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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 8, 1922)
4 THE SUNDAY OREGOSTAX,' PORTLAND, OCTOBER 8, 1922 NAZIMOVA QUITS PICTURES TO RETURN TO LEGITIMATE Movement Stageward Does Not Indicate Abandonment of Screen, According to Announcement by Temperamental Russian Star. M ADA HI', MADAME NAZIMOVA and her husband and director, Charles Bryant, are preparing for their trip east. All arrangements for the release and distribution of their production of "Salome" have been made and Mr. Bryant's pres ence in New York ia partly for the purpose of closing these negotia tions wfth his signature. Immediate plans of Madame Nazi mova contemplate a season on the stage. She has selected the play and it will be given a Broadway premiere. Madame Nazlmova is highly enthusiastic over the drama that will be the vehicle of her re turn to the articulate stage and both she and her husband believe It provides her with one of the most powerful roles of her career. The Russian star was reluctant to abandon search for a suitable Amer ican drama, as she had hoped to stage her comeback In a play by "THE DANGEROUS AGE" HITS SQUARELY FROM SHOULDER Essentially Entertaining but Nevertheless Sounding Strong Warn ing, Production Gives Spectators Something to Think About. HAT is the dangerous age? Is it a certain period of a man's or woman's life? Or the crisis of a combination of cir cumstances T Or la It spring left to work Its magic at will? The answer to these queries can be found in Louis s. Mayer's pro duction, "The Dangerous Age," an attraction that promises to be one of the most-talked-of releases the screen has ever known, Wearing a cloak In which drama and humor are carefully inter woven and crowned with a warn ing that will resound throughout the country before the picture's run Is over, the theme of "The Dan gerous Age" deals forcefully and directly with the greatest domestic problem of the present generation. Some, naturally, will not agree with the author and director on the trend of the story, but we venture to say that 99 out of 100 people who see the production will leave the theater with something to think about in addition to the satisfaction of having viewed a real picture. There is nothing of the namby pamby in "The Dangerous Age." It Is intensely human in Its character portrayal and its situations and the action moves with gratifying con sistency light from the opening of the play. The plot gets under way without formality and there is something happening every second up to the word "Finis." Thrills, surprises, comedy touches and near traglo events all have parts in the unfolding of the story with a strong heart interest element as the dom inating factor. Tears mingle with laughter as the theme deftly builds up to a climax that successfully tops off the suspense and drama preceding it. "The Dangerous Age" is essen tially entertainment,, but through its Interpretation it delivers a mes sage that all mothers and daugh ters especially will find of great Interest. ; Mae Murray, Robert Z. Leonard, her director, and a technical staff has left New York for Hollywood, where the Metro star's next picture, "Coronation," will be made. Need of studio room more ample than that provided by any eastern motion picture plant is one deter mining reason for the transference of Mae Murray's production activ ties to the west coast. The picture will be made partly in California and partly in Europe. At the same time it was made publio that the recent Broadway success, "The French Doll," has been purchased for later production by the star. Other Durdens than that of re sponsibility are borne on the shoul ders of royalty, Bull Montana dis covered this week, while enacting the title role of his newest Hunt Stromberg producton. a comedy called "A Punctured Prince." The regal attire worn by Bull, Including shoes and medals, weighs 65 pounds. Shouldering a gun while in the army, Montana declared, was child's play beside work as a prince before the Metro camera. The temperature was close to 100 and Bull's eyes grew wistful in reminiscence of the old days when he commanded an ic9 wagon In New York. "It wasn't a had job." he said. Wallace Reid In his make-up as a returned soldier for William De Mllle's production, "Clarence." a Paramount picture, is strikingly dif ferent from the Wally the public knows so well. It's all in the clothes and the slight alteration of make up, principally a big pair of horn rimmed spectacles. Elsie Ferguson and the company making "Outcast." a FaJimount S mm- 4 NAZIMOVA. a