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THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAN. PORTLAND, JANUARY 9, 1921
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TODAY'S FILM FEATIRES.
Liberty Allan Dwan's "In the
Heart of a Fool."
Columbia Marc MacDermott,
"While New York Sleeps."
Rlvoli William Farnum, "If I
Were King."
Peoples Dorothy Glsh, "Flying
Pat."
Majestic Cullen Landis. "It's a
Great Life."
Star Tom Mix. "The Untamed."
Circle George Melford's "Be
hold My Wife."
Hippodrome Olive Tell.
"Clothes."
Globe Marshall Neilan's "The
River's End."
Today's Music FrafWrs.
Rlvoli Orchestra concert un
der direction of Salvatore
Santaella at 12:30 o'clock.
Liberty Organ concert by Henri
Keates at 12:J0 o'clock.
Majestic Organ concert bv Ce
cil Teague at 1:30 o'clock.
fff-pHE play's the thing."
I So says the Portland motion
picture public If It may be
Judged by interviews with men and
women who expressed their idea of
what constitutes a "good" picture fol
lowing Interviews on the same sub
ject by theater managers in last Sun
day's paper. The are Mrs. Thomas
Sharpe of the University of Oregon
extension school; Mrs. Folger Johnson,
short-story writer and producer of
playlets given in Portland's "Little
Theater"; Mrs. Fletcher Linn, promi
nent church and club worker; Dr.
William Wallace Yuungson, district
Methodist superintendent; Charles F.
Berg, vice-president and manager of
Lennon's; John F. Logan, prominent
attorney, and Coe A. McKenna. well
known real estate man.
Theater managers declared stars
were essential to first-class motion
pictures. Their opinion varied greatly
and while several insisted good stories
were the first essentials, all declared
that the presence of a celebrated ac
tor or actress in the cast had much to
Jo ith success. The men and women
who are in no way financially or pro
fessionally Interested In the cinemr
Industry almost to a person relegated
the star to a minor place of import
ance. Lionel Barrymore's "The Copper
head." a picture which showed at the
Columbia theater over six months ago.
seems to have left an indelible impres
sion on 1'ortiai.d, for nearly everv
man or womau interviewed referred
to it as the ideal picture. Patriot
Ism, human Interest, integrity, loyalty,
unusual dramatic worth and plot
atrength were mentioned as the fac
tors which made toward perfection.
"I go to the theater to be enter
tained." frankly declared Coe A. Mc
Kenna. "1 want to see a good story
enacted and it makes no difference
what kind of a story It may be so
long as it Isn't a melodrama. Who
the actors are makes no difference to
jne if they are well cast and worthy
of their parts. I would much rather
see a good story portrayed by per
sons of whom I have never before
heard than see Mary Pickford in a
long production In which she Is fea
tured In every scene and phase, no
matter what her connection with the
plot.
"These days motion picture theaters
are not entirely dependent on their
screens for their programmes. I can
go to the Liberty theater and enjoy an
evening of music no matter what the
play is. I call a good picture one that
is interesting, even though Its plot Is
simple and. jiuk a scatty little story.
if it ' told with a well-balanced cast.
I cl.Mose my plctuies by reading ad
vance theater notices and by studying
the lobby displays, but I find to my
sorrow that many times the photoplay
titles are most misleading."
A ministerial viewpoint as expressed
by Dr. Youngson was: "A good pic
ture is one. that magnifies the whole
sjeaie in life rather than the salacious
Examples of this type of picture are
"Peaceful Valley." recently shown at
the Liberty theater; "Rebecca of Sun
nybrook Farm" and "The Old Home
stead." I find the personality of an
actress with brains, charm, enthusi
asm and vivacity adds much to the
formula for a worthy photoplay. Sex
Interest I do not believe essential."
"A picture that is clean and whole
some and that does not overdo murder,
sob or soul-mating interest is a good
picture."
So declard Mrs. Thomas Sharpe,
who during recent years has inter
ested herself in social service. She is
!he daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. A.
