WATCH FOR

1.—“Meet Miss Mary”
2.—“Why Men Leave Home”
3.—“Tin Knights in a Hall Room”
Directed by Al Santell
Assisted by Roland Asher

1.—“Sacred Stiff”
2.—“Help! Help!  Police”
3.---“It’s a Boy”
Directed by Harry Edwards
Assisted by Charles Lamont

Al Alt and George (Zip) Williams “The Hall Room Boys” In Preparation a Vaudeville Tour

(Camera Vol. 5  No. 41  pg. 2)


Every Day, in Every Way, It’s a Fine Day in Some Way

According to newspaper reports, several audiences cheered two old “Fatty” Arbuckle two-reelers in New York one day this week.  However, a later audience “sorter’ jeered them.  Oh well, that’s life—cheers and jeers.

It is announced the women of Kansas City will boycott theatres showing Arbuckle films.  Such a boycott promises to leave all the seats to the boys.

Jackie Coogan will be obliged to pay $265,720 of that $500,000 Metro gave him to the United States government as income tax.  So all is not gold that flitters (away) after all.   (Camera Vol. 5  No. 41  pg. 3)


CAMERA’S WEEKLY WAKE-EM-UP

MAX LINDER FALLS 100 FEET IN ALPS CREVASSE AND HOVERS NEAR DEATH

    While on a farewell pleasure trip in the Swiss Alps prior to departing from Europe for Hollywood, where he has arranged to resume his picture-making activities.  Max Linder, France’s premier cinema star and one of the world’s foremost screen comedians, was overwhelmed by an avalanche of ice and snow which swept over a precipice into a crevasse one thousand feet below.  Unconscious, he remained in this prevarious position for several hours before his dog, which had escaped the onrush, attracted mountaineers by its barking.
    When, after great difficulty, Mr. Linder was rescued with the aid of ropes and he was removed to a hospital in Lausanne, the attending physicians thought at first the actor’s neck was broken but X-ray examination revealed the vertebrae as uninjured, although the muscles and tendons were dangerously twisted and caused the patient most excrutiating pain.
    The first cable dispatch received in Hollywood indicated that the doctors entertained very slight hope for saving Mr. Linder’s life and stated that his neck had been broken.  Consequently, his many friends were shocked immeasurably.  However, a second cablegram the following day announced that although he continued in a critical condition, it had been ascertained that his neck was not broken.  However, both of the star’s arms were fractured and he sustained serious internal injuries, the outcome of which is still in grave doubt.
    It had been Mr. Linder’s plan to arrive in Los Angeles about January 26th in order to get his next production under way by the middle of February.  Now it is uncertain as to when he will be able to travel.  He has been in France for several months, having gone there with the idea of making a picture.  However, inadequate studio facilities and unsettled political conditions precluded the possibility of his carrying out his plans and he had made all arrangements to return to the Southern California field when the unfortunate accident occurred.


Little Philippe de Lacey has been cast to play the leading child role in the current Douglas MacLean picture.    (Camera Vol. 5  No. 41  pg. 9)

Jimmy Adams, famous for his excellent comedy performances in Educational comedies has been signed by Julius Stern to co-direct, play and write for Century Comedies.     

Rollie Totheroth is filming “Destiny,” starring Edna Purviance and directed by Charlie Chaplin.  (Camera Vol. 5  No. 41  pg. 13)

