7
vsxi ia-s. i ?5im g a a a at g g a t h w
WHEN IS A PHOTOPLAY
NOT A PHOTOPLAY?
WHAT went with me to the picture
how that night fidgeted ail
during the evening, but said
nothing until we were outside. Then
he burst Into speech, thusly: "i hate
to be made a fool of!"
I turned and met a pair ol fishly cold
eyes set in a scornful face.
"WeU," J said, "and who bas been
making a fool of it?" '
"I don't know his name, but, believe
I .... if I did I'd write and tell him a
. inc or two the chap who directed
the picture. Ridiculous! A pood plot
spoiled by so teany incongruities I
wouldn't " attempt to name them. It
didn't cost me much money to be fooled,
but it did cost me patience and time
thKt J couldn't afford to lose."
I agreed with him becauevI had to.
He was .right. The leading woman In
the picture we had just seen "Out of
Darkness" had been permitted to
overact, mouth, and gesticulate out
rageously. One suspected that her con
tract held some clause specifying that
no director should be present when a
scene was being taken, for It was hard
to imagine any man in such a position
standing; calmly by and watching; what
should have been an intensely dra
matlo production made a caricature of.
So much for the acting;. Judging from
many of the scenes, it was the di
rector's fault after all, For instance:
In no factory, however Insanitary or
Ui-cared for. would the hands be al
lowed to go home leaving; . their ma
terials and Implements lying; just as
they dropped them when the bell rang.
The factory In question was a canning
works, and, "at thb end of a 13-hour
day." the employes slammed down the
'Of course, ha might
believe it.'
-but I don't
pineapples they had' been cutting, to
gether with their knives, grabbed their
hats, and walkod out, leaving, presum
ably, tho pineapples to exude precious
Juice all night long, the knives to rust,
etcetera.
Then. I don't believe that colored
and white people mix promiscuously in
any factory in Florida. I may be mis
taken, but I think not. In the picture
In question, however, they were all the
tame as one.
Plotters against the management
plotted in a sal on. When the young
woman rushed for aid she tackled the
same place.1 and" out came brawny law
abiders.
The "big boss" of a factory may be
susceptible, put I doubt me, no matter
how soft his heart or how confiding
his tongue, if he would, on the first
day a beautiful new "hand" came to
work, sit down beside her on the cut
ting bench, look Into her eyes, show
her a telegram l"e had Just received
from the woman owner of the place,
and tell her just what he thought of
said woman owner. Of course, he
might but I don't believe it.
8o much for this picture though
this was not all the fault that could
be found by any means. As we dis
cussed it I thought of others I had seen
that had had Incongruities so marked
it teemed impossible such directors as
we have nowadays could have passed
them.
In "Max's Mother-in-Law" the dear
old lady wore a turban with a lonr.
thin feather standing upright. She
stood on her head in the snow, did
double somersaults down a mountain,
and everything else in the world while
out skating but to stand on her feet.
Notwithstanding all this. the. feather
neither bent, twisted, nor was broken.
The bird that invented that plumage
should get a patent on it that's all 1
have to say.
In "The Puppet Crown" we are
treated to a view of the actors and
actress kissing- the hand of a King.
No reason in the world why a King
shouldn't have his hand kissed, only
It Isn't done. The director may have
thought this a minor detail. Or he
may have thought that such an Inci
dent would add to the picturesqueness
of the scene. Or b,e may not have
known. Anyway, he was wrong, and
at least 50 per cent of the audience, of
VOTE FOH .THE I'ICTl'RB OF
VOIR PAIORITG PClVER.
Francis X. Bushman received
the highest number of votes last
"week. Kis picture, therefore,
will appear in The Frame of Pub
lic Favor next Sunday. Of the
other players voted upon, the fol
lowing six are the leaders: Fran
cis Ford, Gladden James, Ro
ntire Fielding. Dorothy Daven
port. Helen Leslie and Charles
Bartlett.
Tie Ballot
M.
requests the pleasure of see
ing the photograph of
appear la the Frame of '
Publlo Favor
one week from Dent Sunday.
