Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 17, 1915)
THE SUNDAY OEEGOXIAN, PORTLAND. OCTOBER 17, 19T5. 'VM""" ni . .. e a m ttB am a a w ,,MMni If f HOW "KING OF WRITES HIS THE dark, slender, pleasant young fellow who is Mr. Irving Berlin. King of Ragtime, looked at me in a puzzled manner when I explained what I had come for an interview to go on the Right Off the Reel page. "Why, I'm not a 'movie' aoXor!" he exclaimed. "And I I I don't own a moving-picture theater or anything. I just compose music. Tou must have gotten me wrong for some other guy.' "O, ho. I haven't." I assured him. "You're the man I want to talk to bear talk. Pictures and the music that goes with them are pretty closely re lated these days. That's what I want you to talk about, Mr. Musio Man." "O!" He flushed a little and twirled his hat in his slim fingers. "Well." he said, "I might well won't you come and sit down. Miss Tinee?" 4V e had been standing Just inside the doors of the Illinois Theater, watching the matinee crowds stream in. And Mr. Berlin, whose music is all the music in "Watch Your Step," has said a dozen times, if he had said once: "I wonder if these people are going to like the show as well as they evi dently think they're going to. It gives me a pain any time when I see a woman yawn or a man fuss with his program when my music's playing. It's a. Bort of a a weak thing to admit, but, by Jove! Miss Tinee, when any body doesn't like my music I feel the way I imagine a mother might feel to see somebody slap her baby. Go ahead and think I'm a fool if you want to." "Don't want to," I told him, "because that's the way I feel when people don't like what I write. I don't let it worry me particularly, but the feeling's there, just the same. Yes, do let's sit down." So we went over to a cushioned seat nearby and fell to chatting. I said: "It has been my experience that no matter how wonderful a pic ture is it is -made or marred by the music in the theater where it is shown." He rsplied: "You're right. Our senses of hearing and sight are so closely al lied that one cannot be irritated with out offending the other. The biggest mistake any moving-picture theater can make is to install a piano and piano player unless they know from good authority that the piano player knows how to play the piano. These piano-playing jobs aro in a lot of cases held down by relatives, you know, and, While relatives are nice, I admit they Relatives ere nice but- they ore net always nrusiclons re not always musicians. It takes an artist or should take an artist to fol low the pictures and suit the music to the scenes a man or woman with a sense of rhythm, common-sense tact and feeling." "In other words, moving-picture theater music belongs in the class of regular professions?" "It should. Your ordinary tin-pan. crambled-brain Individual won't do at all, and he's going to do less and less as time goes on and the demand lor better pictures is more Insistent. There will have to be better music, that's all. We're beginning to get it now. In 'The Birth of a Nation,' for Instance, could anything have been more wonderful than the music all the way through? Anr 'Cabriria' ah, there was music for you! A number of the better moving picture theaters have good musio always. But they always have good pictures, too. Yes. the two must go together. Miss Tinee. That's my notion of the matter!" He had been so interested In his sub ject that he had forgotten his shyness for a minute. It came back all in a flood when I said: "You've voiced my ideas, Mr. Berlin. Now, Just because I know so many people will be interested in knowing, won't you tell me something about yourself? How do you write your music? How did you start writing music? All that. Do you always have to have an inspiration?" Mr. Berlin flushed and shifted about Uneasily. "Wh why, no," he said. "I suppose you'd like me to say I w w wake up in the night or something with a 'tune' in my head, g-g get up and call the fellow that writes the music, and then stand and whistle like a a syncopated VOTE FOR THIS PICTURE Or VOIR FAVOHi'CE PLAYER. Ethel Clayton received the highest number of votes this I week. He,r picture, therefore, will appear in The Frame of Pub- t lie Favor next Sunday. Of the I other players voted upon, the fol- f lowing six are the leaders: Be- atrlz Michelena, Donald Hall, Bobby Connelly, Marc MacDer- J mott, Theda Bara and Hobart 4 Bosworth. The Ballot. M reqnests the pleasure of see- t f lng the photograph of t . . 