1923-12-08 — Page 19

SATURDAY,

DECEMBER 8 1923,

THE CHINA MAIL.

t

THE

GRAND

TONIGHT at 9.15

HOOT GIBSON

IN

DEAD

GAME

SUNDAY at 9.15

GLADYS WALTON

IN

"THE LOVE LETTER"

FEWER

AND

BETTER."

MARY'S NEW "TESS.

THE MOTTO OF MODERN MOVIELAND.

00000000000000000000

CINEMA CHATTER.

SQURO "BARILETT DRIVES ANKA FROM HIS HOME

CALLED HER FINEST PICTURE.

11

ONE EXCITING NIGHT.

GRIFFITH SCORES WITH DRAMA.

WGRIFFITHS

COOGAN: FILM PERFECT.

To one not familiar with life in Egypt, the mistakes of a director David W. Griffith's screen thriller, filming Egyptian opisodes and never "One Exciting Night" is a picture having visited Egypt, would be un- that in every way lives up to its important. But to many people une. To the legion of film fans who have followed the Girifith flag visiting the motion picture theatre, in the past, his new offering will the mistakes of a director laying his appear much of a departure from his episodes in London, would be pain. usual paths, but they will have to fully apparent.

admit that he has achieved the Frank Lloyd, who directed. Jackie seeming impossible in producing a The recent announcement of a

The crowning achievement of picture that combines the elemente Coogan in Charles Dickens' manter- famous fign of motion picture pro- ducers that they will close down Mary Pickford's career," declared melodrama, and woven a story that is primarily because be is recognized of love, mystery, Burlesque, and piece, "Oliver Twist," was selected temporarily, as in their opinion the Hiram Abrams, president of Upited as full of thrills as coccanut is full by all picturegoere as one of the ilustry is suffering from the effects Artists Corporation, as the final of went.

finest directors in the industry. of over-production, puts the matter scene in Miss Pickford's new repro- It has an appeal for virtually every Another quality that rendered of cineria development right into

of that farnoue screen all the elements that go to make up

class af theatre-goer, fur it contains Lloyd the logical man to transcribe the finalight.

Not many months ago the lead-classic, "Tess of the Storm Coun- complete whole. While it is not ing men in Movieland decided that try," fushed across the silver-sheet a spectacular film, like "Intoler the Great Public were demanding at a recent private showing in New ance nor an historical production "Better Pictures." anil, in spite of

like 'Orphane of the Storm," he has

duction

the natural exploitation of the York for Miss Pickford, Douglas shown that he is capable of con- phrase in advertising their products, Fairbanks, and others in the Pick-structing a detective drama that has PROGRAMME FEATURES. they did proceed to present quite ford-Fairbanks party. This verdict the same skill in making as an bie- alyance of the previous article.

a number of fibus that are far in was indorsed unanimously by all torical narrative, and, at the same

tume, offer an entertainment that is

TO-NIGHT.

Coronet.-Way Down East.'

World."Through A Glass

Window."

H

YAY DOWN - EAST"

TROUBLE.".

JACKIE COOGAN FILM THAT: WILL PLEASE ALL AGES.

In "Trouble," Jackie Coogan's new picture, the human appeal is so

STAR

TO-NIGHT

"CARMEN"

TO-MORROW

·OTELLO"

MONDAY

"LA TOSCA"

TUESDAY

"FAUST

strong that the genuine characters PLAYS WITH BRAINS. in the play cannot fail to meet with success before any type of audience. MR. G. B. SHAW ON EFFECT

OF CINEMA COMPETITION.

"The Kid."

.

•

•

ETERNAL FLAME."

NOR MA REALISES CHERISHED HOPE.

Norma Talmadge has registered.. under the First National releasing any screen achievements starring

banner. One of her most successful pictures, it will be remembered, was the emotional Spanish drama, "The More recently Passion Flower"

But Miss

Balzac's

The appeal is derived from many sources, but primarily from the un- Mr. George Bernard Shaw has usual personality of the diminutive made the following reply to Miss star, Jackie Coogan, who does the Fay Compton's query whether the orphan whose indomitable spirit action like "The Prisoner of Zenda" best work of his career enacting the cinema threatens to oust dramas of will not be denied.

from the legitimate stage.. The story is elight, but it provides} "When I began writing for the enough material for the little fellow stage," Mr. Shaw says, "I was met in what might be termed episodic with continual complaints that my form to allow him to display his plays, contained dialogue.