- bLJ
which I was one. noticed and com
mented. In "Trilby" It probably made no dif
ference to some people, but there were
others who commented loudly at seeing
a New York policeman end a New York
hotel lamp in a Parisian street.
There waa a sweet little scene in
"The Bigger Man," featuring Henry
Kolker, in which the lead, while show
ing a woman over a bridge. In soma
miraculous manner, managed to wear
two different suits of clothing;.
firs. Leslie Carter, tn "Pu Barry,"
was radiant in comparatively modish
evening gowns, while the rest of '.tie
cast were in costumes a la the per.od.
In dealing; with Ms. Carter I know It
la necessary to handle her with glovea.
but the director of this picture should;
have concealed a horseshoe In the glove
he wore when the question of decollete
came up.
Did you see "The Iron 8train" with
Dustin FarnumT If you did, I want
to know if you recognized in the man
presumably In lova with his wife
who allowed her to enter a low dive,
fist-t with a woman of the demimonde,
and smiled any human you have ever
known? It seems to ma there could
be no provocation on earth an inno
cent little girl could offer that would
goad her husband to such a means of
punishment. And did you notice that
as she entered the place not a roan
looked up not a woman passed a com
ment, aa she rushed aftrigbtedly
through toe smoky room? In a city
cafe, this might not be too far over
drawing, but in a mining camp, where
there la so little diversion, anything
the least out of the ordinary creates
a furor.
In "The Man of the Hour" Robert
Warwick, a college man. and supposed
ly a gentleman to tha manor born,
sloughed his breeding and refinement
as he donned a flannel shirt, and dis
played table manners that Would have
made piggy sigh with envy.
Take "The Resurrection." Here you
have a picture with a Russian theme.
How interested the people owning cot
tages at Saranac, N. Y.. must have been
to see their costly homes depicted on
the screen as supposed, abodes in the
country of the Czar! Then. too. the
sleighs were as non-Russian as could
be. Mere details, probably, but notice
able ones.
It has come to the point now where
a director must be a man of learning
as well as a wizard of adjustment.' The
people who go to see pictures are too
well informed to have their intelligence
slightingly treated.
When every detail in a photoplay la
not correct the photoplay is not a
photoplay. It's an amorphism!
CRANE WILBUR GIVES ADVICE.
"M
Y ADVICE to any one set unon
a motion picture career is to
begin at the bottom of the ladder,'
says Crane Wilbur, of the Mutual.
"Start as an extra. Don't try to get
a part the first day you are in tho
studio. Here is where most newcomers
make their mistake. They sit back lu
a cozy seat in a comfortable theater,
watch the players on the screen and
say: 'Oh. 1 know I could do that.
It looks easy. All you've got to do is
look natural. Of course, the reason
ing is logical to one who doesn't know,
but to the experienced player such a
statement is ridiculous. There are so
many things to be learned before any
one can act before the camera witn
any degree of finish that to tell of
all the tricks of pantomimicry one
must learn would require hours of
time and pages of space to relate.
"To illustrate my point I will cite
an incident which happened in our
studio only a few days ago and which
Is a direct example of the soundness
of my advice. For several weeks a
pretty girl came to the studio every
morning, accompanied by her mother,
and inquiring if there was a possibility
of work in the day's scenes. A place
as an extra was offered, but she in
sisted that she must have a part,
though she conceded that the part did
not have to be heavy for a start. Of
course, she was not considered. She
was a courageous girl with that spirit
that knows no obstacles. As regularly
as the mornings rolled around she ar
rived and made customary inquiry. I
began to feel sorry for her and her
lack of luck. Finally, one morning
her patience was rewarded. We were
about to start the rehearsal of a
scene when our director noticed that
a girl he had engaged to play a maid
a small part had not reported. De
lays being discountenanced, he im
mediately decided not to await the
tardy girl's arrival, but to select the
TOPIC OF INTEREST TO
MOVING-PICTURE FANS
. ON'T call fthem 'movies'!"
begged Anna Held, after she
-a--' ha
tiad -.jned a contract to ap
pear on the screen. "I have been
studying the silent drama with Inter-
4 est of late and in my opinion this art
t certainly deserves a . more dignified
I name. Several months ago the motion
I picture appeared to me merely as th!
