Evening Star Newspaper, February 27, 1927, Page 63

3 : 'Flashes From the Screen BY C. E. NELSON. ASHINGTON photoplay fans are following with interest the premier ap- S pearance of the Vitaphone in>the city. Although the invention can hardly be called new, it will be ovelty in the Capital, and there is* considerable speculation as to what effect it will have upon the pHotoplay of the future. After a period of development covering the past 30 years, the motion picture has reached an estabiished position and was thought to be standing upon a lid foundation, where, with minor improvements from time to time, would go on as the babbling brook gathering in the cash customers and being known as the “silent drama.” So this matter of the talking pic- tures, now claimed to be perfected. may give cause for concern. It may be just another experiment, and, on the other hand, it may mean that al the big pictures of the future are be syncronized with the human voi One of the newest American photo- plays and one of pictures ran their seven or reels without subtitles. From this is a far cry to the talking movies The Vitaphone makes its first ap- pearance and speaks its first piece in Washington this afternoon. Early in the history of the Vita phone the Warner Brothers, photo play producers, became interested in its possibilities. Their first experi ments were made studios. As they v the work they took over the « hattan Opera H where skilled engineers took up the problem of natural action and syncronization The first public test was made in the Warner Theater, New York, where an audience announced the invention “amazing and uncanny.” Now, sev- eral chains of photoplay houses have bought special rights to the Vita- phone, and Roxy has arranged for its installation in his big New York theater. * % % ROM the motion picture section of the Department of Com- merce comies some interesting news regarding photoplays and the peo- ple who bake the film pie of France. For instance, Valentin Man- delstamm, the French "author of “Hollywood” and other books, unti! recently a scenario writer and expert for a large American producing com- pany. has been awarded the cross of the Legion of Honor for his services to the French motion picture indus- try in studying film production in the United States. . films produced recently is Chess Player,” which was exhibited a few days ago in a Paris theater The picture can be ranked third in ductions ahead of it " and “Michael Stro- The first showing of the film was a gala charity affair, the Presi- dent of France being represented by Minister of Commerce Bokanowski. According to Harold L. Smith, vice consul, the French people in the small cities are demanding that their film fare be changed at least twice each week. “At present,” says Mr. Smith, “the pictures are changed only once a week. on Fridays, and the agitation is strong for new pro- grams.” * k% % OTE from diary of a motion pic- ture fan: “Saw a ‘whale’ of a movie last night, but my companion became annoyed by the loud speakers sitting behind him, who persisted in broadcasting the subtitles and de- tailing the plot of the piece. Finally. John turned squarely around and made this remark: say, won't you please talk just the least bit fouder? 1 am a little deaf and 1 missed that last remark.” And the best part of it was that the pests raised their voices to accommodate him. John is «cl but, like so many clever chaps, is unappreciated.” * X % ¥ CCORDING to word from the West Coast, Miss Elinor Patter- son, who played the role of the nun in “The Miracle,” has signed a film contract with Universal Pictures. Her father, Joseph Mediil Patterson of the Chicago Tribune, accompanied her to the Universal studios in Cali- fornia for the first screen tests. Miss Patterson will be given an intensive training in picture work before at- tempts are made to place her in star roles. L 2 OXY has assembled a new “gang” for his New York theater, and the members will become friends of Washingtonians via the radio. The new organization will, of cou be built around the old favorites, “Gam- by” and “Doug” (Mlle. Gambarelli, dancer, and Douglas Stansbury, bari tone). Others in the group will be One of the most important French | Phil Ohman and Victor Arden, pian- ists; Adrian Da Silva, tenor; Celia Branz, contralto; Geoffrey O'Hara, composer, author and singer; Dor- othy Miller, soprano; Gladys Rice, coloratura soprano; Beatrice Belkin, soprano; Anne Robi n, soprano; Joseph Stopak, violinist; “Daddy Jim” Combs, basso; Frank Moulan, comedian, and Florence Mulholland, contralto. To support these artists Roxy is engaging vocalists and in- strumentalists to form one of the | Jargest