Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, October 27, 1923, Page 4

ay PAL o GAMES NEILL~ 29 . “AARON* HE costume drama, so called, { seems to have definitely come into its own. Not only are “period” pictures, dealing with a certain period in history, now being made in a great many instances, but in modern dramas, the tendency is to include some interlude, cutback, or a colorful fete which gives a chance for the actors to don gaudy garb, or strut in sock and buskin. The public likes brilliancy, there fs no doubt of that; also it likes to bo transported, even momentarily, to some remote period and by compart- son with modern attire and customs, gain an addftional thrill, Outstanding Examples, Cecil B, DeMille’s picture, “The Ten Commandments” as adapted to the screen by Jeanie Macpherson, of- fers one of the best opportunities. The gigantic Biblical prologue, a spectacle worthy of consideration by learned societies and archaeologists, will give much scope for magnificent and spellbinding ‘pictures’ of the days of early Egypt and the attend- ant pomp, ceremony, prodigality of human lives and luxurious architec- ture. This picture will doubtless prove the outstanding picture of the season, “The Covered Wagon,” a perlod picture since it deals with the plo- neer days of our own land, Is al- ready making film history wherever exhibited. James Cruz caught and held throughout the spirit of those epic days, Herbert Brenon recognizes popularity of the costume play in the new Pola Negri picture, “The Spanish Dancer”—an adaptation of the “Don Caesar deBazan,” with all the color and beauty, drama and luxury of the Latins of the period. The costuming and investiture are stu- # pendous in thelr beauty and extent. : A Period Episode. In a modern story, Charles Maigne introduced a costume eplsode In the shape of an “Empire fete” into his picture for Paramount, “The Silent Partner.” y “I was tired,” sald Maigne, “of fete scenes which were a mere hodge podge of widely varlant costumes So I decided on a period and employed the Empire in France—Napoleon Bonaparte's hey dey—as the most colorful.” Certainly he made it so, The bril- Mant costumes of the dignitaries from the emperor, played by Robert Edeson, Loulse of Prussia, played by Costu OUT FOR A SPIN IN FS TWENTY SLAVE POWER PPOADSTER ~ Leatrice’ Joy and Marat by Owen pore—these being the featured players—down to the soldiers of the line, the generals, hussars, grena- diers and pages, were exquisite. The combination with a lovely garden set made a picture that was resplen- dent. True, it is simply an interlude, but its marked contrast to the very modern drama of stock broking and New York fe, is most effective. Egypt in Pictures, “Bluebeard’s Eighth Wife,” a Glo- ria Swanson picture produced by Sam Wood, gave a chance for a most alluring Egyptian fete scene with mummies, Egyptian dancers, Nubian slaves and the like in great numbers, Jerome Storm introduced in “Chil- dren of Jazz" a moflern party with costumes of all sorts—breezy, bril- Mant and elaborate, “Salomy Jane,” George Melford’s production, with Jacqueline Logan, George Fawcett and Maurice Flynn, is costumic, In the sense that it is early Californian—the days of stage robbers, vigilantes and gamblers, of prospectors, miners and goldseekers of all kinds and types, In “Children of Jazz" there are scenes where an island home 1s kept up and the people dressed in the 1850 period. Theodore Kosloff, Ricardo Cortez, Etleen Percy and Robert Cain are the featured players. Endless Amount of Work, Thus in virtually every picture as iden (Fle me Pictures Are Popular Colorful Interludes Often Used -to Pe: Supply Element of Magnificence When the Main Theme Does Not Require Brilliant % CURIAM SEES THE man Sef tOVES FALL 7Q THE GROUND IN UTTER EXHAUSTION there is some costume feature and the character wardrobe and the oth- er costume departments are kept constantly busy supplying fancy at- tire therefor, It 1s quite evident that the period not so far past when producers shyed at the idea of costume pictures has gone and the idea ts now—elther make period pictures big enough to demand attention, or introduce some beautiful sequence in a modern plc- ture which admits of colorful treat- ment. And the {dea is a very welcome one, apparently, to the public, Readers of books and other ma- onings~ terial for motion picture-producing companies are constantly on the