Evening Star Newspaper, January 14, 1923, Page 57

AMUSEMENTS gsementg T was inevitable that “Ben Hur” would find its way to the screen. Gold- wyn is to make an elaborate production of the famous story of Gen. Lew Wallace, a story which Klaw & ‘Erlanger, in dramatic form, car- ried to every quarter of the country for many years, until everybody became acquainted with its charm. June Mathis, the distinguished scenario writer, in a telegram to The Star, advises that in making this | beautiful story into a photoplay, Goldwyn will be guided. so far as pos- sible, by public sentiment in the selection of actors to play the various parts. She asks that those interested will send their selections for the roles of Ben Hur, Esther, Messala and Iras to Robert B. McIntyre, cast- ing director, Goldwyn Studios, Culver City, Calii. ¥ % ¥ ¥ DURING the world war no element of this great American republic con- tributed more efficiently and effectively to the propagation of patriotic sentiment than the motion picture industry. That is established history. Now comes the news that southern California, the very heart of the great art and industry, is becoming excited over the prospect of the first an- nual American Historical Revue and Motion Picture Exposition, to be beld in Los Angeles next summer, in commefmoration of the Monroe Doctrine Centennial. This exposition is being sponsored by the entire ‘motion picture industry, which took the lead in planning an international celebration of the hundredth anniversary of President Monroe’s historic proclamation. A special delegation, composed of Mayor George E. Cryer of Los Angeies and Frank B, Davison, who is to be the director general of the exposition, has becn to Washington to invite President Harding, mem- bers of his cabinet, other high government officials and Latin American diplomats to attend the premiere of the celebration and to officially open he exposition. which will run from June 1 to June 30. The President, it is said, accepted the invitation with enthusiasm. This is onc of the fine things done by the motion picture industry which ought to command at least as much attention and publicity as the little petty scandals about | unfortunate players which have flooded the public prints in recent months. | . it is explained, is expected to be the greatest event of I ever attempted. It will cover the history of the new world, irom the coming of Columbus, down through the times that marked the settlem f the two continents by Europeans, the discovery of the Pacific, the struggle for independence of the various nations of the three Americas, until 1823. All this will be portrayed in gorgeous pageantry. At the same time a motion picture will be made in greater detail that the world may get from the screen an adequate and authentic conception of American history, Whatever profits may accrue from both the exposition ud the film wiil be used for welfare work. Presidents of colleges and tiversitics throughout California are said to be co-operating in selecting the high lights of history for portrayal in pageanty and pictures. The entire wealth of artistic and dramatic talent in the motion picture indus- try will draited to make the story. The industry, it is explained, feels | that it can leave no cducationai legacy to posterity greater than that which it hopes to provide by this wonderful project. B . LVIN 3. OWSLEY, national commander of the American Legion, her he realized it or not at the time, was made a full-fledged | r on the occasion of his recent visit to Hollywood. ngs provided by the local reception commuittee for his T d pection of the Pickford-Fairbanks ctudios. Omnce vas not difficult for Mary and Doug, the “King and Queen” of ¥ildom, to persuade him to star in an impromptu film which s staged in the pictnresque Robin Hood castle. A half dozen cameras ked and the film stars went through a pantomi nquet hall of the castle. And now Doug and Mar, re all their own, and National Commander | Quwsley ¢ to be 2 motion picture star. ¥k current affairs that escapes the movie comedian. i the brainiest of screen funmakers, now insists 1 his latest production. entitled “Dr. developed as a new remedy for the world's 1 of the famous French Dr. Coue's remedy flesh is heir. Laura Wheeler Wilcox had the r old Col. John A, Joyce, in “Laugh and the world W. E. LANDVOIGT. Photoplays This Week entertainment in “Robin Hood.” Shown this AT THE PHOTOPLAY HOUSES THIS WEEK. ] ae World's a Stage” by Elinor Glyn. 1 Shown this afternoon. METROPOLITAN—Jackie Coogan, in “Oliver Twist.” afiernoon. PALACE—Viola Dana, in “Love