Evening Star Newspaper, November 29, 1925, Page 79

"~ “MARGARET . LIVINGSTON Rislto | News and Comment By W.H. LanJvo;gt. vhen picture makers seem to be guilty of the The gifted Fanny Hurst once thought so after they hered” one of her stories, and she gave utterance to her manner quite unmistakable. But stories are still high quarters, it appears. Last week there came to Wash- at purported to be the filmization of one of the quaint and c Lagerlof, the poct-authoress of country house- able in a Selma been signally honored in her ows , probably, are familiar to its every of it is a hectic hunk of hoku iscon in its details, but with a box office twist that seems almost sacrilegious. It is called “Tower of Lies,” and the name scems to fit it. The advance notices, which indicated some doubt in the mind of ter as to who Selma Lagerlof is, stated that the story had been ed to the screen by Agnes Christine Johnstone, and that the picture castrom, once a director of the Svenska Film s delight with the assignment. When it is ned family, - Royal Women's Superior Training College at Stock- ce a teacher in the Landskrona Girls' High School; Nobel prize in literature at Stockholm in 1909, and t clegance of her stories, which always embodied he was intrusted by the Common book on Sweden for t because of the q educational value, Association with th matter of useful writing o the fascinating “Adventures of Nil ind could possibly have conceived fifficult to belic with her honored name speculations and guesses as to the “10 )r a lang time. It is seldom that any agree or that any probably would be approved by the general ply becat most of those lists were made up of the pictures d th dest popularity and not because those who se- e compe ) their relative merit as compared output of pictures for the year. The phrase “the 10 iprehens term, and vet a dubious one until a of pictures has first been ascertained. Now they have had ) det he “10 most beautiful stars of the screen,” le results as with the “10 best pictures” no one list will ever combine “the best” and stiful,” because opinions differ so. But there is a list that be made—the list of the “10 best actresses,” the word having rela to dramatic accomplishments and talents to the designation of sex. It would be interesting to learn npetent judges think upon that theme. And it is conceived that might comprise names that would not receive the suffrage of of the box ofice. After all, photoplays are being called “screen then why not let the “dramatic viewpoint” enter into the list of The result might lead somewhere. ¢ ¥ }{H\\' casy it is for the ¢ al mind to become grouchy! Fault finding is unpleasant employment, and yet it is_one human delight which indulged probably more than any other. We, all of us, want so very snuch to make the other fellow what he should be, and the fact that sone of us is likely to agree with our neighbor as to what he really should be doesn't scem to matter in the least. It is much so with criticism of +he movi They ve not vet reached the stage of perfect art. What rt, indeed, has reached the ge of perfection? Unlike almost anything se one can think of. however, the hapless movie has been belabored and soasted along with those who are responsible for it. But few enthusi- astically praise it when it achieves something great, and there are so many leftor from the day when the flickering pictures in the nickelodeon used to hurt their eyes one is always sure of his anvil chorus when he s to knock a picture. But if one is disposed to be just and fair, and <o will but seriously ponder over what has been accomplished in atter of picture art, the wonderful inventions that have been created possible, the remarkable pictures it has produced and the en- thusiastic delight swith which it has been received and patronized by oung and old, rich and poor, throughout the world, regardless of merits 1at delight the ¢ it becomes at once a cause for wonderment that Juld inspire the desire to help rather than to hurt it. ok ok ok OTION PICTURE exhibitors throughout the country, especially through their national organization, are pleading with Doug and with Mary and with Chariie Chaplin not to enter the proposed combine of United Artists and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and thus further “trustify” lie motion picture business. The fact that it takes a_big corporation to ght a big corporation; that Famous