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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 1917)
6 TTJE SUNDAY OEEGOXIAX, POIITXAND, FEBRXJART 11, 1917. PANTAGES THEATER NEW FILM TO BE "THE SECRET KINGDOM" Commencing Tomorrow, First Public Screening of Louis Joseph Vance's Serial of Mystery, Intrigue, Adventure and Love Will Be Seen. -o n . ' x I if - . - ""-i; - -" t-- CI - J V -Sees- 14 j r s--"! . - t lfX Pi - JV LOUIS JOSEPH VAXCE. author. Greater Vita&raph, producer, and Charles Richman, Dorothy Kelly and Arline Pretty, stars, are the names Identified with the new film serial of mystery, intrigrue, adventure and love, "The Secret Kingdom," which will re ceive its first public screening at the Fantagea Theater commencing tomor row. This serial, in 15 episodes, has met vith such flattering receptions at ad vance showings throughout the country that it has been booked by the Marcus Loew and Pantages circuits of vaude ville houses, and other amusement en terprises that make a. feature of the best type of film chaptered stories. Here's a summary of the opening in stallment, which will be presented in three reels: , Taking- advantage of his monarch's lack of funds. Prime Minister Siraond, of Alanla, who secretly aspires to the throne, induces him to pass an obnox ious tax bill. Then, with his sovereign unpoplar, Simond feels it a good time to strike so he causes the assassina tion of the King, Phillip II, and Queen Alixe, while they are hunting in the royal forests. Captain Barreto, commander of Alan Ian palace guard, and fe loyal friend of Phillip II, realizes Simond's das tardly plan and when he hears him is sue, an order for the apprehension of the little Crown Prince the only ob Btacle remaining in his path to the throne he dashes off to America with the lad, Juan, a fisherman, aiding In the escape. Barreto makes arrange ments with Juan to keep in communi cation with his brother. Lieutenant Barreto. Simond proclaims himself Prince Re gent and, with a bold bid for popular ity, rescinds the obnoxious tax bill his first official act. Ma and Pa Are Declared Most Effective Censors. FfimooM Comedy Director Saya Ex hibitor Cannot Beat OppoHltion of Family Heads. 'HEN I was a hoy there used to be a number of re spectable old women who de-: lighted to go to funerals to see whether the corpse looked natural and to com pare notes on the behavior of the widow," says Mack Sennett. famous comedy director. "Funerals are a little out of date now as a form of popular entertainment, so the old folks of both sexes censor motion-picture films instead. "No doubt it is rather good fun thus to brandish sticks at the wicked motion-picture people; to man-handle the etory while the poor, dejected author Bits shivering in a dark corner and the demon producer bowls aloud into the Bight. "But it is rather tough on the great est industry that has grown up in sev eral centuries of progress. "When you begin biting into every word and every picture in the hope of finding an evil taste you usually find it. It's all in the tongue of him who tastes. "My experience is that the great run of motion pictures, like the majority of plays jnd books, are not inten tionally indecent. "But it is certainly a fact that a few plays have been put on the screen which are vile and improper. Not many, but a few. "I don't attempt to defend these. But I do say that organized censorship is not the way to deal with them. The producer who puts on a tough picture has usually figured out some way to get around censorship before he begins to take the picture. The censors catch the comparatively harmless; the really wicked usually prance gaily by un harmed. "The greatest argument against or ganized censorship, however, is the fact that it is unnecessary. If you let the public alone, tough pictures will be taken care of. "Pictures are notlike the few sug gestive 'girl shows that are famous for' their licentiousness. These shows appear only in a few rich and blase centers of population at very high prices. "The picture game is altogether dif ferent. Pictures have to be universal in character. They must please Broadway- and also Newton Center. Broad way might drool at the mouth over a certain type of play, but Newton Cen ter mothers wouldn't let the children "After all, the only effective censors in the world are Ala and Pa; and they . usually do a pretty good job of it. "Experience has shown that a motion-picture exhibitor can beat the cnsors in the courts in nine cases out of ten. The whole American