4 ww in me r ramo ox ; i Public Favor ! T one week from next Sunday. RAGTIME" TUNEFUL LAYS nightingale. W w well. I wish that was the way it really was, but It's not at all, as it happens. I have a music publishing-house and we must grind out Just about so many numbers every month. Consequently, compos ing. In my case, is a business, and no business ever was worked on the in spiration plan. I work over the theme of a song Just as I imagine you work over an idea for a story. Get the Idea and then sit down and knuckle to until you have it perfected." "Yes, but how do you get the themes ?" I wanted to know. t "O why that's rather difficult to say. 'My 'Wife's Gone to the Country was my first big hit, and I got the idea of that from a Chicago fellow. He and I were having a little drink and chat near dinner time, and, noting the clock, I said to him: 'Almost supper time. Siippose you've got to be beating it home?' "He said: 'O, no! My wife's not in tho city.' "Xow, you'll probably laugh but right then and there it occurred to me that 'My Wife's Gone to the Country" would be a capital name for a popular song. The music buzzed into my head. I got somebody to write it, and there I was." "You don't write your own music, ever?'" "No; I play the tune in one key, and a professional does It up right for me. Those fellows take songs down Just like they would shorthand notes, you know." "You were born in this country?" "No Russia. That accounts a good deal for my sense of rhythm, I think. You know, it is the Russians who make the most wonderful dancers they are great on harmony and rhythm." "Well, Mr. Berlin," I said, as I rose to go, "I, for one, am for you being a ragtime fan and a shameless one. Something has occurred to me. The moving picture theaters, with an eye to the great future, might advertise for Russian piano players mightn't they?" "They might do worse," the King of Ragtime replied. Voice o$e Fan Like the Blues Surgeon. DEAR MISS TINEEj I read your in terview with Charley Chaplin in the Sunday issue, and if you wrote exactly what Charley said, I think that he is mistaken if he thinks the general public has that opinion of him. The world can always look at a ge nius and judge him by his work, re gardless of any shortcomings he may -have. Charley Chaplin has done for us what few people have been able to do, and that Is entertain us. He has given to this age what Shakespeare did for his epoch and what Dumae did In his age. The method is defferent. but the results are the same. What if sometimes he does not do exactly aa some people would like him to do In his plays? Does that make our enter tainment any less? Does that make our laugh any the less sincere? And how much more meritorious his work is when we think that his pic tures are for all of us, the poor and the rich, just as Dumas' rare literary gems were for all of France. Many the man who has walked into a moving picture ehow with a heavy load in .his heart, many the woman whose strength had almost gone, and they have come out with a lighter heart, with new strength, after seeing one of Charley's stunts. Sometime, Mae Tinee, when you see him, or write to him, let him know what some people think of him, and tell him may he live long and be happy In the world which he has helped make a better place to live in. Good luck to the wonderful blues surgeon. Many the debt I owe him for happy half hours I spent watching him do his crazy antics and making me forget my troubles. w. G. M. Typical Music Hall Artist. Dear Miss Tinee: Just wanted to ap preciate your Chaplin article in the paper today. Should think he's a cap ital fellow to meet personally. Trouble with the salted peanut eaters is that they do not realize Chaplin is a typical music hall artist. Also, because he TOPIC OF INTEREST TO MOVING- PICTURE FANS NO more graphic views of the great European war have been shown than those brought back to this country by Edward F. Weigle. and now being produced in moving picture theaters. They show many phases of the gigantic struggle. The men in the trenches and those on the march have been snapped by Mr. Weigle. and some of the scenes behind the lines tell of the horror that lies over