organizations of its kind in i the country. One unit will be a vocal horus of 100 male and female voices. | The orchestra will contain 110 pieces, | with H. Maurice Jacquet as the |leader. The special studios for broadcasting have been completed in * * % URING the World War a photo play called “The Spirit of 7 s produced, and it a | erable publicity on a fact that it was not vith favor by one of the allied gov- the ( th produc “The Spirit of 76" | iid not treat the British forces in a | kindly manner—and the picture {was sent to the storeroom. Now fter the passing of a decade, the pi | ture has been gone over again a | has been pronounced worthy of ex: | hibition, the World War being thing of the past. The production, by the way, contains such familiar faces as those of Noah Beery and Jane Novak. count of HE FILM ARTS GUILD. in New York, has two pictures which have been taken from the moth balls “The Dark Angel,” starring Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman, and the 'T\'|zi|nn\'.\ idea of “Salome,” which | ;aused some excitement several years {ago. The latter picture is equipped | with Aubrey Beardsley backgrounds, | making it all the more novel. The 2uild will also present in the near future a subscription performance of Pirandello’s “The Late Matthew Pas- cal” The featured players are Ivan Mosjoukine and Lois Moran. On the same program will be the American sremier of “Emak Baskia,” said to be a strange film produced by one| f the modernist artists who has been | sxperimenting in “cinema futurism.” * X ok K LL Hollywood is laughing over a queer case in the neighborhood | | of the studios. A sheriff took his troup of trained deputies out to ch a nest of bootleggers, organiz- | the “Velasco Film Co.” for the surpose. The story, “Sands of the Sea,” was in the making when the Hrawny sheriff and his assistants| nabbed the bootleggers and their wet | goods. Winfield R. Sheehan, vice presi dent of the Fox organization, has decided that the “happv ending” is no longer a demand of the photoplay fans, and he predicts a new era in | film stories. His opinion is based apon the monetary return from | “What Price Glory Producers and directors have put their heads together and decided to change the title of Emil Jaunings'| first American picture from “The Man Who Forgot God” to “The Way of All Flesh.” The latter, by the way, is the title of Samuel Butler's | famous novel, but the Jannings story as nothing to do with that piece of fiction. Irene Rich and May McAvoy are to be co-starred in the film version of the Clyde Fitch play, “The Climb- ers.” Misses Rich and McAvoy were last seen together in “Lady Windermere’s Fan.” Agnes Ayres has completed “Eve's Love Letters” and is awaiting an- other assignment. Leo McCarey di- rected her last vehicle for Roach. . - ._Monte Blue is completing work in “The Brute,” directed by Irving Cummings. . Dolores Del Rio’s liness has resulted in a temporary hait of “Carmen.” Lou Telle- gen and Helen Ferguson will star in “The Eyes of Env . . . “Captain Salvation” and ecky” have been started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer o. Mae Murray leaves for Europe soon, where she will appear in three pictures for the British National Film Co. If present plans materialize she will be directed by E. Q. Dupont of “Variety” fame. “Long-distance rain” is a new ef- fect being tried out by the Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer organization. In- stead of jets of water squirting be- fore the camera, by use of the new invention the “rain” is many feet away. As a result, sets and costumes are far away from the damaging sprays. _Tod Browning is to direct Lon Chaney’s new picture, “The Un- {known," a mystery romance of circus \life. RECORDING SYSTEM | viTAPHO ’MC’I‘RICAL'%) ND RECO! THE SYN/ VOICE SOUND V ‘VIBR. ) SYSTEM EMPLOYING the new theater. } ! hieved consid- | the | looked upon | “The Living Dead Man,” based upon | RDING SYSTEM, WHICH MAKES POSSIBLE ZATION OF MOTION PICTURES WITH THE HU! D COMPLETE ORCHESTRATION ACCOMPAN! TIONS ARE RECORDED UPON A HIGH QUA CAL AMPLIFYING APPARATUS AND ISM. 0 MENT. THE JPON THE WAX DISK, THE LITY MICROPHONE, ELECTRI- RECORD-CUTTING MECHAN. «J.tance or of C?Ce;(@ %m MURPHY "~ MON WASHINGTON, " PRIVATE Izzy Rialto JACKIE COOGAN- Palace TE BLUE.