legal sys tem the whole American theory of life is opposed to the idea of censor ship. But the exhibitor can't beat ma and pa. And when he puts on a nasty pic ture, the exhibitor is taking a big chance with the only censorship he can't beat. And he knows it. "And that's all the censorship the picture business needs. And it is the only one that will work. "Leave it to Ma and Pa; especialy Ma." she went on the stage in 1868. Ince asserted that he had an old woman in "Civilization" who was the oldest of all screen players. The Claire Nc-sand you mention was born in France and educated in Koumanla. tine ' is no re lation to Mack Bennett's Mabel. Mary Fan Mary Pickford is in New York. Mary Fuller at Laskyville, in Hollywood. Mary Alden was with Mary Pickford in "Less Than the Dust.' Mary Miles Minter is at Santa Barbara Valeska Suratt's name may have been Mary, but you can t prove it by me. Myrtle Stedman's directory age is 26. Subscriber Florence Lawrence is not working at present. She "came back for a short engagement with Universal but did not stay there long. Gladden James is married. Alma Hanlon is married and has several children. Lionel Barrymore quits Metro this month to make pictures for a Canadian concern. Pearl White is the champ. Six serials. Frank G. H. Olga Petrova does not appear with Paramount until May. Blanche Sweet is not yet identified with her 1917 producing company. Dorothy Gish was born in Dayton, Ohioa She was born in 1898, but went on the stage in 1903 as Little Willie in "East Lynne." Marie Doro is 31. Mabel Ethel Jewett was with Than hauser not so long ago. Sessue and Tsuri are man and wife and not broth er and sister, as you supposed. He was in "The Typhoon" and made his first big hit in that picture. Mrs. Castle was born in New Rocheile, N. Y., in 1893. Gerda Holmes was born in Denmark and on the stage since 14. Fan I haven't seen Robert Mantell or Genevieve Hamper, his wife, in pic tures since they left Fox. I agree with you that this fine Shakespearean actor is not a pleasing picture personality. Ella Hall was with Belasco in "The Grand Army Man." Jane Grey played in "Kick In." Billie T. Frank Keenan. Mary Bo land. Robert McKim and Margaret Thompson were the most prominent players in "Stepping Stones." . I have not nhe information available for the other, but will secure it for you and answer then. NOTES FOR MOVIE FANS LYE . BURNS BOY'S EYES Pasco Lad May Lose Sight; Janitor Declared Responsible. PASCO, Wash., Feb. 10. (Special.) George Epley, son of a Pasco railway man, probably will lose his eyesight as & result of burns caused by lye. which was thrown on the boy by Nick Disacola, depot janitor, whom tha younger lad had drenched with -water. Disacola said he thought the lye can contained only water. The janitor was trying to drive the boy from the furnace-room 'at the time. The victim was removed to the Northern Pacific Hos pital at Tacoma. AT THE MOVIE THEATERS (Continued From Pa(e 5.) sician, cares for him. Stricken at see ing Pearl making an "A" on her breast with burrs, the minister faints. Chil lingworth tears open his shirt and sees an "A" branded there. Later, Dimmesdale and Hester meet on the beach. Hester urges him to leave Boston with her. He agrees. A new life comes to him. Chilling worth cries out to the town that Hester has bewitched Dimmesdale. Hester is about to bo burned when Dimmesdale bursts into the square, bares his breast, re veaMng an "A" seared thereon. He con fesses himself the father of Pearl. He then falls and dies with his head in Hester's lap. GLOBE HAS STOKY OF PLOT "The Sentimental Lady" Falls in Love When Marooned on Island. Irene Fenwick in "The Sentimental Lady," and ltomaine Fielding In "The Valley of Lost Hope," will divide hon ors on the Globe Theater bill of the early week. "The Sentimental Lady" is a modern story involving a plot to ensnare a young heiress in a business- deal that meant for her financial disaster and the enriching of a conniving old man whose eon the heiress was supposed to r"s.rd with favor as her prospective husband. Her escape, marooning on an Island with a young attorney and their love affair furnish material for the photoplay. "The Valley of Lost Hope" is a three reel film of mines and miners, fea tured by a spectacular head-on train collision. Library Societies Meet. PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, Forest Grove. Or., Feb. 10. (Special.) The Philo mathean girls' literary society and the Alpha Zeta boys' literary society of Pacific University held their annual joint meeting last night in the Alpha Zeta society's rooms. The programme consisted of two musical numbers, readings, Jwo dramatic skits and a de bate. Refreshments were served and the Alpha Zeta quartet sang. IN SEVERAL scenes in her forthcom ing production. "The Fortunes of Fif i," Marguerite Clark wears a Ro man costume which ehe first donned two years ago to appear with Mme. Sarah Bernhardt at the Palace Theater in New York.