J poor man's entertainment,' as many
J people still call It a cheap form of
amusement. However, when such peo
J pie as Gereldine Farrar, Fritzl Scheff,
Cyril Maude and others became con-
nected with this wonderful industry I
J was forced to realise that It was more
t than what I had casually supposed It to
J be. I became more iiuereic4 in films
every day and now that the produc
4 tion of pictures has been greatly ham-
pered in my own country, we draw
larsely upon the American field for our
: supply. I have seen several wonder
l ful American photoplays and feel that
I will be able to work as effectively on
j the screen at I have on tiie stage. In
fact, I have become so enthusiastic
Sover (t all that 1 can hardly wait to
begiu work before the camera."
,
4 Myrtle Reeve ! Balboa'a premier
jfS-'-iV' V'-"' 'fWM
iV; ;f, ..:v - tSgf.
- j - . V'Jf" V lo t
jy3T7r . XTa
THE "Thanhoueer twins," aged 14. were born in New York City, where they were educated in the public schools
and by private teacher. When quite little girls they were on the stage under the direetion of Winthrop
Ames. About three years ago the Thanhouser company prevailed upon their mother to permit them to enter
motion pictures. Thia she did, thinking that the hours would be regular and the work therefore more helpful for
her girls. Tha twins are so much alike that they keep even the directors guessing when a pictura i feeing; taken.
They have light brown hair, dark hazel eyes, are 4 feet 10 Inches high, and weigh 80 pounds. When not working
their lives are much like the lives of other well-eared-for and well-brought-up children. They read, grow
flowers, play with their Angora oat . named Billy, and enjoy long, delightful hours with tha family of dolls that
has been increased from time to time by friends and mother. They say their favorite boo lis are "Little
Women," "Little Men," Kate Pouglaa Wiggin's books, Longfellow's poems and Shakespeare'a plays. Can you tell
which 1b whlcht
most likely substitute from the group
of applicants. The girl in question was
chosen.'
"After some time, she was made up
and the rehearsal went on. Our di
rector had rather a difficult time
teaching her what to do and what not
to do. At length he thought she un
understood her part and acted It suf
ficiently well to photograph the scene.
All was In readiness, lights went up,
the camera man focused his lenses
and the director yelled Instructions to
begin. Then our little girl fell down
badly. She forgot how to register her
emotions, walked over the lines (which
indicate the focus) and got out of the
picture at times when she was needed
in it, and did a dozen different things
that she had been told must not be
done. Finally, exasperated, the di
rector called a halt and sent the girl
home, heartbroken.
"The incident is not unusual, but
happens every day. Had this girl
started in as an 'extra,' it is quite pos
sible that after learning the require
ments of motion picture acting she
would have succeeded. Futhermore,
she would have had an opportunity
to study the methods of experienced
players and gain a great deal of
knowledge that way.
"Beginners will do well to start as
'extras.' If he or she has talent ad
vancement ill come, but if. at tho
end of six months, one has had suf
ficient chance and is still an 'extra'
I advise the young man or woman to
quit, by til means."
diving girl. But the nrst time she
was called upon for. an aquatic stunt
she was "green." She hesitated to Jump
40 feet down into the briny deep. What
to do? When her chum was on the
point of backing out Miss Reeves said
"nothing doing." Sue wanted to get
ahead as a picture player and realized
she must show a willingness to do her
pari. She did and is today headed
toward the top of the ladder.
Victor Moore was hit on the foot by
a wad from a revolver recently whila
taking a scene for "Chimmie Faddea
Out West" at the Lasky Paramount
studio. ' Several cowboys were trying
to make the Easterner dance in trua
Western fashion, when a misdirected
wad landed just astern of the star's pet
corn, Mr. Moore contributed to the
film a number of neat and nitty but
unrehearsed dancing steps. '
The Gaumont Company is going to
introduce an Innovation In tha way of
comedy. In the near future the Gaq.
mant Comedy Company, releasing the
Casino Sstitr comedies on the regular
Mutual priK rsuume, will produce a e-
THANJiCUSER TWINS
ries of original burlesques. These bur
lesques, instead of parodying well
known plays and books, will Joe amus
ing and overdrawn takeoffs on the se
rious dramas which the Gaumont Com
pany has already released. Edward
Mlddleton la at the head of the Casino
comedies and will be responsible for
the burlesquing of the dramas. There
is one story not a Gaumont drama
which Mr. Mlddleton wants to bur
lesque. That is the time-worn and
honored story of "Red Riding Hood."
