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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1915)
THE SUNDAY OIlEGONIATi. PORTLAND, OCTOBER 24. 1915, HOMES, CHURCHES AND EVEN PRISONS NOW OPEN TO FILM-MAKING MANAGER Few Who Drop in Motion Theaters for Entertainment Stop to Realize Time, Judgment and Natural Artistry Re quired to Place Before Them Quaint Colonial Gables, Woodland Glades and Lofty Castles. BY PEXXJY CURTIS. , LAURELS are showered on the actor, praise bestowed on the writers, but of all things relative to motion pictures that are least laud ed is the picture part. True, at times the audience marvels over a magnifi cent setting. A wonderfully toned sun set brings forth exclamations, but when It comes right down, to facts few stop to consider the artistry of the mai&who scouts about finding artistic and appro priate settings. - Just few of the American film companies go abroad for their realistic scenery, for the" landscape of this coun try is so varied that almost ar.y tvpe from the cnowbound Russian steppes to the Kgyptian deserts and the sunny Italian scenes are to be found In some part of America. Time was when mo tion pictures were In an embryonic state, that the movie men followed In the footsteps of Shakespeare and were hardly more artistic in their settings than the old-time mess of boards with the label, "This is the Forest of Arden." Is it to be wondered at if now the public is critical when every detail is aiven the attention of the director. In the good old days when the cowboys In the movies clambered upon a box cr a tump in order to make a hasty mount and escape the ferocious Indians who were realistically painted tenderfocts, climbing over tbe summit of the hill, beyond which we could see the city's skyscrapers, didn't make much differ ence whether the scene was laid in California or New York, -for it was crude and incomplete and little was expected in the way of higher artistry, in setting or photography. It Tu enough to know that the heroine c.iuld Ewoon on the screen and that all the participants really moved. It's different now. If perchance the heroine, who was married, should play a scene without her weddfn ring there is a howl from a number of rilm fans. They notice everything from the num ber on the mailbox to the number cf buttons on milady's gown. The cl( se observation applies not alone to interior scenes and details of dress, but is even more forcibly and frequently extended to the scenery. The scene in which the little old-fashioned lady of the 16th century tripped out with her scores of pages into a great old English court yard over which hung a sign "Ye Oiant's Inn," may have been the most usual affair to the average person, when tho costumed characters and the sign were absent. It took the critical and practiced film man to see the pos sibilities and ' to fancy the life and time and people that would make cf it a place of beauty and romance. "Quo Vadis." "Cabiria" and "The Last Days of Pompeii" were made abroad, and yet we can scarcely believe it when we are told that "Samson" was made in America, and that the elab orate settings and scenic effects were a combination of artistic nature and human artistry. The majority of the Arabian romances are laid in America, and almost all the thatched film cot tages of England, Ireland and Scotland ere built, not in the British. Isles, but In the United States. The public has entered into the bor rowing and lending spirit of the mo tion picture manager, and almost all the beautiful inside as well as the most florescent settings are in the homes of wealthy Americans. The most secret places have opened to the cine ma. Churches, clubs and even Sing Sing have been photographed for the entertainment of the public at large. V'here scenes can't be borrowed, they are built, then remodeled and used time and again "in many forms and plays. r'ew of those who drop Into a motion picture theater for an hour's entertain ment, although they may express ad miration, ever stop to consider the time and judgment and natural artistry re quired to put before their eyes the ouaint Colonial gables, the woodland glades and the lofty castles, teeming with folk-lore knights and fairies. But they go away with the imagination stimulated and the eyes charmed. MYSTERY FILM AT MAJESTIC "Who Killed the Widow Lerouge?" Depicts Detective