- At that time Miss Clark and Laurette Taylor appeared with the Divine Sarah and the little Famous Players-Paramount star kept the gown as a souvenir of the occasion. When tHe script of her new photoplay called for her to wear a Roman gown. Miss Clark immediately thought of her "Bernhardt dress," as ehe always has called it, and she proceeded to remove it from among her keepsakes. Ethel Clayton, who has already writ ten several scenarios, has been told by William A. Brady that if she would write a play' suitable for a starring vehicle for herself, either in pictures or on the etage, he would produce it. Now Miss Clayton is busy getting her ideas In form. A new note in fancy bags is intro duced by Emmy Wehlen. the popular Metro star, in a. forthcoming Metro- Rolfe production. It is circular in shape, made of tapestry, and encircled with sable, and is worn with a sable coat, John Sainpolis, well known on stage and screen, is appearing in support of Pauline Frederick in her next Famous Players-Paramount picture. Thomas Meihgan appears opposite Miss Fred erick, as he did in her most recent Paramount picture, "The Slave Mar ket." Mary Miles Minter afforded her friends of the American Film colony at Santa Barbara a sudden scare at the studios last week when ehe accidentally jabbed herself in the eye with a hat pin. It was during the hour for lunch, and the youthful star was resting in the dressing-room when the accident occurred. Expert medical attention was immediately provided. Thanks to thi3 treatment, after a few days the danger was warded off. For a time it was feared that Mies' Minter' s accident might prove most serious. . Montague Love is .an artist by pro fession, but an actor by choice. After being cartooist on one of London's largest dailies durnlg the Russo-Japanese war, he came to . this country, and for two months drew front covers for Leslie's Weekly. He then went back to the stage and ultimately to pictures. But people know he is an artist and they will give him no rest. Consequently he will shortly begin a series of sketches of prominent photo play personages for a popular motion picture weekly, after which he will caricature movie stare for a daily newspaper syndicate. Rose Tapley. the popular Vitagraph star, is touring the country with every evidence of tremendous success. One of her latest triumphs is. by means of a speech delivered to members of alt the women's clubs of Chattanooga, to cause' the withdrawal of a censorsnlp bill which had been introduced in the Tennessee Legislature. , Mary Pickford is known to Wore persons than any other woman In the world. This is what Fred L. Collins, editor of McClure's Magazine, told the members of the Business Men's League of St. Lxuis recently when lecturing before them on the topic of "Teaching the Public." Mr. Collins also stated that Mary Pickford was more famous and popular as an actress than Sarah Bernhardt, who is considered the fa vorite artist in the world. Such is the attractiveness of the new Vitagraph serial, " The Secret King dom," featuring Charles Richman and Dorothy Kelly, that Marcus Loew booked it in all of his 24 houses, the largest booking order ever entered for a serial. m Among the players who will be seen in support of Norma Talmadge In her first Selznick picture. "Panthea," are Roger Lytton, George Fawcett, Earle Fox, Murdock McQuarrie. To Max Linder goes the credit of having made the most startling dis covery of the age. "The average mo tion picture manuscript," thinks Max, A magnificent reproduction of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel, Kwery Kolum (Note. All motion picture questions an swered except those relative to the writing; unci marketing of scenarios. Please sign your name and address, together with najne iinder which you wish queatiun answered, to all communicauooj.) it n T . Pendleton -Famous Players, Ado'lph Zukor; James A. Berst. Pathe; Richard A. Rowland, Metro; Harry E. iituo.n. Triangle: William N. Selig. Se- lig The Lubin Company no longer is ci'ive in the producing field, having been absorbed by Vitagraph. Grace M., Medford Mary Maurice r.. hnrn in Morristown, Ohio, Novem ber 15. 