Players-Lasky is under heavy firc and that the posed combination is thought to be the only way to save the industry from the bow-wows doesn’t impress the exhibitors at all hey have not vet learned, apparently, that the big corporation can ac- complish so much greater things and at so much less cost than a_ small concern, thereby making its product cheaper to everybody, or if they e, they seem to dou E have been entertained v hest pi of the year Eil this list grardi * g ok Sk E are surely going to have a theater of the Fox corporation in Wash- ington, thus affording an outlet for the picture productions of Wil- liam Fox. Film Daily, the trade Bradstreet, states that the Fox Theaters « oration has signed a lecase for the 3,600-seat theater to be a part of the $10,000.000 National Press Club Building on the site of the old Ebbitt House, and that William Fox signed for the corporation and Henry #weinhart and James William Bryan for the club. * k% % S YXJILD OATS LANE,” a title suggestive of almost anything vivid, is going to be the means by which Viola Dana, whose name has been missing from the scrcen ne for some time, will return to the silver chect under the direction of Marshall Neilan. * ok ok K DF motion picture director, has written a play called The New Earth,” which Al H. Woods will produce for Broadway, but which Mr. Clift reserves to himself for screen production, if its re- ception entitles it to live in celluloid. * ko * E\'F.N the glorious Gloria Swanson is now being criticized. The report states that her many admirers are sharply resenting her jump from “cerious drama” to “low comedy” in her new picture, “Stage Struck.” One critic calls the picture “burlesque” and then digs further by calling the story a joke. And Gloria is said to be one of the greatest box office attractions cver known. Even the just escape notl * ok kK ARAMOUNT retorts in reply to the California rumor of “discrimina- tory retaliation” against Cecil B. De Mille’s new picture, “The Road to Yesterd: that it has booked the picture for the California, in San Jrancisco and announces it for the Rivoli, in New York, both Paramount theaters. ook ok HOSE who admired the exquisite short picture, “The Voice of the Nightingale,” made by Starevitch, a Russian producer, working in France, with a secret process, will be interested in knowing that he is to make similar pictures under a five-year contract with Reginald Ford, the first being “The Queen of the Butterflies,” based on a famous Russian fable. When it comes to exquisite creations, the photoplay is in its ele- mient and unassailable. sk kK .Y AUGH MONTH" is to be celebrated in Movicland in January. The film comedy makers are going to put forth special efforts in this direction. Everybody should be willing and anxious to laugh. * % % HE U of Pittshuigh has appointed Norman ornithologist and photo-naturalist, to a professorship in the depart- suent of zoology. Prof. Clinteck uses thic motion picture in the study @i biology. iversity Clintock an | SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTO 1925—PART g T s > ey SYD CHAPLIN and KATHLEEN CALHOUN /V\e{ropo]itam/ Breem Love. Lincoln The Moving Picture By Robert E. Sherwood. \V}UL ZVER a big movie opens in New York with attendant alarms, excursions and personal appearances by the stars, the local constabulary is called out to maintain order in the streets surrounding the theater. There is always a great deal of hullabaloo, and the press agents are almost (but not quite) overcome by the general execitement. Last week New York saw two such important openings, “Stella Dallas (at the Apollo Theater) and “The Big Parade” (at the Astor). Both pic- tures were watched by brilliant audi- ences, and both established them- selves instantly among the greater achievements of movie histo Among those present on these aus- picious _occasions were Leatrice Joy John Gilbert, Thomas Melghan wife, Richard Barthelmess, s Stone, Adolph Zukor, Jesse Lasky, Mar- cus Lowe, Hope Hampton, Lois and Belle Bennett (the stars “Stella Dallas”), Lois Wilson, Alice Joyce, Ben Lyon, Anna Q. Nilsson, James Kirkwood and Lila Lee, Sam- uel Geldwyn and doubtless many other celluloid celebrities who escaped my attention. T may be pardoned for failing to see them. The crush at these opening nights is something awful, what with the stars themselves and the swarms of eager fans whom they attract. The casual spectator, who