The acting talent, which is considerable, critics were not used to it; they Smilin' Through."

come ber notable triumph in as anybody knows who has seen him cried, "These are not plays, they are

his previous productions of his all talk. Our actors and actresses Talmadge has not yet been fully own or with Charlie Chaplin in had nothing to say that mattered; tures she had appeared in. She was satisfied with the semi-costume pic they had to create the characters out consumed with ambition to attempt There is one scene in particular of their own personality. in which Jackie excels. In it his were wonderfully beautiful and tion, which ambition' she has at last

They a monumental all costume produc........... work is inspired, and many an older fascinating, but they almost forgot realized in "The Eternal Flage." performer could profit by the lesson how to speak; and some of them in pantomime art. This is the court have not yet quite recovered the art. adaptation of

"The Eternal Flame" is an room gecil. It alone is worth the

The drama, though it still kept Duchesse de Langeais, price of admission. But the little

which star dose not need to rely upon this up a tedious convention of giving after

montbe spent searching. are effort for the success of the pic the performers certain cliches to for a suitable story was decided learn and repeat, was really a

upan. Is a fitting one for, the. Trouble" contains sentiment speechless drama; and most of the versatile young star with its back- without being sentimental. There critics of that day had lost tite ground of pomp and magnificance is a generous amount of humour of faculty of listening, and could only a quiet kind, and it is balanced with glost over the spectacle. The Therefore, she depicts the complex.. just the right amount of pathos, cinema was a godsend to them; character of that notable court without bathos. The titles are they loved Mary Pickford, not for beauty and coquette, La Duchesse. especially well written, and are her charm, but for the blessed cer- de Langeais.

tainty that the would never say any Those who have studied Misa nicely placed in, the action. bers that call for men of great ability Miss Pickford is said to have excitement. It gives opportunity

Master Coogan is surrounded by a thing, and that they could still earn Talmadge's work and followed her and lang experience.

taken full advantage of every one for some of the most gripping "Oliver Twist" from the pages of lace Beery and Gloria Hope, who the result was that the lavere of emotional powers are Inoking for group of players that includes Wal- their living without thinking. But steady growth as an actress of great From the financial point of view of the tremendous improvements in moments of the story, as well, when sione, therefore, it is not surprising photoplay making that have come the heroine, in pursuit of the book to the screen of picture are practically the only ones who speechless drama deserted the ward with keen interest to this to read the statement of the Com-into the indus cy since the first mysterious villain, plunges through theatres was his love for and know have large parts. Beery, as might theatre and crowded the cinemas latest part she is enacting, for they pany concerned in the innovation "Tess of the Storm Country" was the confusion, and is herself rescued how to get along with juvenile folk rock plumber who won't work forced to find plays that had some flawless artistry, to a role that will ledge of children. Lloyd knows be expected, is great as the rough The theatres found themselves are assured she will give a finish and that their aim from now on will be made. Even the story itself, from by the hero.

Carol Dempster heads the cast, and to make them love him heartily Miss Hope is clever as his long thing to say instead of something set graciously on

her young to make motion pictures that in the that widely read novel by Grace fullness of time will enjoy just as Miller White, is considered vastly with Henry Hull, who also gives a and without restraint.

shoulders. euffering wife, who adopts the to show. busting a reputation as any play improved upon under Miss Pick-fine performance. Miss Dorpster Frank Llord the inevitable choice not named in the cast, furnishes the theatre only thoes plays that mixes beauty and personality with But the final fact that rendered orphan. A young negro boy, who is "In short, the cinema takes from For Norma Talmadge undeniably preacuted on the spoken stage. ford's personal handling, while in dous come remarkable work, and her Very few films at present flourish the matter of direction, settings, art agility in the storm scene is little for the difficult "role of directing many laughs, and deserves mention. have no business there; and the ro brains.

"Trouble" reminds one of 3sultant pressure on the theatres to for long and costs alre

failure is an duction is so far superior to the dues fine work as an elderly soon-to-day but of the Dickens period as

so pro-work and photography, this repro-short of amazing. Morgan Wallace the great production was his know hibitive that o

ledge of the London not only of circus. In "altruistically" taking and plays with some Brains in them enormous lass. "Fower and Better" original of eight years ago as to defy drel, and the rest of the players are

youngster to.it grown-ups have is of incalculable benefit to the pictures, they claim, will mean more) comparison and beggar description. well cast.

good time themselves.

dreams." Batisfaction and a more enduring.