- Strand Next Week's Photoplays PALACE—Clara Bow in Elinor Glyn’s “It.” RIALTO—Jack Holt and Geor- ia Hale in “Man of the orest.” COLUMBIA—Harold Lloyd in “The Kid Brother.” METROPOLITAN (second week) — “Don Juan” - Vita- phone. Nobility and Hot Tamales. BBITISH nobility and royalty of the European amusement world were | introduced to the intricacies of the Spanish tamale and the Mexican bem recently at the United Artist Studfos, where John Barrymore played the role of host at a studio luncheon, while Douglas Fairbanks wrote the scenario for the menu. Other United Artists members who appeared prominently in the luncheon cast were Joseph M. Schenck, chairman of the board of ai- rectors; Mary Pickford and Norma Talmadge. The list of guests included Lady Beaverbrook of London, Mrs. Harri- man Russell of Washington, D. C.; Mrs. Vincent Astor of New York, Lady Diana Manners, Kathleen Norris, Max Reinhardt, Dr. Karl Vollmuller, Karl Kommer, Capt. Alastair Mack- intosh, Lytle Hull and Bertram Krue- gers, the latter two of Mrs. Astor's party now on tour. Mrs. Astor’s party includes Lord and Lady Strathcona of London. Luncheon was served in the studlo lunchroom, following which the guests watched Norma Talmadge making scenes for “Camille.” Mrs. Vincent Astor, with a group of friends, who has spent several weeks in Beverly Hills, is neturn- ing to New York by way of New Or- leans in her private car, the Newport. Rare Religious Spe‘c*acle. HE official pictorial record of the Twenty-eighth International Eu- chairstic Congress, recently held in this country at Chicago, is to be dis- played upor: the screen at the Wash- fngton Auditorium in this city until 3tarch 3, under the patronage of Arch- bishop Michael J. Curley of Baltimore. The record is an eight-reel moving picture of perhaps one of the most notable religious events of the cen- tury, made by the Fox Film Corpora- tion and sponsored by his eminence Cardinal Mundelein. Its pictorial history begins with the departure from Rome of the papal legate, Cardinal Bonzano, and the en- thusiastic reception accorded him un- til_he reached his destination, espe- clally in the city of New York, where an elaborate official welcome w. dered by church and civic officials. The views of the various happen- ings of the congress in all its rami- fications are faithfully and authenti- cally pictured, including pageants, parades and religious services incident to the great event. There are even excellent alrplane views of the im- mense host of pilgrims on the grounds at Mundelein, where, it is stated, Car- dinal Hayes preached to “the greatest audience ever assembled.” 1t is well nigh impossible in a lim- ited space to describe the various col- orful events and happenings of this great religious gathering, but assur- ance is given that nothing of impor- ublic interest been WiLLIAM V. HAINES - ancl D. C,. FEBRUARY IS§C ELEANOR BOARDMAN, Columbia The Moving Picture Album BY ROBERT E. SHERWOOD. ECENTLY there has been a Wholesale signing of declara- tions of independence in Holly- wood. One after another prominent stars and directors have announced their intention to break away from the stultifying in- fluence of the big corporatons and to branch out, individually, for them- selves. Probably the worst sufferer in this respect is Famous Players-Lasky, which has lost—or is apparently about to lose—most of the aces from its tremendous pack. Gloria Swanson has walked out of the Paramount corral, and is now making her own pictures under her own supervision. Her first independ- ent production, “The Loves of Sunya,” i to open at and with the new Roxy Theater in New York next week. Gilda Gray, whose rise to celluloid wtardom in “Aloma of the South Seas” was little short of phenomenal, is making one more Paramount pleture. 1t is called “Cabaret,” and when it is completed, the gilded Gilda will follow Miss Swanson's footsteps into the fields of self-determinaton. James Cruze, director of -“The Covered Wagon,” “Old Ironsides” and many other successes, has also decided to serve notice. He, too, will become his own master. Other celebrated directors who have quitted the Lasky menage are D. W. Grifith, Alan Dwan, Raoul Walsh, Frank Lloyd, Cecil B. De Mille and Eric Pommer. There are rumors that Herbert Brenon, Raymond Griffith, W. C. Flelds, Thomas Meighan and Malcolm St. Clair may also seek other pastures_in the near future. Tt has.been a disturbing year for the Messrs. Zukor and Lasky—but whether or not these departures have caused them any loss of sleep 15 too inti- mate a matter for present debate. Certainly, there is one thing to be said for Famous Players. No matter how many bad deals it may be given, it always seems to have an ample sup- ply of aces up its coplous sleeve. * k % % Paramount’s loss in these particular instances. appears to be United Ar- tists’, gain. Some of the big stars and directors are now flocking to the ban- ner which was first ‘flaunted seven years ago by Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin, ‘There is a good reason for this. United Artists is not