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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (April 10, 1921)
4 TITE SUNDAY OTSTttOXTAtf PORTLAND, ATRTL 10, ltJZl lbmtD - f f ' - OX. l . 1 VTA . - XWK0 II V ( ' 'nsf I. , 2 " - fM AtL'. .I IM 7 Cf-r' 05 i 4 1 if 11 t t -JA iii iiw arm riit'"" 1 iT-irf-ft'e--i rrntiriiri ! imn" mummM TODAY'S FILM FEATURES. Liberty Dorothy Phillips, "Man Woman Marriage." Columbia L) i Weber's "What's Worth Whiie" Rivoli George Arliss, "The . Devil." Majestic Otis Skinner, 'Kis met." People's Eugene CBrlen, "The Wonderful Chance." Star Tom Mix, PrairieTTalls." Circle Thomas Meighan, "The Prince Chap.'' Hippodrome Mary Pickford, "The Love Light." Globe Mali Ion Hamilton, "Half a Chance." , TODAY'S MCSIC FEATURES. Rivoli Orchestra concert, un der direction of Salvatore Santaella at 12:34 o'clock. Liberty Organ concert by Hen ri Keates, nnder auspices of the Portland Press club, at 12:30 o'clock. Majestic Organ concert by Ce cil Teague at 1:30 o'clock. BY DON SKENE. ONE of the most unique and interesting personalities in the moving picture world is visiting here in the person of Signor Luigi Montagna, known to film fans aa 'Bull" Montana, the toughest look ing star in screendom. Just four years ago this week an unexpected twist of fate sent Bull into the movies against his wishes. He bad a job as chauffeur to a pair or truck horses and in the evenings worked as a "bouncer" In a nickel odeon in the New York Bowery that catered to a patronage so hard-boiled that the seats were chained down and the girl at the ticket booth carried a Colt automatic Bull's duties of ousting unruly movie fans required nis strict attention to the audience. and he bad no chance to watch the screen and make the acquaintance of the film players who were later to be his friends and co-workers. Bull's remarkable strength had an other outlet. He became a boxer and wrestler and in the latter role soon gained a reputation amongsport fol lowers in the east. He was training in an uptown gymnasium when Douglas Fairbanks came to New York to start work on a new picture. Fair- tanks Instantly recognized in Bull an extraordinary screen type. A messenger from Fairbanks' head quarters suggested to Montana the possibilities of a creer In the movies. where his unusual appearance, a com bination of the work of nature and the ravages of punishirrent from op ponents in the ring and on the mat, would bring fame and fortune. "Whose thees keed, Doog Fair bank'?" asked the Bull, who knew nothing of the movie world and its celebrities. He was told that Fairbanks was a fellow who drew $5000 or so a week to play before the camera. This satisfied the wrestler, for he now saw that the whole thing was a huge joke. He was finally persuaded to take the matter seriously, and was engaged by Doug to play the crook part in "In Again. Out Again." Bull surprised everyone at the studio by ' proving an apt pupil in the art of ' acting, and took to the new game like a. Norwegian to ice skating. After completing the picture, Doug kept Bull on his staff as a compan ion and trainer, and they went to California, where the fierce-looking, big-hearted Italian won a host of friends and plenty of attractive of fers from other film companies. Bull Montana belies his murderous looks by being off the screen an un assuming, kind-hearted big boy, with a smile and a handshake for every one he meets and a wealth of good nature. He kids himself about his Appearance, and admits that his homely visage i his most valuable, asset. He draws a weekly- salary of $500, and the ante will probably be raised to $1000 a week in his next production. He possesses a remark able pair of cauliflower ears, which he 'declares have a cash value to him of more than $10,000. When Mary Pickford cuts her curls, Doug Fair tanks quits smiling, and Charlie Chaplin throws away his monstrous shoe, then Bull Montana will see about b.wing bis gnarled ears fixed up. Bull Is different from many actors in other ways than looks, for he is rrodeBt to the extreme. And he real izes the type of work he does best and will stick in it. Slapstick comedies may rave about playing "Hamlet, but nothing will make the gorilla of filmdom try to compete with Wallie Read and Tom Meighan in their spe cial fields. The knight of the twisted lobes has two particular hobbies. He loves organ music, his particular prefer ences being grand opera selections and sentimental ballads, which is r.aturaj taste for a son of Italy. Bull loves children, .and the little tots reciprocate by showing intuitively a fondness