nooun. CENTRAL—"“The Third Alarm.” CRANDALL'S—“My Friend the Devil. Shown this in the Dark.” Shown this after- Shown this afternoon. Shown this afternoon. LINCOLN (Colored)—"The Dangerous Age.” COLUMBIA—Douglas Fairbanks in “Robin Hood." Loew's Columbia Theater, beginn! Mg atternoon, will ofter to Washing- lovers their first view of nificent and f “Robin Hood,” = plcture which absolutely dwarfs by comparlson any previous production of Fairbanks' career. and one which mes direct to Washington from its #ensational engagemnent at the Lyric Theater, where it was shown at 83 prices and where it was hailed by Dublic and critics as one of the most remarkable picturés ever shown on Broadway, The management of Loew's Colum- bla announces that regular Columbia prices will prevail as always. The doors will be opened today st 2 o'clock to accommodate those who wish geats for the opening perform- ance. It-{s especially urged that those desirous of avolding the crowds which are inevitable at afternoon and night performances, to patronize the morn- ing exhibitions. In “Robin Hood” Douglas Fairbanks Las achieved a production that not only eclipses his own record for pow- #r and magnitude in the past. but has glven the screen a picture, which, it is belleved, will not be eclipsed fn some respects for many years to come, The story, by Elton Thomas, has boen condensed and scenarized by lotta Woods, while Alan Dwan, one of the most talented of screen di- Tectors, has staged the production un- der Mr. Fairbanks' personal super- vislon. The cast includes Enid Ben- nett. a film star in her own right; Irallace Beery, Sam de Grasse, Paul Dickey, Willlam Lowery, Roy Coulson, ‘Willard Louis, Alan Hale, Maine Geary and Lloyd Talman. Douglug’ colossal pr The atmosphere of pageantry, Lnighthood, of towering castle keeps and the rush of armed men has been portrayed on & mighty and marvelou soale. The management announces a spectal musical embellishment for the ‘production. METROPOLITAN—Jackie Coogan in “Oliver Twist,” (Second Week). So popular has been the first week' premiere in Washington of Jackl Coogan’s fine production of Dicken “Oliver Twist” at Crandall's Metro- politan Theater, and so insistent the demand for an extension of the en- gagement, that this exceptional at- traction will be continued through a second week, beginning this after- noon at &, Except for the presentation of a new fssue of the Metropolitan ‘World Survey, the bill will be pre. cisely the same as last week. Th character prologue, “A Dickens Rev. erie,” in which the foremost charac ters In the story are brought to lify on the stage, will continue to be pre- sented at 3:20, 7:30. and 9:30 pm. dally, The overture number also will remain the same, “Britannicus” a new work by A. Suu”oll never before y. tret production of is sald to represent one of the finest achievements in the history of the motion'plcture. Jackie Coogan, its seven-year-old-star, re veals an &masing of tory T2 of e e A | Bgure. His performance is marked by a wistfulness, a versatility and a | dfamatic forcefulness that place him | among the gifted artists of the| | Bcreen. Portrayals no less effective | are oftened by Lon Chaney, as Fagin; George Siegmann, Sykes; Gladye Brdckwell, Nancy; Lionel Belmore, | Mr, Brownlow and others, RIALTO—Elinor Glyn's World’s a Stage.” Elinor Glyn comes forward at Moore’s Rialto Theater this week, beginning today, with what is reputed to be a novel contribution to the i8creen. In a day when there is little variation of plot the famous English authoress has written a story which brings people in closer communion with the life of a screen actress in Hollywood. In the smug complacency of the general public little thought is given o the inner life of the screen player, except that which carries the breath of scandal. Tt is this theme that Elinor Glyn presents in “The World's a Stage” with Dorothy Phillips, Kenneth Harlan, Bruce Mac- Rae, Otis Harlan and others of note in the cast. The story concerns the life of a picture player, and the spectator is given three distinct dramas to look upon, all of which have been molded into a stirring slice of life. The plot shows a stranded Shakespearean troupe, whose star is a victim of cir- cumstances. A Hollywood _director in the audience, quick to realize that she has screen possibilities, when the company strands finds her a ready listener to his ofter. The story here unfolds a love theme. The premiere appearance of the Rialto Melody Boys will render pop- ular hits during. the presentation of short subjects at all matinee and night performances. Hal Roach’s “Our