Story. "Who Killed the Widow Larouge?" is the question about which circle mystery, trouble and the complex plot of "The Family Stain," a Fox feature which will open at the Majestic Thea ter today. The photo production is based on Emllle Gaborlau's celebrated detective story, "The Widow Larouge." and is one of unusual fascination, with Frederick Perry featured. The Widow Larouge. a strange woman, is found murdered in her home. The police find the situation too hi for them and call an amateur detec tive, an old man, Talbert, and he be Kins to unravel the mystery. It ap .pears that many years before, a high official. Commarin, loved a beautiful Klrl. He was forced by his haughty family to wed a girl of his own sta tion. Almost at the same time a child is born to each of the women. ' So much in love with the woman he could not marry was Cummoran that he effected the abduction of her child that he might Inherit his great fortune. arnriwfttM7iiriiiiMi)TrriMfi f it.mr'-nmifinniteirwm-- '-- v M - N J Mr? 1 A - S itf 1 princess, who having arrived as a mummy suddenly comes to life. This transformation, as it may be supposed, upsets the present-day tradi tions of respectability, and creates the greatest havoc. The main scenes of To do this he arranged that both chil- this clever comedy drama center around dren be sent to a certain place with thfir nursc and exchanged. The Widow Larouge, then a young woman, was taken into the secret and It was for her to make the proper de ception. Thirty years later the man who was supposed to be the real son of Valerie, who was the mother of the illegitimate Won, discovers the situation. -Between grief and humility he goes "to the home of his father and talis the other son that he ' is not the real ton of Commoran, but of his father's mistress. The widow Larouge is known to have Important papers relating to this and for it has been kept in luxury . by the father for many years. Following the expose by the suppos edly legitimate son the widow is mur dered and the papers gone. Then be gins the search for the criminal. Be fore the story ends six Important per sons are suspected of the murder, and inn situations that arise are fascinat ing and thrilling. The Wallingford series, number Til, will be on this week also. "The Rheumatic Joint" shows Wallingford at his funniest. BIG FOUR" FILM ATTRACTION" The Dust of Egypt" Six-Reel Na tional Offering Today. The National Theater has procured the "Big Four" service, consisting of the feature film plays of the Essauay. Selig. Lubin and Vitagraph producers. The first big play opens today. It is "The rust of Egypt." a Vitagraph "Blue Ribbon" special. In six acts. It lias just been released, after a spec tacular run In New York Ctty. wheie it created no little comment from press and public Edith Storey and Antonio Moreno appear as the leading stars, though the company as a whole is made up of a galaxy of stars in the moving picture world. "The Dust of Egypt Is daring in Its originality, and unusual In production. Laid In the present-day times, the scenes In a twinkling shift back SOOO years to the "ence was," in ancient Egypt. This takes place through the occult influence of a mystlo aratrffht. administered by a former Egyptian the situation arising from a highly respected and eligible bachelor tread ing society's devious bypaths with an Egyptian mummy hanging upon his heels. The background for this origi nal theme oonsists of a remarkable setting, and admirable photography. Edith Storey as the Princess, rises to heights never before realised in her career, while Moreno as the bachelor scientist also wins laurels. A thread of romanticism, teeming with dramatic moments augments the raptd-hre ac tion of the plot. Besides the six acts in this feature, a lively slap-stick comedy will -be shown: a scenic travel picture, and the usual good special Sunday organ music. CHORUS LADY' AT PEOPLES Story of Romance and Stage to Be - Seen Today In Film. James Forbes' drama, "The Chorus Lady," will open at the Peoples today. The noted actress, Cleo Rldgeley. ap pears as Patricia O'Brien in the lead iner role of "The Chorus Lady." Her headstrong, stage-struck younger sis ter. Nora, is played by Marjorie aw, the clever little 14-year-old protege of Oeraldine Farrar. Wallace Rid is Been" as "Danny" Mallory. the detective who is sincerely in love with "The Chorus Lady." Patricia O'Brien is a. keen-witted, clean-lived chorus girl, and has de pendent upon her her little sister, Nora, Nora, stage-struck, has a quarrel with her employer, leaves, and appears at the theater where "Pat" is rehearsing and insists on a chance to go on the stage. Crawford, a young man-about-town, who is also backing the show, struck by Nora's youth and beauty, places her in the company. Crawford at once begins plying Nora with attentions, and the little country girl takes him seriously. At the dress rehearsal of the play- the star is taken 111. and "Fat gets the chance of her life. Nora, knowing that "Pat" will be un- able to leave the theater, decides to go to Crawford, leaves a note for her sister and rushes boms to pack. "Fat. half dressed for the stage, finds the note, flings on a cloak and in a cab rushes to Crawford's apartments, ar riving there before Nora does. When Nora comes in ehe finds Crawford mak lng violent love to "Pat" and demands that he choose between them. Crawford chooses "Pat." In the meantime, Danny and an other detective have been hired by Crawford's wife to get divorce evidence against her husband. They learn -here is a woman in Crawford's apartment and brak in, finding that the woman is uanny s own gin. une piay c eludes with all misunderstanding cleared away. Split Reels A' Paramount girl who made the trip across the continent alone in her motor car, is scheduled to arrive in New York tomorrow night. Miss King has vis ited all the leading Western and Call fornian cities and on arrival she goes immediately to the City Hall with a mesaase for Mayor Mitchel. Kathlyn Williams and Tyrone Power will play opposite each other in "Sweet Alyssum," a story by Charles Major, picturized by Gilson Willets, which will be released November IS as a Selig Polyscope Red Seal play. Wheeler Oak man and Edith Johnson are also mem bers of the all-star cast. - 'Rosed ale." the charming play that 20 years ago won fame and fortune for the late Lester Wallack, is being revived as a screen drama and will shortly be produced under the direction of the B. S. Moss Motion Picture Corporation. It is estimated that 15.000.000 attend motion picture theaters daily and that the miles of film used weekly in the motion picture theaters of the country would twice encircle the world. It la further calculated that the investment represented by the motion picture in- ustry exceeds SluO.eoo.OQu. The pic tures and plays produced by American manufacturers for foreign manufac turers are by far tbe most popular in foreign countries. We're to see the Vernon Castles soon. Jn a six-reel drama called "The Whirl of Life." The story tells of the most Interesting events in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle and was filmed by the Cort Corporation. It will be released by Authors Film Company. m m m It isn't often that a real Governor becomes a screen actor, but it's one of the many evidences of tbe increase in favor of motion pictures. "A Western Governor's Humanity" was a difficult production for the western branch of the Lubin Manufacturing Company, for it caitea tor an impersonation 01 gov ernor Hunt. One after another the members of the company tried It until the entire company had had a chance at the part. Then they called on Gov ernor Hunt and explained the situa tion, telling him his presence was ur gently needed. He acquiesced and in that play the Governor of Arizona is impersonated by the real Governor of Arizona. Unfortunately. Edward Earle and Louis George met adverses in the screening of "Roses of Memory." They were obliged to make a bona fide plunge over a cliff in an automobile, and both being daredevils as well as bends lor realism, the stunt was welcomed. But Edward got a wrenched neck, and Louis a broken ankle. "Roses of Memory," scoffs Eddie, "will we ever forget m m m World Film's society play, "A Butter fly on the Wheel," directed by Maurice Tourner. will be released November 15 Holbrook Blinn and Vivian Martin are supported by a strong cast with June Elvidge, John Hines and George Ralph in prominent roles. Sally Crute, the Edison, actress, sus tained injuries from an automobile wreck last week, when her car turned turtle in Yonkers. Playing opposite Miss Grace Valen tine in "The New Adam and Eve" is i new and unknown hero. He' will also play in "A Corner