for this cinema caveman who under the surface is a fun-loving playmate. Bull isn't married yet. al though there is much talk around Los Angeles tea tables about wist ful maidens in southern California und far-away Italy who are watch fully waiting. Stripped of the soft Italian accent which marks the speech of the "Brother Sylves" of the movies, here's a little gossip about picture making activities of Signor Luigi: "My best work, I believe, was in my first picture with Fairbanks. I was working hard to make a living in those days, and I was really tough. I'm too happy now, and it's hard sometimes to look fierce when you really want to laugh. "In the film version of Joseph Con rad s Victory,' they made me go without a shave for eight weeks, an in Three Sevens,' in which I worked with Tony Moreno, they shaved my head with a razor to get a convict effect. "When I played the ape characte In 'Go and Get It,' it took' two men five hours to put. on my make-up. They painted my face and head with glue, and put hair over it. I suf fered most when they pulled the make-up off. It took ten weeks to make the picture, but I did all the work in my part in about five days. My last picture Is Crazy to Marry,' with Fatty . Arbuckle. start out as a convict, and Fatty, as a surgeon, performs an operation which gives me a new brain. I then become a regular 'sissy' with lace collars, knitting needles and a peach complexion. I think it's the funniest thing I ever did." I California, Bull has his particular croSvd of cronies, which he calls the Black Handera club. Bull claims that three of the gang, "Spike" Robin son, "Steve" Dalton and "Crooked Nose" Murphy, are uglier than he is. Ora Markham, well-known Portland VISITING FILM STAR GIVES PHOTOGRAPHER A THRILL. Photo by Markham. "BEAUTIFUL. BULL" MOTAA. photographer who snapped Bull the other day, la probably willing to back Montana against all comers in . a "beauty" contest, however. Bull has never forgiven the bunch for the time when they sent him to a masquerade party wearing a mask over his eyes but destroying all mystery by not covering his ears. Bull got his sobriquet because of his neck, which he encircles with size 22 collar. After meeting Mike Yokel In wrestling bout to be staged by Joe Keig Tuesday night at the armory, Mr. Montana will leave for filmland, where arrangements are pending to star him in a series of pictures. "Behold the . Man," a remarkable motion picture based on the life Christ, was shown at the Helllg the ater Friday afternoon before a rep resentatlve audience invited by Billy Panffle. and received unofficial but enthusiastic indorsement from churc and school workers, business men and women, and members of the press. -Arrangements have been made to Dhow the picture at the municipal auditorium starting - April 24 under the management of Mr. Pangle an Fred Normand, local branch manager of the Pathe company, which pro duced the picture. The story is Impressive and Is based on the narration of the life of the Savior by a mother to her chil dren. The film is. made in natural colors by a newly Invented formula, and has been called by critics in other cities, "The Passion Play of. the Screen." The production has a distinct dra matic appeal beside the strong re llgious message, and the great scenes of Bible history are vividly presented. If the Bhowlng of the picture at the auditorium Is successful, plans may be made to stage a series of screen en tertainments at this civic center. The Liberty theater music contest for a prize of $500- will start today with the Portland Press club sponsor Ing the programme to be played by Henri Keates, popular organist, at 12:30 o clock. ; According to the rules of the com petition, a record of attendance at the theater from In o clock until 1 o clock will be kept. The first plan was to count attendance between 11 o'clock and 12:30 o'clock, but the hour was changed by Mr. Jensen In co-operat Ing with Portland ministers, who sug gested a change because of the con flict with the usual hour of Sunday morning worship. The programme submitted by the Press club for the opening day con lists of a medley .of Sousa's marches, ncluding "Stars and Stripes For ever"; selections from "The Chocolate Soldier,"- featuring the hero song; the overture of "Zampa," and a medley of old-time favorites Including "Annie Laurie," "Annie Rooney, " "Sweet Alice Ben Bolt," and "When You and I Were Young, Maggie." The scribes wlil be aided in their efforts for the prize because of. the feature picture today. "Man-Woman-- Marriage, a spectacular production