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