1-
y
TODAY'S FILM FEATURES.
Sunset Bessie Barriscale and
Charles Ray. "Plain Jane."
Peoples Carlyle Blackwell and
June Elvidge, "The Page Mys
tery." Star George M. Cohan, "Broad
way Jones."
Majestic Alice Joyce and Harry
Morey, "Her Secret."
Columbia George Beban, A
Roadside Impresario."
Globe Valeska Suratt, "The New
York Peacock."
THE American people are going to
see better photoplays than have
ever been known before during
the coming year, according to Charles
"V. Meighan, manager of the People's
Amusement Company, and president of
The Motion Picture Exhibitors League
of Oregon, who returned last week
from a flying trip to Chicago, "Wash
ington. D. G, and New York City.
"The heart of the film industry Is.
of course. New York." says Mr. Meig
han. "and in New York the tendencj
among all the biggest men of the in
dustry is noticeably toward Improving
quality and reducing quantity. Public
taste has constantly, been demanding
cleaner and better productions. The
trend is away from big spectacles and
the story is becoming the thing. Costa,
of production of pictures have been
mounting, and the public demand fot
star, story and production is greater
than It ever has been. As a natural
result, there is now apparent a
stronger battle for perfection than at
any other time In the history of the
Industry.
"The old programme system has
given way almost entirely, and by -next
Kali practically everything- will be
open booking, which means that every
production will be sold on Its merits
to the exhibitor, and the exhibitoi
naturally will buy only what the pub
lio wants to see. This means that the
public will be protected by alert houses
from mediocre or inferior pictures
hlch a year or two ago they werr
often compelled to show because to
get anything good the exhibitor had
to purchase a company's entire output.
"No one in New York looks forward
to a slump In the theater business, due
to the war. On the contrary. Mr. Fox,
Mr. Irwin, the head of Vltagraph: Mr.
Greene, the president of Artcraf t-Para-mount,
and several others of the big
gest figures In fllmdom are sincerely
devoting their "energies toward the aid
of the Government in every way. Mr.
Berst. of Pathe. the day I was . in his
office, was completing arrangements
with the "War Department and the Sec
retary of the Treasury and with the
Red Cross to render valuable assistance
to Uncle Sam. and this spirit Is In evi
dence throughout the Industry. Next
to the press, the motion picture has
been credited already with having
done more toward the education of the
millions in- America to the country's
war needs than any other single force."
.
As long as handsome film matinee
Idols insist on getting married, Ju8t so
long will there be work for the divorce
courts. Read on:
Carlyle Blackwell, the "Romeo of the
Screen," must pay his wife. Mrs. Ruth
H. Blackwell. J110 a week pending trial
of her separation suit. Also, out of the
$26,000 a. year, which Blackwell admits
he receives as film lover and hero, he
must pay $1000 to his wife's counsel as
fees.
"As he was the 'Romeo of the Screen,'
It was difficult for him to assume the
humdrum of a husband," said Mrs.
Blackwell. who alleges cruelty and neg
lect in her suit for lgal separation.
In studio terms, their failure to agree
might be ascribed to "temperament."
...
If you want to train for motion pic
tures. Join a musical comedy chorus.
This Is the startling advice of Olive
Thomas, who has joined the Triangle
forces, and now declares that no ex
perience on earth is as -aluable for the
silent drama as that of the chorus girl.
"Because." elucidates this former
Zlegfeld favorite, "no vehicle on earth
offers the action that the musical com
edy does, and action Is the soul of mo
tion pictures. The chorus girl is the
most active creature on earth next to
the moving picture actress. She is kept
on the hop, skip and jump continually.
"Life is nothing but one mad dash
after the other. First she appears as
a Jaunty little Jockey girl, then she
tears to the dressing-room and re
appears as. oh, anything from a rain
bow to a dragon-fly. Meanwhile, she
sings and dances and smiles, and ges
ticulates every minute, for just let her
stop once and she's fired. There's
nothing slow about the motion picture,
either, I have found out, so I say that
the chorus is the very place for the
young film aspirant."
"The Barrier," a 10-reel plcturlzation
of the famous Rex Beach novel, and a
photoplay that ranks among the sea
eon's noteworthy contributions of the
silent drama, comes to Portland this
week, opening a limited engagement
at the Peoples Theater on Saturday.
It is evident that the statement made
by the National Board of Censors that
they could not suggest a single change
in picture or titles and that they rec
ommend "The Barrier" highly as a
play for young persons and children.
haB had its effect in other cities, where
every performance, particularly the
matinees, have been well patronized
by young folks. .