which should draw well... The city council hearing on the proposed amendments to -the motion picture ordinance, scheduled for last Friday morning, was postponed a week because of the community chest drive, which has required the atten tion of city officials and leading fig ures in the ordinance discussion. The hearing has now been post poned three times for various reasons, but the temporary censorship board is functioning capably during the wait for a permanent settlement of the question. What may be a solution to the prob lem of what to do with used safety razor- blades has been discovered by W. Teufel, manager of the Peoples theater and inventor of the "Teufel Cutter." Mr. Teufel has fashioned a handy evice for cutting materials, using a light aluminum handle and an old azor blade. Only one corner of the i rvv 7 i i iy , i win a I :.. Si- i' V illS 1 t I : J - ill! XsN It a-n W ivwj W -k 1 :&X;M "rrr, 1 .rcs7 sz-om rz7?i- 2js VJys blade is used, and when it becomes too dull for service it may be de tached and one of the other three corners used. The device is being employed by film men to cut out card board lobby designs and photographs, but it would be useful to men cutting rubber patches or other materials. There may be a fortune in the "Teufel Cutter." Remember that everyone laughed at the idea of a telephone and an aeroplane. ' . Ralph Pielow replaced I. C. Chand ler last week as manager of the local Hodkinson film exchange. The new manager is well-known in the west ern territory, having worked for Robertson-Cole in Seattle and the Pathe office in San Francisco. "Exploitation is the most Import ant thing in the management of mov ing picture theaters now, and we will make every effort to co-operate with exhibitors in putting forward the ex hibition value of a production in the most efficient way, saia jvir. fieiow in discussing his plans. The firm of vogel and Meehan re cently took over distribution of Hod kinson features for 17 western and PORTLAND GIRL HERB Off VACATION FJIOM FILM WORK. V''" ' ' iiX" 4- $ Photo by Markham. Mlaa Nell Franaen. An interesting visitor in Port-., land is Miss Nell Franzen, who is taking a vacation after six years' steady work in pictures in Los Angeles. Miss Fransen is a Portland girl and formerly appeared w'tu the Baker stock. She is visiting her father, N. J. Franzen, ani is a guest in the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Kavanaugh, 321 East 10th street north. Durkijr the war Miss Franzen appeared with Mrs. Tyrone Power in entertain ments for the soldiers and vis ited nearly ail the camps. She will return in a fortnight to Coronado, where her mother and sister live. The trip down will be made by automobile, in company with Neva Gerber, -who Is playing lead with the Berivllla company. Miss Gerber is driving to Portland and the two girls win return together in Miss .Gerber's car. southern states. 'The Man of the Forest," by Zane Grey. "A Certain Rich Man," by Stewart Edward White, and "East Lynne" are the big pictures which Mr. Pielow will bo&k in Oregon. A telegram from Paul JJoble, man ager of the Liberty, was received Thursday morning by Ralph Winsor. The message was sent from Bakers- field, Cal., and states that the r.ot!e party had arrived at that point in their automobile dash to Los Angeles after 34 hours, S minutes. Of actual driving time, showing that the speed king of Portland's film tqw Is keep ing up his record as a road burner. The Motion Picture league of Ore gon at the regular meeting Thursday noon voted to join the Oregon btate Chamber of Commerce. The film men will also donate to the fund being raised to send Frank Branch Riley cast to carry the message of the beauty of nature In the Pacific northwest. Members of the league agreed not to buy or contract for any film that had not been viewed and passed by the local board of censorship. This action will make it necessary for film exchange men to handle the mat ter of censorship entirely. Gladys Walton, ex-LIneoln high school student and now a famous movie star, may visit Portland this summer, according to an -announcement by Manager Ely of the Hippo drome theater. Miss Walton's friends have been urging her to come here for the Rose Festival, and say she has promised to do so if she can get away. As the result of a canvass made by Geonge Loane Tucker, famous direc tor, it is learned that more than 6000 American and Canadian churches are now equipped .with projection ma chines and are showing moving pic tures to their congregations. Scenario writers of Columbia uni versity in New York call