This will probably be done In the near
future.
-
It la Interesting to note that tht,
Adventures of the Silly
3 Sr
J SiMPi ( IT, MORA. OB. It- I
aSmm I time now" JJ
yj" "
I r- V VN VTi . I
moving picture theater singers have
given away to better and longer films.
Up to within a few months ago th
leading moving picture theaters of
Louisville all employed expensive
singers, who appeared at each perform
ance. For the past few months not
a single theater In the city has em
ployed singers of any kind, that is
among the leading downtown houses,
although gome of the outlying theaters
employ local talent from time to time.
After an extended vacation Joyce
Moore la once more back playing in
Balboa feature films. She will be re
membered as having played the femi-
Gallillies in Movie Land,
nine lead opposite Henry Walthall. In
the Balboa production of "Beulah."
when she more than acquitted herself
with credit. Having graduated from
the English stage. Miss Moore is
thoroughly trained la her art.
"The great actor of the future, I be
lieve, wil be the one who can do well
both on the stage and in the pictures,
says Eddie Foy.
"But it's pretty hard being anything
but serious even In the Triangle eom
edles. Makes a burglar's business
look as safe &3 a croquet contest. This
circus picture I dM Is A Favorite Fool'
has been a real teat of my versatility. 1
chippepd my nose i the sidewalk, stole
a menagerie, killed a policeman (that
was a pleasant job) and stayed under
water for half an hour. ,
"Think I'd truat my 10.000 head to
a sincere lion with a thirst for human
life and no sense of art! Not so! I want
to live to make a lot more pictures for
my children to look at after I'm gone.
More than that, I want to see the pic
tures myself. I'm my own best au
dience. I'll go further In the pic
tures Mack Sennett has devised for me,
I admit th3t I am funny. Wait until
you see me."
Charles Hartley, the well-known
character actor, who is now working
In the production "Barbara Freltchle,"
at the Popular Plays and Players-Metro
studio, in Fort Lee, N. J., has Just re
ceived word that a distance relative In
England died leaving him $15,000. Al
though Mr. Hartley was completely sur
prised when he heard of the little for
tune left to him. already he is com
plaining about tho English income and
war tax.
A new Lubin studio has Just -been
opened at Corona-do, Cal. This com
pletes a chain of Lubin studios that
reaches across the continent. The
Lubin enterprises are under the direc
tion of Ferdinand Singhl and Ira
Lowry.
Several frionds asKed Marie Dressier
why she went to the theaters so often
when screen plays in which she par
ticipated held the boards. or, rather,
the curtain screen curtain.
"Well." she replied. " like to see
myself work."
Fans who have seen her uproariously
funny pictures will agree she has lots
of opportunity to see herself in action!
"TUlle'a Tomato Surprised took three
months of hard rehearsals, asvarmy of
screen folk and thousands or dollars
in real, ready cash to film a riot of
fun.
In the company supporting Miss
Dressier are Tom McNaughton, the co
star with Christie MacDonald in "The
Spring Maid." and with Jos Collins
in "Suzie"; Colin Campbell, the noted
Scotch comedian; Sarah MoVickar.
Eleanor Fairbanks, Clara Lambert and
James, the world-famous Lubin mon
key, who can talk the deaf and dumb
language and. eats peas with a knife.
m
The matrimonial bee continues to
buas about and sting Balboans with
surprising regularity. The latest mem
ber of the studio force to "go and do
it" is Alden Willey. an assistant di
rector. His bride was Miss Inez Wy
song. of Long BeacEh. who had ap
peared in a number of Balboa produc
tions. According to rumors now cur
rent the month of November will es
ANSWERS TO
BRUNETTE Address Irving Cum
mines in care of the American
Company, Santa Barbara, Cal. Yes,
Lottie and Mary Plckford are sisters.
