Evening Star Newspaper, December 31, 1922, Page 31

ER the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, whose :‘,iudarsemen! appears upon nearly all the photoplays of conse- quence which are shown in Washington, there has been formed 9b2qvhat is known as the national committee for better films. Neither orgahization is official in a governmental sense, but both appear to be ap- ;.rm’f&fl. if.not promoted, by photoplay producers. The committee is now making a general appeal for new members, offering them, in return for the iues exacted for membership, certain literature and information concern- ‘ng pictures, including reviews of the finer productions. Each member is supplied monthly with a photoplay guide of selected pictures for the fam- ly group and special young people’s entertainments; a copy of the com- mittee’s magazine or official organ and a list of exceptional photoplays, together with critical reviews of the finer productions. This committee contends that it has tested and proved by experience in Atlanta, Ga.; ,Cleveland, Ohio, and other cities that a marked influence can be exerted on the character of local motion picture entertainments by community co-operation in support of the good pictures; that when the good pictures are well supported the exhibitors will only be too happy to furnish more of them, and thus the objectionable pictures will gradually be eliminated #om public view. 3 ’I'HE very best way in the world to kill off bad photoplays is to freeze them out of existence. The next'best way is to give such liberal »atronage to the good that purveyors of the bad will find them more prof- table than the bad and naturally will change their stock in trade. It is pretty well established that evil cannot be legislated out of the world. Che most potent influence in any reform is that of the individual himself, and it is in recognition of this fact that the national committee for better nilms is now endeavoring to operate. There will probably always be more or less degeneracy in the world, but a most excellent way to lessen it and to make things as they should be is for the general public to, first get its own heart in order and then back the right with all'its might and at all times. If this be done official censors will not be-needed. * ¥k k¥ - OTHER?” photoplays have reaped a rich harvest for their producers, and, in consequence, few, if any, of the-makers of pictures have neglected to utilize the mother theme. one form or another. Whether the public is tiring of it, or “father’s” friends are pushing his claims to recognition to the front more strenuously, almost every mail brings the news of a new picture in which “father” has the spotlight. During the week our local fire department capitulated to a picture dedicated to Wash- ington’s own fire chief, George S. Watson, in which the father hero is a firefighter. The picture, “The Third Alarm,” was shown:in advance of ts release Thursday to an audience composed almost exclusively of mem- bers of our fire department, from Chief Watson down to the privates in the ranks who could be spared for the exhibition. If the firemen’s judg- ment is correct, “The Third Alarm” promises to be a very-popular “father” | picture. ® *.% %k * % k¥ i the other “great authors the screen during the wee teresting and pretty fillm production of h of Sleepy Hollow,” in which the also famor ing and most acceptable Ichabod Crane. Screen-fashion, however, the [} cture is titled “The Headless Horseman.” It may serve to redirect at- tention of modern readers to other classics by this first and probably the greatest of American authors. W. . LANDVOIGT. Photoplays This Week AT THE PHOTOPLAY HOUSES THIS_WEEK. IA—Mary Pickford, “Tess of the Storm Country.” "Shown Sto 1 evening. METROPOL [he Dangerous Age.”” Shown this afternoon and ey RIALTQ—Bcbe Dani and cvening. PALACE—"The evening. CENTRAL—Lon Chaney, “A