"The Barrier" has developed at least
four stars. Miss Mabel Juliene Scott,
who so admirably portray the dual
roles of Merridy and Necia; Mitchell
Lewis, whose Poleon is Manstleldian in
Its charm: Edward Rosemao, whose
villain is all that could be desired by
the most enthsiastic gallery occupant,
where villains are made or wrecked,
and Rnsse-ll Simpson, whose portrayal
of John Gaylord, the carefree young
Drama
Oil
r
v.
car 1z.ojo2&s
prospector, who gave his love to the
little school teacher, and later as the
grizzled storekeeper, who gave Necia
a ' father's protection, la a wonderful
achievement.
The photoplay version of Rex Beach's
thrilling story, strong as are the sit
uations in the book itself, baa been ac
corded the added value of having the
author give it his personal attention
and supervision. Mr. Beach gave his
personal supervision to "The Barrier,"
co-operating fully with Director Edgar
Lewis throughout the entire produc
tion. -
Following are the confessed youth
ful ambitions of the Foxfllm comedy
players:
Mae Busch To play in' Shakespeare.
Rena Rogers Expert stage coach
driver.
Violet Eddy High diver.
Tom Mix A ballplayer.
Hank Mann An ambulance driver,
Sid Jordan J world-renowned au
thor. Pat Chrlsman .-A book salesman.
Peggy Prevost; To own a 640-acre
farm.
George M. Cohan's love for the Amer
ican flag, as set forth, in numerous
songs and plays, is not professional.
Even, today he possesses ail the pa
triotism of a small boy and is intensely
American in his sentiments. In addi
tion to his many other achievements,
George M. is often referred to as "the
best press agent for the American flag"
the country has ever known. Not satis
fled with being the most popular actor-author-producer
connected with the
stage, he has invaded the field of mo
tion pictures.
When Mrr Cohan announced several
years ago "Broadway JoneB." a play
minus his singing and dancing. yes,
even without an American flag, various
doubtful ones wondered if it would go
over with the public Some of the
more bold acquaintances approached
him on the matter, but George M. had
decided to put his best efforts into
something different. The result is a
matter of theatrical history and "Broad
way Jones" was conceded by every New
York critic the biggest hit of the sea
son. And so, with this same determina
tion and energy he has finally entered
the motion picture fold and that ha has
already added thousands of new ad
mirers to his immense following can
easily be understood.
"Walter E. Greene- president of the
Artcraft Pictures Corporation, last
week announced that the next Mary
Pickford picture. "The Little Ameri
can," will be released on July 4. It
wasdeclded to show the production
throughout the country commencing
Independence day, in that fit presents
"America's Sweetheart" in a powerful
patriotic appeal, making a "most fit
ting offering on this day.
For the first time In many, months,
"Little Mary" will be seen in this
picture as a grown-up American girl
in, modern' gowns. In order to secure
her wardrobe for these scenes. Miss
Pickford crossed the country from Los
Angeles to New York. -
As a young society girl of America
in the play, she is caught in the terri
ble tide of the German invasion of
France. Many thrilling scenes of a
spectacular nature are promised un
der the direction of Cecil B. DeMllle,
producer of "Joan, the Woman," and
it is readily felt that as a popular
success, this picture will prove Mary's
greatest achievement on the screen.
Few things rouse Shirley Mason, the
McClure star, to anger. But there is
one sure-fire method for stirring her
to wrathful outbursts. It is this:
Tell her that you have a friend who
Is a lip-reader, who has noticed that
motion-picture actors, while making a
scene, often speak lines that have noth
ing whatever to do with the action.
Recently she noticed a story in which
the author was attempting to "expose"
motion-picture making.
According to the tale, a lip-reader at
a film show noticed That when a father
was supposed to be driving his erring
daughter out of the house, he really
spoke thus:
"Hurry up, Nellie, and finish the
scene. I'm getting hungry. By the way
did you have a good time at the film
ball last night? You looked great."
To which 'the erring daughter, ac
cording to the lip-reader, replied:
"Sure, we had a great time. You
should have been there. We all stayed
until daylight."
And so the daughter was thrust Into
the snow!
"It would be utterly Impossible for
actors to speak such lines while they
were going through tragic action,'
Shirley Mason says, indignantly. Mo
tion picture acting is no joke and the
players must live tneir parts. They
must use the lines that help them por
tray the necessary emotion. And they
do. No director would permit any
other sort of work.
"Some actors mumble 'so-and-so and
so-and-so' over and over again while
acting their parts, but most directors
have stopped that and make the players
speak real, pertinent words for the sim
ple reason that by such means the act
ing is improved.
"Nothing makes me so Indignant as
to hear that some person who pretends
to know lip-reading tell his friends
"what the film actors really say.