native author, .but while several fine plays were submitted none was deemed suitable for her purposes and the result is that Broadway will see Madame Nazimova in a work by a Hungarian author, deal ing mainly with Parisian life, all rights to which Mr. Bryant has acq aired. l.adame Nazimova emphatically deries that this move stagewards Indicates an abandonment of the screen. On thai contrary, she has already made selection of her next film play, production of which will be contingent on the run of her dramatic offering, which, after the New York premiere, will probably be taken to the principal cities of the United States. "The World's Illusion" will supply Madame Nazi mova with her next screen creation and after that there will be others, for she has made choice of several stories susceptible of screen in terpretation. picture, filmed seaplane scenes In Larchmont bay last week. Miss Ferguson was rescued from ' the water by David Powell and carried to safety in the seaplane. Director Chet Withey and Ernest HaUer, cameraman, rode in the plane from the Columbia Yacht club on the Hudson river to Larchmont. The black eye worn by Viola Dana throughout a large part of "June Madness" was a work of art in the opinion of Director Harry Beaumont and of all who viewed it. Incident ally, this eye gave Bull Montana his first opportunity vto direct, and likewise proved his claim to "the only caveman in captivity." It was necessary that, while walk ing sedately down the aisle of a fashionable church, leading to the UioiTVenlioiiaf''hoisr f , it ... . , ; ! fi ; r 1 fi - . -if" v.', " 1 Wanda Hawlrr. of the few professional women to work under but band's name Star haa two hobbles, dogs and music. I N one of those large houses up the hillside overlooking Holly wood, California; where they have plenty of porch room, expanse of grass, and trees with shrubbery scattered around, there live Mr. and Mrs. A. Burton Hawley. Their ad dress Is 7033 Lanewood. Allen Burton Hawley Is a good looking young Hollywood business man. well liked by his associates. and excellent host. But Mrs. Haw ley well, quite some apace has been devoted to her in newspapers and magazines these last few years. Adjectives are always used plenti fully in describing her peaches and cream complexion, hair like spun gold that white kind of gold that resembles platinum; dimples, pi quant charm. Most moving picture fans have read them over and over again. Tes, It's Wanda we are talk ing about.' She is one of those few profes sional women who use their hus band's name. Probably this is due to the fact that he introduced him self and a little romance Into her life back in the period when she waa studying music in Brooklyn before she had ever thought of going into motion pictures. Anyway, Wanda altar, Miss Dana should trip and, I falling against the lower part of a pew, sailer a blow on her right eye. In order to have everything tech nically right, Mr. Beaumont decided to cill in an expert. He summoned Bull Montana from an adjoining stage and, with delicate artistry, the black eye waa made. Educational has taken over the distribution of Tony Sarg's Almanac, the single-reel comic subject that has already proved such a popular favorite all over the country. "The First Barber," the first of the new series for Educational, which has Just been released, begins a group of 12 of these novel shadowgraph pic tures to be seen during the season lust begun. Mr. Sarg has been known for years as one ol the country's leading magazine artists, and has also be come famous for his marionettes. The collection, study and invention of toys has always been a hobby with him. In his study of the toys of various nations, Mr. Sarg became Interested In the old shadowgraphs of China, which were in vogue in that land centuries ago, and which Mr. Sarg considers the first approach to the present.-day motion picture. From the idea on which the .old shadowgraph was based, Mr. Sarg has built up his Almanac. Players Prove Healthiest, Says Insurance Report. Rank Hick Both In Mental and . Physical Condition, Aver Ex perts. MOTION picture players are the healthiest of all workers, says a recent report of the vital statistics bureau of the associated insurance committee after a year's investiga tion. As important features that bring about this condition, the -report an nounces that the majority of per sons engaged in picture making are young in years and that they work in the open air. much of the time. Furthermore there is much actual physical exercise involved in the work which forces the players to breathe deeply