Evening Star Newspaper, January 24, 1926, Page 59

THE SU NDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. . JANUARY 24, 1926—PART 8. OIOE/A GRITLITH A/‘\etropohtam (SAYAC] and Comme nt By W. H. Landvoig. " the world g ¢ week which commands e “The Big Parad photoplay of the World W and making eclaration that ot Movie. where outpour screen of s been g epoch in oc grippis the screen a t epic of greatest output of il Mr t. has given to ts greatest dream Stal screen ing the ng resources, a s Vidor sistible protest against ure to fesse ¢ in its every p WHEN picture rge appear at sermon, tongue ports have ¢hurchmen ¢ to make the pictures ¥ 3 nination hoped by ! the enactment of prohibitory i the homely, but none th great picture, but of a dificrent type, cdrifting to the haven oi right in some minds that ente 1 s way to Washington pleased to law of the home nt to the ntious men of the highest moral st this refor: alw much 1structive methods. ” There end to all evil by a single chop of the ax. along this line furnishes a single instance of succes tbborn hearts and stubborn minds, as a rule, may be led, but seldom, if A realization of what is due to God and to| history of effort & y they be driven ever, m h rore effective way of ® % ORE and morc the photoplay is not depende such ready and scli-reli ut certa fi twith Stowly. bu! other of its heretoic whole. which means &s well he I &5 what the public r the box office thr the urc but simply an advertised element §¢ be adcquately presented. It also is an actor or an actress can live his or i: with stunning clothes. hgreat lovers” and “i b m ory, its cally 1 desires success mate of the “star.’ attention not attraced by the star. cited. The Birth a Nation, ice,” “'"Way Down st,” “Broken ihe Apocalypse” and “The approximate rank and dignity. I * S S the Moz if that -correct Jest higher admission prices pictures adds to this anxiety. foremost attention. T " the Laure mmortality, conceived them in their en those who i Capital holy by suppress this religious body will be brought .Ahom‘: would supy exquisit Somehor t of all Creator. ything e . perhaps ¥s the zealot who wishes to put an | iankind in general is what leads to holiness, i bringing this about than with the rural wallop. picture producer is realizing that the full glory of upon “th facility following a box'office sensation. iant advertising luminaries. mou and illuminating ac chieved with pictures whose “stars” From the pictures which are intended to exploit comparable beauties @nd more to “also rans.” whose work lifts them above the box office est A recent case in point is that of Vilma Banky, whose fimited but excellent work in a picture that exploited a celcbrity caught Others a little more remote might be It is not their stars that make outstanding in pleasant recollection “Humoresque,” “The Miracle Man.” lossoms, overed Wagon.” only the superlative describes the press agent's soul, an event has happened durin appearance ¢ Stallings-King \ declared by one reviewer as mark- | This may be true, but the the shadows probabl. should he understood to fully attract attent in a screen sense its greatest war play, and the former, patriotism was the outs ing protest against all war Price Glory? nd i1 tting out of *“Wha * prese a ited to the ey story for the on, that he ther consciously or vet without a craven argu Ihe picturc stor t's zeal. can 'HOLLYWOOD. ERNEST VAJDA. me a v Capri playwri s, with sunshine F two continent. Hs And sudde i under an agteement to | that nature 1 find = Teen sto for Para- | jpdication of an architectural e | coming true, namely, that of a city his deter- Tms panoramis of beautiful faces |of wide paved streets between rows that Hollywood—it is unreal, | of stately trees and artistic homes ical. Venus vou in a|each separate, like a miniature castle restaurant. Cleopatra checks your |in a garden setting—beautiful, home hat. Helen of Troy sells you cigar- | like, well cared for. A city combining ettes with an alluring smile. Queens | metropolitan comforts and rural the hundred stroll the boulevards | graces Individuals who are mas or drive by in flivvers There are too 1 talents in a definite direction drawn from the four horizons by the | idealistic purpose will make magnet of the een. Show me, I|wood the principal source ¢ . a woman who is homely with an | the universe. A new interesting f eaven this surfeit | mantic asplration is being born We who live will see this p of loveliness And the men the center of endeavor pair writers, seulptors and fine artisans : well as screen artists Hollywool has charm and ambiti that are a revelation. Recently T i tended two meetings at the Writers' Club. 1 listened to talks by many notables. I am intimately acquainted with most of the artists’ clubs of Europe vet seldom have I experienced such a | complete sense of the