alert for the thing that hits the pop- ular trend of thought, They view with more or less doubt the accept- ance of a story that seems to be re- mote from popular appeal unless in- deed it may be expected to inspire a new or a renewed interest in the minds of the people. It requires more daring to do the latter than the form- er. It fs usually pretty safe to‘ ex- pect good results from a story that is based on a theme already uppermost in the public thought But to take something that is not popular at the moment and with It seek to develop Costuming LUCILLE VERNE AS ‘THE MUCH BE DECKED AND FROUNMING AUNT ROSA MAC PHER SON an Interest, {s always somewhat of gamble, However, if the story has enough human interest, beauty and picturable potentialities, it is not likely’ to fall of awakening this necessary interest, The public ts quick to respond to anything savoring of the unusual— and it never fails to register satis- faction when human nature is strongly developed in a picture or play or story. By linking these fac- tors an ideal is achieved. — A good reader will-take in 12 or 13 letters at one glance, RUTH DICKE ¥ WHO (S SHOWN AT LEFT WITH HERP VIOLIN, ~ AND HEP 10 - PIECE ”\ ORCHEST PPA, PROVIDING 3 MUSIC DURING SPECTACULAR EXTERIOP SCENES, 8SEIVNG (N CAMP On BARREN SAND DUNES O0fS NOT MEAN THAT THE STME OF aN AUTHOR NEEO BE CRAMPED HERE 1§ YEAMIE (N HER TENT OFFICE ON LOCATION Why Actors Prefer Screen to Stage HICH do you Like better? To W act in motion pictures, or on the stage?” This question ts one that is fre- quently asked of actors who have had expertence both before the cam- era and behind the footlights. The common tradition in some quarters hag been that, offered a choice, with equal opportunities, most players Make the best of yourself.’ It is all you have. Stand up for yourself. If ‘you don’t, who will? Believe in yourself—if you can’t, who cain? —Helen Waljeska GINO CARRADO as JOSHUA THE FAITHFUL’ would vote in favor of the stage. But such ts not the view of Theo- dore Roberts, veteran character actor, Roberts has had wide experi- fi ence in both fields, and ia still ap- pearing in vaudeville when not busy in some screen play. Most Actors Want a Home, “When you act in pictures you can have a home,” said the yeteran. “Of course some people have an idea that actors have no particular craving for their own hearthstone and foot stool, but the {impression probably orig- inated in the days when most actors could not afford homes, So it be- came the custom to suppose that actars were a bohemian lot, who'd rather frequent cafes—if not cafe- terfas—than remain qutetly beside their own firesides. “The conception that an actor, or an actress, might have the same do- mestic instincts as some persons en- gaged in other occupations was not & popular one, and there are many who still find it curlously difficult to accept it. “But, of course, there are actors who like to have their own homes just as much as any other class of people, and to these the motion ple- ture field offers a greater opportunity than the other for gratifying their desire, “Take my own case, for example, although I have no intention of hold- ing myself up as a model, When I act in vaudeville, I am compelled, of necessity, to be on the road. When I act in pictures I can remain quiet- ly in my home and among my friends in Hollywood. A Greater Audience, “Actors who play in stage produc- tions, not on the vaudeville stage that is, have pretty much the same experience, even though they appear in productions that are good enough to enjoy a long New York run. With the exception of a rare few they are ultimately confronted by the necess!- ty of going out on the road, unless, that is, they have the means to en- able them to remain idle between appearing in such productions only during the time they are in New York, “As for the enjoyment to be got out of the acting, I think the screen affords as great an artistic opportun- ity as the other, and, of course, you are always playing to a vastly great- er audience. Ay 4\ \ The dapper little man bustled into the tailor’s and asked to see some ready-made sults, He was given 4 choice. ori you'll quire.” “Certainly, sir!” beamed the tailor. “All alterations free, sir!" “Good!” said the little man, “Just alter the price then, from $60 to $10 and I'll take the sult with me!” take that one,” he said, “if make any alterations I re <SiR> kK SRen<s