the continent across the, ocean. Some of Mr. Weigle's pictures give an idea of the terrific struggle north and south from the great stretches of the Polish plains to the grim heights of the Tyrolean Alps. There is also a glimpse of the other side of those who suffer and those who aid the wounded and. the nurses of the wounded. They show how women are doing their part as well as the men, and the most amazing thing about them is the cheerfulness they reveal. The Weigle scenes, many of which cannot be reproduced ' in print, were actually taken at the fighting front, and are examples of remarkably clever and beautiful photography, showing the ex plosion of the shells at a distance, the feat being accomplished with a tele photo lens. Altogether there are five reels of film, assembled from exposures made in various cities of Germany as well as along certain parts of the Franco-German, Russo-German and Italo-Austrian frontiers. The most beautiful and striking pho W KoSlllllM-- lAl ikn1 Piib 11 if' -: 'ViiinK , ,) olllll3!l-'' " - - ; J ff N XMiiiink o & h 'jiisHisiiis 113 v - r , ... iyff ii!Biiini IQl 1111111111113 f &i "V , l (llHIS!!li oV jo l!i,1yiLv , - - 11111111111.3 ol io JisninnBsni r M 1 jiiiiiiiiil ol o sE2Uyj2 wv- . iitiiiiiisiiinii o I o 111111111111 I -rt.--LX flliii--ini O o ii!iniiiiniiiiiBt ;v2w . j?njnBnininiH si, . jg iTifMjisiiBiiBiuVI ; iiJii(in7ilil g o IISI!-Illlllllllll?9- - MI!llll1Bl!BHir of lo lllIISIIBIIBliBIIB' XL ' ' '-IIBIIBnillililJ 0i- o lllIIBIIBlilIIEl'V" mL'w, i l!BIBIIBllll!i f K iiiiiiniiiir I r 'iiBninaiT.f St Ao f ii!iiinBiii" J a I -iTbi1i1Fb7A: lo 1118111118' - . 1 . . lllllllllf o ; THE young man with the crooked smile looking out at you this morning from the Frame in Mr. Creighton Hale, of the Fathe Company, known to his many admirers as "JameBon," In which character he appeared in "The Exploits of Elaine." Mr. Hale has not been In pictures a great time, though the stage knew him well for a number of years. He was playing in "Indian Summer" under the management of the late Charles Frohman when his work was noticed and admired by a Fathe director, who immediately gave him a proposition to appear In motion pictures. Mr. Hale, being a wise young man in his day and generation, promptly accepted the proposition and since then has appeared continuously in Fathe pictures. He works under the direction of the Whartons. He is an outdoor chap and when not at work plays strenuously in the open air. i is stringing out a certain sameness in his work at present his stuff must cover a number of miles of film some believe he is devoid of originality. The speaking stage would easily pass and applaud everything that Chaplin has put in his reels, so I'm inclined to believe he's had the worst of the deal on criticism. But they must Judge his artistic clowning on the music hall basis. When they do that, they will find their memories tuning up to vague, forgotten tunes and words which certain females of the m. h. spe cies have brought to this country certain songs which could throw the dear censors into spasms of anguish. Chaplin 'isn't at his best. I'm guess ing. Probably you, who have talked with him, know this to be true. When the whole country is falling for him, when choruses are equipped to repre sent Chaplin choruses; when they pack houses by the simple method of offer ing a prize for the best makeup of Chaplin, pins, buttons, his picture in every hamlet in the United States well, I call this a certain fame. Any man who can get such popularity la worthy of an Immense salary, even though he does it by baking holeless bread. Tentatively yours. TJRSUS. tography characterizes the pictures throughout. i Marguerite Clark is to be seen on the screen shortly in "Still Waters," a story of canal-boat life written for Miss Clark by Edith Barnard Delano, author of "Rags," in which Mary Pick ford was featured. MIsb Hazel Daly, a high school girl scarcely 18 years of age. has been se lected as leading lady to Tom Mix. the producer-actor who turns out thrilling Western pictures for the Selig Poly scope Company. She was chosen from numerous applicants, some of whom have already won big reputations in the silent drama, because of her per sonality and charm. Although she has worked as "extra" girl in the Chicago studios, she has never had any great amount of experience in