Clippings from CAMERA (Jan. 27, 1923)

Compiled by Joe Moore,
with assistance from the special collections staff of
Arizona State University, Tempe AZ.


From U to You by Malcolm S. Boylan

Neely Edwards’ current comedy starring vehicle at Universal City, where he has been making the “Nervy Ned” series with the support of Bert Roach, Gertrude Olmstead and others, is called “A Hard Boiled Yegg,”  It is not a story of a Sunday school picnic or a convention of Coue fans. 

Preparation on “Up the Ladder,” the Broadway play by Owen David in which Reginald Denny and Virginia Valli will be co-starred by Universal, is nearing its close and production will start within two weeks.   Hobart Henley, featured Universal director who handled the filming of “The Flirt,” will direct.  A. P. Younger is preparing the scenario.  Willard Louis, Dorthea Wolbert, Bert Roach and other players will support Miss Valli and Denny.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 5)

“White Tiger,” a picture of the upper strata of the underworld starring Priscilla Dean and directed by Tod Browning as an Universal-Jewell attraction, is receiving its final editing.  (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 20)

Within Filmland’s Interesting Inner Portals

Cesena, Italy is going to stage a homecoming celebration next May and Monty Banks, the popular comedy star, who was born and reared there has been invited to be a special guest of honor and to deliver a speech on the opening day.  Mr. Banks is trying to figure out a way to get away from his Hollywood film duties long enough to make the trip, as he says he has had a speech stored up in him for the last year, and anyway, he would like to see his mother, who still lives in far-away Cesena.

Helen Kesler, Jimmy Aubrey’s leading lady who recently took a flyer into the dramatic field by playing in two Rupert Hughes pictures for Goldwyn in succession, does not claim to be a designer of gowns, but she has “invented” a new style of dress for milady.   It is a combination affair with features suggesting the sartorial tastes of several nationalities and is said to be quite unique as well as attractive.  Miss Kessler’s idea is that such a dress will be becoming to American girls since America is the melting-pt of the world and her women should dress accordingly.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 7)

The Silent Trend

There seems to be no doubt as to the status of the Goldwyn production of Hall Caine’s great story, “The Christian”—it is as the consensus of popular opinion proclaims: a cinema masterpiece.  It is a motion picture which tempts one to exhaust the supply of laudatory adjectives.  It is a contribution which seems sure of focusing attention upon the screen as the ideal medium for expressing exalted human feeling in the midst of dramatic expression.  Maurice Tourneur is conceded a victory in proving his right to a claim of genius.  Richard Dix and Mae Busch will be received with acclaim such has never been their lot before.  At least a dozen others in the cast cover themselves with glory, notably Gareth Hughes, Mahlon Hamilton, Claude Gillingwater, Phyllis Haver and Joseph Dowling.  “The Christian” will do a great service for the motion picture industry.

William DeMille’s best directorial points are revealed in “World’s Applause” in which Bebe Daniels stars.  In this picture is unfolded a fascinating story of the life of an actress.  The exciting piece-de-resistance is evolved cleverly by logically entangling this heroine in the amazing skein of a murder mystery.  Here is a case of the original story, written especially for the screen, comes into its own.  Clara Beranger has provided a worthy structure of material with an even balance of picture value and literary strength.  She shows once more that it is a combination which can be conceived and developed with the latitude and limitations of camera angles in mind.  In short, this photoplay is a source of bouying encouragement to the advocater of the elevating of original stories to greater importance.   Lewis Stone, who does good work as a matter of habit now, offers an unusually impressive characterization.  Kathryn Williams adds to her laurels in a successful handling of a difficult role, that of a victim of consuming jealousy, who, in a fit of anger, kills her husband.  Adolphe Menjou displays his usual finesse in drawing a characterization which is cameo-like in effect, and, he further insures his prestige as a master of the dramatic art.  Last but not least, Miss Daniels gives an excellent performance in which she shows a versatility in the art of running the whole gamut of emotions.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 8)   

Dell Henderson is directing a satire on Hamlet, which stars Raymond McKee.  (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 22)
   

CAMERA’S WEEKLY WAKE-EM-UP

French Comedian is Out of Danger Now
Max Linder, the famous French cinema star, who is recovering from injuries sustained in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps.  The reports of his neck being broken were erroneous, but it is true both of his arms were fractured.  Mr. Linder plans to return to Hollywood as soon as he is able to travel. 