Pearl White's picture has appeared In
the "Frame." Cleo Madison played the
part of tha twins in "The Trey o"
Hearts." Grace Cunard wia Lucille
Love. It has been no trouble at all to
answer your questions. I am awfully
glad you wrote ma. Write again, soma
time.
Imogens E. No, John Bunny and
Flora Finch were not married. Mabel
Normand and "Fatty" Arbuckle are not
married.. Beverly Bayna is single.
Y'wekkum.
Katherine C Mr. Costello is with
the Vltagrath Company, East Fiftoenth
street and Locust avenue, Brooklyn, N.
Y. Since you say you must have his
picture, I hope you will succeed In ac
quiring it. I have made out that the
gentleman will bs highly honored by
your request and will mall you his pho
tograph promptly upon receipt of a
quarter for same. II is married and
Is of Irish-Spanish descent.
Goodie Murdook McQusrrie Is In
his JOs. O, Goodie, of course. Universal
City is a dry town. I am afraid there
wouldn't be much work done If It were
wet.
Louise J, S Mary Plckford Is Cana
dian. Edward Earle Is with the Edi
son. Zii Decatur avenue, Bedford Park,
N. Y, No, Grace Cunard and Francis
Ford .are not marired to each other.
Curiosity--Tha beautiful child who
took tha part of tittle Roman in "The
Eternal City" was Kittens Keichert.
Slse is about years old.
C. L. V. I am sorry not to be able
to give you the Information you wish,
but the man in whom you are Inter
ested was an "extra" and the company
says it has not record of his name.
Don't worry, though; If he has ability
he'll come to the top and you'll proba-'
bly meet him on the screen in your
favorite motion picture theater some
day. Here's hoping you will.
Helen R- Beverly Bayno Is with
the Metro Company, Los Angeles, Cat.
ha has no brothers or slaters.
One Sensible Person You say that
if you had your way there wouldn't
be a moving picture actor, a theater, a
publication In the world. Well, as 'they
say In Kankakee, "You should bicker
to bark and snicker to snort." which
means "You should worry," If yaq don't
like motion picture actors, or theaters,
or pages, you are not compelled to
have anything to do with any of tbem.
I am thinking, though, you may find
it necessary to purchase a. pair of
blinders. They are to be had at any
harness shop.
M. M. G. Thank you, ma'am. Mar
guerite Snow has gone with the Metro
Company, Los Angeles, Cal., not the
Esianey.
Curious J. Warren Kerrigan Is not
with the Keystone Cofffpany be Is
with the Universal. Klla Hajl l not
married. Most of the Keystone come
dies are taken In La Angeles. Little
B411y Jacobs, of the Universal, is about
tablish a new record, for there are a
number of couples just about ready to
make the leap.
Miss Myrtle Stedmnn caused many
regrets when she left the operatio
stage for the screen, for she has a
voice of great beauty and power. In a
pinch she could accumulate a bank ac
count by her dancing and she is as
good a speaking actress as on the
screen. the does everything well.
Sha plays the. "Ideals" tor Jack Lon
don parts, with tha Boaworth Incorpo
rated Company. She has shown a
marked ability for comedy parts and
as an actress and singer in former
comic opera and musical comedies was
a noted cuccess.
Like all of the screen actresses. Miss
Stedman considers screen work more
fascinating than any other line of stage
work.
Miss Stedman has had a very varied
career, for she has been a dancer, a
minor, a singer, an actress on the le
gitimate stage and. finally, one of the
most prominent actresses on the mimio
stage, on which she is adored by her
companions.
Apart from her screen work she has
but two fads. She reads every chance
she has and she adores a matinee.
The $2 motion picture theater is a
new venture. The film plays have
progressed so rapidly, both commer
cial and plctorially. that the pioneers
the bold ones who have tho courage
of their convictions have deemed the
times ripe for a high-priced picture
playhouse.