the work. . She nas secured an opportunity that almost every girl in the United States desires, and has done so merely be cause she excelled all other applicants for the position. Miss Daly left' her home In Chicago last week to Join Mr. Mix's company, and will appear in lead ing female roles in forthcoming pro ductions. She is pretty and vivacious, and is determined to learn all of the many little points wnlch bring success to a motion picture actress. A. W. Thomas, the well-known au thor, and his bride; Nell C. Caward, of Orejrfitonfae motography, and Teft Johnson, the mo tion picture actor, were guests recently at the Selig Chicago studios. m English classes at the big State Nor mal School. Monmouth, have added mo tion pictures to the regular curriculum. Twelve Kleine features were rented after an Inspection of more than 100 reels. "Antony and Cleopatra" " will open the programme, which includes "Quo Vadis," "Julius Caesar," "Sparta cus," "Othello," "Vendetta, and "The Last Days of Pompeii." "Sweet Alyssum," written by Charles Major, author of "When Knighthood Was In Flower," and plcturized by Gil son Wlllets, will be released on Novem ber 15 as a Selig Red Seal play. "Sweet Alyssum" was produced by Colin Camp 'Adventures of the Silly LETS SEB'. KM CAN 1-. V CAP'. J 2fftoT A 1 iwrf -j-rr rW' Tvwatt A,. , w voU; i ; -a, UwjiSfJ i MEAN "BV ' ' '. jrfiicrrr- S iHrmiw-MEl soMeeow I HcXid fe ; IliKETHAtI . tmrbw.a : I X isr3SyM vt ; Pf 1 V Sk. X Curr- 1 . ' To t ionmfKiiS ewul bell and features an all star cast, in cluding Kathlyn Williams. Tyrone Power, Wheeler Oakman. Edith John son, Gene Fraaer, Frank Clark and Harry Lonsdale. "Sweet Alyssum" is a most appealing story and there are many beautiful scenic effects. . Edward Jose, who is producing for Pathe "Nedra," the play adapted from George Barr McCutcheon's novel of the same name, has taken a large company of some 80 players to Nassau. In the Bahama Islands, where he will spend several weeks. Among the players with Mr. Jose are George Probert. Margaret Greene, Fania Marinoff and Craufurd Kent. George Fitzmaurice, who Is producing for Pathe "At Bay," George Scarbo- Galllllies in Movie Land. rough's fine play, has signed up a splendid cast for the picture. Florence Reed is his leading woman and she is supported by Frank Sheridan. Charles Waldron, Lester Chambers and De Witt Jennings. Fitzmaurlce started work on his production September 28. The Red Widow is to appear in mo tion pictures. What is more, "The Red Widow" "will be played on the screen by herself. In other words. Flora Za belle. star of many musical comedy suc cesses, a stage favorite popular throughout the country, and last but by no means least, Raymond Hitch cock's latest wife, will make her screen debut in the title role which she cre ated on the stage in the phtoplay adaptation of Channing Pollock's and Rennold Wolfa "fun feast." The Fa mous Players Film Company has ac quired the motion picture rights and it is to be presented at Paramount the aters. In tho supporting cast are several of the original company, among them George D. Mack as Popova and John Hendricks as Baron Scorpiof. Denman Malley has been engaged for the role of Cicero Hannibal Butts, originated on the stage by Raymond Hitchcock. From all indications the comedy on the screen should be as great a success as it wae on the boards. Aa to her activities in the more re cent past. Miss Zabelle said: "Did you ever see "The Kisa Waltz." a Viennese operetta in two acts? I played Nella, Baroness von Bernau and Robert War wick was Guido Spini. Tn the cast, among others, were Elsa Ryan, Adele Rowland,- Eva Davenport, Martin Brown. George Pauncefort and Robert Mlllikn. Then came 'The Pearl Maiden," a musical play in three acts, in which I was Nadine. Jefferson De Angelis was Pinkerton Kerr and Elsa Ryan wae Loraine. It was probably the first play in which there was a wireless station. " 'The Red Widow' is known as the cleverest and most amusingly compli cated of the comedy successes written by its authors. It deals with the ad ventures of Cicero Hannibal Butts, an aggressive corset salesman, who suc ceeds in getting himself all mixed up with a beautiful Ruseian nihilist, the secret service and his own wife. The story has endless possibilities for the screen, and I am terribly anxious to begin work." Two hundred and