Blind Bargain.” and evening. CRANDALL’S—Wallace Reid, afternoon and evening. LINCOLN (Colored)—"“A Fool There Was.” Shown this afternoon and evening. " Washington Irving was hon- in_the presentation of an in- ¢, “The Legend Shown “this afternoon ged Wings. Pride of Palomar.” *Shown. this.afternoon.and. Shown this afternoon “The Ghost Breaker.” Shown this Tess | risks all for the man che adores, by arcusing the jealousy of a witted clown who worked with in a San Francisco water-front elf her self- appointed N, om this point tory said to bristle with dra- woments and romantic situa- COLUMBIA—Mary Pickford, of the Storm Count: “olumbla Thes for No v added feature will be the ap- ~ STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, ‘DECEMBER Mary PICKFORD i3 FOREST STANIEY Palace DANIELS' Rialto CLIFEORD Metropolttar been brought to the screen under the - -|direction of Frank Borzage, the mun who achieved fame for his plcturiza- tion ‘of “Humoresque.” The story way scenarized by Grant Carpenter and John Lynch. Forrest Stanle who played the role opposite Mari Davies, in “When Knighthood Was in_Flower,” has the chief role. The story concerns Don Mik: rell, Siberia to find his father, one of the last of the California Dons, in his grave, and his estate in the hands of strangers. John Parker, the new owner, has with him his beautiful daughter, and a love affair develops between Don Mike and the daughter, Okada, a Japanese potato baron, "is also aligned with Parker and against these two, Don Mike arrays himself in a struggle for his property. The orchestra, under Thomas Joseph Gannon, will contribute an overture selection, and short films will be shown. Far- CENTRAL—Lon Chaney, “A Blind | sai | pearance of Prospero Miraglla, harp soloist of | times _daily | Godefro Y Pagannipl's “Carneval de Venice.” Minor film attractions will {nclude | Topics of the May, and tho latest Fox | News. terplece of plquant | { PALACE—‘The Rialto Orchestra, three utilized as the basis for his concep- tfon the original story b Grace Miller as well ag the dram tization | made of it by Rupert Hughes, the American novelist and playwright. It s sald to be a n rharm. ¢ ‘The ecast includes iloyd Hughe: ‘3lorla Hope. David Torrence, Forrest Robinson, Jean Hersholt, Danny Hoy, Robert Russell, Gus and Mme. de Bodamere. The p ography in- des a variety of exterior settings The pro- saild to be Pickford Pride of Palomar.’ Tke photoplay at Loew's Palace | Theater this =~ eek, beginning this afternoon. will be the Cosmopolitan screen version of Peter B. Kymne's ine story, “The Pride of Palo- a dramatic story of love and litigation in Californi: which has ‘ l week, beginning this day to Saturday, both inclus ture will be First National's 5 Up Barnes,” a brisk comedy dram starring Johnny Hines. “A Blind Bargain” is the story of a half-mad surgeon who belleves he can | Tevert to ancestr: zation of cause his patients types by the utl gland: his body for experimentation in return for immediate ald for a dying mother. Before the day the compact expire: however, the vouth is warned of hideous fate that awalts him 1t earlier victym of the doctor’s nature. By-a strange stroke of f: ltrection of Leon Brusilc a musiczl score. METROPOLITAN—“The Danger- ous Age.” Lewts 8. Stone, Cleo Madison, Edith Roberts, Ruth Clifford, Myrtle Stedman, Tames Morrison, Helen Lynch. Lincoin 3tedman, Edward Burne, leading man | with Constance Talmadge in “East Is West"”; Richard Tucker and Stanhope Wheatcroft are the principal members £ the cast in John M. Stahl's screen orelon of “The Dangerous Age,” at Srandall’s Metropolitan Theater this veek, beginning this afternocon. ‘The auxillary attractions wiil be on » par, it Is announced, with the major J{ffering In point of genuine merit. nlef among them are the Mermaid omedy ‘High Power,” th: Metropoli- an World Survey and oth. hort film ubjects, rounded out by _rchestral \umbers. including an _orchestral vertare' under the direction of N.