presence of per | sonalities. The ‘club affairs were in i:. spontaneously happy mood. There delegation fired with the firm dete g the exhib all the Sabbath day BY Note 2 <t of of the day new of sincerc tind firm vision there is a ess as well the showing |, lesson of “His People,” another hich reflects life and its trials in - there seems to be an impression ted, that | 4 from serves less tai s . the inds is more or and that roma up: nt iny beautiful faces | for an Holly art for culty vithin 1o tendency towa Ltodas when the most or if not past the - rong per for e dling ing exacting its en s ki | new pictur | man conduc | making pictorial narrative an essen- tial art that is influencing the thought, the gestures and the apparel of man- kind. | When I came to Hollywood a month | ago T contemplated a stay of 10 days. | Twenty-four hours after my arrival I decided to remain for a vear. Now I hope that it will never be necessary for me to leave. Hollywood! The place I have been seeking all of my life. Blooming, blossoming, green and enchanting | People tell me it is Winter and I Jaugh in amusement. I don't believe | them. Here is a that is an- nual in its refreshing, golden warmth. | the secret of Here is t Uiopian ngtime that | them. Aieameus have diciined In four weeks I have met more than In Europe I dreaded the coming of | 200 persons. every one individual, Winter. When my writings brought every one with an amazingly fascinat u- nding , but they have done it through But it is doubtful if the world’s and the church’has found a i was a spirit of freshness, or nd kindly wit that was unique the satire and badinage had an un lercurrent of mutual respect and ad miration. I glimpsed the wonderful human side of great artists and knew the public’s devotion to “the star,” whom he creates t is losing first one and then an- i The picture, as a the work of its playver ssories. is asserting itse This fact is becoming apparent to season al The public loves a great theme, if giving more attention to whether r characterization rather than act would bring but $3 a day. The purpose of calling attention to this is not to present a mathematical exercise for diversion, but to point ouf the fact that “bigger pictures” mean higher prices of admission, and if the big pictures arc going to be road-shown, one of two things is inevitable. Either they will be taken out of the photoplay houses entirely or the latter will be compelled, in order to retain them where they properly belong, to raise admission prices to regular theater rates. The question will then : arise, when is « picture big enough to warrant the high rate of admission? “Intoler- | Will the public be given the benefit of the doubt when the question does The Four Horsemen of {arise? There are many others of * % ok ok { VIME was when illusion was the greatest charm of the theater. Ther | came the delightiul little juvenile story, by a woman, “Helen’s Babics it is drawing attention more driiting to a point where it will be divided against itscli—|with its boost to curiosity in the incident where the children dismantled expresses the idea o theaters for motion picture exploitation carries with it a are contemp'ated. The advent of “The Big Parade” as a “road to gobble up sort of anxiety The “road-showing” of big The grand rusl a watch in order to sce the wheels go around. Ever since, what mere man { likes to call, feminine curiosity has become an obsession of men as we'l as of women, until now cverybody wants to see the wheels go around. Which brings us to the point of wondering whether a lot of trouble which the thow,” with a statement from Marcus Loew that early in the week | Movie has isn't due to its habit of widely exploiting cverything that con- ot its first appearance the seat sales had already approximated between §17.000 and $20000, brought forth from a representative of a local picture | uld do a bigger business than “The Jiouse the challenge that his picture w ig Parade.” because it would be exhibited to six au 1l The difference between the highest price of admission at the two theaters is approximately the ratio of 1to 4 big picture would be shown but twice. Assuming the | to represent 50 cents, Jation to perccive that a single seat pring to the box office £ a day |cerns jts innermost workings. In other words, isn’t the suggestion of the parrot about talking too much nearly due for adoption in the photoplay industry? The Movie, like the irrepressible kid, likes to tell all about itself, things that should be reserved for the knowledge of its intimates as well as those which need not be. What has the past, present or future private life of its players to do with the merits of a picture? Why should becomes a matter of easy calcu- | the public know giow the Red Sea was divided in “The Ten Command- : §2 rate for two exhibitions will { ments”? What