CHAPLIN FREE OF CONTRACT GETS MORE ACTIVE

    Free of entangling contracts Charlie Chaplin is now launched on the biggest and most important picture of his entire career following the delivery of his latest four-reel comedy, “The Pilgrim,” to the First National Exhibitors.  Some delay was occasioned in the delivery owing to the fact that the picture was a multiple reel, one which the existing contract with First National did not cover and special financial arrangements were necessary.  But agreement has been reached and the negative delivered to First National’s west coast representatives.
    The delivery and the final closing of the contract which has been running five years has given added impetus to the activities of the Chaplin studio in the connection with the production of Edna Purviance’s first starring vehicle which attains utmost importance in the motion picture world owing to the fact that it was written and is being directed by Charlie Chaplin himself.  However, Miss Purviance’s present serious illness has delayed him greatly in his plans.
    The termination of the First National contract lines Chaplin solidly up with United Artists for all his future releases and for those of several subsidiary companies which will be launched under his direction.  The contract with First National at the time it was made was considered an astounding one one in that it provided for the payment of a million dollars for eight two-reel comedies, a price that was revolutionary at the time.
    The First National contract was signed and work started early in 1918 and “A Dog’s Life” was the first picture delivered.  It was a sensation and is now being revived again with as much success as its original showing.  Closely following this came “Shoulder Arms,” a permanent piece of cinema literature, possibly the highest comedy achievement of all time.  Then cane “Sunnyside,” “A Day’s Pleasure,” The Kid,” “The Idle Class,” “Pay Day” and finally “The Pilgrim.”
    According to the  contract with First National all of these pictures are leased to that organization for a term of five years and at the end of that time all rights in them revert to Mr. Chaplin.  The rights to “A Dog’s Life” and “Shoulder Arms” revert to Mr. Chaplin during the current year.  On all of these pictures fresh negatives have been kept in the Chaplin studio vaults and when released again at the end of the five-year period the prints will be in the same condition as when issued originally. 


BOY ACTOR, 6, IS 109-POUNDER AND HEROIC

There is one young man in the picture industry who is making greater strides in the acting line than many old-time stage actors backed by years of experience.  It seems he has weight with the industry-his weight is 109 pounds at the age of 6 years!  He has played in five pictures (and is cast for a sixth) since his entrance into the game in October.  This young enthusiast’s name is Thomas (Fatty) Hicks; he idolizes Bill Hart and wants Mary Pickford for his sweetheart when he grows up.
Fatty’s first work was in the “Merry-Go-Round” under Rupert Julian, then he played in a Universal “Monkey Picture” under the direction of Colin Campbell, after which followed parts with Slim Summerville at Fox, and he has been going strong ever since.
Fatty is a happy little boy just now because Horace Williams, “the goodest director of all,” is going to give him a real part at the Ince studio as soon as he is ready.
But above all these accomplishments shines the fact that little six-year-old Thomas Hicks is stepping into his father’s shoes and proving himself the man of the family.  His father, an engineer, was thrown from his engine while averting a train wreck, saving the lives of hundreds of passengers.  His neck was broken, and now he is totally incapable of work.  Now this manly little fellow is carrying on the good work of his father. 

Baby Peggy is due at the Century studio in ten days, at which time she will start on her next Century.  As yet it is not known who will direct her.  (Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 15)


Boiled Down and Served Up!
   
Douglas MacLean’s next starring vehicle, “Going Up”, was started this week at the Hollywood Studios.  Incidentally, this is Doug’s first independent production.

Paramount stars are resting these days, Agnes Ayres, Betty Compson, Jacqueline Logan, Pola Negri, Julia Faye, Jack Holt, Walter Hiers and George Fawcett are all between pictures. 

“Too Many Lovers,” Baby Peggy’s latest special Century production is finished.  This picture which has Joe Moore, Edna Gregory and Billy Franey in the cast, also used all the boys Neilan used for his “Penrod”. 

Actual filming of “Tea With a Kick”, Halperin Productions’ latest story based on prohibition, will start this week at the Fine Arts studios.  Erle Kenton, formerly director of Mack Sennett comedies, has been engaged to handle the megaphone.

The town of Englewood, Kansas, boasting a population of 750 inhabitants, made known its decision to favor Fatty Arbuckle’s come-back by presenting a petition to that effect to the local newspaper.  Every person in the village capable of writing a signature signed the petition.