a producing organization; it {s primarily a ehannel of distribution. It does not attempt, as Famous Players-Lasky and Metro- manufastusg and sales. In the two latter corpora- tons the production departments are largely subordinated to the distribu- tion departments—and that, for the directors and stars, is where the rub comes. Persons of the photoplay importanco of Gloria Swanson or James Cruze do not like to be told what stories they must appear in or direct, on just what date their pictures must be completed or exactly how much money they are at liberty to spend. Under the United Artists system there is no resolute control from any hard-hearted home office. Each mem- ber of the group is a unit unto him- selft—an independent producer. He i9 at liberty to make such pictures as he himself may decide upon, to work in his own time and to spend his own money. When these pictures are com- pleted they are turned over to the organization and conveyed to the pub- lic. If the public fails to support them on the requisite scale, it is the indi- vidual producer's own tough luck. e e In 1927 United Artists will present the most formidable array of ‘‘names” that has ever been assembled under one standard. There will be, of course, the old originals—Mr, Fairbanks, Miss Pick- ford and Mr. Chaplin. Thehe will be the Joseph M. Schenck group, consisting of Norma and Con- stance Talmadge and Buster Keaton. There will be John Barrymore, Gloria Swanson, Gilda Gray and James Cruze. There will be the Samuel Goldwyn group, featuring Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky. Syd Chaplin also may be present—but that matter, at the moment, is undecided. * X k k John Barrymore's last Warner Bros. release is now running, at high prices and to large audiences, in New York. It is called “When a Man Loves,” and will probably rate as the most 'substantial box-office triumph that Mr. Barrymore has achieved. It is a free translation of the famous opera libretto, “Manon Lescaut,” with scenes in and about the court of Louls XV in France. Dolores ap- pears as the gold digging Manon. (Copyright. 1927.) s S xhimiestex e s SO Lois Weber will be replaced by S8am Taylor as director of “Topsy and Eva’ for the Duncan Sisters. ‘Weber Iuomo!uu!wmdkwmdv 27 1927—PART 3. ) and HA ELMAN- /M/\Ae*}ropolii’an, On the Screen. pAm has gone to the etiquette books for a picture for Monte Banks, who in “A Perfect Gentleman” has to portray a young man whose every action in life has followed the exact rules prescribed by strict con- ventionality. Where will Monte find his pattern? . A romance of the movies—Viola Richards had been trying for several months to “break In.” Jack Sherrill, a manager, accidentally dropped her photograph. Hal Roach saw it. A young newspaper man ran it in the newspapers in “Guess Her Identity.” Roach has now signed her to a five- year contract. And there you are. Farina's best laugh in Our Gang's “Seeing the World"” occur on the top observation platform of the Eiffel Tower. p Mickey Daniels and Mary Kornman have been graduated from Our Gang to a three-year tour in vaudeville, but Farina still hangs on. M. H.*Hoffman, vice president of Tiffany Productions, Inc., announces he has acquired a new invention which will revolutionize the industry. It is the long-looked-for, much desired reali- zation of the third dimenslon picture and a Swiss invention. Karl Brown has been for six months in the great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina making ‘‘a natural life film of America’s hidden race, the Southern mountalineers,” for ‘“‘Stark Love,” which it is sald New York will see for the first time today. Brown ‘was forced to find a heroine, however, in Knoxville, Tenn. W. C. Fields is to do “The Timid Soul” for Paramount from an original story by Gregory La Cava, who also will direct. . Monte Blue is to have a chance at ‘Bryan Foy, son of the inimitable Eddle Foy, ahd also a well known scenarist and “gag man,” has beem| signed to a long-term contract by the ‘Warner Brothers. < +| Leibert’s organlogues, Aesop’s Fables | | | life has been spent in the atmosphere Photoplays SILENT DRAMA evening. RIALTO—"Private Izzy Murphy.” COLUMBI TIVOLI—"Stella Dallas.” CENTRAL—"Belle of Broadway.” PALACE—"Johnny Get Your Hair| Cut”—Presentations. The program of screen and footlight | offerings announced by Loew’s Palace | for this week, beginning this after-| noon, includes | the fa- | mous b Your | Halr Cut” as the photo) feature | and Grace La Rue, famous musical | headliner of the stage ensemble, with | s Mulcay, harmonica expert, and | Ston Colleglans in harmony ca- | Johnny Get Your Halr Cut,” the| Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer picturization of | the story by Gernld Beaumont, was| directed Reeves Eason and | Archie Mayo, with Maurice Costello, | Mattie Witting, James Corrigan, Pat | Hartigan and others in the cast.