on Cats." starring 20 cats and Miss Cissy Fitzgerald. In fu ture Gaumont releases it is announced that he will frequently appear. He doesn t pretend to rival the new "le gitimate supplements." for he is merely Bruno, a handsome Newfoundland dog, and while he is still cubbing will draw 17 per week. Vivian Yes, Viola Dana is married. She is the wife cf Johnny Collins. mm Vivian Rich's srentlemen friends are avoiding her nowadays. She is taking boy parts and has started borrowing attractive ties. Walter Kendiar, the wel-known juvenile motion picture comedian, died last week at St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers, after a motorcycle accident in which his skull was fractured. Kendig played leads in the Heinle and Louie series produced by Pathe and was also featured in "The starlight .comedies. He was only 21 years old. m m m Emelie Polini is one of the moit re cent additions to the film world One may see her in the near future by at tending "The Little Church Around the Corner." Pullman Co. Earns 941,512,884. CHICAGO. Oct. 19. The Pullman Company's revenues in the year ended July 31, 1915, was $41,512,884, a falling off from the previous year of 3.312. 631, according to the annual statemen issued today. The operating expenses were reduced $2,914,411 to $40,565,751, leaving a surplus of $947,133, as com pared with a balance of si.Z4a.353 las year. The total net surplus is t,ais 46S. MOTION-PICTURE STAR SPENDS FIRST CHECK. AS ACTRESS, FOR SHOES. BY PEGGY CURTIS. ND here we have another! Anna Held has signed with Oliver Mo rosco to appear in at least one screen production. The first appear ance of Miss Held will be "Papa Wife." which is classed as her best stage success in recent years. Just two hours after sho had arrived in New York the contract was signed and soon the new film beauty will start for California in a private car. Jus what Miss Held's salary is to be is not announced, but it is believed to be well past the $5000-a-week mark, besides the expenses of the trip. It is encouraging to know that in these days when It has become quite the vogue for each celebrity on entering upon the films to tell just how much they will be paid or won't be paid that there is one debutante who Is of the opinion that the public should be able to appreciate her without knowing her par value in dollars and cents. She has said that, after her training in the movies, she expects to be "a much higher-priced artist." - On October 27 David Horsley will re lease, through the Mutual Film Cor poration. "The Blood of Our Brothers," a three-reel drama featuring Crane Wilbur. The picture is an elaborate production, with a wealth of idea and plot, in three well-balanced parts and treats of the futility of war. Before Jack London's "Valley, of the Moon" could be shown in New Jersey it was viewed both by the censors and the leading Socialists of that state. It passed and when shown in public had an enthusiastic reception, " Anita King, the pretty and. - daring k - ! Ul f J Pearl Van Name, MARSHFIELD. Or.. Oct 2S (Special.) Before Pearl Van Name (Beverly Bayne) became a high-salaried motion - picture star, she crept into theatricals as many other girls do and se cured an engagement with a traveling troupe at a salary of $35 a week, at Minneapolis, her home. How do you suppose she spent her first check? It was not sent home to mother, as tra dition would have it. but the biggest percentage went for sboea Miss Bayne was always fastidious about her clothing, and seven pairs of shoes went into her wardrobe, purchased by the first money sEe earned as an actress. Since Miss Bayne has now become noted for the charm ing manner in which she wears clothes and poses for syndicated articles on dress, the story of her early avenue for funds was re called here by John Mereen, who was a playmate with tbe actress when they were children. Miss Bayne's cleverness in dress is due largely to the good taste of her mother. Mrs. Jessie Van Name, who is her companion on the road and designs all her wardrobe. I fc..,TPkW.sirJaSMa--ja H tiU ssWJC-t sUmJs- 1 ZmwZx. Jfc'o5--W:3s4sjf ' , WM. FOX PHOTO PLAYS DE LUXE BEGINNING TODAY Frederick yf. v Frederick ,f 7: 1 Perry Edith ( H ily A J Hallor r I Founded on Emil Gaboriau's Celebrated Detective Story "THE WIDOW LEROUGE" Get-RicH-Quick 1MB VMSaM - In a Screaming Comedy, "A RHEUMATIC