and really exercise their bodies. But the mental health of the workers is commented on even more strongly with highest favor. "Few hypochondriacs or neurotics are found among those engaged in picture work," says the report. "The constant change in the work both in purpose and in setting keeps the mind constantly occupied and re freshed. Stimulant comes from the demands upon the emotions, and the players are called upon to interpret in themselves almost every situation in which humanity may find itself. It is a mental as well as a physical tonic." The most thorough investigation of all was made during the making of William Fox's new specials in which observers for the committee inspected all the players of-the cast. Of course some of these players worked but a day and others for months, so the utmost variety was given for effects to be considered. The committee declared the dra matic scenes were of benefit to those engaged In them, as the emotional tensity had a favorable effect upon mind and body. - Speaking of popular actresses of the screen. Universal believes in putting more than one name with a meaning in a picture. In the picture that Hoot Gibson Is just starting, "The Lone Hand," which Reaves Eason will direct, Marjorte Daw has the feminine leading role and Helen Holmes, former serial star, will play the feminine heavy. Either player has a large following and is a distinct acquisition of value. The story bf "The Lone Hand" is a Ralph Cummins magazine short story. Mervyn LeRoy, Paramount actor, recently had his first screen fight. The tussle, which was started In the dance hall setting at the Lasky studio, was for the party sequence In "The Cowboy and the Lady," the Paramount picture co-featuring Mary Miles Minter and Tom Moore. Several scenes for Alice Brady's new Paramount picture "Anna As cends," were made aboard the French steamship La Savoie. The company boarded the vessel at quar antine and. shot the scenes as it entered New York harbor. Members of the company taking part in this sequence were David Powell, Robert Ellis, Charles Gerard, Nita Naldi and Florence Dixon. Hawley is much more euphonious than Wanda Pittack used to be. One can't be around Miss Haw leys home very long without dis covering that she has at least two hobbiesdogs and music. There are two frisky bull pups around and a large piano that has furnished an evening's entertainment to many of the neighbors. She is really a clever pianist In 1915 and 1916, when she was studying to become a singer, she had already acqulr4 T&rkjd ability as a player and accompanied Albert Spaulding and Rita Fornia. This ability makes her home a popu lar gathering place now. Miss Hawley is one of those women who are just as beautiful in the home or on the street as they are on the stage or screen. Her skin has the delicate pink and white coloring of a child. She is five feet, five inches tall and weighs 124 pounds. She is not what might be called petite, but she has a sprightly charm and vivaciousness all her own. Both Miss Hawley and her hus band are ardent golf enthusiasts. They are familiar figures on the links about Los Angeles. She Is also an automobile fan and is a skillful driver. WHEN DIX FINDS GIRL LIKE HIS MOTHER HE WILL MARRY Joseph A. Jackson Gives Interesting "Pen Close-Up" of the Popular Richard, a General Favorite From Director Down to Bootblack. RICHARD DIX, COlnWYN LEADING MAX, WHO WRITER DECLARES IS IDEAL AMERICAN. BY JOSEPH A. JACKSON. I versation. Recently Dix was inter 1 I CHARD DIX, Goldwyn leading I viewed regarding matrimony, for it f-C man is one of the most popu- v lar actors, not only on the screen, but at his own studio, where people see him all "dolled up" in even'ng clothes, or just lounging around without -any camouflage at all. Dix is a favorite in Los Angeles, having been a matinee idol at the Morosco theater. He is under con tract to Goldwyn, and will soon be seen in the name part of a mass've V-roduction of "The Christian," for which the company, directed by Maurice Tourneur, went to England for three months. The ideal American man is good looking, well set up, athletic, breezy, jjood natured, likeable, democratic and fine principled. Dix is all these, and more. He's even lovable, for with all his sudden success in pic tures, modesty sits becomingly upon uim, and makes everyone want to do him a good turn. If Richard gets a. strong role in a picture, Goldwyn employes all his friends rejoice accordingly. When Richard comes onto the lot, he starts in saying 'Hello, there! How are you?" to everybody from director to boot black, and