thirty miles from Boston, her voice In clear, bell-like tones traveling over the wire across four states, Geraldine Farrar sang an interview into the office of the Boston Fist and discussed the music for the photoplay "Carmen," for which Miss Farrar posed for the Laeky Feature Play Company. Miss Farrar sang to her own accom paniment on the piano, the notes of which were heard distinctly in the Post building in Boston while Miss Farrar played in the music-room of her home at West Seventy-fourth street, New York City. V - We may be giving away a secret, but Crane Wilbur, the idol of many feminine hearts. Is a married man. His wife is also a photoplayer and is known professionally as Celia Santon. Mrs. Wilbur will probably appear In some of the David Horsley productions in which Mr. Wilbur Is starring. Such little things as fires, leaps across yawninf spaces, etc.. are re ANSWERS TO J. M. K. I see no reason why a blonde girl of 12 with dark blue eyes and light eyebrows and eyelashes and long, yellowish curls could not enter the movies provided there was a cry ' lng need for her. Suppose you send a stamped and self-addressed envelope for printed material I have on how to become a photoplayer. The best thing for you to do, however, is to go to school for several more years; then you will be better qualified to know Just what you really want to make your life work. MOTHER AND- I Francis Ford is not a woman hater that I know of. I don't think he looks like one, do youT No, that wasn't what I meant. I im agine that both Mr. Ford and Grace Cunard would answer letters if you in closed stamped, addressed envelope for reply. DOROTHY G. Florence La Badie is still with the Thanhouser Company. A. B. stands for American Biograph. Miss H. H. I have no information regarding the personal affairs of the actor to whom you refer. I agree with you, though, that he is extremely clever. M. H. L In "The Incorrigible Du kane," John Barrymore played the part of'james A. Dukane, Jr., William T. Carlton was James A. Dukane. Sr Helen Weir was Enid Crofton, Stewart Baird was Corbetson and William Mac Donald was Enid's father. No trouble at alU You're .welcome. CTJTIE Address Beverly Bayne in care of the Metro Company. Los Ange- les. Cal.: Helen Holmes in care of the Kalem Company, 235 West Twenty third street. New York: Kathlyn Will iams in care of the Selig Company. Los Angeles, and Marguerite Courtot in care of the Kalem Company. O, but I'm glad you are "daffy" about the page! A FAN I have never heard that Marshall Neilan and Farrell McDonald are related. ANXIOUS Maurice Costello is still with the Vltagraph Company. No, Adrienne Kroell is not married. Los Angeles is the address of the Western branch of the Famous Players Com pany.. Sometimes Owen Moore plays with his wife. He was with her in "Cinderella." . am sorry I can't answer the other question you asked. It would hardly be fair, would it? OSCAR Address William Shay in care of Fox Feature Film Company. 130 West Forty-fifth street. New York; Francis X. Bushman, care of the Metro Company, Los Angeles, Cal- and Nor ma Talmadge, in care of the National Film Corporation, Los Angeles, Cal. You're welcome. DOROTHY Mary Miles Minter played in "Always in the Way." Crane Wilbur was not in the cast. In "The Fortune Hunter," William Elliott was the leading man. Billy Jacobs is about 6 years old. MART C You Blight be able to pro garded as ordinary, everyday affairs ,by Helen Gibson. "Kalem's new Helen." Although Miss Gibson encounters enough hazards in the newest episode of the "Hazards of Helen Railroad Se ries," "A Mile a Minute" to last the ordinary individual a lifetime, she lo3t no time in getting ready for the film ing of the next episode. Ethel Teare, Kalem's captivating comedienne. Just loves chickene. In fact, she has made a study of chicken raising and owns quite a few of the fowls. A view of her birds is given In "Adam's Ancestors." a forthcoming Kalem comedy. John Barrymore is working in "The Red Widow" and Marguerite Clark in "Still Waters." Kathlyn Williams is to be shown aa an Arab girl In "A Sultana of the Des ert." Maurice Costello is at work In "A! Question of Right or Wrong." Anita Stewart is at work in the Cy rus Townsend Brady play. "My Lady'a Slipper." Baby Stewart, of the Thanhouser Mutual studios, who, despite her three years, is fast coming