matters how a great effect is achieved, so long as it is | the rate 'agctually achieved? Why not icave something to be imagined? liences a day, while the s a their | of | ing character BETTY BRONSON v /" DANILLS Amtbascador HE re Zukor inent Loew i1 cture ar magnates i some radi LRATRICE JOY Central problem beern exhi ways he progran troublesome one have ed it ext s Describes Cities of the World. ent s for r musi various lividu wlded {me attra Now e tant item on the extraordi vaudeville age, and jazz-band, whict first place in the display advertisin |and in the electric signs. The vecl production, which is supposed provide the backbone entertainment, is mentioned apolo tically in small type. This has only yme about te har Sl abon ¢ appears ere is usual act. borrow the music particular will occuy n, and there is a <olidity that makes one shudder whe: they come to the realization that be neath it all is the turbulent spirit of discontent Rome is the historical city sive. but ponde and while Madrid is rythm perfect song and dance in comp 1 is the gypsy coupled with defiance is the stranger nd Los Angeles is the Summer idyil, friendly. sunny and 1l without « hustle of progress furrowing b some from ymedsy noisy f loveli imj s wearisome composite is a almg ne is a | Ale. color o st numbers of {ters has passed into the companies. For instanc vers can afford to enga rent . Coverea | Producing id dignity foousS With a ven: Gray man their or Will Rogers ¢ orchestra to make a tour )0 theaters. whereas the | vidual exhibitors, by themselve: never confront | ense Last year Miss Gray I have not encountered harsh word. To me beautiful thing in a# single snub or this the mos life.. Hollywood, fascinating Hollywood. People leave their automobiles on the streets half the time without thought ofthieves, and live in them the other half of the time And this Hollywood, is the melting pot of future art. the | crucible wherein is befng poured the talents of every race. In Europe I me friendly many actresses and galned ins tion from not a one. 1 talked ola Negri for a half hour and g « new conception of liv My first story was and is now being produced, wius the instantaneous pr inspiration. We are too close to Pola Negri to ppreciate the astounding artistry of (his Paramount star. I see her every day at Famous Players-Lasky studio in Hollywood and marvel at the con- summate dramatic genius that is hers. One day the world will appre- ciate her intellectual magnitude a: wedl as her charm, a charm that i elfin in its elusiveness. 1 sincerely helieve that she is the greatest actress our time, and the most human one. American women in general I find possess a likability that is un- l. And may I be pardoned for 1z that they have flirtatiousness down to a refined art. Their naive charm is too much for a European to cope with Only one great lack I find here and hat is that Los geles has too few egitimate theaters. but this lack no bt will soon be remedied. A dearth { fine theate should not be laid at be door of a city with more than a llion population Nevertheless Hollywood has won me away from the technique of the theater and made me an ally of the screen. Like every man, woman and vild Hollywood. T think, dream and live motion pictures. N traveled aboi |aters, and receiving for her servic |approximately $10,000 a weel {er in the history of the the {ever established such a Duse ing or M: mores. Gray's act consisted of South Sea shimmy. a Charieston {two and a cosiderable disp! | She was well exploited and the aud {ences flocked to see her | Wherever Miss Gray went lin the movie theaters hoomed s of the quality of the on view. present soldwyn orchestr galore to their theate is even producing entire mu ter e with with Busine reg tual ar It n for he The stor: duct of her 3 Famous Play a are booking singers and appear in per n sical all, from one theater to another. TI ment is being installed to handle t heavy productions t! week This woulgl indicate ing picture fheaters from moving pictures, uation that, from every point of view, is economically that the false, wants to see Gi to hear Vincent Lopez play and hear the Duncan Sisters sing. the same time it has been prov I 1lc_wants to see good dc will pay to see them. « The movie magnates th forget that. m to eat a piece of bread, he should tered on. * ¥ % ok in column. 1 nouncenent r commented on Harold the of the evening thes hands of th h high-priced performers as Gilda Paul White indi s, could such a staggering ex- the country, playing only in movie the- record—not of the Dare ay of flesh. dancers, comedi The former company i re. vues, which travel about, scenery and | ¥ stages in the film parlors are being enlarged and extra mechanical equip- | the_special att {on, with a_person come in each mov- are drifting away creating a sit conceivable It has been proved that the public a Gray dance and At even more conclusively that the pub- pictures, and | should not Whenever a man starts careful to note which side it is but- Just about one month ago, in this an (“Red”) St ONDILL ;photcr)mpféys This Week i .'