| Jackle, the boy star, appears for the | rst time minus the famous Jackie C'oogan bob and as a real youngster of | 12 in a gripping, thrilling romance of | the race track | Produced on the Tanforam race| track, near San Franasco, it con-| cerns a little waif whose whole, brief | of racing and whose ceaseless ambi tion to be a jockey and ride to victory | the big race of the year is eventu ally art-breaking set backs vicissi . Laughter, ex- citement, romance and thrill are all in this story. Miss Grace La Rue, who has been lured from Broadway for a tour of the Loew theaters, will present a cycle of songs of the type she has made popular in the past; Bob Mulcay is to show Washington some tricks with a mouth organ that few have. ever seen before, and the Eton Colleglans, five young men from Merrie England. post- graduates of harmony, will add melody and mirth to the bill. The Palace Magazine, Toples of the Day, Dick and music by the Palace Orchestra, under Thomas J. Gannon, will be other elements of the program. METROPOLITAN—"Don Juan.” Vitaphone. This afternoon the much-heralded Vitaphone will be introduced to Wash- ington in conjunction with first local screenings of the Warner Brothers production of “Don Juan,” starring John Barrymore, at Crandall's Metro- politan Theater. This program will embrace not only a handsomely produced and well acted picture, but also Vitaphone presenta- tions of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra of 107 musicians. conducted by Henry Hadley: Martinelli, dramatic tenor of the Metropolitan Grand Op- era; Will H. Hayes in a brief introduc- tory address: Roy Smeck, versatile in- strumentalist, and Mischa Elman, the renowned violinist. The Vitaphone also will provide musical accompani- ment for the photoplay feature. The Vitaphone is exclusively re- leased to Crandall's Metropolitan The- ater and has never before been pre- sented in this city. It is accounted one of the marvels of the century in the perfection of synchronization of sound with plctured action on the screen. “Don Juan” John Barrymore is supported by a notable cast—Mary Astor_in the leading feminine role, with Willard Louis, Helene Costello, Estelle Taylor, Myrna Loy, Jane Win- ton, John Roche, June Marlowe, Phil- lippe de Lacey, Helene D'Algy, John George, Warner Oland, Montague Love, Joset Swickard, Lionel Brahm, Phyllis Haver, Nigel de Bruller, Hed- da Hopper, Gustav von Seyffertitz, Emily Fitzroy, Sheldon Lewis, Gibson Gowland and Dick Sutherland. The pagan joy of living may be said to sound the keynote of “Don Juan,” especially in the baccahanalian ballet in the court of the Borgias, when a great lover had to be a great fighter to survive in the world of flashing swords and treacherous daggers. The Vitaphone presentations will perhaps take rank with the beauty of the picture, although they will be of shorter duration. The ‘“Tannhauser Overture,” by Wagner, will be played by the New York Philharmonic, and others appearing on the program will offer brief interludes of melody, with the exception of Will H. Hayes, who expounds jthe purposes and possibili- ties of the Vitaphone as a factor in the presentation of screen entertain- ment. RIALTO—*Private Izzy Murphy.” “Private Izzy Murphy,” a comedy ploture, starring George Jessel, who won fame with his portrayal of “The Jazz Singer,” one of the spectacular Broadway hits of the past year, is the feature at the Rialto this week. The story concerns a poor East Side boy named Izzy Goldberg, who had taken the name of *“Murphy” for business reasons. His delicatessen business thrives to the point of mak- ing it possible for him to bring papa and mama from the old country. They come. Are delighted with their son's sucgess. All goes well. And then—the World War! Izzy joins up with an Irish regiment, still keeping the Hibernian name, with which he has also courted pretty Eileen Cohannigan, and goes overseas. ‘Word comes that he has been killed in action. But after the armistice, METROPOLITAN—"Don Juan"—Vitaphone. —“Tell It to the Marines.” This afternoon and evening. AMBASSADOR—“Hills of Kentucky.” comedy and vaudeville favorite as the | © | tively joined the This Week ATTRACTIONS. This afternoon and PALACE—"Jonny Get Your Hair Cut.” This 2ft2=220n and evening. This afternoon and evemag. This afternoon and evening. This afternooa and evening. This afternoon and evening. avenue, Papa and Mama Goldberg, out to see them all, broken-hearted for the loss of their own, but glad