consequently evej-y one has a sort of possessive interest in him and his career. There's something very fine about Dix, too, in his love and apprecia tion for his mother. He is con stantly bringing her Into his con- FRENCH STYLE DICTATION IGNORED BY FILM STARS Screen Players Insist They Are Two Jumps Ahead of Paris Barbara La Marr Evidently Is Going to Spring Something New. GAIN comes the query, ."Does the well-dressed woman put her ear to the ground Los An- gelesward, or In a generally Parisian direction when seeking hints of coming styles?" t The experts who argue for the p'cture center have a mass of evi dence to support their theory that ihe French modistes might as well fold their tents and seek other out lets for their ideas. For the screen styles, they insist are at least two hops and a Jump ahead of the Paris dictator of feminine styles. The beautiful Barbara LaMarr, the recent discovery of Rex Ingram, who promises to teach the picture world many things in the near future, dropped a thought on the subject the other day while preparing her ward robe for her new role in "The Hero." Miss LaMarr had said she would have "something different" to show the theater-goer in this Gasnier produc tion and was asked if she meant Parisian. "No, I mean something new,"' was the retort. "In my dressing room are five gowns that I had designed here In Los Angeles, wore in pic tures, and expect to see copied in French gowns of a season from now. "Have you noticed a cablegram announcing that a French dancer had startled Parisian women by'ap pearing in an evening gown minus a bodice? Many American theater goers will smile at that, for we have seen several such creations on the screen here months ago. "I might add half a dozen ex amples of the tendency of the screen to set the styles. It isn't only that We have the idea first it is largely be cause we create styles, then show I hem to the world where style mag azines and even newspapers are given no attention whatever. Be sides, wouldn't the average well dressed girl prefer; to wear some thing she had seen worn by her favorite star, rather than the offer a.g seen on a rather grotesquely drawn figure in a magazine?" Edward Sheldon has proved that he can write a sea story with all the skill of W. Clark Russell, Mor gan Robertson or Jack London. His first screen original, "On the High Seas." has been produced for Para mount pictures by Irwin W. Willatt. Those who have seen it say It has all the thrill, all the mystery and wonder and horror of the sea, coupled with a romance develop ing when a lovely and carefully reared woman finds herself on board a derelict vessel with two men stokers. Dorothy Dalton and Jack Holt have the featured roles and Mitchell Lewis has a strong supporting part. Several opportunities to display his ability as a horseback rider are furnished Rodolph Valentino in "The Young Rajah." In one Scene, in mod ern riding togs, he canters along a New England road; there is an other, when in full regalia aa. a rajah of India he leads his forces in a far-away Hindu province. j Philip Rosen directed the picture, which was adapted by June Mathis from the play, "Amos Judd," by Ale thea Luce and the novel of the same name by John Ames Mitchell. vrt-' ". W,' "X'a no secret that he is one of the handsomest and most eligible of pic ture bachelors. The press writer was taken confidentially aside, and dropping his hail-fellow-well-met attitude, Dix said seriously: "I'd like to have you meet my notnerl Why, the things she's done for me I couldn't begin to tell you. It's been her faith in me that has kept me going lots of times; her cheerfulness when X was blue, that's teen my salvation; it's been her lcyalty, and her sense of justice. She's square I con't believe my mother ever told a He. Why, say, my mother's the squarest woman I know " 'I can easily believe that," hastily interrupted the writer, "but, Mr. Dix, won't you tell me something about the kind of girl you think you d like to marry?" "But I'm telling you!" exclaimed Dix. "When I find a girl like my mother, I'll marry her providing she'll have me, of course!" Probably nothing more illustra tive of Dix's personality can be con veyed in the written page than this same admiration 'for his mother, be cause it is a reflection of his own nature. He admires her, first of all, because she's square. That's a slang expression, certainly, but it em bodies a world of meaning for the good American. Richard himself is square square with his friends, his business associates and the world, and that is why the world will hand him success. Wanda