Morrison of this city.
"One of the finest pictures I have
ever seen was "The Copperhead." star
ring Lionel Barrymore, and 1 think as
a rule plays based on historical facts
make the most fascinating dramas. A
good plot seems essential to me and I
do like women like Norma Talmadge
who are good t look at thrown ii
if possible. Elsie Ferguson adds ma
terially to the pleasure a picture may
have for me, but it seems a shame to
put these stars into vehicles which
are not worthy of their talent, as is
often done."
Mrs. Fletcher Linn, when asked her
Impression of a good picture, declared
that she had seen but four or five In
her lifetime. "I saw Charlie Chaplin
in a picture and Mabel Normand in
Mickey,' and I thought It such a
shame to waste time on ridiculous
incidents which never could happen
in real life. I took a friend to see
"Broken Blossoms," but we made a
mistake in the day and found our
selves watching Mae Marsh in 'Spot
light Sadie,' a truly delightful little
story. It seems to me a good picture
should have a moral, for while a
moral is not absolutely essential, it
certainly does no harm and in many
cases may do material good.
"Use of motion pictures In the First
Presbyterian church has been men
tioned considerably and I believe 'Re
becca of Sunnybrook Farm' was
FILMING OF "INSERT' SHOWN BY STUDIO GROUP.
ua5iiuuaauuuuuB
shown at the Christmas entertain
ment. In the New Era magazine of
the Presbyterian church which I re
ceived only last week was a list of
photoplays which the Rev. John Pat
ten of Post Falls. Idaho, recommended
for church use as potent in evangel-
Ism.
borne. The Little Patriot'; Mar
guerite Clark, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin';
Mary Pickford, 'Rebecca of Sunny
brook Farm'; Bessie Love, Caroline
of the Corners'; Marion Davis, 'Ro
many'; Mae Marsh. 'Polly of the Cir
cus,' 'Sunshine Alley' and The Glo
rious Adventure'; Doris Kenyon 'The
Street of Seven Stars' and Tli the Inn
of the Blue Moon." "
"It's no picture at all if it hasn't
the primitive love Interest" declared
John F. Logan. "It can be any kind
of a love story, but if it is a love
story and detective tale combined
then It Is fine. You couldn't have a
love story without some humor in. it.
With love and humor you can't go
wrong in a first-class motion picture
theater of today, for the Industry has
grown to such an extent and involves
such a magnitude of investment that
a modern theater works out its self
elevation and salvation automatically
at one and the same time. Censorship
is to my mind therefore unnecessar'.
I would say that a good picture may
be forecast, first by the house that
presents it, then by the producer that
made it and then by the story which
it tells."
A logical story, artistically present
ed and forming in all a production as
worth while as an excellent book
that Is the conception Mrs. Folger
Johnson holds of a good picture. Mrs
Johnson has never attempted a sce
nario, but she is the author of several
plays which have been successfully
produced on Portland stages. She
contends that a good motion picture
should have a literary value just as
much as the worth-while drama of the
speaking stage. Mrs. Johnson points
to "The World and His Wife," a re
cent Peoples theater attraction, as a
well-produced photoplay which did
not abuse the screen privilege of
flirting with continuity by jumping
too often from one group of charac
ters to another.
' "I prefer comedy drama on the
screen." said Mrs. Johnson. "Titles of
the modern photoplays often keep me
away and I failed to see Barrie's The
Admirable Crichton' just because It
was named 'Male and Female.' Al
though I prefer comedy drama, I
think the two finest pictures I have
seen were Lionel Barrymore's The
Copperhead' and Humoresque.' "
Good programmes are as essential
Manager Raleigh of the Columbia as
Millers successor. Saso is now In
Los Angeles, trying his hand at the
acting end of the picture game.
J. G. von Berbers Is on his way to
New York, where he will attend a di-
The list reads: Baby Marie os- rectors' meeting of the Associated
T-U T :! l ... . . .. . . T1,
r irst national pictures company, m
ness last week prevented C. S. Jensen
from accompanying his partner on
the trip.