| will offer " one of First National’a most notable releases, Mr. Stahl has for his chief flgures a man and his wife, happily married for! *wenty vears, with a daughter about! *o become a bride. In the heart of the; rather the spirit of youth and ro- nce still lives; the wife is content! o be merely a perfect housekeeper nd to grow old. His wife declines to, ccompany him on a trip to New York ) [ ecause of spring housecleaning. He | Yorms the acquaintance of Mrs. San-, reon, about his own age, and her! aughter Glorta. The daughter, wl!h. r vivacity and charm, supplies in he life of the middle-aged husband 1> romance he had craved and leads im to a crisis that Mr. Stahl dis- %eetly has solved in a thoroughly ane,. logical manner. wis Stone and Cleo Madison are the husband and wife; Edith Roberts, their daughter, and Ruth Clifford, the ‘nnocent siren. The cabaret. race rack and night scenes, in which a lfh-power motor car sets out in pur- r t of an express train, add zest to he action. “High Power,” a swift-moving ab. surdity, is an added attraction. RIALTO—Bebe Daniels, “Singed ‘Wings.” Moore's Rialto Theater for the cur- ent week, beginning this afternoon, will . present for the first’ time in “Washington, Bebe Daniels and Con- ad Nagel, in “Singed Wings,” a Pen- hyn Stanlaws masterpiece, produced or Paramount. #71¢ i» described as a _powerful and hotoplay. The story as Wi Katherine Newlin Burt, «uthor _of "'{"hc Branding I ¢ s Spenish dancer vorld, - who becomes - write, ie tempted by a false love and was PALACE WEEK BEGINNING TODAY, SUNDAY, DEC. 31—~ by the most virile of Ameri- can novelists. to thrill _and _think about. Marjorie Daw-and Forrest g‘h:lcy- head--the- all-star Sraquzcions presents \_ SPLENDID ADDED FIGHTING romance of the great- Southwest Something BY PETER B. KYNE Auther of “Cappy Ricks” OFFERINGS . a soldler who returns from ' monkey | Like Mephisto and Faust, he | leads a desperate young man to pledge | —HosarT Bosworre Crandalle : doctor is killed in his own laboratory | o'clock and daily throughout the week and his prospective prey s released |at 11 a.m., doors opening at 10:30 a.m. from his bond. ! —_ : “Burn 'Em Up Barnes” is the story | CRANDALL'S—Walla id, of a young man whose mania is speed. | -Wallace Reid,“The Dared to make good without the in Ghost Breaker.” jfluence of his father's milllons, Barnes sets out to make a name for| Wallace Reid will be pictured at hinis, nd encounters all manner of | Crandall’s Theater the first three days | amusing adventures. Exclusively first- | ¢f this week, beginning this after- run features will round out the bill. | noon. in “The Ghost Breaker,” sup- Performances today will begin at 3 (Continued on Fourth Page.) ROBERT CAIN i Lincoln 31, 1922—PART 3. JACQUELINE LocAN Central , SHIRLEY Masox ; Strand NEXT WEEK’S PHOTOPLAYS. Rialto. “On the High Seas,” lat production, featuring alton and Jack Holt. Metropolitan. Jackie Coogan in the title role of harles Dickens’ immortal tale of 'Oliver Twist.” Central. Goldwyn's “The Sin Flood,” feature ing James Kirkwood, Helene Chad- wick, Richard ix and othe: and h . Stahl's “The Dangerous Ag: starring Lewis Stone, etc. Crandall’s. “A Fool There Was’” starring Es- telle Taylor and Lewis Stone; Ethel and ‘The Man She Brought Back.” Lincoln. ‘The -William Fox new production, “A Fool There Was,” and y.Friend the Devil,” starring Charles Richman. an Irvin Wil- Dorothy TODAY 2:30 AN g Amesermen Bergein HowsaINHIIHIES | Toddy, Beginning &t 3 P. M—Daily, 11 4. M. te 11 P. N. 3%~ TODAY—MON.—TUES.—WED. 94 NEVER BEFORE HAS ‘THE SCREEN OFFERED A MORE THRILLING OR A MORE BAFFLING MARVEL AT THE AMAZING DUAL Ii PERSONATION BY ITS STRANGELY GIFTED - STAR. s Lon Chaney as the servant, Aalf man, Aalf GOLDWYN PRESENTS: . ol "Dr. Lomd A BLIND BARGAI —WITH JACQUELINE LOGAN—RAYMOND McKEE. THE BTORY OF A LIFE PLEDGED TO A HALF-MAD SURGEON BPECIAL ORCHESTRAL OVERTURE AND ACOOMPANIMENT -THURS.