Gale Henry, who for three years was star and producer of her own comedies has been cast for one of the principal roles in “Knighthood in Hollywood,” a comedy-drama being produced by Fred Caldwell at the Fine Arts studios.  Vic Potel, another well-known funster, is also in the cast. 

Charlie Chauvel, Australian actor, has lately left the comedy field for drama.  Mr. Chauvel played in “Captain Fly-By-Night, “ after which he joined “Snowy” Baker’s Australian act.  He has since been playing a character role in “His Last Race,” a Phil Goldstone production featuring Baker. 

Jess Robbins is preparing to start work within the next two weeks on a new comedy-drama for Vitagraph release.  His latest picture, A Front Page Story,” is winning favorable criticism from reviewers of the country and considerable praise has been given Edward Everett Horton for his brilliant work as the star. 

Charlie Chaplin will receive $10,000 and ten percent royalty on a phonograph record he will make for one of the largest concerns in the business.  It has not been announced just what Charlie will do, but it is understood that he is equally accomplished at the violin, piano and ‘cello, as well as being exceedingly proficient in various European dialects. 

Joseph M. Schenck has engaged two prominent directors, Sidney Franklin and Vic Heerman, and both will direct Constance Talmadge in her next starring vehicle.  Mr. Franklin directed Norma Talmadge in “Smilin Though” and Constance in “East is West.”

Marie Prevost denies the rumor that she is engaged or ever intends to marry Kenneth Harlan.  According to Miss Prevost only a strong bond of friendship exists between them, and that this certainly does not imply an “engagement.”  Miss Prevost and Harlan play the leading roles in the Warner Brothers picturization of  F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Beautiful and Damned.”  (Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 10)


Exhausts from Al Martin

Von Stroheim made one picture in a year and Neely Edwards made thirty-five.  Well Neely, that makes you thirty-five times as good as Von. 

I met one vaudeville performer who did not pal with “Charlie” when he was in “A Night in an English Music Hall.” 

Wallace Beery is known as “The Oil Actor” because he makes three-in-one. 


News Notes About The Cameraman

Francis Corby, A. S. C., is adding photographic genius to Jack White comedies which he is shooting. 

Kenneth Maclean, A.S.C., is photographing Carter Dehaven comedies. 

Norbert Brodin, A.S.C., will film the next Constance Talmadge vehicle.

Ernest DePew, A.S.C., is shooting the latest Al St. John comedy for Fox.  (Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 12)


Who’s Who and What’s What in Filmland This Week

Hank Mann, hero of many comedy productions, has been cast for a comedy role in “Desire,” Louis Burston’s new production. 

Now that Marie Prevost, has solved the “poisoned pen” problem and “foiled the plotters” she is taking a well-earned vacation from Warner Brothers studio.  Her next starring vehicle has not yet been selected. 

Marjorie Warfield, having just finished a part with the Carter Dehaven Company in “Say It With Diamonds,” in which she has an opportunity to display her skill at golf and other modern accomplishments, now turns by contrast to the characterization of a little Puritan girl in the Charles Ray production of “The Courtship of Miles Standish.”

Hazel Deane has been engaged by the Christie organization and will appear in comedies directed by Al Christie.  Miss Deane's picture experience has been of less than a year's duration. 

Monte Moles, the English comedian, has just returned from San Diego with the Hamilton White company, where atmosphere scenes for their next comedy were filmed.  Monte wears a funny moustache in this picture which he says was suggested to him by a very eccentric English colonel in France during the recent World war.  It is said to have a very humorous effect.  However, Monte doesn't intend to patent it. 

Myrtle Steadman, having completed the title role in” The Famous Mrs. Fair,” is at work on another “mother” picture at the Fine Arts studio.  Mildred Davis, Stuart Holmes, Tully Marshall and Kenneth Harlan are also in the cast.  The picture is being directed by Lambert Hillyer.    (Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 14)


News and Gossip About the Moving Throngs of Movieland

JINX IS VICTOR
        Fire destroyed the negative of “Grandma’s girl,” the Baby Peggy comedy which was held up once by the starlet’s illness, and then by director Alf Goulding necessary departure to the mountains for rest.  Although the negative was under 500 feet, due to these illnesses, the much-hoodooed comedy has died a valiant death. 