Gang” comedy, “The Champeen, nacted by a cast of juvenile stars; & Post Nature scenic, “In the Great North”; “Fun From the Press” and the Fox News will be added attrac- tions, which will include also Fried mann's “Slavische Rhapsodle” as an overture. PALACE—Viola Dana in “Love in| the Dark.” Loew's Palace Theater announc feature this week, beginning today, "Love in the Dark,” a captivating comedy-drama, featuring the piquant and demure Viola Dana. The cast In- cludes Cullen Landls, Arline Pretty, Edward Connelly, Bruce Guerin, John Harron, Margaret Mann and Charles West. An added attraction will be the latest Christie comedy, “The Chased Bride,” featuring Neal Burns and Vera Steadm Y “Love in the Dark” is Harry Beau- mont's screen version for 'Metro of the story by John A. Moroso. It con- cerns a ‘girl who is adopted from an orp) asylum to care for the four- year-old son of a woman who has ieagued herself with a band of crim- Inals and forced her affiicted husband to engage In the same criminal prac- tices. police rald soon breaks up this home the orphan girl and her little ward are forced to seek home with a minist and she db covers and prevents a theft from her benefactor which would have brought upon him frreparable disgrace. . irector Gannon of the Palace Or- chestra has arranged a musical hce “The RaLPE LEWIS utral Route CLIEFORD Liucolw JANUARY 1. “THe WORLDS A STAGE" Rialto : 1923—PART AMUSEMENTS. 3 Doug’s “Robin Hood.” MANKIND owes a great deal to mo- I tion pictures for taking one back "through the vista of years and show- ing how things were when “you were & tadpole and I was a fish. Now comes Douglas Fairbanks and takes folk back 800 years and reveals to them how things looked and how people acted when chivalry was at its zenith, He accomplished this no- tably in his latest United Artists’ Pro- duction, “Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood,” which some eritics pronounce the greatest motion picture ever made. | I; The joys and sorrows of the stirring | twelfth century in England have been lived all over again in thls modern | day beforc the camera, and the por- trayal is deemed absolutely accurate, | this whole production being based on every fact available in all the records | extant. i ] The castle of the Norman period, | surrounded by the inevitable deep | mout, comes to the screen as the re- sult “of the consummate skill of American engineers, architects, artists | and artisans, and {t iy a perfect replica | of the center of kingly activity of 300 | years ago. Perhaps the most inter- esting single feature of this castle fs, the tremcndous drawbridge. which, | | when raised, makes the big structure inaccessible, thanks to the depth and width of the moat. This drawbridge s raised and lowered with precision | when needed and it serves to support | COOGAN etropolitay HOSE who hold that matrimony ! and bables are incompatible -m.i in successful career should consult| | Fannie Brice | Every night lust season, while playing a strenuous engagement in the “Follles,” Miss Brice commuted | to Huntington, L. L, in order to be | with the children during the morning hours. She interrupts the rehearsal of a new song, It is said, to be sure that baby Billy's milk is properly boiled or to comfort Frances for a 7 bumped heud or a bruised knee. Far from finding this distraction a detri- ment to her work, Miss Brice declares | that she has never taken a greater | delight in the task of making people | laugh In a gray world. A Good Servant. ! \WHEN Viola Dana started east on the “get-acquainted” tour that resulted in a personal appearance | | here at Loew’s Palace, something like | six months ago, her live stock num- | many mounted ‘and unmounted sol- dlers and knights in numerous dash- ing charges in and out of the build- ng. Reallsm abounds everywhere inside and outside this castle. For instance. the moat {s filled with beautiful water lillies and live bullfrogs. Among the interfor s & banquet hail covering more space than the concourse in the Pennsylvania raflway terminal in New York city. The floor in this ban- quet hall 1s composed of large vari- colored blocks said to be exact dupli- cates of the materfal and style in voguo those 800 years ago. All the Eoldware used for banquets in “Doug- Fairbanks in Robin Hood” picture as patterned faithfully after the specimens now in various museums. The knights or warrfors of those days, fn storming a castle, did not dic n the moats, but they considered it a very high honor If they could give up their lives beside their flagstaff cor color-standard. The flagstaff used by Mr. Fairbanks