—FRL—SAT— Laughter Bpecial In A Bure-Fire Hit Firet- National’s JOHNRY HINES With Great Cast ANNOUNCEMENT: This Week Will See the Installation at Crandall’s. Cen- tral of a Robert Morten Triple-Manual, Orchestra-Unit Pipe Organ Which, When Completely Adjusted.and Dedi- cated, Will Be Recognised Not Only as the Finest Instru-. ment in the National Capital But as One_of the Finest in Any Theater in America. < = e e I 0000 i -AMUSEMENTS. FILMOGRAMS Angela-C.- Kaufman, who is widely known both- in this . country and abroad, particularly in the orient, as a welfare worker, has invited The! Star's attention to a motion picture drama entitied’ “The Greatest Men- | ace,” which, she declares, is both timely and dramatic and which deals | with “the drug evil.” The purpose of the picture, she writes, “is purely, propaganda against the drug trafile| and therefore- it fully deserves in. | dorsement. Today and tomorrow the Metropoli- tan Orchestra will play Mr. Mirskey’s | own special New Year number, which | he has entitied *“1923. Beginning Tuesday and continuing throughout the week will be played a potpourri of . selections from the “Follles of 1923.” iy Tho work of demolishing the old Sacred Heart Church edifice, parish house and rectory, at 14th street and Park road northwest, preparatory to crecting Crandall's new Tivoll The- ater, is progressing rapidly. The en- tire roof structure of the church and parish house has been removed and the rectory, facing Park road. has been razed to the second floor level. Upon the completion of this work it is ex pected that the examination of plans will be completed by the District offi- clals and the actual construction work immedlately begun. Probably no photodramatic pn)duc-’ tion of recent years has been awaited with_keenor interest than First Na. tional’s production of *Oliver Twist with Jackle Coogan In the name part. Not only does Jackie carve his name high on the list of dramatic stars in this vehicle, it is said, but he is surrounded by a cast of excopumu’ I distinction. Rapid progress 18 being made 1 ing to the early construction of dall's new Ambassador Theater at 18th and Columbia road northwest. The plans are now being gone over in detail in the District bullding in- spector's office and steel is being de- talled and fabricated. Work on the erection of the fandsome new struc- ture will begin immediately upon the conclusion of the official check of plans. This week will, witness the com- pletion of the installation of the Rob- ert Morton triple-manual, orchestral- unit pipe organ at Crandall’s new. Central Theater, 9th street between D and”E. This ‘master instrument, j when completely adjusted, it is claimed, will be not only the finest organ in any theater in the District, but one of the finest to be found in any theater in the United States. One of the most distingulshed concert ar- tists in the east will preside at the instrument when completed. ‘Edward (Hoot) Gibson has finished another Universal attraction, “Heads Tp.” Elinor Fields is the leading woman. Having finished "the lumberjack | stories on which he was working. Roy Stewart has started a series of “Tales of the Old West” under the direction of Duke Worne. Material is being supplied both from magazines and newspapers and personal experiences. Gertrude Olmstead {s the leading woman of the company. The cast selected for William Slavens McNutt's Colller’s story, “His Good Name,” has been chosen. Harry A. Pollard, director of “The Leather Pushers,” will hold the megaphone for Rockliffe Fellowes, Fritzi Ridgeway, Hayden Stevenson, Buddy Messenger and Frederick Stanton. Patsy Ruth Miller, after a search which has taken in almost all of the actresses on the coast, was chosen for the part of Esmeralda in “The Hunch- back of Notre Dame,” for which the