From Chicago comes this:
For the first time in the history of
the motion picture and motion picture
conventions, we now have a motion
picture advance agent- This idea was
created by J. A. Berst and C R. Seelye.
of the Pathe Exchange, Inc. This ad
vance agent represents the Pathe Com
pany, its several different stars and
collaborators, and it is his duty to make
the following arrangements for such
stars:"
Make proper hotel accommodations
and rates.
Arrange for publicity so that each
and every star will be thoroughly sat-
THE SUNDAY
rv
V".
-
"7
isfled and have no complaints (this is
the largest task).
Arrange for social events for the
stars during their stay in the city
while the convention is on.
Arrange proper transportation fa
cilities for their baggage to and from
the depots and hotels.
Arrange for special nights to be
given at the largest hotel roof gardens
la the city.
Arrange with the chefs of the largest
hotels to originate and name after the
stars some delectable dish.
Arrange with the management of
country clubs to have special evenings
for tbe stars after tneir performances
at the convention.
Arrange with the different clubs to
extend stars their courtesies while
they are in the city.
Arrange transportation. drawing
rooms, etc., for the stars back to their
respective homes and studios.
The agent who has all this to do is
in the city now.
His name is Tom North, formerly
well-known Seattle exchange manager.
-
The Vltagraph publicity department
must stand for this one:
Harry Morey last week received a
letter from a woman l California who
had been to see "Within the Law." She
wrote:
"Dear Mr. Morey You look and re
mind me so much of my dear dead
husband that I must see you. I do
not ask to meet you, but couldn't you
I" :-. ' ' - ' . - ix;" r A ,,.
"Lets
All Be
Americans
Mow
The very latest
thing in the film
world !
A special photoplay
-production based on
the popular song
and accompanied
by a splendid vocal
rendering.
OREGOXIAN, .PORTLAND,
22
. f r 1 7 1
A
make an appointment to be at a cer
tain place, at a certain time some day,
so that I could walk past and loow
at youT"
Morey Is perfectly willing to let
the lady have a look, but he Is so busy
maklng scenes for the new Vitagraph
blue ribbon feature.- "Richard the
Brazen." at Brooklyn, that he finds it
Impossible to go to California. How
ever, he win go part of the way and
if the lady wants to make an appoint
ment for Albany or some other place
In the West, he will be glad to accom
modate her.
FILM STORY SHOWS MYSTERIES
Strange Events Follow Rapidly in
Peoples Offering.
Taken from the well-known novel by
Frank R. Adams entitled "Who Is Syl
via?" the newest World picture. Brady
made, which bears the title of "The
Page Mystery." and featuring Carlyle
Blackwell and June Elvldge, comes to
the Peoples' Theater today. The per
sonal appearance of Myrtle Stedman,
popular star, on a tour of the 'coun
try, and the third of the "Lonesome
Luke" comedies, a twb-reeler, said to
be even better than its funny prede
cessors, will be another entertainment
number.
There is more than one mystery in
"The Page Mystery."
The first one that develops Is when
L
and
in
t ' r
' i : m "-V
r S"?
R
JUNE 24, 1917.
1
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5" 2"r vs- xa
Alan Winthrop stops a beautifu1gtrl
just as she Is about to commit suicide.
This girl refuses to reveal her Identity
or to tell him why she wished to take
her life. Long secures a position for
her as housekeeper at Sylvia lodge,
where he is employed as caretaker.
There another mystery develops.
While cleaning up the lodge prepar
atory to the arrival of the owner.
Colonel Page, and hi house party.
Winthrop 'chances upon a mysterious
secret bedroom. What is the reason for
the presence of this room in the house?
What secret does it hold?
All of these mysteries are solved in
a strange and startling manner when
the house party arrives. Carlyle Black
well is seen in this new World picture
In the role of Alan Winthrop, June El
vidge appeers as the mysterious girl
who tried to commit suicide, Arthur
Ashley takes the part of Colonel Page.
Assisting these film favorites is a
splendid cast of players.
Many of the scenes were laid In the
Adirondack Mountains, where the com
pany went in the dead of Winter, and
these snow scenes are said to be of
wonderful beauty.
"BROAD WAV JOXES" IS HERE
George 31. Cohan I Featured In
Film at Star.
"Broadway Jones." that highly suc
cessful plfturizntlon Of the George M.
. jL;-
THE BIGGEST SHOW WE HAVE EVER OFFERED!
essie
arriscale
Charles
ay
'Plain W
From rags to riches, vnth
humorous variations. An
exceptionally good comedy
drama, rated among the
best work of these two pop
ular stars.
begins today
for four days only
. ...
r.