Now the trend is to cut down the who saw Miss Pickford's own ver- typically Grifithesque. To do this number of productions per annun, sion and own re-creation, just com-properly, however, there must be at increas the time and trouble taken apon films, so that where pleted, of one of bor early picture at least one scene that will leave its impress upon the audience. In "One Exciting Night" it is the| some studios & few years ago put triumphs. out, say, 52 films a year, they will Miss Pickford's reproduction of storm scene, one of the most realistic not attempt to make me than ten "Tess of the Storm Country," prob- tempests ever simulated upon stage or a dozen under the new system. nbly marks the first time in the or screen. The photography in it is! The amount of research and industry that any great star has seen superb. Flying branches and technical advice necessary for a first fit to remark in later yeare, and as streaming rain fill the air, inge trees class photoplay would surprise the an independent producer, a photo average visitor to the cinema. play which earlier had served as one Added to this is the work entailed in of the big steps toward placing her preparing the huge sets, and re- in the very forefront of cinema, hearsing the crowds of netors: mal- artists.

entertainment for the public-aod,

one way resume, s. more certain

recompense to the producer.

WAY DOWN EAST.

STILL CONSIDERED GRIFFITI'S BEST,'

Judging by the surprising success that as attended the "return" of) Griffith's "Way Down East' to the cineman in the larger cities of Europe and America, the georrul run of movie goers have still a very warm place in their beart for the picture that proved a sensation upon its first presentation.

Many people who make a point of seeing all Griffith's pictures contend that Way Down East"! is still his best production. Oilers, they say, may be more spectacular, or more dramatic in incident. But they claim that for straightforward, moy- ing narration of a simple story "Way Down Eaat" has no rival.

It is certain that the human appeal in, the picture goss to the beart of all classes. For many years ibe stage play. enjoyed universal popularity; but when Griffith presented his big film it was generally concded that he hud far surpassed the original..

There are no laboured efforts to thrill in the film. Yet, at the same time it contains a final scene that is oven at the most exciting.. and breathtaking ever shown. The rescue of the unconscious girl from the drifting jo flae in based upon fact, and has the Advantage of being anachiral development of the story,

ToFaceWay Down Basty is to Toling the reason for its enderndus mad enduring poocou.

ero uprooted, and the howl of the wind and the concussion of the thunderbolts is given with a graphic intensity that cause the most har dened theatre-goer to gasp with

Star-Carmen'''

Grand."Dead Game."

well.

turo.

THE GREATEST thrill IN MOVING PICTURES is THE ice sceNE in

"WAY DOWN EAST'

starring

LILIAN GISH, RICHARD BARTHELMESS, CREIGHTON HALE, BURR MCINTOSH, MARY HAY & KATE BRUCE

LONDON AUDIENCES RECENTLY BRAOKETED THIS PIOTURE WITH ORPHANY of the STORM!

the two greatest Filmplays the industry has produced. They are both, of course,

GRIFFITH PRODUCTIONSI

"WAY DOWN EAST

is Showing To-Night at 2.15, 445,

ordinary prices at

and 9.15

THE CORONET

#

frivolities

and beartaches:

FAMOUS MODISTE.

ENGAGED TO COSTUME NORMA TALMADGE.

The one-woman costume shop is hero

Not run by one woman, but for ons, The Walter Isuele, nated cos tumers of both the Eastern and Western Coasta, will hereafter look after the costuming of Norma Tal- madge, for they have recently

ived in Hollywooll and opened? tho Maison Israel out at United. Studios, where Joeoph M. Schenck' has his producing units at work.

The one-woman shop is a unique establishment, especially since il bag at its head so significant a personality in the realm of creative; clothes as Mr. Ismet However, Miss Talmadge is far more interest ed in the widespread influence of; her pictures because of this venture! thon she is at having á nýtable cos tumer and his staff numbered amongį. bar antaurige for her oven perlona. adornment.

Like all artists, aho realized the Importance of a strict adherence tá detail and period in, not only bers Lown creations but those of bar casta,

Now she sangupoos that instead of? keeping the shop for her own on venience and that of her sister, Con- dance, alle intends to throw open its- "doors for the bensst of her obiþanyt Fin" order, to perfect every detail of

ostume and design in bec produc

F

With this end in view, Mr. Ing

nisanequins to Los Angeles. will the showing be limited to gowni Pand wraps, but will include thi Berniers or in other feminine hoces

two buyera saril