Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-02-12
AMUSEMENT
SECTION
MARY PICKFORD
GOES STUNNING
FOR SUNNY ITALY
How Star and Producer of
Poor Little Peppina" Hunted
Actors and Atmosphere

Many are the "slummlng" parties tha
flnd their way into the intricate highway!
and byways that border upon East Hous
ton street. New York, in search of "rea
italian atmosphere" but there was one
little excursion into this section OF the
city not so long ago that had far diff.
ferent object in view.
II one could have lifted the heavy white
veil that completely hid one face from
view, he would have beheld the features
of Mary Pickford. Another member of
the party was Sidney Olcott, who has
Travelled all over Europe and the Orient
for the purpose of getting proper atmos-
phere In the motion pictures which are
produced under his direction.
SO the object Of this expedition was the
real Italian atmosphere. They were in
search of typical Latins, not for the pur-
pose of focusing them with n lorgnette
and remarklng How interesting" but
for the very practical purpose OF enlist
ing their services in the production Of the
Famous Players Paramount, Poor Little
Peppina," in which Mary Pickford will be
seen In the leading role all next week at
the Stanley Theatre.
A third member of the party was Oscar
Gravina, one of the best-known Italian
actors In this country, whom the director
met when In Italy and induced to assist
him In the assembling of various types
for the mob scenes in the picture. Gra-
vina himself plays the villain In the story,
and II was with his assistance that long
list of his countrymen was compiled from
which the director was to choose those
who met with his approval.
The plan of operation was very simple.
Tho automobile In which the party had
made the trip from the studio of the
Famous Players Film Company would
stop In front of the address of one of the
prospects. and while Gravina called upon
his friend, Olcott looked him over from
the depths of the tonneau. In accordance
with Italian custom, the host came out
on the sidewalk to converse with Gravna,
thus giving the director ample opportu-
nifty to "siZe him up" II the man met
with approval, Olcott coughed, and then
Gravina sounded his host upon the sub
ject of becoming n film actor. Terms be-
ing arranged. he was given card telling
him to report at the studio at 0 the next
morning, dressed in laborers clothes.
When the list had been completed, the
party turned to the task of selecting some
OF the special features of the "atmos-
phere." No Italian scene could be prop
crly staged without spaghetti venders.
pushcart merchants, wine shops and other
details which add the flavor of reality to
the scene. Accordingly the streets were
ing of these types, whose services we're
likewise enlisted, but with the stipula-
tion that they bring their own props
that is their respective spaghetti cooking
utensils and their heavily laden push
carts.
Meanwhile, the great studio itself had
been turned into a typical italian street
under the direction of Mr.. Olcott, who did
not hesitate to call into consultation
Graviua, Antonio ATaiori. Ernest Torti,
Francesca Guerra, n. Ccrvi and other
well-known Italian actors who play i'm
portant parts in support of Miss Pickford
The scenic artists spent many hours
painting weird and Observation-Disclosures
words upon the sides ,r stone buildings
after the manner of the Italian, among
which are conspicuous Bane. Paste ALI
mentari. Vino Liquori, Tabacch. Con-
serve and others of equal near signlh-
cance.