\t the phntopla_\' Houscs RIALTO Iy Windermere's Fa his Week. RIALTO—"Lady Windermere's Fan. attra 4t the Rialto The: this week is “Lady Windermer Osear Wil Ll v 3 : Pennsylvanfans isicianship with nodern syncopations today at and dail Lubi sch 15t 5 an the week at 1:43, 5 and shly stage. by one of shed amatists ashionable Londor fts Ej 16 languorol and she is brou Marmon MacG have Costa attractions. playving “On (Mendelse COLUMBIA—"The Grand and the Waiter.” Adolphe hni Duchess Me do* v dese ted William Charles Murray. Ned Spark Sterling and Frankie Da Mike” was directed hy who also is the author of the 'Y | which concerns a girl, the daughter of | ¥ | a rallroad section boss, who lives with & | her brothers and sister in a remodeled Lox-car on a desert siding s accosted 1 tionable gang d up tl tnental tre o 1 by a goodlooking st : rns that her rescuer is live down t sleep at his post an Meantime to rob the t the dits the brakes. have st: down an incline, with children on board. i effected and follows ising chuse to 2 @ the bandits and recover the loot | RENOTISFt G ouRGindexelin Tn the picture thrills have been piled | T ronson will be seen at Crar 4.n”¢||n|] | da ater the first (wo days The comedy, “Dangerous |of this beginning today, i TVes Behindl' b v o o production. “A Kiss for Magazine and Director Gannon's | O b iBEc itht s i musical program will be added Fable and other short subjects anc tracti ipe organ music by Otto F. Beck ana Ida V. Clar Tuesday girl, | a al 1y Bighth remembere i< production Retty Bronson's picture, “Are Parent and for “The Trouble Wit Neilan Peopl Wives.” Adolphe Menjou is seen in the cha reterization of the rich and whimsic: e P evirdier. who, unable Attendin n adwit; in b suit or ‘-: of a grand duchess, who of Paris with retinue, trade: wi to be nea abje his affections vaiter, how ex A hand ! fled the leade ques plottin to | Places ever, he pr o an by es ol wa scenarized apted P A Womar using a wr dis- | Collings. World.” A Raiph tves comedy. the I ternational News reel and usical en bellishment will be added attractions covers the a dis: sm; the and thril of Mng car the d Mike A ut es nnett a or METROPOLITA sdnesday will be duction, “Lovers ring Bebe Danie! d opposite and sup Lunt. Edna Ma and Marie Shof v. “Castside, West “ithe Review: Thurs and Friday, Reginald Denny, sup Marion Dixon, Pauline Ga Morun, Tyrone Power, Otis d Chester Conklin, in U “Where Was I ‘Don’t Butt In,” and uy"'; Saturday, Jackie Metro-Goldwyn's “Old Clothes.” by Willard Mack, and sup ported by Max Davidson, Alan For inton Heck and “Dynamite rse. Comedy, Sportlight and ill be added offerings. 1i- —"“Infatuation.” Theater will present ition, never | and also Cori Sirst versio ss | politan d- | noon, A new e h ne Griffith in National Production. a | of W Somerset | side. acsar's Wife,” under the | dav ation.” The Metropoli ported World Survey and a Booth Tarking.|ron. Lee ten “Van Bibber” comedy, featuring | Harlan rie Foxe, former Washington st versal's production, star, will be added attractions. : Whitey Kaufman's melody m it e {latest | fim Maugham's title “Infat nd and the in {also Hal Roach’s “Topics of the I | Coogan he maki he Grange had signed a movie contract whereby he would receive $300.000 for | | his appearance in one picture. I served, in part, as followss “As one who doesn’t know anything about the | inner aspects of the matter, hut who (like every one else) is entitled to guess, I shall venture the opinion that Harold (“Red”) Grange will never ictually receive $300,000 for his ser- vices as star of a motion picture. “I might even go farther and pre. dict that he will never even appear in a motion picture—unless he de- cides to fit into the background as an | AMBASSADOR—"Infatuation Corinne Griffith, supported by Perc: Marmont, Malcolm MacGregor, V ner Oland, Claire Du Brey and C issa Selwynne, will be seen in First National's production, *“Infatuation,” at Crandall’s Ambassador Theater the first three da f this week, begin ning toda The story was adapted from W ymerset Maughan's play “Caesar’s Wife.” and is sald to be , last woek, Mr. Grange | Production of unusual completeness was quoted as saving, I signed mno|One of oth Tarkington's Van Bib movie contract for $300,000 or any-|Der, scries, “The Big Game Hunter," thing like it: in fact, my foot ball | With Earl Foxe, will also be shown career, including every ~source of |, W ednesday and Thursday, Robert revenue, will not bring in more than | Frazer. Clara Bow. Robert Edeson, A Tohnny Walker. Walier McGrail, Gas. (Continued on Fourth Page) i to ed be tCopyright, 1y