to the fore aa one of the screen's prominent Juveniles, recently served as hostess to a number of her youthful friends who reside in and about New Rochelle. And a right smart little hostess she made, too. m Kalem's Cliffside,. N. J. studios some- what resemble Fairyland at the pres ent moment. The four-act production of the famous extravaganza, "Tho Black Crook," is . being produced at these studios, and hardly a stage but contains a different grotto or a setting purporting to be the residence of imps and gnomes. A large number of chorus girls are being rehearsed in numbers specially originated for this produc tion. Marguerite Courtot. the beautiful lit tle Kalem star, has but little time these days for her beloved game of tennis. Miss Courtot is hard at work in "The Ventures of Marguerite," a series of one-reel dramas, in which she is fea tured. Carlyle Blackwell, after a vacation of 12 weeks, is at work on "Mr. Grex of Monte Carlo," under the direction of Frank Reicher, with Theodore Rob erts, James Nell, H. B. Carpenter, Dor othy Davenport and other members of the Lasky-Paramount Stock Company. . Frank Lloyd's baby girl. Alma, is a born actress. Her imitation of one of the dancers in a popular Los Angeles restaurant recently brought down the house, much to her father's embarrass ment. Donald Brian, musical comedy star and one of the most popular players in America, is seen in some of the latest dances in the Paramount photoplay production of the Jesse L. Lasky Fea ture Play Company, entitled. "The Voice in the Fog." from the novel of the same name by Harold MacGrath. He was the originator of the "Merry Widow waltz" when he created the role of Prince Danilo in "The Merry Widow" and became famous over night. Some people have been wondering why it is that in several of the recent domestic dramas the wife has played all through the film without the cus tomary wedding ring. MOVIE FANS cure a picture of Betty Nansen if you would write to her in care of the Fox Feature Film Company. 130 West Forty-sixth street. New York. Be sure and inclose a quarter with your re quest' for her photograph. T. NIXON I have never heard of the man you mention. Sorry. DOROTHY I am glad that at last you wrote me. Lottie Plckford is 20 years old. She is not married. Yes, she's wonderful, isn't she, in "The Dia mond From the Sky." Marguerite Clarke is not married. Yes, my dear. I think you are too young to be a motion-picture actress. Go to school a little while longer. The chances are a couple of years from now you would not be a movie star for anything. FLORENCE P. Edna Mayo is with the Essanay Company, 1333 Argyle street. Chicago. She is not married. She might send you her picture if you would inclose a quarter with your re quest for it. D. T. C. Mary Plckford is a little over 5 feet feet tall. She was" onthe stage before she went into pictures. It is not necessary for an one to have stage experience in order to be a photo player. Yes, the contest is open to anybody. I am awfully glad you like the Right Off the Reel page. Thank you for telling me. MARYLIN Peggy Sweeney is not married. She is about 20 years old and is with the Essanay Company. TWO CHICAGOANS Yes, Clara Kim ball Young is married. Lillian Walker says she is not. They are both in their 20a . Bryant Washburn Is married to Mabel Forest. Who Is Richard Trav ers getting a divorce from? His wife. TWO NUTS Marguerite Carke Is not married. No, I have not heard that Blanche Sweet is taking a rest. Mary Pickford's hair is her own. She is 22 years old. Yes, she wore a wig in "Little Pal." LULU I am sorry, but you have' asked so many questions it would be impossible for me to answer them through the columns of the paper. If you will repeat them and send a stamped, self-addressed envelope . I shall be happy to write you a personal reply. MARY LILLIAN Helen Holmes Is with the Kalem Company. 235 West Twenty-third streeU'ew York. Ad dress King Baggot in care of the Uni versal Company, Universal City, Cal. Lottie Plckford is with the American Company, Santa Barbara, Cal. I have no Information regarding the other actress you mention. "Ills Lettrra" which are tlia epistles from a movlaar-plcture "rtiir la California to his lawyer friend In Chlraico, will appear from time to time on this pace la the Intervals will appear various articles of time ly Interest.