comes to see the picture rather than the audience, must fight his way to his seat and back to civilization—suggesting that the ideal movie critic at such times would be Harold (Red) Grange. * ok %k Stella Dallas,” the latest and most ambitious of Samuel Goldwyn's trib- utes to art, is a beautiful and haunt- ingly wistful story of a mother who wasn't good enough for her child. It has heen directed with fine feeling by Henry King (who was responsible for “Tol'able David” and “The White sSister”), and it is played in its two principal roles by a pair of actresses who names are comparatively new in the world of the filas—Belle Bennett and Lois Moran. Miss Bennett is the crude, vulgar, ostentatious, gaudy. but warm-hearted mother, and Miss Moran is the quiet, gentle, well bred and loyal daughter. They both approximate perfection in their performances. Cold and unrespon- sive as I may be, I am compelled to con- fess that Miss Bennett and Miss Mo- n caused me to shed more than one furtive tear. The lady on my right sobbed openly and without shame. There are other good performances in “Stella Dallas” by Ronald Colman, Alice Joyce and Douglas Fairbanks, s ok K % “The Big Parade” is also calcu- lated to inspire tears, but in a vastly different way. For here is the great- est war picture of them all, the ulti- mate denunclation of organized slaughter as it was practiced on the fair flelds of France in the years 1917-1918. It was written by Laurence Stall- ings (coauthor of “What Price Glory"”) and directed by King Vidor, one of the real artists of Hollywood, whose work up to now has not had the recognition it deserves. “The Big Parade” tells of three men—one a wealthy idler, one a structural iron worker and the third a bartender—who marched shoulder to shoulder up the highways of France and there discovered horror. John Gilbert, Karl Dane and Tom O'Brien are the three soldiers, and all are splendid. Renee Adoree is a little French girl, through whose life marches the American Expeditionary Force. The big parade itself is an apparently interminable procession of brown motor trucks carrying the troops forward into the zone of fire. There art tremendous battle scenes in “The Blg Parade”—more stirring seen in,the movies—but the finest moment 'in_the picture are provided in the simpler and more intimate epi- sodes, when Mr. Gilbert shows Miss Adoree the picture of the girl back home, and she realizes that there is another girl to whom he will return; when Mr. Dane (as Slim, the corporal) lies dying In no man’'s land; when | Mr. Gilbert tries to bayonet a wound- | ed German machine gunner, and then Instead gives him his last cigarette. “The Big Parade"” s a great pic- ture—one that deserves to be reme Leved when another ®war to end war ts imminent. (Copyright, 1923, i Ceutral Photoplays At the Photoplay Houses This Week. METROPOLITAN—“The Man on and evening. PALACE—"Irish Luck.” Shown t RIALTO—"The Wheel.” Shown t COLUMBIA—“The Merry evening. TIVOLI—“The Phantom of the Opera.” evening AMBASSADOR—"The Man and evening. CENTRAL—"The Limited Mai ning. LINCOLN (Colored)—“The Lost and evening. METROPOLITAN—*“The Man on the Box. Syd Chaplin, a acreen comedian, whose cleverness Is being compared with the distinguished attainments of his famous brother Charles, and who made a popular hit in the Christie production of “Charley’s Aunt,” will be seen again at Crandall’s Metropoli- tan Theater this week in the Warner Brothers’ screen version of the famous play and novel by Harold McGrath, “The Man on the Box,” in_the role made notable in the play by Henry E. Dixey. The Metropolitan World Survey, “The Marionettes,” featuring Hope Hampton as Columbine, in a clever utilization of the familiar Plerrot and Columbine, and a musical program, including the Metropolitan Symphony, under Danlel Breeskin, in an overture comprised of selections from Verdl's “II Trovatore,” and an interpretative orchestral setting for the picture, will be the added features. “The Man on the Box,” for vears a surefire laughmaker, is a feature- length comedy, in which David Butler, Alice Calhoun, Kathleen Calhoun, Helene Costello, daughter of the noted Manrice, first of the screen idols; E. . Ratcliffe, Charles “Chuck” Reisner, Charles Gerrard and Henry Barrowes also will be seen. In many citles it has been presented at prices ranging | up to $2.20. At the Metropolitan prices will be restricted to the normal scale, the