themselves cinema composers. This is along the line of ushers being called "re ception secretaries" and press agents styling themselves "directors of ex ploitation." Julius Sax and Sons, owners of the New Grand and Princess theaters, have purchased a site on the corner of Third and Ankeny streets and will erect an 800-seat picture theater there. The firm has also purchased a location in Vancouver, Wash. Cecil Teague, manager of the Ma- je tic theater organ, will play the following programme at his usual Sunday concert today: "Standard Bearer" (Farbach), "Narcissus" (Ne vin), "Metropolitan Echoes," arranged by C T.; up-to-the-minute hits: Home Again Blues." "My Mammy, "Honolulu Eyes," "Wyoming," "Becky from Babylon," "Kentucky Blues." A clarinet solo "Serenade," by M. Moszkowski and played by W. Skin ner, member of the Rivoli orchestra, will be a feature of the noon concert today at the Rivoli. Salvatore San taella, the conductor, has prepared a programme of varied interest, which is as follows: Fantasia Maritana V. Wallace), scenes plttoresques "No. IV FeHe Boheme" (J. Massenet), Belection from "Going Up" (Louis A. Hirsch), waits "Jolly Fellows" (R. Vollstedt), request: overture, "Ital ians in Algeria" (G. Rossini). The concert number during this week, played afternoons and evenings, will be a selection from "Going Up" (Louis A. Hlrsch). e Salvatore Santaella. the pianist and conductor at the Rivoli theater, will hold the stage alone tomorrow eve ning in a special piano recital which will start at 9 o'clock. He has writ ten a transcription In classic for the popular piece "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," which Is on the pro gramme. Another of his composi tions. "Apassionato," also will be played. The balance of the programme rollo-.vs: "Concerto for Piano in D Fiat" by F. Liszt. "Air De Ballet" and "Scarf Dance" by C. Chaminade and "Etude do Concert" by Edward AlacDowell. Mr. Santaella has played hi transcription for "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" for records on tho Amplco piano which has had wide sale throughout the United States. COLOIBIA GETS NEW STAR Claire Windsor, In "What's Worth While," Is Today's Attraction. Lois Webster's latest production, "What's Worth While?" is tho feature at the Columbia. The Plot centers on Phoebe Jav Morrison, a blue-blooded aristocratic southern girl who has been taught never In WAri heneath her snr-fnl Rta. tion. She falls In love with "Squire" Elton, a commoner who is Interested with hep father In rlrh nil well In the She ha1, fnllen In Inva -AL-ltt. hiu photograph and she wil! not rest un- til she sees the original of the picture. She persuades her father to take her west on a business trip, and on meeting Elton her love Increases by li-aps and bounds. He Is a practical, honest man's man, who tells her that he loves her too much to impose him self upon her as her hunband. He goes abroad and returns in two years a polished, educated guntleman. Then Phoebe finds herself in a quanilary nnd unexpected problems, with which most women are familiar, face her. How she overcomes them and Amis happiness makes an interesting finish. Claire Windsor plays tho lesillng feminine role 'n "Whnt's Worth While?" Miss Windsor Is a "recent discovery" of Louis Webor. who se lected her to play tho leading wom an's role In her first Independent pro. duction, "To Please One Woman." Miss Windsor's success In this pro duction was such that Miss Weber selected her to play the feminine lead In "What's Worth While?" The Columbia picture players fur nish the feature with an intelligent musical accompaniment. GlvOKGE ARLISS Is AT IMVOLI Actor Makes Screen Debut in "The Devil," Tilting; Part of Villain. Geora-e Arliss, marking his screen debut in "The Uevll," showing at the Rivoli theater, takes Into his hand the destinies of an artist, a model, a banker and his wife. He has marked these people for his own kingdom of misery. Out of their truth and good ness he would create evil. But, that truth can, and does, overcome evil Is one of the points of interest in this photoplay triumph. Men and women were merely pup- (Cuno: tl-d on Patt .V GLOBE 11th and iWashin'ton "Half a Chance" Mahlon Hamilton Come! Now Playing ALSO MONDAY Open from 9 o'clock in the morning: until 4 o'clock the follow ing morning. Prince hap WITH THOMAS MEIGHAN, LILA LEE AND KATHLYN WILLIAMS A "Bohemian" romance of a sculptor's love. With fascinating studio scenes and lovely artists' models. MUTT AND JEFF AND PATHE NEWS A Chaperon Usher IXIIKITX. HKNTI.V OPfcltATKl) Always in Attendance.