BENEDICT HIERS RETURNING
Walter Heirs will return from his wedding tour around next Monday and will begin work immediately on his new Paramount picture, “Seventy-Five Cents an Hour,” under the direction of Joseph Henabery.  Jacqueline Logan will be again  featured in support of the new star.  This picture is said to possess a very unusual comedy element and was written by Frank Condon expressly for Mr. Hiers.  It is interesting to note that the continuity is by Grant Carpenter, one of the best-known short story writers, as well as scenarists, in the profession. 

MAY BREAK TRADITION
Louise Fazenda has let out a secret.  The Comedienne, who will complete in a few days a Fazenda Special for Educational under the supervision of Jack White at United Studios, is doing her situation comedy.  There is some slap-stick, but none of the violent sort, the bulk of the fun being secured from the angle of surprise and the unexpected.  Furthermore, she has contracted to do in this comedy, the same difficult action that in all of the history of the screen has gone exclusively to male stars, because the tradition has existed that a girl could not accomplish anything hazardous.  Falls, among other things, have always been taboo for any comedienne, but Miss Fazenda in this latest picture, has a number to her score and does them with consumate ease, it is said. 

COMEDIAN IN SERIAL
        Lewis Sargent, Universal comedy star, has been drawn from the comedy ranks to play the juvenile leading role in support of William Desmond in the new Universal chapter play of business and the money game, “The Phantom Fortune,” which will enter production immediately under the direction of Robert F. Hill.  Hill just completed Desmond’s starring serial, “Around the World in Eighteen Days.”  The messenger boy comedies starring Sargent are meeting a strong market demand, and are popular with playgoers who crave laughter.

ERIC MAYNE HAS OWN PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY
        Eric Mayne, whose latest successful screen characterizations are drawn with such finesse in support of Mabel Normand in “Suzanna” and in “My American Wife,” starring Gloria Swanson, and which later picture will be the opening attraction at Grauman’s new Metropolitan Theatre in Los Angeles, is another one of those sterling actors capable enough to enact important roles in as many as sixteen pictures in a single year’s time and yet be comparatively little heard of by the general public because because of the common penchant of the day to idolize only the young leading men and the beautiful leading ladies to the almost complete exclusion of the character artists in the supporting casts.  However, Mr. Mayne says he is perfectly satisfied with his lot and will continue to be so long as he is permitted to work a lot!  Practical philosophy this.  (Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 16)


Pulse of the Studios For Week Starting Monday January 22

   
BERWILLA STUDIO.  5281 Santa Monica Blvd.    Holly 3130
Eddie Lyons Productions (Arrow release).
Director: Eddie Lyons  Star: Eddie Lyons  Ass’t Direct.: De Rue  Scenarist: Eddie Lyons  Type: Comedies    Progress: Schedule
Ben Wilson Productions (Federated release).
Director: Monty Banks  Star: Monty Banks  Cameraman: Wm. Nobles  Ass’t Direct.: McDaugh  Type: Comedies    Progress: Schedule

CENTURY STUDIO.  6100 Sunset Blvd.  Julius Stern, Gen. Mgr.  Bert Sternback, Casting.    Holly 96
Century Comedies (Universal release). 
Director: Harry Edwards  Star: Buddy Messinger  Cameraman: Victor Sherrick  Ass’t Direct.: Charles Lamont  Scenarist: Harry Edwards  Type: “Teacher’s Pest”    Progress: 2nd Week
Director: H. C. Raymaker  Star: Baby Peggy  Cameraman: Jerry Ash  Ass’t Direct.: Dave Smith  Scenarist: H. C. Raymaker  Type: “Kissable Tess”    Progress: Editing
Director: Jim Davis  Star: Brownie  Cameraman: Jerry Ash  Ass’t Direct.: Zion Myers  Scenarist: Jim Davis  Type: “Tell-tale Tail”    Progress: 2nd Week
Director: Al Herman  Star: All-Star  Cameraman: Billy Williams  Ass’t Direct.: Mark Sandrich  Scenarist: Herman-Neifield  Type: “Spooky Romance”    Progress: 2nd Week