for the others who could welcome 8sons back, suddenly recognize their 1zzy— quick-stepping it among the Murphies, the Kellies and the Coogans! he complications which follow lead mix-up for all, which, of se, is untangled in the final ree% It is said to be one of those rarg pictures which has universal appeai, as American as base ball, as alldn- clusive as the circus. The picture was directed by Lloyd Bacon, son of Frank Bacon, author and star of “Lightnin’.” Vera Gor- don plays the part of Izzy's mother, Patsy Ruth Miller is Eileen Cohan- nigan, the Irish sweetheart, and others include Nat Carr, Gustav von Seyftertitz, Douglass Gerard, “Spec’ O'Donnell,” Jack Raymond and Tom Murray. Edgar Rommell, widely known the Pacific Coast as a cello solofst and radio star, will be the presenta: fon feature. . His _selections are “Humoresque” and “Tonight You Be- long to Me The overtt tra, unde n ure by the Rialto Orches- Rox Rommell, will be musi- es composed for recent Rialto fuctions by Rommell. A “Felix Dines and Pines”; a Bruce scenic, “Ralnbow and Moon light,” and the International News complete the bill COLUMBIA—“Tell It to the Marines.” “Tell It to the Marines,” the ro- mance of service ashore and afloat with the United States Marine Corpe, starring Lon Chaney, which began its Washington engagement at Loew’'s Columbia last Sunday afternoon, will be continued this week, including this afternoon. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer made the pic- ture, it is said, with the full co-opera- tion of the United States Marine Corps and the Navy Department, to provide a story of service with the soldiers of the sea “from the halls of Montesuma to the shores of Tripoli.” Lon Chaney, the screen’'s great character man, has the role of a grizzled top sergeant who h@gs spent years in the service, and into whose hands falls the tralning of a young race track follower who has tenta- Marines to obtain transportation across the country. The adventures of this young malin- gerer as a ‘“rookie” leatherneck, his eventual acquiescence to the Marine Corps idea of loyaity and discipline as instilled relentlessly by the top ser- geant and his charming love affair with a commissioned navy nurse make up a story of real human interest. The management also announces added attractions, including an over- ture and atmospheric score by the Co- lumbia Orchestra, under Thomas J. Gannon. Washir;g;;r;‘: .Little Theater THE ‘Washington Little Theater group, in charge of Miss Estells Allen, has announced that, in addition to “The Drums of Oude,” by Austin Strong, two other one-act plays had been selected for production in the first group of Spring days, including an English comedy by A. A. Milne, which was read to the company. Try- outs for the casts of these plays have been made. Special get-together meetings, at which prominent persons connected with the drama and the stage will speak or read, are among the features planned by the group for the benefit of subscribers, in addition to the privi- lege of season tickets for all the plays presented during the year. It is anticipated that the support of many prominent people of the Na- tional Capital- will be secured for the movement as soon as its objects and alms are more fully known. It is believed by the organizers that the time is ripe for the formation of a “Tiittle Theater”” in Washington, and that the Nation’s Capital should no longer lag behind other and less im- portant cities of the country which have already successfully launched thelr little theaters. The Little Theater group invites all persons interested in the drama from the point of view elther of actor, pro ducer, director, playwright, critie, pa tron or audience, to have the unique pleasure and satisfaction of identify- ing themselves with the movement while it {s still young. The Washington Little Theater is in- tended, in a very real sense, to be for the benefit of all Washingtonians, whether native or adopted: to foster residential talent, both in acting, pro- ducing and playwriting; to give stage aspirants, as well as finished per- formers, a chance to reveal thelr gifts in clean, artistle, entertaining playe: to be a training school of acting and play writing. . As a middle-aged, sartorially perfect French dandy, Alec B. Francis has started his role in “The Tender Hour," the George Fitzmaurice production filmed for First National. The role will provide for Francis an entirely new screen personality. Blllle Dove and Ben Lyon are fea- tured in the picture, with Montagu Love, Laska Winter and Constantine when the boys are parading up Fifth Romanoff. NORMA PLAYS “CAMILLE” Thomoflmbmmhotmo‘“:, sian Sovkino announces the arrival