Hawley has the leading fem inine role. In weighing their own Intelligence with that of motion picture fans, according to Nazimova, producers need never worry that the balance of brains is in their favor. "True art is utter clarity; an idea or emotion so skillfully presented that it is as similated with least effort by the audience or spectator. If those who have made deliberately artistic pic tures find their offerings illy re ceived it is the fault of their pre sentation, not obtuseness on the part of the public." Nazimova is to be seen soon in a motion picture' ver sion of "Salome." which follows in poetic drama by Oscar i Phyllis Haver, dainty and viva cious, who plays opposite Buster I Keaton in his comedies, formerly cengntea tne eye oi motion pic ture fans as a Mack Sennett bath ing girl and star player. Miss Haver was chosen for the role a Ingenue In the Keatoa comedies by Buster himself. Buster says that attractive femi ninity adds an artistic touch to slap stick humor, providing the girl has certain requirements. "F'lnstance," says Buster, "s girl to succeed In comedies must be beautiful, vivacious, able to act. have a smile that will shew dimples and be an athlete." Phyllis Haver fills every quali fication of the exacting bill, and more, too. Her winsome person ality, as the much-sought-after heroine in the Buster Keaton com edies, gives that added touch of lightness and grace to the polished slapstiok of the sober-faced come dian. a a a News headline In Jackson. Wye, Courier: "Bobble Cox tarred and feathered. Bobble Cox ran into a mad smear the other day when he was tarred and feathered by the irate citizens of Jackson and rim out of town." The truth of the matter Is that he was tarred and feathered and run out .of town for a scene In "The Cowboy and the Lady." In which he plays the role of "Old Man Harper." Reid Answers Inquiries in "Clarence." Bohby, la Meaneat ef "Decadence, Klasee Caamheraaid. AS A RETURNED soldier, Wal lace Reid. in the title role of William deMIIle's production of Booth Tarkington's play, "Clarence." for Paramount Pictures, Is called upon to answer a couple of amaztng questions, considering that he hasn't known the Interrogators at all. First, Bobby, the young son of the house of Wheeler says: "You've been In the army and known everything. If you'd kissed a person and then fell in love with a lady, what'd-you do?" Bobby, in a moment of decadence, has kissed the chambermaid and later fallen in love with the gover ness! But Wally never gets to the answer, for something happens. Shortly after. Cora, the young daughter of the family, accosts him, with the eager question: "Listen You've been In the army and know everything. If yon had an eternal love and your father wanted to stop it, what d you do?" Again he hasn't time to answer. But later he replies to all their ques tions, in actions rather than words. Clara Berangefkept all the Tark lngton spirit in her adaptation of this delightful comedy. It l de clared, and the cast includes Wallace Reid, Agnes Ayres. May McAvoy, Kathlyn Williams, Robert Agnew, Edward Martindei, Dorothy Gordon, Bertram Johns and others. . Reginald Barker Scores as Producer. Director Makes Deeat Independ ently With "Hearts Aflame." W1 ITH the production of "Hearti Aflame" as a big all-slsr spe cial, a new independent producer makes his debut In the person of Reginald Barker, long recognized as one of the greatest directors In the Industry. It is known that the cost of pro duction reached an exceedingly high figure, but reports from the coast indicate that the expenditure Is more than justified in the results. One episode alone that In which Anna Q. Nllsson drives a locomotive through a quarter of a mile ef rag ing foreet fire In order to dynamite a whole mountainside will make the picture of unusual value to ex hibitors. Among other sure-fire ele ments for success to be found In "Hearts Aflame" are a strong love story, plenty of human Interest, a plot that has action every minute, the spectacular explosion of a dam, releasing 8000 logs to go hurtling down a river, the beautiful outdoor scenery of the Canadian woods, and an exceptional cast Reginald Barker was placed under contract by Louis B. Mayer Imme diately following his completion of "The Storm." which has proved one of the biggest money-makers of the year. By his arrangement with Mr. Mayer, the director heads an Inde pendent production unit, having his own company, his own staff of as sistants and his own corps of tech nical men. part the Wild. "RICH MEN'S WIVES' BASED ON REALITY, SAYS. AUTHOR Coming Photoplay Attraction at Liberty Theater AVs whether They Arc to Be Pitied, Scorned, or Envied? - . j-'j- us-,'-! .