The heads of these companies deny
that they will keep the price at an ex
cessive rate. They declare that with
a top price of 1 outside of New York
the hisfh-priced motion picture house
is bound to pay and that it will In no
manner interfese with the profits of the
10-cent houses.
The outcome of this new venture
will be watched with interest. If the
high-priced motionr.icturo play suc
ceeds It means seven mighty lean years
for the spoken drama.
E. P. Sullivan, who plays the leadlns
role in "The Black Crook," has played
the same part 500 times in the stae
version of the play. Mr. Sullivan, who
is one of the veterans of the theatri
cal world, has had a wide experience
and his reminiscences of the "good old
days" are vory entertaining. Those who
have seen those parts of this new Ka
lem feature which have been com
pleted unhesitatingly have declared
that he has equaled his stage character.
Edwin Carew has Just signed what is
possibly the biggest contract given to
a. director of his age, with the Rolfe
Metro Company. Mr. Carew, though
but Z2 years old, has had extensive
experience. He has played leading
man for Laurette Taylor, and later
appeared with Otis Skinner, Nat Good
win, Chauncey Olcott, Mattie Keene,
Hal Davis, Augustine Mcllugh and
Kitty Gordon. Three years ago he Jiad
his first motion-picture experience with
the Lubin.
'
Nance O'Neil, the American emotion
al actress, has abandoned her contem
plated theatrical tour and signed up
with Lubin Company.
The Paragon Film Company, Inc., Is
on the market for scenarios.
MOVIE FANS
4 years old now. No trouble at all. I
am mighty glad to be of service.
X. Y, Z. I ant glad to be able to
tell you that In the Vltarraph produc
tion. "Two Women," Earls Williams
was the leading man, Anita Stewart
waa "Anita of the Woodland" and Julia
Swayne Gordon waa the wife. The Vita
graph Company is located at East Fif
teenth and Locust avenue. Brooklyn,
N. Y.
F. K Little Julie Kruse Is the only
child of Marguerite Snow and James
Cruze. Yes, Crelghton Hale Is to be
seen often In "The Exploits of Elaine,"
Helen Badgley, better known as the
"Thanhouser Kldlet," was the little
flower girl In "The Million Dollar Mys
tery," A Fan In the Majestic production,
"Out of the Aair," Signs Auen played
the part of Dot. Shorty Hamilton waa
Shorty in "Shorty and the Fortune
Teller."
Polly I am sorry you have had
to wait for an ar.awer to your letter,
but the mail is heavy, you know, and
queries must be taken in their turn.
Cleo Madison Is In her SOs and Is not
married. In "Alias Jimmy Valentine"
John Hines took the part of Red. A
letter addressed to him. eare of tho
World Film Corporation. 110 West
Forty-sixth street. New York, will
reach him. Robert Warwick Is not
married. Norma Philippa Is IS years
old. She is not married. I have no
information regarding Mr. Wilson.
Sorry.
H It D. My dear, I should worry
what kind of paper you use when writ
ing to me. Any old kind will do. Just
so you write. William Russell Is with
the American Company, now at Santa
Barbara, Cal. Antonio Moreno is not
married. Neither la Mary Fuller, Lot
tie Brisooe, Earle Williams or Will
iam Russell. Wallace Reid is the hus
band of Dorothy Davenport. The beard
of the great Mr. Kerrigan was not real
In "Sampson." I should say I'm not
a bit tired of hearing from you. I
am awfully sorry you don't like the
place we print the Right Off the Reel
page, but I am afraid it will be impos
sible to keep the other side of the
page clear. That would use up too
much valuable space. Bye-bye.
Thanhouser Fan The parents of.
Helen Badgely are Mr. and Mrs.
Badgely.
An Old-Timer The man to whom
you rofcr Is Max Llnder, and be Is still
with the foreign Paths Freres Com
pany. He Joined the French army and
was reported killed,, but the report
was a fslae one, and I understand that
he Is still working. Thank you (or
your words of appreciation.
"Ills Letters." which are the
epistles from moving plcturo
actor in California to his lawyer
friend In Chicago, wlli appear
from tuna to time on this page.
In the intervals will appeur va
rious aiticle3 oi timely Interest.
i :