“SUZANA” BRINGS MACK SENNETT A $10,000 SUIT
Mack Sennett will be the defendant in a suit for $10,000 brought by Linton Wells, who declares he is the author of Sennett’s current screen success, “Suzana,” and who complains that credit as such has been denied him and that all authorship rights have been credited to Harry Sinclair Drago.  Wells, in his complaint, says he was engaged by Sennett to write the novel, based on an agreement that he was to receive a certain amount for the screen rights and also a bonus and all royalties accruing from the sale of the book.  He declares he has received neither compensation nor authorships credit for his work, and that Mr. Drago’s work on the story was limited to only a few minor changes.  (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 9)

Boiled Down and Served Up!

Louise Fazenda will play the Swedish maid character in “Main Street,” Warner Brother’s forthcoming production.   

The most recent addition to the rapidly growing Goldwyn stock company is Raymond Griffith, who, it was announced yesterday, has been signed to a long-term contract, coincident with the announcement that he will play Sheridan Scott the “crime deflector” of  “The Rear Car,” which in Carey Wilson’s screen version is entitled “Red Light,” to be directed by Clarence Badger.

The artistic performances of Mae Busch in “The Christian” and in “Brothers Under the Skin,” have prompted the Goldwyn organization to insure themselves of Miss Busch’s services, via the contract route.  As a result Miss Busch will concentrate her histrionic efforts at the Goldwyn studios for the next five years.  At the present time she is playing the leading feminine role in Rupert Hughes’ “Souls For Sale,” which will follow the releasing of “The Christian.”   It is announced Miss Busch has recovered from her injuries sustained when she was struck by an automobile recently.

Big things are happening around the Joseph M. Schenck camp.  Last week it was announced Frank Lloyd had been engaged to direct forthcoming Norma Talmadge productions, and that Willard Mack, famous stage and screen writer, had been signed to act in an advisory capacity on all pictures starring both Norma and Constance Talmadge.  It was also announced that “Ashes of Vengeance, “ a romantic French story written by H. B. Somerville, will serve as Norma Talmadge’s next starring vehicle.   

Frank Mayo, who is playing the character of the movie idol in Rupert Hughes production “Souls for Sale,” now being filmed at the Goldwyn studios, was forced to discontinue his endeavors last week when his eyes became weakened by the piercing glare of Kleig lights.  His condition is said to be very serious, and it is possible that Mr. Mayo’s eyes have been affected to such an extent that he will be prevented from making an early return to work.   

There seems to be a mystery regarding the present where-abouts of Mabel Normand.  Although she was scheduled to start enacting the starring role of the next Mack Sennett picture about three weeks ago, and that she was expected to be present at the premiere showing of her current screen success, “Suzana,” at the Mission Theatre, no word of explanation has been received regarding her delay in arriving in Los Angeles.  Friends of the comedy star say she is in Berlin, Germany, and Mr. Sennett says she is making arrangements to leave for Los Angeles to start work on her next picture, “Mary Ann.”
(Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 10)

Exhausts from Al Martin

Monte Banks denies the report that he is engaged to one of of Singer’s Midgets.

Al Alt and George Williams are going to into vaudeville for a change.   Get the change, boys.

Joe Rock is learning how to play poker.  He took fifteen dollars worth of lessons the other day.