- , i. . --(-,. - , j. il . i- 1'! I - f t ! ' ' V. A. . . 1 'tf . or; ' -"si ' , . "" ' ' " ... :v f v- i ";f. , . . t I . i f i V J l Val : j iSty..,. ..... ., ,-..,..- . v A FlaiS'::HTH'rtrtirWii'fi TTt- - sjli)ssasmssaWaUaaaa-i s hmiMiiMtmmmtmmamJiiiii'tiaM Hoaae Prtrra and Claire Wladaev la O"" tl NCE in a great while an author experiences the thrill of put- ing on paper a story that "writes Itself." Agnes Christine Johnston who with Frank Dasey Is responsible for the authorship of "Rich Men's Wives." which Is com ing to the Liberty theater, declares this story to be one ef that sort. "Mr. Dasey and I were comment ing upon the extraordinary number of separations In what we term high life" In this country meaning, of course. In a certain circle of so ciety." said Mies Johnston. "Whst we particularly had under discus sion was the recent separation of one of the country's richest men and the daughter of the man who always Is referred to as the typical modern Croesus. I held that the man of wealth had a duty to per form to his fellows a duty that had to de with hie personal be havior, that he might b regarded as a model eltlsen. Mr. Dasey con tended that money only made the possessor Imagine hlmnelf as a be ing responstbi . to no one save himself, as a person above the law of the land and one who could dis regard all social conventions at his will. Then he said something about being sorry for Ihe wife of a rich man that the woman who was legally attached to surh a man was a subject for pity Instead of envy. That remark 'started our outlining the story and I soon realized, as Mr. Dney did, that we had hit upon a subject that lent Itself un commonly well to screen piirposea "B. P. SchulJerg. president of Preferred Pictures, lite., was of Ihe same opinion when he read our ef fort, and he went to work. Then he sent for ;anler. who had pro duced "Klamet" and many other successes, and gave him the manu script to read. In ten days 'Itlcn Men a Wives' was being translated to the screen under his expert guid ance, with Hiue Vetera. llr tin CI3 jirjicausiafiU.iaai lis! cr ; - t '' i 1 1 ., ' SO' S ' "" T ' ;' tjjsa '.- V f T" ." ' .. iwl XliiV'v-i ;' '-:'.'... i nr v.-- - - ': nil -r:::ZJ pa ( 4 tiff I " ' . A, pj 1 : "LOVE IS AN AWFUL THING" ITS FUNNIER THAN HIS "REPORTED MISSING" NUF SED on Li il ea mi Hate. wek daya) 2aa tree (Bandars) See fe-hel-e Bin Mssm orchestra Mlllaat theWarltfaer 1 eeee fraat -Rk-h Mea'e Wives," la Windsor sad other brilliant players In the raat. "Mr. I 'assy and I have been writ ing for the screen tar aeverai yeara Each haa k -wn literary euc-sa of a flattering character but 'Hint Men's Wives' is the ftrat story that we have been concerned with. In dividually, er In collaboration, thai we juat had to write . . . er, ie put il another way. a story tlet wrote Iteslf. Every author will readily understand exactly what that means, because the atory that 'wrltsa itaeir comes to every writr once er twice la a llftllme. seldom eftaner, and If we never esaln -perlence the aama thrill and aat'a faetlon that we knew while we were tranaferrlng our tory of a rich men and his beautiful wife and Ih.lr shattered romance to proaalo bla k and white typewriting, wa II aimers have the remem brines of the dare we spent over this wondarful etory. of the hours whan we simply couldn't wean euraalvas sway from our lypewrltera. so faeclnalad ware we with this modern snd unnsuel tale.- a a a Wsldemar Touna. scenarist, ftu dnlph Bylek. technical director, ana) Arthur t'otlne. location mnacr at the t,ong Island studio. h gone to Malem. Maee.. to choose th eiote where the eitertor . na wa, lit he enada for "Java llrad." (ieorgn Mal ford's nest production for I'sra mount pictures. I-eatrlra Joy, Jc queltne Locan and Harmond Haiton ere among those who will have lakdlns roiea. The story la from Jo seph Hereeehelmer s famous nol. a a a The new Paramount produrilrn by Penryhn fritsnlawa. "Pink iod." waa adapted hy J. K. Naeh and Hon ye Levlen from r"ynthla tvi. leys novel. "Pink tWi end Flue Pemona" Bene lanlela and Jamaa Klrkwood head tho cant with Anna y. Mlasen, Adolph Menjon and Ray mond Mnrton In prominent ririt NOW PLAYING UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT ONLY t;:i U Q CI3 r : i nil r i THE GREATEST, CLEANEST, FUNNIEST LAUGH TREAT OF THE SEASON t- VI n in OWEN MOORE faasaas star ef fteeerted wis.Ua." and aa all-alar east laelesHaa MtaJOHlK DAW sad KATIir.Y PKRRV. t 1 I." I i in. ' 1 - f, r - 1 i 4