doors today being opened at 2 o'clock. PALACE—"Irish Luck”. Thomas Meighan, Paramount star, will be seen in his adventure romance, “Irish Luck,” supported by Lols Wil- son, this week, beginning this after- than any battle scenes I have ever: noon, at Loew's Palace. “Irish Luck” is an adaptation of Norman Venner's magazine story, “The Imperfect Impostor,” which was adapted to the screen by Tom Geraghty and directed by Victor Heer- man. The production was filmed largely in the beautiful lake country of Ireland and is said to picture pas- toral backgrounds of exquisite Irish scenery and historical spots. Mr. Meighan plays the role of a New York traffic cop who wins a | newspaper popularity contest prize of $2,000 and a trip to Ireland, and who is fleeced en route to Dublin, arriv- ing there practically penniless. Almost immediately, however, he dis- covers his likeness to an Irish noble- ,man who is mis§ing, but badly needed to prevent the looting of an estate, and he agrees to impersonate the nobleman, thereby foiling the con- apirators and winning the heart of a beautiful girl. v The latest Walter Hiers comedy, the Pathe News Reel and Screen Snap- shots, showing the stars at work and at play, and a musical setting for the Widow." on tl | Columbia for program by Thomas J. Gannon, direc- tor of the Palace symphony orchestra, will be added attractions, This Week the Box.” Shown this afternoon his aiter I h oon and evening afternoon and evening. Shown this afternoon and Shown this afternoon and 1c Box." Shown this afternoon Shown this afternoon and eve- World.” Shown this afternoon RIALTO—“The Whee “The Wheel,” made from Winchell Smith’s play, which was produced on the sta by John Golden, is the screen attraction at the Rialto this week. It r he ev tes a heartstirring story of s of gambling and concerns +fly Ted Morton, whose inherent in ation to play games of chance nearly canses the loss of everything he holds dear. Kate O'Hara, his fianceo and later his wife, fs caught in the web of a crafty gambler who tries to ruin Mor- ton and win the girl for himself. Through many intrigues these two figures’ combat the whirlpool of the gambler’s machination: In the cast are Harrison Ford, the male lead; Claire Adams, opposite him; Mahlon Hamilton, the gam- bler; Margaret Livingston, the gay charmer; David Torrence, Georgie Harris and Clara Horton. COLUMBIA—“The Merry Widow". “The Merry Widow,” Erich von Stroheim’s photoplay version of the famous Viennese operetta by Franz Lehar, with Mae Murray and John Gllbert heading the cast, has again forced itself into overtures by sheer popularity, and will continue at Loew’s 1 third week beginning this afterncon. Embellished with a musical score composed of melodies from the original “Merry Widow" operetta, personally directed by the man who gave the screen. “Greed.” ‘“The Merry-Go-Round” and other big hits. “The Merry Widow” alluringly unfolds the stage story that took America by storm mgpre than a dozen years ago. Mae Murray portrays the role of the little “Follies” actress stranded abroad, who attracts the attention of a prince and is later forced to marry a wealthy roue when the prince gives up his suit for court reasons. Widowed with- in a few weeks and left with fabulous wealth, the actress becomes the catch of the court, and this time Is success- fully wooed by her royal sweetheart. Roy D’Arcy, Von Stroheim’s new “find,” plays the villian of the story, while other roles ara assumed by Tully Marshall, George Fawcett and Josephine Crowell. TIVOLI—‘The Phantom of the Opera.’ “The Phantom of the Opera,” the mammoth Universal production fea- turing Lon Chaney, Mary Philbin and Norma Kerry, will be shown the first two days of this week at Crandall's Tivoll Theater, beginning today. The story is an eerie one and the pro- duction of such a majestic nature that its startling quality is lent added {m- pressiveness. The comedy stars Jo- byna Ralston, Harold Lloyd’s leading woman, in “Whistling Lions.” Tuesday and Wednesday Bessle Love, Warner Baxter, Raymond Hat- ton and Walter McGrail in “A Son of His Father,” adopted from the novel by Harold Bell Wright and directed by { | THOMAS' Mricraxn pa Ia ce HAMMERSTEIN Aubagsador Columbia Discovered by Chaplin. HARLEF rector of Chuck, n assoc The ) as his fr him, has | ated with the Chapl vd and Charlie, for some endowed with a visage 1 expect to find on a prize became one on old enough to « rough the rope 1 block punches. | vaudeville career and a picture | wed, during which time iaplin’ recognized his talent arked the beginning “Chuck’s’ ciation with the Chap nd he and Svd worked together | both on stories and actual production | 1 he s n the past 1 with Charli e 1 on p tures, in he Gold Rush.' Frar ags' for “The Man on the Box.” helping with the story heavy, and then the job ¢ is plcturization of Harc novel and play int more ancis Resisner and 3 m contract with Warners ng ‘harles F C]’lildrer;‘sr Vprrogram at Tivoli. ’ A REVIVAL of Jackie Coogan in = “Circus Days will be the fea ture picture for the Saturday morn: ing selected programs for children Crandall's Tivoli ate Decemb » an Our G comedy and an Aesop’s Fable t und out a morn- ing of fun for the children and grown ups. An additic sic program, be 1 be songs {llust slides which the audience is expected sing. Mrs. Logher is planning al 15 minutes a | part of these pr ctive Victor Fleming, also Lige Conley in Spotlight,” and “Topics of the Day" Thursday and F' ‘Exchange of with E rdman. Lew Renee Adoree and Creighton directed by Hobart Henley from Hamilton's story, also O sients in Arcadia” d the Pathe Review urday, Rex, the wild horse, in “Black Cyclone,” sup- ported by Guinn Willlams and K leen Collins. The story was wr by Hal Roach, producer of the | ind_owner of Rex by Fred Jackman. comedy and chapter added. cted will be pla AMBASSADOR—“The Man on the Bo Sydney Chaplin, supported & ler, Alice Calhoun. Helene Costello, Ratcliffe, Charles F. Reisner and “harles Gerrard, will he seen in Warner Brothers' production, “The Man on the Box, 's 4 lassador Theater the first thr of this week, bezinning toda a nion comedy to “Ck 's yd's last vehicle, and was adapted from the novel and stage | by Harold McGrath. An Aesop F other short reels and pipe organ rusic will be added ‘Wednesday and Thursday, “The Un. written Law,” described as a tense drama of the present day, featuring | Elaine Hammerst supported by | Forrest Stanley, F. Mong Charles Clai and M. v Alden, also Al St. John in “Fafr 2’ and a scenic study of “Hamburg”; Friday, | Bessie Love and Warner Baxter in A Son of His Father,” supplemented by a comedy, “Be Careful,” featuring | Jimmie Adams; Saturday, Lillian Rich | and Creighton Hale in “Seven Days,” | camera_version of the stage play by | Mary Roberts Rinehart, also Mack | Sennett’s satire, “The Iron Nag,” and the fifth instaliment of “The Ace of Spades,” starring William Desmond. CENTRAL—“The Limited Mail.” Monte Blue and Vera Reynolds will be seen in Warner Brothers' produc- tion, “The Limited Mail,” at Crandal Central Theater the first two days ot this week, beginning today. The ac- | tion of this thrilling drama of love and railroading takes place in & pie- turesque mountain country in Colo- | rado. ~Supporting roles are played by Willard Louis, Tom Gallery, Eddie Gribbon, Otis Harlan and Lydia Yea- mans Titus. Harry Langdon in “Hor- ace Greely, Jr., will also be shown. Tuesday and Wednesday Pola Negr! will be the star in “Flower of N!ght,” an adaptation of the novel by Joseph Hergesneimer dealing with the Cali- fornia_of 1836, with Joseph J. Dow- ling, Warner Oland, Eulalie Jensen, Cesare Gravina and Gustav von Seyf- fertitz appearing in the star’s support, also Jimmie Adams ims “Be Careful’ Thursday and Friday, Warner Baxter. supported by Bessie Love, in “A Son of His Father,” adapted from Harold Bell Wright's story, together with Car- ter De Haven in “Hot Sheiks”; Satur- day Mary Roberts Rinehart's “Seven Days,” with Lillian Rich and Creigh- ton Hale, supplemented by a juvenile comedy, entitled “Baby Blue: LINCOLN—“The Lost World.” “The Lost World” will be the attrac- tion at the Lincoln Theater this week, beginning this afternoon at 3. It re- produces with astonishing realism the anlmal and reptilian life of 10,000,000 years ago, and in a pleasing’romance enliats the services of Lewis S. Stone, Bessie Love, Wallace Beery and Lloyd Hughes in leading roles. The story concerns the adventures of a band of explorers who rediscover a “lost world” in the heart of the un- ar | tafty explored Amazon country in South America. _Here roam mammoth dinc- | (Contlnued on Fourth Paged Filmland‘s L9v¢ Story TURPIN has gone to | tion t Sennett Comedies again, | used to get Hollywood's only beautiful love| ed ¢ has ended. It ended when Ben's back ful roma Ben used Aa voung f: s of mi puile p v