Judging from the increase in the number of dramatic and comedy artists from various foreign countries now active in the studios of Los Angeles and environs, there must be a veritable debacle of stage and screen people out of especially Germany, France and England.  Incidentally, the Hollywood colony is becoming so cosmopolitan that half of the time one would think he is in London and some of the time he is in Paris.  Then if by chance one gets into a certain café at the right hour, he would swear he is in Berlin.  (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 12)

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

Al Herman’s first Century Comedy for 1923 is finished.  It is known as “A Spooky Romance” and stars Jack Cooper.

Max Asher, well known comedian, is playing the part of Stephen Hopkins in Charles Ray’s classic, “Miles Standish.”

Forrest Robinson and Edith Yorke are playing Mr. and Mrs. Steddon in Rupert Hughes’ “Souls for Sale” at the Goldwyn studios.

D. Ross Lederman, who has been active in San Francisco for the past few months, has returned to Hollywood as a assistant to Director James W. Horne.

Roy Del Ruth has been signed by Jack White, producer of Educational-Mermaid Comedies, to direct Lige Conley.

Protean Arts has loaned Cecil Holland and Raymond Cannon, star and director respectively of Protean productions, to the Fred Caldwell Productions for the comedy drama”Knighthood in Hollywood.”  Violet Schram and Gale Henry compose the feminine portion of the cast.  Vic Potel is also playing an important part.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 14)

FRIENDSHIP FOR A BEAR BEARS GRIEF FOR AN ARTIST
They used a big grizzly bear in some of the scenes in the Vitagraph comedy, starring Jimmy Aubrey, this week, and, therein lies a story with a moral.  Helen Kesler, who is Aubrey’s leading lady, took a fancy to this particular bear and proceeded to make a pet of it from the first day.  Seemingly she was making the headway towards ingratiating herself with the big brute until the final day of their “friendship,” when the latter made known its full disapproval of all amicable advances by giving the actress a mean hug and then cuffing her in the face and bowling her over for a couple of goals.  The result was, Miss Kesler had to be taken to the studio emergency hospital for some mending of a few scratches and lacerations.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 14)

Capping Last-Minute Climaxes

John Aasen, of Minot, North Dakota, who is eight feet, nine inches tall, and the most gigantic giant in the world, has joined the Hollywood film colony and will appear in Harold Lloyd comedies.  If he scores any kind of success as a photo-player, Aasen is bound to be a big success.     (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 15)

News and Gossip About the Moving Throngs of Movieland

MARIE IS LOANED
Marie Prevost, Warner Brothers’ popular star, has been loaned to Goldwyn to appear in “The Rear Car.”  Immediately upon the completion of that she will return to Warner Brothers’ lot and start her next picture for them.

TYING UP A GALAXY OF ‘EM
Warner Brothers are signing ‘em up rapidly.  Lately they have tied up on long-term contracts Harry Meyers, Monte Blue, Marie Prevost and Grant Carpenter, well-known scenarist.  They have also signed William Beaudine, the director responsible for the Heroes of the Street,”  the last Wesley Barry picture, to direct the popular boy star in “David Copperfield,” “Little Johnny Jones” and “George Washington, Jr.”

TITLING “DRIVIN’ FOOL”
“The Drivin’ Fool,” E. D. Newman’s comedy-drama of automobile thrills, has been completed after two months of camera work in scattered locations all over the western states and the picture is now being titled by Walter Anthony, who is an author of notable literary attainments and was formerly a dramatic critic in San Francisco and Seattle.  Wally Van is featured in “The Drivin’ Fool.”  Seen with Van are Patsy Ruth Miller, Alec Francis, Wilton Taylor, Ramsey Wallace, Jesse Aldridge, Rosa Gore and other well known players.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 16)
   
Pulse of the Studios
For Week Starting Monday January 29

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: 3rd 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: 3rd Week

Director: Al Herman   Star: All-Star  Cameraman: Billy Williams   Ass’t Direct.: Mark Sandrich  Scenarist: Herman-Neifield   Type: “Spooky Romance”    Progress: Editing