was fashioned after one used by King Richard. Its total welght was 300 pounds. During the many months' in which the Pickford-Falrbanks studios at Hollywood. were given over to the filming of this epochal photoplay, the whole place was constantly a maze of spears. About 2,000 spears and an equal number of swords were used and there were 500 daggers besides. All_of these weapons were hand- made and were exact copies of the very instruments of warfare which made the fighter of the twelfth cen- ury so formidabl Careers and Babies. “Now I have a real reason for su cess,” declares the comedienne. * fact, two reasons. No woman can b said to have lived until she has had @ child. And to understand laughter you must understand life. Children are the one ambition whose realiza- tion is not a disappointment, “With the realization of each of m other dreams has come distilusio: remember, for instance, how ma: years 1 dreamed of u real pearl neck- lace. And I remembr the day I go it—all unexpectedly. I slept—c rather tossed—with it under my pii- low, for I couldn't eat or sleep for ex- citement. But in a week the kee:n Joy had all worn off. The joy in chil- dren grows every day. They are a lprofca:ional woman's greatest stimu- us.” Music at the Rialto. MOORE'S Rialto Theater announces that there will be orchestral music of various style almost every minute of the showing today, from 2:30 {n the afternoon on, by the Rlalto Worked Both Ways to Success. ek dere WHEN thoy wrote “Duley,” George 1::‘ “ S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly were told by most of their friends, by | all the actors, and by all save one of the managers that they had writ- ten a clever comedy which “would | never get the women.” because, in | the tit} been an outstanding success in en- Milwaukee, Indianapolis, and Is gagements in_St. Louis, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Cincinnat{ and_other cities, now to be seen here. ———— In the cast of “You Can’t Fool Your ‘Wife,” George Melford's next produc- bered only four rabbits, two hens and | Melody Boys, a quintet of soloists, in- a dog. These were all placed under |cluding Walter Salb at the plano; the personal care of Julle, Miss Dana’s |Roy Laing, violinist; A. Van Look, colored mald. i {saxaphonist; Willlam Rupprecht, cor= 1 took care of the pets all right. | 3 A A B e st iam of duci cus Snd netist, and J. Sterling, drummer. another setting of turkey eggs and which will be a featurs of all Rialto the two hens were allowed to STAtify |presentations In the future, their ambition to “set.” G . 4 When the petite star of “Love in| Oeorge Wild, conductor of the thea the Dark” returned to Hollywood she |ter's orchestra, has arranged that, in hardly recognized her own back yard |addition to the selections played by And now every morning that portion 'the main orchestra each week, the of the neighborhood is awakened by [musical offerings dally will Includs a whole-hearted cackling, barking |an added treat in the carly afternoon and gobbling that increases dally in |and that period between 5 and § p.m “heroine” tband and his business _ass: role, they had sketched a, who nearly ruined her hus- oclates volume, and which. Mise Dana fears, may soon bring about the interven- tion of the police at the behest of outraged neighbo: tion, will be Leatrice Joy, Nita Naldi, Lewis Stone, Pauline Garon, Rose Tapley and Willlam Burress, |when comedy and other subsidlars features are being shown, in a pro- |gram of the very latest syncopated 'melodte: VIOLA DANA- Palace Motion Picture Prejudice. LlliE every other huge business, the motlon picture industry has its list of generally accepted and usually unjustified prejudices. Until emphatic suocess crowned the premicre presentation of “Passion” in this country it was generally believed by the mass of photoplay exhibitors in this country that the so-calle “costume pictures” were “poison.” Since that notable importation there have been costume pictures without number—a majority of them box- office successes by rsason of having been representative of sound drama( interestingly filmed. The style of wearing apparel worn by the charac- ters in the stories entered not at all into the public appraisal of the sub- jects as entertainment. I iotiar. preludice which grips at the mind of the casual exhibitor even more strongly is leveled at the “propaganda pitcure.” There is some justification for this attitude, Propa- Fande pictures usuallv have bsen un- utterably bad. They haven't been drama, but merely sermons visualized with the camera and the film as con- venient agencies of translating te- dious tirades into action. There have, of course, been conspicuous excep: tions, but they have been few and far between, which accounts for their having been conspicuous. There s, however. no sound basis for a sweeping condemnation of pio- tures which serve a useful reforma- r‘l—" YS A GOOD SHOW, CRANDALL'S THEATER e ———SINTE AT L7 TODA YMON ~~TUES. TI 4 William Poz Speciai RICHMAN With Bardarc Castlstom, Pegoy Shew and Great Cast in MY FRIEND THE DEVIL Mutt and Jeff-—Added Hits £ WED.