Zedoc Parvin, house superintendent
of the Star theater, handled the man
agerial duties of the house several
days last week while Ralph Wlnsor
was kept home by illness.
A. C. Raleigh,' manager of the
Columbia, who doubles in shears and
paste pot as editor of Screenland
plans to Include a children's page in
the next issue of his publication
Portland mothers will be Invited to
send in pictures of their babies for
use in coming issues.
Salvatore Santella, pianist-conduc
tor of the Rlvoli orchestra, injured
the little finger on his right hand
durinr the rendition of Liszt s Hun
garlan Rhapsody" at last Sunday's
concert. Infection set in and Mr.
Santaella. thoirgh able to direct the
orchestra, was unable to play mm
self. The injured finger was lanced
last Friday and the Rlvoli director
hopes to resume solo playing witntn
a week.
e
Cecil Teaeue. Majestic theater or
ganist, will play the following selec
tions at his regular Sunday concert
today at 1:30 o'clock:
Lorraine March .....Ganne
Old-fahioned Minuet Boctaerrinl
Pique Dame .Suppj
Springtime
Sari
Frledland
Kalman
Cameron Geddes is attracting a lot
of attention these days with his re
markable bass voice at the Liberty.
Mr. Geddes is a second cousin of Sir
Auckland Geddes, British ambassador
to the United States.
The popular soloist started hie ca
reer working in Canadian banks. Be
cause of his singing ability he was
given an opportunity to do concert
work by being transferred for this
purpose from one bank to another.
Then came the war and he enlisted In
the Canadian army. The effects of
gas and pneumonia forced him to
spend about 14 months in army hos
pitals. After nearly three years" er
overseas he was sent to the
as good pictures, according to Charles United States to aid in Pulns
tne lourtn uueny
discharge he lived In South Dakota
for a while, getting back his full
strength. He wandered out to the
Pacific coast and his talent has won
him a home in Portland.
GLADYS GEORGE HOLDING CARD FOR CLOSE-UP.
Whenever during the run of a motion picture one of the charac
ters receives a card or letter of importance in the unfolding of
the plot the Information contained in the bit of paper is flashed
to the audience In enlarged form. The above picture shows the
process by which Lord "Algernon Fits-Jones' calling card or the
letter from wealthy Uncle Fred Is prepared for Its screen appear
ance in the clutch of a giant thumb and finger.
F. Berg. "Just last night I saw
very good programme." he said. "I
saw the Hearst News, which is always
interesting and Instructive. Then
came a Chester Outing picture with
views of Pekin and China showing
temples and street scenes which I
have always longed to visualize. Con
stance Talmadge In 'Dangerous Busi
ness' was the feature, which was
amusing and good. Such pictures as
'Dangerous Business' are very satis
fying, but the finest type of picture is
one like The Copperhead.' which was
not only scenic, good drama, interest
ing and educational, but which taught
a marvelous lesson in patriotism."
Charles Miller, former house super
intendent of the Columbia theater,
will assume new duties today as as
sistant manager of the Rivoll theater
under John Stille. Miller Is a former
student of the University of Oregon
and expected to return there last fill.
His work In Portland has gained him
rapid promotion and he is now on the
road to fulfill his hope of being a the
atrical producer some day.
Andrew Saso, an Italian youth who
used to be a popular figure at the
Columbia theater, la being sought by
Columbia. AH his ushers in the fu
ture must have raven tresses and &
feet inches is the limit in height.
, Fred W. Normand, who has suc
ceeded Melvin G. Winstock as man
ger of Pathe's local film exchange,
has moved his family from Seattle
and has established his home in Port
land. Starting this week he will in
augurate a weekly get-together meet
ing for members of his organization
here. One evening every week all
employes of the exchange will gather
to view the new pictures of the weeit
and to discuss problems of their work.
Bradley H. Fish, western district
manager for Vitagraph, and L. M.
Cobbs, Seattle branch manager, vis
ited the local Vitagraph offices during
the week.
