Amusement Co., Manhattan, pictures, f 10,000; H. Richter, J. C. Brad- ford, B. L. Miller, 729 Seventh avenue, New York. ifniteii Scenic Studios* Manhattan, theatre properties, $6,000; H. 13. Dia- mond, M. & B. M. Klein, 817 West End avenue, New York. . Charbert Corp., Manhattan, theat- ricals, $20,000; H. White, M. Klein, H. B. Diamond, 1166 Longfellow avenue, New York. Emancipation Film Corn., Manhattan, $1,000,000; H. N. Hoyt, W. G. Smart B. W. MINT OF HELL This picture, with William Desmond tea tured and Vivian Rich, as Chaudlare's dough ter in bis support, was run off again at thi Stanley Sunday, and shows up as. well *i ever. Desmond is well cast here. He is th< tougb but honorable specimen of struggling young man, and gets away with the interpre- tation to everyone's satisfaction. Taken amid Northern snows, the .figurec stand out, clear cut, against the blanket white, The photography suffers from. one fault but the director is to blame for It. Long dog teams are shown all through the story. When* ever they are pictured, tbey should be shows stretching into the background—'in perspective; that Is. Occasionally the hind part of a dog Is seen - wagging its tall at one corner of the picture, and like imbecilities occur through- out It would be a good rule to show every- thing or nothing. Such cut-offs only remind tbe spectator that be; is looking at a picture, and so lessen the illusion. The story shows the bunt for the hidden mine known only to Chaudiare, and bow young O'Brien finally won to that knowledge and anexed, as well, the hand of Chaudlare's daughter. There is plenty of action and counter action, and the Northwest police figure In tbe story. A good deal of confusion results from the furs the men wear. They look too much alike In them. CASTLES IN THE AIR. The latest Metro, starring May Allison, Is a story of tbe theatre laid in front of the house Instead of back stage. In this alone it is a novelty. The picture Is based on a "Saturday Evening Post" story by Kate Jordan. It was adapted for the screen by George D. Baker, wbo also directed the production. William Fildew shot the camera. r The story of the adventures of an usher girl who, despite the house manager wants to marry her, falls In love with an English noble* man because of his "class." When discover ing be Is already married-she turns to tho manager again. It Is simple enough as to plot, but tbe screen telling makes It interest- ing. There are two big scenes in which the greater part of the action is carried. One 1b the interior of the theatre and the other the home of. the Englishman, which he has leased. The theatre scenes are particularly well handled, showing a musical comedy company in action with the chorus, principals and all the others on the job. Supporting Miss Allison, the trio of tbe most important principals are Ben Wilson, Walter I. Perclval and Clarence Burton. Tbe story holds.the Interest from the be- ginning, but it wavers a little in suspensi after the Englishman lets the heroine know that he is already married." But as a feature it will stand up with the regular run of program productions and get over with the public. _. « •• Fret, , THE MAYOR OF FILBERT. 1 Sles's^th ? ChmWt \ -•*«* «*■**# Molly Vaughan ......".. .Belle Bennett Dr. L'oring. Barney Sherry Royal Dennan George Pearce Hoger Taft .....' Wilbur Hlghby, Mike -McCarthy William Dyer Jim Green *>*oe Singleton Belle Glover Louise Lester Carolyn Hazard ...Grace Parker Miss Gretta Schwartz. Olga Gray Dan Mulligan B. Perkins Officer Burns Louis Durham Carroll Master Ben Alexander This la a Triangle In six reels In which Jack Richardson is starred. The scenario was written by Daniel Carson Goodman, William Christy Cabbanne did the directing. There is enough realism .crowded into the picture to make seven features. Mr. Cabonne apparently has tried—to see Just how mi'CB realism it is possible to crowd into six reels and he has succeeded in producing almost everything that has been associated with: cheap melodrama for the last half century. All the old props ,have been brought into play. The ancient situations have only been re-dressed. There are "the papers," the twin brothers, the Illegitimate child, bar-room poli- ticians and the whole cast of characters con- splclous In "Nellie the Cloak Model," "Why Girls Leave Home" and other metiers of this stripe. Mr. Richardson plays a dual part that of Mayor Johann Schmidt, of Filbert, wbo U pro-German, and Charles Smith, a good Ameri- can. They are twin brothers, the latter changing his name, while the' mayor Is proud of bis Teutonic orlgtn. Tbe star has a lot of work and Is on the soreen In nearly every scene. Tbe part is not a particularly agree- able one, but Mr. Richardson does not omit » trick. Belle Bennett (Molly Vaughan) Is the leading woman and Is weeping most of ti« time. The stars ate supported by a large CBBt, * .'; DEATHS. Samuel A. Powell. Samuel A. Powell, manager in San Francisco for D. W. Griffith films be- fore going overseas, where he was di- rector of the Y picture department, died May 4, on the Santa Cecilia, after; he had been operated on .for appendi- citis, according to a radiogram forward- ed to Frisco, from New York. Powell's wife and two children live in this city. His mother and sister live in Seattle-, &