CHAPLIN STUDIO  Alfred Reeves, Gem Mgr.  1416 La Brea Ave.    Holly 4070
Regent Film Company  (United Artists release).
Director: Charles Chaplin  Star: Edna Purviance  Cameraman: Rollin Totheroh  Ass’t Direct.: Eddie Sutherland  Scenarist: J. Wilson  Type: “Destiny”    Progress: 9th Week

CHRISTIE COMEDIES.  Harry Edwards, Casting.  6101 Sunset.  C. H. Christie, Gen. Mgr.  Holly 3100
Director: Scott Sidney  Star: Henry Murdock  Cameraman: Peterson  Ass’t Director: Clemens  Scenarist: Robert Hall  Type: Two-reel Comedy  Progress: 1st Week

FINE ARTS STUDIOS.  Individual Casting.  6101 Sunset.  C. H. Christie, Gen Mgr.  Holly  3100

Fred Caldwell Productions.
Director: Fred Caldwell  Star: All-Star  Cameraman: Ernie Miller  Ass’t Direct.: Rounseville  Scenarist: Blackwood-Van Up  Type: Comedy-Dramas    Progress: Schedule
Jess Robbins Productions  (Vitagraph release)
Director: Jess Robbins  Star: E. Everett Horton  Ass’t Direct.: Jack Boland  Scenarist: Staff  Type: Comedy Drama  Progress: Casting
Halperin Productions
Director: Erle Kenton  Star: All-Star  Scenarist: Victor Halperin  Type: “Tea With a Kick”    Progress: 1st Week
Amalgamated Productions.  (Metro)
Director: G. M. Anderson  Star: Stan Laurel  Cameraman: Irving Reis  Scenarist: Staff  Type: Comedy  Progress: Schedule
   
FOX STUDIO.  C. A. Bird, Casting.  1401 N. Western Ave.    Holly 3000
Director: Al St. John  Star: Al St. John  Cameraman: Ernest S. Depew  Ass’t Direct.: Benny Stoloff  Type: Comedies    Progress: Schedule
Director: Slim Summerville  Star: Clyde Cook  Cameraman: Jay Turner  Ass’t Direct.: Arthur Cohn  Type: Comedies  Progress: Schedule
Director: Norman Taurog  Star: Joe Roberts  Ass’t Direct.: Roberts  Type: Comedies  Progress: Schedule

GOLDWYN STUDIO.  R. B. McIntyre, Casting.  Culver City.    76711
Director: Clarence Badger  Star: All-Star  Cameraman  Rudolph Bergquist    Scenarist: Carey Wilson  Type: “Red Lights”    Progress: Casting
Director: Rupert Hughes  Star: All-Star  Cameraman: John Mescall  Ass’t Direct.: James Flood  Scenarist: Rupert Hughes  Type: “Souls For Sale”    Progress: 7th Week
   
HORSLEY STUDIO.  6050 Sunset Blvd.    Holly 7945
Hallroom Boys Comedies.  Harry Cohn, Mgr.  Holly 7940
Director: Al Santell  Star: Alexander Alt  Cameraman: Billy Williams  Ass’t Direct.: Roland Asher  Scenarist: Jean Havez  Type: Comedies    Progress: Schedule

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS.  6642 Santa Monica Blvd.  J. Jasper, Mgr.  Holly 1431
Carlton King Productions.  Harry McCabe, Prod. Mgr.
Director: Martin Justice  Star: Carlton King  Cameraman: Carl Widen  Ass’t Direct.: Harry McCabe  Scenarist: Justice  Type: Comedy-Drama    Progress: Schedule
(Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 17)