W. A. Baker, exhibitor of Kenne
wick. Wash., passed through Portland
Thursday en route to southern Cali
fornia. Si Danz, owner of the Star and
Sunset theaters of Astoria; K. L.
Burk, who has three theaters In Ba
ker, Or., and W. S. Durham of Camat.
Wash., were among the visitors on
film row during the week.
Advice that should prove useful to
those breaking into the scenario
writing game is given by Robert E
MacAlarny, well-known scenario ed
itor, in an interview for the Film Fo
rum:
"When you write a story for
start, either man or woman, submit
this story only to companies having
stars capable of that particular type
of characterization, ' says Mr. MacAlarny.
"There Is no recipe for shaping a
screen play. Present what you have
to offer either as fiction, in dramatic
play form or in clear, progressive,
working synopsis form. If you use
the latter medium, do not try to
achieve style. As a matter of fact, in
working out a motion picture synop
sis, style, is a handicap rather than a
help. Naturally, however, one must
avoid crudity.
'One thing always to remember Is
never to otter material in continuity
form. By continuity I mean the scene
and title completion which one sees
on the screen when he sits in a mo
tion picture audience. It used to be
the feeling on the part of a good
many writers who would like to have
written for the films that, unless he
could write continuity, there was no
use in making submissions. If such
a time ever existed, it has long since
passed.
"Do not think that what you write
and submit is not carefully read. It
is. It must be. for good motion pic
ture .material is not plentiful enough
to take a chance of missing anything.
"Do not feel hurt because, when
you submit a story which you believe
as good as one written by Cosmo
Hamilton or Irvin Cobb, a motion
picture company choose Hamilton's
or Cobb's instead of yours. That is
simply good business. A name plus
excellence is naturally worth more
than excellence plus no name.
"Do not be prepared to sell your
first 15 or 20 stories at all. You prob
ably won't. All that you are likely
to do through writing them If yo
have the heart and courage is
train youreslf in certain appreciation
of what the screen can nand canno
and will and will not do."
group of four, led by Marc MacDer
mott and Estella Taylor.
The third story of the series Is par
ticularly crammed with excitement
Thn con., . ... laM in tha HmorV Rlir.
roundings of the water front, and tha
plot deals with the love of a factory
girl for a gang leader who Is sought
by the police. A feature of the film
Is a revolver duel on the river between
harbor police and a sang of thieves.
Marc MacDermott contributes a re
markable characterization as a para
lytic whose only mode of expression is
through use of his eyes.
The other two plots tell of a do
mestic near-tragedy and the working
of sirens In the gay white way.
The Columbia picture players fur
nish excellent music for the pro
gramme. A. "Toonervllle Trolley"
comedy is also on the bill.
"CLOTHES" OPEXS AT HIP
VAMP FILM AT LIBERTY
David Brill is whooping things up
for "Outside the Law." the Universal
picture starring Lon Chaney. Priscilla
Dean and Wheeler Oakman, which
Brill believes will knock 'em out of
their seats some day on a Portland
screen. Brill backs his claims with a
sheaf of telegrams from exhibitors in
California who have shown the fea
ture. At the Superba theater in Los
Angeles "Outside the Law" looks good
for a ten weeks' run, according'' to the
Superba manager.
Ben Westland, director of publicity
for Universal's western division, will
leave San Francisco tomorrow for the
northwest to make arrangements for
putting over "Outside the Law. we
plans to visit Medford, Eugene and
Salem and will also 6pend some time
in Portland.
. . .
A. C. Raleigh has drawn up some
specifications which will prevent tall
blondes from, being ushers at the
i Am.
...
Robert E. MfteAlarney, scenario
editor for Paramount pictures,
who offer helpful auffgrstious
to embryo screen writers.
In the Heart of a Fool" Is Staged
in Country Community.
The new programme at the Lib
erty theater opened yesterday with
"In the Heart of a Fool" as the feat
ure attraction.