act—pretendi taffy at some one jerking it back wi Just 10 the Ben be a taf airs when he , and Be ind the fat neck | her ice of ( runnir discreet of the chief of p After he had stopped thought it wo ne he was side all da she sank in she woks 7F11mog‘r3rps e Me " on as had n country, s Widow rting wit land including Ros: | Abarbanel of the in n D; they percentage ating the imy s have not impr and entertainment value of the so-called independ are a distinct det ture busine ‘reate the false imy are not many good pic independent produ such producer vt and to the it a credit t ustry as well Zarle annout r its an ration the dame, Be tinge, grea tors, with oducers and more The Hay phiet for sce: n great deal of pra nstruction based on perience. intelligent ex- Roxy in his new theate bi-monthly symphony an orchest of 110 H. Sebastian is en version of Normandy” with Alan Forest in leading roles. 0 give rts with strumentalists announ ser “The Chi Film Daily repc effect that William Fox is to secure control of the St e | o crot Dny, of America, which G ! hin, who seemed t Earle vaudeville house here and the | fion “ire ¢ andall photoplay houses under the| recent deal made for them Eddie Cantor will screen version of made by Famous Players Lasky der contract with Flo Zicgfeld. F. A. Murnau of Ufa corpora is making ture of “Faust.” with Emil as Mephisto and Go! Faustus, and Ma will be asked to play day hildrer h we art Bra daughter n at ¢ un K I for he group of 2 childr Mitchell Lewis signed b n “Wild 1. Lewis leading with the Marguerite, Attention is being called to the fact that ch von Stroheim, with hi. production of “The Mer: Widow is duplicating Charlic Chaplin’s record | with a three week's engagement of his picture here. Charlie held them | that long with “The 1d Rush” and | it is going some to equal rlie’s records. | | | roles in Los Maj. Mau the st picture. York Mi ican womar land. She s D. C. and he ring picture, “The Eagle,” ha n|a prize in having quite a time of uring | contest, a chance to show its face in Wash. ington because of the irresistible charm of “The Merry Widow.” ashington, effort won story-writing newest star- | be LeRoy tor Hu d Plumes,” a novelette by med by Vic Marjorie T the v Mr. Daly Never Can other Shaw America. Dressed in the regulation uniform | of a New York cop, Thomas Meighan spent nearly an hour directing traffic in New York at Fifth avenue and Six- | Tell tieth strect, for his new picture, | “Irish Luck.” More than once he| was bawled out by truck drivers, and | at one time he got mixed in his sig- | nays to two taxi drivers, starting traffic both w at once. know produced * " and a mber o irst time in n has completed a itstanding beauty Two fine melodramas are announced | N Ziegfelds Foliies for the past five for release this Winte: by F. B. 0.—| . > “The Midnight Flyer,” a story by Borrowed Plume: Arthur Guy Empey, featuring Dorothy Devore and Cullen Landis and directed by Tom Forman, and “Flaming Waters,” featuring Mary | Carr, Pauline Garon and Malcolm MacGregor, directed by Harmon Weight. Joe Rock recently organized a “gag scenario department” and has three of Screenland’s great humorists turn- ing out funny things for his Stand- ard and Blue Ribbon productions. Shades of Cairo and scenes of the River Nile are to furnish the back- ground for a screen comedy, “Mummy Love,” in which Neely Edwards and, < Alice Ardell will have the leading |©f prominence on the st roles. | claude Gillin The Alberta Vaughn troupe mak-|brought East to play the part of ing the “Mazle” series by Nell Martin | Millionaire steel mili owner in First will produce 12 tworeelers, in which | inoal's “Men of Steel,” has been Alberta Vaughn is pictured as a | forced by illness to drop out of the stenographer Wwith a penchant for get- | © ting her young employer in wrong. 1 Btlton picture will_be Reginald Denny's flnal picture in (Continued on Fourth Paged in In “The Far Director Bal boni’s initial effort for First National, Blanche Sweet plays the leading femi nine role and Jack Mulhall and Myrtle Stedman have important parts. June Mathis is dividing her time between three productions: ‘“Irene,” the new Colleen Moore photoplay; “The Far " which Balboni wi direct, and “The Viennese Medle: which George McGuire is cuttin under the scel t's supervision. Lawrence Wheat portant role with Colleen Moore in “Irene,” was at one time an actor who plays an im ter, who was sills’