Cohan stage hit. with the Inimitable
Tankee Doodle- Boy" in the title role,
win be presented to the Portland pub
lic at the Star Theater today.
"Broadway Jones" is George M. Co
han's first motion picture. Its treat
ment at the hands of the public la evi
denced by the news of "a week or two
ago that Cohan had started filming an
other of his big stage hits. "Seven Keys
to Baldpate." Had Cohan s initial film
venture "filvvered." the Ulent drama
would have known him no more.
The Cohan personality, the zip and
the "pep" that "put over" the actor
and his plays on the stage, are much
In evidence In "Broadway Jones." The
comedy of the play has been well pre
served, clever sub-titles contributing
to its charm. The former vaudevlllian.
songwriter, actor, playwright and pro
ducer is assisted by a capable cast, in
cluding Marguerite Snow, knownto
admiring fandom as "Peggjr" Snow.
The story of "Broadway Jones" has
to -do with a country, youth, member of
a gum-manufaoturing family. He longs
for the blrght lights of Broadway and
while he has never btM . within the
confines of Manhattan, talks so inces
santly of New York that he is called
"Broadway" Jones. - He tries to inject
a little new life into the gum Industry,
but his uncle. In charge of the plant,
refuses to Introduce some advertising
innovations. So young Jones cashes In
on his dad'a share of the business and
leaves his uncle's stenographer and his
MACK
SENNETT ,
KEYSTONE
Slim
Summer
ville ' -in
"Villa
or
the
Movies
. V-X-v . ' is,' ' ill
i'
famji.sit
A -
.Y
youth's sweetheart for i
bright lights.
In New York he sets a fast pac4
burning up his money with lavish C.ri
ners and entertainments, and is final:
confronted with bankruptcy. He
ready to wed a rich widow in order i
inflate his bank roll, when the dea
of his uncle takes him home. First r
would sell out to the trust, but
winds up by escaping the widow wh
weds his valet), bidding defiance to v.
trust in the interests of his townspt
pie and marrying the girl he left bac
home.
"HER SECRET" IS AT SIAJESTI
Fate's Harsh Treatment of Conntr
Girl Is Headliner Today.
Alice Joyce and Harry Morey. th--
popular Vitagraph team, will headllr
today's Majestic Theater programtr.
They appear In "Her Secret, a phot"!
tale or modern life, depicting fate
harsh treatment of an innocent cou:
try girl, and showing how her par
which she thought hidden from ever
one. rises to threaten her chance
nappiness. a roxiilm comedy ar
Hearst-Pathe News. Including late
war scenes, are also to be shown.
Miss Joyce is cast as Clara Westo
a country school teacher and daughtf
of a minister, in "Her Secret. She
ceives a call to New York to accept
position as secretary. She misses
train and Is compelled to remain ove
night at a rude small-town hotel,
party of Eastern engineers arrive fro
work in the mountains and the youtH
plunge into the diversions of the towr.
dancehall. Rex Fenton, of the part
pays attention to Dazy, a dancer. 1
get rid of him, later on, she gives hi
a number at random as that of h
room. Befuddled with drink. Fent.
afterwards looks for the dancer, and ;
the story works out Clara Weston b
comes an accidental victim of clrcur
stances. Next morning she goes on h.
way with a broken heart, while Fentol
awakes with only a dim idea of wh
occurred the night before.
Clara Is forced to give up her job
the Bast and retires to a small tow
where her secret is guarded by I
Howard, who sympathizes with h'
Later Dr. Howard secures a poslti
for her as secretary to a business m
and she leaves her child behind in
nurse's care. Her employer falls
love with her and she marries h:
without revealing the past. Her ha
plness Is complete when she preva:
upon her husband to adopt her cht
Several years later the husband fin
letters from Dr. Howard that disclo
Clara's motherhood and he Immediate
leaps at the Idea that Howard is t:
man to blame. The husband, who is :
other than Fenton. is brought to a r
allzation that he Is the father of t
child. He begs forgiveness for the di
aster he brought upon Clara, and t
story ends in her complete vindlcati
and final peace of mind.
MISS BARRISCALE AT STTXSII
Romance of College- Life to For
Picture Story Today.
"Plain Jane." a photoplay from t
Triangle studios, introduoes Best
Bafritiuale. now the head Of her o-
company, and Charles Ray. one of t
most popular of screen Juveniles, in
comedy drama of college life at t
Sunset Theater. A programme no
elty will be the screening of the fir
(Oonoludsd on Para 5, Column l.k
Added
Attraction
Mon Tttes.,
Wed. Only
ALASKA
in person,
with his mo
tion pictures
of the wilds
of Alaska.
Only pic
tures in ex
istence of the
famous coal
and gold
mines.