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: Monta Bell   Type: “Destiny”    Progress: 10th 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

Director: Al Christie    Cameraman: Nagy   Ass’t Director: Hagerman   Scenarist: Walter Graham   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

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: Buckingham   Star: Stock   Scenarist: Staff   Type: Comedies    Progress: Schedule

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

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: 1st Week

Director: Rupert Hughes   Star: All-Star   Cameraman: John Mescall   Ass’t Direct.: James Flood  Scenarist: Rupert Hughes   Type: “Souls For Sale”    Progress: 8th 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: Suspended

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. 42  pg. 17)

KEATON STUDIO.   1025 Lilian Way.   Holly 2814

Buster Keaton Productions, Inc.   (First National release).

Director: Eddie Cline  Star: Buster Keaton   Cameraman: McGann-Lessly   Ass’t Direct.: Chick Collins  Scenarist: Staff   Type: “Three Ages”    Progress: 3rd 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: 2d Week

R-C STUDIO.   Melrose and Gower.   780 Gower St.   Holly 7780

Individual Productions.   (Film Booking Offices.)

Director: Carter DeHaven   Star: Carter DeHaven   Cameraman: K. G. McLean   Ass’t Direct.: Cliff Sahn  Scenarist: Monty Brice   Type: “Borrow Trouble”    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: 5th 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  Star: All-Star   Cameraman: Len Powers   Ass’t Director: C. Morehouse   Scenarist: Randall H. Faye   Type: “Our Gang”   Progress: Schedule

Director: Fred Jackman  Star: “Buck” Parrott      Scenarist: Fred Jackman   Type: “Call of the Wild”   Progress: Editing   

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. 42  pg. 18)

ADVERTISEMENT

This is how I look with glasses but I don’t wear them.
    (Photo of mousey faced moustached man with a hat and tie)
This picture really does not do me justice.
    AL MARTIN
Just finished playing “The Dummy” with Hart Schaffner & Marx
Am very familiar with the motion picture business having been in it  before it was in its infancy.
WILL NOT consider position to direct “Ben Hur.”
I write the “Exhausts” column for Camera! And would consider job with salary attached.
Have been offered several engagements, but the money didn’t come from the east.
My hobby is to work in the motion picture industry.
I can swim, dance, roller-skate and grow a beard.
Will work for anyone but Billy West.
Phone 578-097
ATTENTION CREDITORS:
Please don’t phone, but send my bills to my new address, 1340 Milton Ave.
(Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 23)
         
Flashes From Frisco

Joseph Schenck and Reginald Barker spent part of last week in San Francisco on business.

Gilbert Pratt returned to Los Angeles after a few days here.

“The Plum Centerpedes” finished, on Saturday, the twelfth and last Plum Center comedy at the old Gerson studio on Tenth Street.  Dan Mason, star of the company, his daughter, and Wilna Hervey leading lady, will leave for New York about Feb. 1st.  It is possible that a second series of Plum center comedies may be made here later on. 

Bull Montana arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday to join Von Stroheim.

A.H. Giebler, scenarist for the Plum Center comedies, will go to Los Angeles soon.   (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 20)
       
   
NEWS NOTES OF FILMDOM'S JUVENILE STARS


JACKIE COOGAN-MILLIONAIRE
To amass a fortune of over a million dollars through his own ability and efforts before his eighth birthday, is the remarkable record made by Jackie Coogan, filmdom's king of baby starlets.  As a result of his signing a contract with the Metro organization, Jackie received a cash bonus of $500,000, and will further receive a sixty percent share of the earnings of the four pictures he will make for this concern during the next twelve months.  By terms of the contract Mr. Coogan Senior will have the privilege of picking the stories and casts for his youthful celebrity, and will personally supervise each production.
    (Camera Vol. 5   No. 42  pg. 20)


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