Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-12-23
ETHEL BARRYMORE
SIGNED BY METRO
Well-known Actress to Work
for Films-Stage Not to In
terfere With Pictures
Bv the PhotnplaY Editor


A contract has been entered into this
week between Ethel Barrymore. the cele-
brated stage star, and the Metro Pictures
Corporation. Under its terms Miss Barry
more is to receive the fiat sum OF $4,000
for each picture in which she Is featured
in a series of screen productions now be-
ing planned by the Metro Pictures Cor
poration. The contract provides that
these shall number not less than four
annually, although this number may be
increased at the option OF the Metro Of
ficials.
In return MISS Barrymore agrees TO
appear in Metro pictures exclusively dur
ing period of three years. She will also
arrange such stage work as she may en-
gage in during that time with reference
to Its non-interference with her screen
labors. Metro also holds an option on
her services at the expiration Of the time
under the same terms as those provided
in the contract for the previous produc-
tions.
Although the contract did not receive
its final signature until Tuesday, De-
cember IA, it had been under considera-
tion for several weeks. on that date Miss
Barrymore, President Richard A. Row
| land, of Metro: Joseph w. Engel, treas
urer of the corporation; Maxwell Karger.
general manager of Rolfe Photoplays.
Inc, and the attorneys for both, met at
the Rolfe-Metro studios, West 61st
street, New York city. and after few
| final formalities were arranged Miss Bar
rymore and the Metro officials appended
their names to the contract.
Miss Barrymore, who Is starring in the
stage production. "Our Mrs. McChesney,"
at the Lyceum Theatre, one of the sue
cesses of the present theatrical season,
had been discussing terms and details
with the Metro officials Immediately after
NsI,l I,t
feature.
The success of "The Final Judgment"
led President Rowland and the other
Metro officials to determine to keep Miss
Barrymore's name in the stellar list of the
Metro Pictures Corporation. The result
was the contract which was signed early
last week. According to plans outlined
by Metro officials. Miss Barrymore will be
starred under her new contract in series
of feature pictures, more elaborate in cast
and settings than any hitherto offered by
the Metro Pictures Corporation. They
will be screen dramas, especially written
or selected for Miss Barrymore. In con-
sequence, the new Metro star will only be
seen in vehicles which give her unusual
opportunities for the display of her dra-
matte qualities and the charms which
have won her the commanding position
she has long occupied in the hearts of
the American amusement-lovlng public.
A clause in the contract just signed will
permit Miss Barrymore to go to London
next fall to star in limited engagement
in that city of "Our Mrs McChesney.'
This was made necessary by the fact that
Miss Barrymore had already engaged her
self to appear in the British metropolis
next year before arrangements were con-
cluded which made her a permanent
Metro star This, however, will not at all
interfere with her screen work. as the
limit of her engagement on the other side
will be six weeks.
What will be a surprise to a great many
people is the news that Maurice Costello
is no longer connected with the Vita
graph Company of America. This became
known yesterday and was verified. de
has made no announcement OF his future
plans
Costello was one OF the first men to be
featured in moving pictures. when It be-
came the custom to flashing the casts on
the screen, and there is little doubt but
that he was the first of the Vitagraph
stars to become widely known. He had
been with them for many years.
"The Sin of Napoleon" six-reel fea-
ture picture, and one OF the first which
will be done by that company at its stu
do at Glendale, l.. l., has just been
bought by the Mirror Films. Inc. 1t Is
the work of Andres de Segurola, the ia
nous Spanish basso of the Metropolitan
Opera Company. and Maria de Sarlabous.
1t deals with an almost unknown incl
dent in the early life of Napoleon. Senior
de Segurola has been a great student OF
French history and especially of the life
of the great Corsican.
The writing OF scenarios Is but one OF
the many accomplishments OF the Metro
politan artist, who has come by his abil-
ity to write for the screen through a long
training on the operatic stage and the
natural appreciation which he has for
dramatic values. He Is a lawyer in his
own country and Is business man OF
considerable achievement. In addition
he writes books. His latest, Through
My Monocle." is soon to come from the
presses of a publisher.