1844. She was a teacher before v Vt h . I v s ' i J Pi-t, - - fort-in ftiWiirrir V"- .-- - Hester Prynne Dimmesdale SC AWL it 11 A. M. to 11 P. M. All-Star Cast LAW OF THE SCARLET "A" Here is the old New England law under which Hester Prynne, heroine of "The Scarlet Letter,", which has been made into a. wonderful jirama by William Fox, was doomed 'to wear the scarlet "A." It was enacted In Plym outh in 1658. "It is enacted by the Court and the Authorities thereof that whosoever shall commit Adultery shall be severe ly whipped two several times viz: Once while the Court , is in being att which they are convicted of the fact, and the second time as the 'Court shall or der, and likewise to were two Capital letters viz: A D cut out in cloth and sewed on their upermost garments on their arme or backe; and if at any time they shal bee taken without said letters, whiles they are in the Govt ment soe worne. to be forthwith Taken and publicly whipt." Commencing Today Foxfilm Feature Comedy, "CHASED INTO LOVE" Mafestic o so far as to spoil the paper with all Lillian Gish has a $20,000 bed. But it was in a Triangle photoplay, "The House Built Upon Sand." , m New York is to have a new film theater. The Triumph, to cost $300,000 and seat 2800 people. m m 9 Nance O'Neil' has returned to the speaking stage, but this will not inter fere with her picture work. She is working for Frank Powell a Mutual pictures. "Featurettes" is the name of the new Mutual series of short pictures. "Shorty" Hamilton, erstwhile Key- stoner, will be seen in 15 two-reel stories under the title of "Adventures of Shorty Hamilton. Rumor that submarines are in the Pacific causes some uneasiness at the Keystone. Mack Sennett has a com pany en route to India. It Is the plan to stage a new series of Keystone comedies in the pagodas and temples of the most ancient civ ilization in the world. Despite the rumor that there had been a "falling out" between Mary Pickford and her director, Maurice Tourneur, during the making of her second Artcraft picture, "The Pride of the Clan." it seems that their differ ences have been settled and she will allow Mr. Tourneur to direct her next picture. That is. maybe. Irving Cummings. the well-known actor who will appear opposite Vir ginia Pearson in her next William Fox production, was at one time a runner for the Columbia Bank, in New York City. And now Valeska Suratt claims to have the most wonderful bathrobe in America.. What next? ' The Famous Players-Lasky Corpora tion has taken in a number of New York capitalists and increased its cap ital stock to $20,000,000. Mrs. Anna Taliaferro Abell, mother of Mabel and Edith Taliaferro, died in New York recently.. " May Allison, a Georgia girl by birth, made her first public appearance in an opera written by herself, "The Life of Moses," when she was in her early teens. She came to New York to carve out a career for herself and was soon engaged by Henry W. Savage to play the role of Vanity in "Every woman." Other staK-e engagements followed. "David Harum" was the first screen production in which she played. She stars for Yorke-Metro. Rolin S. Sturgeon fought his way into the motion picture world with a pen point. Soon after he left college he wrote a scenario which he sold to a company for the sum of $8, and then prepared another, which he offered to the Vitagraph Company. They gave him $5 and a job on the strength of it From that time on he has been with Vitagraph. rising from the scenario department to the rank of director general of the Western studio. Goldwyn Pictures has secured the services of Robert W. Chambers for its scenario department. This popular au thor will write a series of original scenarios annually for this new con cern. The contract also calls for the picturization of all Chambers stories not hitherto screened. mm You girls who -think it's easy to work In the novies list to one day's pro gramme of Jackie Saunders, the Balboa star: Up at 6 o'clock. Practice on piano till seven, then breakfast and conferences with maids and cook. Drives to studio. Makes up and drives to location. Is shot in eight or 10 scenes, then back to luncheon at 1 o'clock. - Drives to Los Angeles, 25 miles. An hour at the hairdresser's. An hour at the dressmaker's. An hour at the photographer's. A hasty dinner. Drive back to studio. It is now 9 o'clock. Works 'till 11 in indoor studio and home by midnight. Up at 6 o'clock. . . Born, on the Fourth "of July, it is easy to understand George M. Cohen's great patriotism. This also undoubt edly explains his love for fireworks, brass bands and other noise-making mediums. At his new motion-picture studio shortly after he had commenced work on his first photoplay for Art craft. "Broadway Jones." the studio manager, realizing the effect the ham mering of carpenters on adjourning sets usually has upon newcomers, in J quired if the din annoyed him. "Annoy j me?" laughed George M., "I like it. It's j great!" Whereupon he smiled at a fumbling property boy as he dropped a 1 tray of dishes with a crash. The release for March 19th in the Clara Kimball Young Service-World pictures has been christened "The Badge of oharae." This will be .the eighth in this service and "The Badge of Shame" is taken from the play, "The Yellow Passport." In the staging of a realistic battle scene the other day Cecil B. De Mille put "Happy," the Insky demon prop erty man. into uniform, divided the fighting forces into two sides, offered a $50 prize to the victor, appointed three judges and started the conflict. At the conclusion of three minutes the only one left on the field was "Happy." - - Dan F. Whitcomb wirelesses of his trials sleuthing for inspiration for plays for Balboa's baby, Mary Sun shine. Dogs, straying kiddies, squelching parents, burros and bears, skinny sparrows or fat worms, an un reliable steno and a barrel of stand ard authors at his elbow are always dependable in moments of excitement. In view of the release by Pathe last month of the feature photoplay "Kick In." it is interesting to recall that A. H. Woods bought the original play, by Willard Mack, after seeing a 50-word synopsis only. This synopsis was in a telegram, and as Mr. Woods bought the play by wire it is the only instance on record of a play being offered and bought through the medium of teleg raphy alone. Earle Williams, Greater Vitagraph's popular star, has been chosen to play the leading role in "Apartment 29," an original story by Edward J. Montague, wnlch is particularly adapted to Mr. Williams' methods of character por trayal. Paul Scardon will direct this Blue Ribbon feature. Ethel Gray Terry will play opposite Mr. Williams in "Apartment 29." In the supporting cast are Billie Billings. Denton Vale. L. Johnston. V. Stuart. Bernard Seigle, Frank Mason and Tommy Brett. Director Otis Turner persuaded the haughty Santa Fe Railway to loan him an entire Overland Express for the hold-up scene in the George Walsh picture. Three hundred passengers. 100 pieces of baggage. 30 highwaymen and Anna Luther in pajamas and bare feet, put on the peppery "touches" to this exciting Fox melodrama. There is at Incevlllea beautiful castle, in the Balkans, built especially to stage the J. S. Hawks story starring William Desmond, armed with a pencil as an assaulting weapon to rescue Enid Markey. Allan Dwan, who directed Norma Talmadge in her first Selznick-Picture production, "Panthea," became famous through the production of several of Douglas Fairbank s best pictures. It was he who taught the agile Mr. Fair banks many of the athletic stunts that have made him so widely popular. Dwan was an athlete himself, having been, one of the star football players and trackmen of Notre Dame Univers ity, Ind. Rex Beach's stirring story. "The Barrier." with Victor Sutherland In th leading role, is soon to be offered to photoplay fans. The picture is eight reel in lentrt n. m &xm III j " jjl Today at leading Motion Picture Theatres See the first episodes of "The Secret Kingdom THE SUPER -SERIAL OF THE SCREEN Beginning with "The Land of Intrigue" the assas sination of the King and Queen of Alania, the usurpation of the throne by the Prime Minister, and the rescue of. the little Crown Prince by a loyal officer of the palace guard. Picturesque scenes at the Alanian Court conspir ators at work the last ride of the King and Queen in the forests of Alania the daring escape with the rightful heir to America. This is a wonderfully strong and absorbing episode a fitting opening to the most remarkable serial of romantic adventure ever filmed. Story by Louis' Joseph Vance famous -author of adventure stories Stars: Charles Richman, Dorothy Kelly, Arline Pretty popular screen favorities. Produced by the Greater Vitagraph the world's greatest and strongest motion picture organization. See the first episodes of "The Secret Kingdom" at your favorite motion picture theatre today. Read, the story of the succeeding episodes in this newspaper every week.