JOINT" Max Figman, Burr Mcintosh, Lolita. Robertson Coming, Sunday, Oct. 31 milling iff (P i) iriHra pirn II The Famous ThedaBara DRESS BREVITY BLAMED IMMODEST CLOTHING CALLED ALLY OF NERVOUS DISEASES. Lck: of Exercise Also Held Aeeoustt mble For Many Disorders and More Flay la Advised. PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 17. Immod est clothing ot women is an important ally of that condition of nervous weakness called neurasthenia, accord ins to neurologists of this city, who recently came to tne rescue 01 nomeo paths, in danger of criticism for con demning women's clothing as a pro ducer of neurasthenia. Leaders of the physicians who be lieve that "like cares like" publicly said in the annual homeopathic, con vention at Buena vista bprings, pa. that gowns short at both ends have a disturbing effect on man's nervous system. "It cannot be denied," said a. promi nent Chestnut street neurologist. "But it is also true that neurasthenia was well known before the present mode of dressing. Dressing is only one of the factors. Neurasthenia results from many causes. "Immodest dressing on the part of women Is conducive to neurasthenia in some persons who are predisposed to that condition. Dr. Rosa V. Patterson, of the letter son Medical College, who frankly con fessed that he isn't a neurologist. scouted the idea. "Persons usually go to the seashore for their nerves," he said. "If short skirts make men neurasthenic should think that the male population returning from the shore would be composed entirely of nervous wrecks. I recently returned from the shore, and I noticed that most of the men were strong, big. fat and vigorous." "I will say that women's dress is a great improvement over what it was a few years ago," said the neurologist. "1 don't mean from a standpoint of modesty, but from that of health. The new corset removes the pressure from the chest, leaving room for expansion, and gives upward support to the abdo men, which is desirable. The old-style corset caused many ills, and among them neurasthenia, for the wearer. "America is the most neurasthenic nation." he continued. "But our dress is not mora Immodest than that of. say. the French. There are many causes. We do not exercise properly. We are a young nation, and a young nation, like a young man. is prone to be indiscreet. There is too much hurry nd bustle. The climate, with its many changes, keeps us on edge. To counteract the causes, we should learn to live and play. We should take more exercise, not to perform some great feat of strength, but to gain health. The English and the Ger mans, perhaps the least neurasthenic of all peoples, exercise, the former in their play and the latter in their gym nasiums, because it gives them health." Alien Labor Law Case Up. law. forbidding the employment of aliens on public works within tbe state, was taken up for consideration by that" Supreme Court at Washington recentlyi Aside from the effect upon the law of the repealing act, interest in the caseT has continued because of contentions as to the validity of contracts. Soma I of these contracts for the construction of New York subways in the aggregate" exceed $100,000,000. Mean Man's Observation. Exchange. ... A mean man has noticed that, while the preacher occasionally takes a vaca-; tlon, the contribution box never does. NEW YORK. Oct. 19. The constltu- I Generally the tialU ot th right band are r tionaiity or ine rxew lorn alien laoor i broader than tnoie or nm icn. t h MM r BEGINNING TODAY We will show the all-star productions of the "Big Four." The first, a "Blue Ribbon" Vitagraph feature, presents Edith Storey and Antonio Moreno in The Dust of Egypt SIX ACTS A remarkable comedy-drama of the present day. More laughs than you have ever had before. Imagine the sit uation created by 3000-year-old Egyptian mummy being sent to respectable bachelor. She comes to life upsetting all of the traditions of modern conventions turns things topsy-turvy. The play is also a dramatic wonder and created a sensation in New York But See It. Also several other arood features and the usual extra sne CI TO 017R PATRONS. i The new "Big Four" Service, consisting of tbe all-star attractions of the Essanay. Lubin, Selig and Vitagraph producers, which opens here today, is without a su perior any place. Let us know how yon like it, after the show today. . . m