sets are now being built at Universal City. To the two French directors al- ready at work at Universal City an- other has been added in the person of Herbert Dlache, whose experience antedates aimost any . director -now Emile Chautard is making - working. RIALTO PARAMOUNT PICTURES PRESENTS 3 A GORGEOUS SPAN- ANCER WHO PLATS WITH THE HEARTS OF MEN. A FLAMING LOVE-DRAMA IN LAVISHLY BEAUTIFUL SETS. PENRHYN A STANLAWS PRODUCTION " BEBE DANIELS and CONRAD NAGEL AND A SUPERB CAST OF RECOGNIZED SCREEN ARTISTS CONCERT. FEATURE .of Notre Dam: “Forsaking All Others” and Georzn Archinbaud has completed “The Pow - er of a Lie” Blache hasn't been a- signed. Film critics at Universal City havo pronounced “The Prisoner.” made from George Barr McCutcheon's astle Craneycrow,” as one of the most exquisite pictures to be released next year. Herbert Rawlinson has the star role. It looks mow as though Wallace Worsley will direct “The Hunchbacl with Lon Chaney. Universal City is puffing out its chest over its latest Edward (Hoot) Gibson picture. It has finally becn :Itled “The Gentleman from Amecr- ca.” zine, when finally cut and titled Gladys Walton's use will be called “A Dangerous Game.” The outdoor picture seems to have taken a wonderful hold on the Amer- ican public. No greater proof of this, it s said, could be adduced than ths popularity of the series of two-rerl western stories in which Harry Care appeared and which is now being r leased as re-issue: Eileen Percy, the gorgeous blond beauty who plays “The Flirt” in Uri versal's picturization of Booth Tarl ington’s novel, has been engazed t play opposite Herb Rawlinson “Th Prigoner.” This will be Haw ase, and is George Barr McCutcheo novel, “Castle Craneycrow Madge Bellamy, who Is playing the title role in “Lorna Doone,” was seen recently wearing a gorgeous eveni wrap of midnight-blue chiffon velver, lined with cloth of sllver and trim- med with a huge ermine collar, in which the little star is a veritabl social bird of paradise, Patsy Ruth Miller, who plays tho role of the young Shireen in support ~ of Guy Bates Post in “Omar, the Tent- maker,” wears an evening gown of brown georgette over cloth of gold, trimmed with iridescent beads of red, blue and black. The girdle is of pea- cock-blue velvet. With this gown she wears a chiffon scarf of blue and gold. Another very.charming gown in which Patsy Ruth appears is of olive taffeta trimmed with balls of beaver fur and a bralded Poiret girdle of vermilion and green, with hammered silver buckle. One of the newest concelts for blouses is the allover metallic em- broidery, done on chiffon. These brfl- liant cloths make an ideal blouse for the three-plece costume o popular this season: they also are admirably suited to combination with velvets and other rich materials which have found favor for winter costumes, Con stance Talmadge, who has just re turned from Paris, revels in thes. gleaming fabrics. hing in the world to laugh It you con do it when you feel like ying you're a regular. To assist tickling your feunny bone, two com- edy units are busy at Universal City. Zdward’s current comedy s " Lewls Sargent, as the “Huck Finn” boy in the “Messenger Boy™ seples, is bringing out another. Marion Davies says {t's all nonsens: about French styles surpassing Amer- ican ones. While she was in Parls several months ago, the Cosmospoli- tan star succumbed to the lure of French gowns like all other .Ameri- can women. “B: she says, “I wis! now I hadn't asted the mon Clothes made in America are best. Did vou cver write a loye lettcr? Or receive on Course you have 's“story, “The Love Le had it adapted by Hugh Hoff man and now she has completed filni- ing the story. The miserable, cran: ed life of a little factory worker pictured with pathos and humor. oA iTwn _ PIOSPERO MIRAGLIA, HARP SOLOIST, RIALTO ORCHESTRA “DANSE DE SYLPHES,” GODEFROID. % SELECTED COMEDY EXCLUSIVE NEWS . o o