KEATON STUDIO  1025 Lilian Way.  Holly 2814
Buster Keaton Productions, Inc.  (First National release).
Director: Eddie Cline  Star: Buster Keaton  Ass’t Direct.: Chick Collins  Scenarist: Staff  Type: “Three Acres of Land”    Progress: 3d Week

LASKY STUDIOS.  L. M. Goodstadt, Casting.  1520 Vine St.  Fred Kley, Studio Mgr.    Holly 2400
Director: Joseph Henabery  Star: Walter Heirs  Scenarist: Grant Carpenter  Type: “75c An Hour”    Progress: 1st Week

R-C STUDIO.  Melrose and Gower.  780 Gower St.  Holly 7780
Individual Productions.  (Film Booking Offices.)
Director: Sherwood McDonald  Star: Gloria Joy  Cameraman: John Thompson  Scenarist: Douglas Bronston  Type: Comedy-Dramas    Progress: Suspended
Director: Carter DeHaven  Star: Carter DeHaven  Cameraman: K. G. McLean  Ass’t Direct.: Cliff Sahn  Scenarist: Monty Brice  Type: “Say It With Diamonds”    Progress: Schedule

ROACH STUDIO, Culver City.  Warren Doane, Mgr.  761-721
Hal Roach Comedies (Pathe release).
Director: Newmeyer-Taylor  Star: Harold Lloyd  Cameraman: Walter Lundin  Ass’t Director: Robert Golden  Type: 5-Reel Comedy  Progress: 4th Week.
Director: Parrott-Fay  Star: Snub Pollard  Cameraman: Roach Doran  Ass’t Director: Hackmey  Scenarist: Hutchison-Parrott  Type: 2-Reel Comedy  Progress: Schedule
Director: Jeske-Howe  Star: “Paul” Parrott  Cameraman: Frank Young  Ass’t Director: Henecke-Brandie  Scenarist: Staff  Type: Comedies  Progress: Schedule
Director: McGowan-M’Namara  Star: All-Star  Cameraman: Len Powers  Ass’t Director: C. Morehouse  Scenarist: Tom Mcnamara  Type: “Our Gang”  Progress: Schedule   

SENNETT STUDIO.    1712 Glendale Blvd.    Wils. 1550
Mack Sennett Comedies.  (First National Release). 

UNITED STUDIOS.  Nan Collins, Casting  5341 Melrose.  M. C. Levee, President.  Holly 4080
Lloyd Hamilton Corporation.  (Educational release).
Director: Lloyd Bacon  Star: Lloyd Hamilton  Cameraman: Park Reis  Scenarist: Archie Mayo  Type: Comedy  Progress: Schedule

Jack White Corporation.  (Educational release).
Director: Fred Fishback  Star: Conley-Adams  Cameraman: White Corby  Ass’t Director: Rea Hunt    Scenarist: Jack White  Type: Comedy  Progress: Schedule

UNIVERSAL STUDIO.  Fred Datig Casting.    570-081
Universal Film Manufacturing Co.  (Universal Release).
Director: Scott Darling  Star: Lewis Sargeant  Ass’t Direct: Taylor-Smith  Scenarist: Scott Darling  Type: Comedy    Progress: Schedule
Director: Wm. Watson  Star: Neely Edwards  Cameraman: Wm. Daniels  Ass’t Direct.: A. Thompson  Type:Comedy  Progress: Schedule

Joe Rock Productions  (Federated)
Director: Jimmie Davis  Star: Joe Rock  Cameraman: Reggie Lyons  Ass’t Direct.: Murray Rock  Scenarist: Davis-Rock  Type: 2-Reel Comedy    Progress: Schedule
(Camera Vol. 5 No. 41  pg. 18)   

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