While' the plot of this splendid
story is full of big dramatic punches
it is laid in most familiar surround
ings and its; characters are accurate
lv drawn fnom life. They are Just
plain, everyday people, such as we
have all come in contact with The
locale is any little city in this coun
try.
But into this peaceful little com
munity comes a vamp the Lorlel the
picture calls her and soon every
body is involved in a series of excit
ing adventures that change their
whole life. And there is tragedy and
thrills aplenty. Tragedy when an
explosion occurs in the local coal
mines and thrills when the hired mob
from a great city visits the place and
attempts to run the hero out of
town.
'In the Heart of a Fool" Is a pic
turlzation of William Allen White's
powerful epic of American life and
many claim that this Is the best work
cf fiction this distinguished author
has ever written.
Henri Keates furnishes his usual
excellent organ concert and accomp
animent. Cameron Geddes and the
popular Liberty trio contribute tht
songs on the bill.
COLUMBIA FEATURE STAYS'
'While Xew York Sleeps Is Thrill
ing Story of Metropolis.
"While New York Sleeps," the thrill
ing story of life in the American
metropolis, has been held over at the
Columbia theater. The picture Is far
different from the average film fea
ture, and an original handling of dra
matic Incidents has made its appeal
strong.
The story Is made up of three short
stories, each depicting a stirring lit
tle drama. The settings of the plots
are in vivid contrast. The first Is
laid in a suburban home of wealth
and refinement, the second along the
glittering path of Broadway, and the
last in the squalid district of New
York's east side. The cast of char
acters for each play is made up of the
same players, and the difficult task
of appearing In three widely different
roles is admirably done by a talented
Dramatic Moments in Society Play,
Which Went Big on Legitimate.
"Clothes," the drama by Avery Hop
wood and Channlng Pollock, made an
Interesting and successful play whan
produced on the stage. Now it is on
the screen.
The screen drama opens a four days'
showing today at the Hippodrome,
with an all-star cast. Including Olive
Tell. Crauford Kent, Cyril Chadwick.
Frank Currier. Zeffie Tillbury, Rae
duction done under the personal super-
dlrector-general.
Miss Tell appears as Olivia Sher
wood, a pleasure-loving, capricious,
reckless young woman who has
known nothing but wealth, and who
is not even permitted to know that
she has been left with only 12000 a
year nothing at all in Olivia's world
until the man who has been ad
vancing her money tells her the
oney was not left her by ner iatner.
but that he had been givins it to
her intending to "buy" her. His
shocking disclosure precipitates a
dramatic disaster.
Crauford Kent plays Richard Bur-
bank, the man she loves. Cyril Chad
wick is Arnold West, the lawyer who
tries to take advantage of Olivia.
Others In the exceptional cast are
Frank Currier, Rae Allen. Zeffie Till
bury and Mary Beaton.
The drama was adapted tor the
screen by Arthur Zellner. M. P. Staul-
cup was responsible for the beautiful
art interiors and Arthur Cadwell de
serves credit for the clean-cut, vivid
photography.
FARXUM COMES TO KIVOLI
Popular Star Will Be Seen in "If
I Were King."
William Farnum, the popular star,
Is seen at the Rlvoli theater In one
of the most stirring roles of his
career. It Is that of Francois Villon,
the famous vagabond In Justin Huntly
McCarthy's book and play "If I Were
King" a role made famous on the
tage by E. H. Sothern.
Mr. Farfnum has given to the screen
many of the most important pictures
hown in the last few years. His
dual role In "A Tale of Two Cities,"
Charles Dickens' famous story. Is still
being shown throughout the United
States and Great Britain and on the
continent. It Is indeed a classic in
motion picture art. Another among
Farnum's Innumerable big pictures
"Les Mlserables," which, like "A
Tale of Two Cities," will be shown
and reshown for years. His "Riders
of the Purple Sage" and his "Rainbot
Trail" drew packed houses wherever
shown.
Other features of the Rlvoli pro
gramme are Fox News, a Mutt and
Concluded oa Par t.