—THUNS. ¥ United Artists Presents CHARLES RAY With Btellar Support in a Splen- @id Pioturization of the Famous Stage Buccess, A TAILOR MADE MAN Adesop FPable—Eztras FFRL-SAT. X1 Preferred Pictures Offers STAR CAST Headed by Lon Chawey and Harrison Ford in ¢ New Hit, SHADOWS Paul Parrott in “Paste and tive purpose. Some of the most pow- erful works of literature have been written primarily to hasten the cor- rection of flagrant evils in the na- tional life. ‘“Uncle Tom's Cabin” was pure propaganda, but it embodied those eléments of appeal that made it also an intensely interesting document— 80 interesting that it has been read | through her well-meant but inept in- j terference in his affairs. “Duley” | was produced, and with results that | justified the authors and the one | ager, George C. Tyler, inasmuch | was "literally “made ‘by women, | the senso that the falr sex were from the beginning and still are its chief |adulants. Ae one society matron in | Chicago said, after the premiere: “We lare all Dulcies, more or less: we talk | too ‘much, and realize it after the damage is done—whereupon we talk t00_much agal Then along came Kaufman and Connelly again with a second play, | “To the Ladics!” wherein they hold | that no man is worth a rap until he | gets a woman behind him. “The men | will hate screamed the authors' friends, all the actors, and all save one of the managers—the same man- ager, George C. Tyler. He said it would be just the play for Helen around the world and viewed in dra- | Hayes, who had established herseif {n matio form by millions. “Les Miser- many cities as the star of “Bab. ables” was Victor Hugo's mightiest | Again, apparently, Mr. Tyler was contribution to propaganda litera- |right, for “To the Ladies!" is among ture, and certainly there has been no | the talked-about plays of the day. It | violent prejudice’ against the many | went through a long runm, with M ss | t dramatic works that have been based | Hayes in the principal role, in New {upon that tremendous epic of op-|York city: it opened the present sea- Tt | Eorge ar. Conan's “nome of comedy” | | George M. Coha e mple of Propaganda pay | there, the grand opera house: it n.sl ed upon this type of drama is found | in Charles Dickens' “Oliver Twist," which. in the form of a superb con- tribution to the short list of really i great pictures, is now entering its {second week at Crandall's Metropoli Ing in large degree the evils that | extated. "Yor, Gespite this primary | purpose which the novel was intend- d to serve, it has lived as one of the tan Theater. most appeaiing stories of pure-minded “Oliver Twist” was conceived and ' youth's triumph over environment written by the master of prose de- | ever penned. scription as his protest sgainst the| The prejudices of the industry abominable workhouse conditions ' should be concentrated into one stu- then prevalent in England. The agi- | pendous revolt against poor pictures tatlon which the Dickens work in-|They are the only ones the public| epired was instrumental in overcom- resents. T STREET AT 13TH o PALACE == WEEK BEGINNING TODAY- -SUNDAY, JAN. 14 METRO PRESENTS--- : That dainty, delightful and demure little star, VIOLA DANA In Harry Beaumont's engrossing pictirization of the exciting, hilarious, romantic drama by John A. Morosco, in which Miss Dana finds one of her greatest screen roles, “LOVE IN THE DARK” WITH CULLEN LANDIS AND ARLINE PRETT EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTIONS, N CHRISTIE COMEDY--“THE CHASED BRIDE"” Toplics of the Day ° ssseee s “Robin Hood” (DeKoven) IITS HERE! STARTING TODAY—SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS IN @GREATEST PICTURE N “\\li\c-tl" \ A\ F LIMITED ENGAGEMENT HCOME EARLYI! Easily the most stupendous and magnifi- cent production of Douglas Fairbanks’ entire career! Coming direct from its sensationally successful New York en- gagement, at the Lyric Theater, where thousands paid $2 a seat to see this supreme photoplay masterpiece! REGULAR COLUMBIA PRICES WILL PREVAIL HERE! DOORS OPEN TODAY AT 2:00 P. M. A AR A A AR AN AAN M A selmas A e