The New York herald., 1921-03-06
Screen Shadows
~ FRANK YREELANp.

-
films and abraham Lincoln" and
other productions In the spoken drama
win have a chance TO pant after more
of the same paprika Ian "Anne Boleyn.'
This Is one OF the boatload of forty
pictures from abroad which have been
engulfed by the Famous Players -Lasly
Corporation. II Is said to be the peak
OF the load. Great crowds are hurled
about promiscuously in spectacular
scenes of the era of Henry VIII, and
medieval castles were erected to house
history that are described as so con-
-vincing you're sure they we're in
habited. even II unsanitary. Altogether
everybody has a terrible time but gets
well paid for II.
Ernst Lubitsch. who directed Pas
sion" to the bitter end, Is the man who
has again bent celluloid to his will
Mia May, blonde and therefore popular
as an actress in Germany, though ac-
cording TO her birthplace she borders
on the CAScho- -Slovakian, is the lady
who loses her head gracefully, making
the most of It under the circumstances
have first tempted fate and the critics
with big feature photoplay in Ger
many.
The picture is due to be hired out al
one of DR.. Hugo Riesenfelds retail
houses-probably the Rivoli-in a few
weeks, about the time that MARY
Queen OF Scots" will show up almos.
the same period on the speaking stage
italian pictures also are coming out OF
their wartime trance. "The Cabinet OF
DR.. Caligari' Is fresh from that country
and has come under the sway of s. L
Rothafel. who plans TO give big help
Ing OF II to Broadway at the Capitol In
April 1t IS said TO hold an innovation
in the way of futuristic settings, de-
signed to show other producers that II
is not always best TO let nature take its
course.
Malcolm Strauss, well known as an
illustrator wherever America is house
hold word. has entered the movies, being
no longer able to keep his hands on
them. With Hugo Ballin and Penrhyn
Stanlaws he makes the third prominent
artist TO feel that It would help LOT Il
he were film director. But Strauss has
his own convictions on producing, and
feels that the pit into which an artist Is
apt to fall Is In paying too much atten-
tion to piling on all the art his picture
and his pocketboplz can stand. while the
dramatic essentials are politely ignored
Moreover, he has held that II you
wanted certain atmosphere or a certain
type of player, the important thing was
to go and get It. hitching ones film tc
the scenery or actor desired. So he haf
herded the company for his nrst picture
I'm through southeastern Europe and
northern Africa In order TO stamp II or
| fame, and has even snapped up Veyhe
Lott. French actress, as his lead be.
cause she had the proper emotions fr
stock that ne needed In his business
Then the interior scenes were made or
the premises here. Just like French
pastry I'm New York restaurants. Now
| Strauss feels he has ordained himself
as director by completing his initia
photoplay. which Is based on the stor,
of Mary Magdaiene and has been en-
titled Twice Born Women" so tina
dispensed at q leading Broadway hous'
and afterward will be rotated through
out the country.
d. W. Grifith's production OF WAY
Down East" originally slated to sur
render the Forty-fourth Street Theatr'
to the spoken or yodelled drama OF
April /, has had Its grip on that house
extended clear to September. Business
fell off a bit on this Aim around De
cember. but It has since gathered speed
again until the dam is once more play
ing to capacity business, and II Is ex
pected that tho Ice can stand even the
worst heat of summer.
Likewise "Over the HILL" scheduled
to decamp with large part OF the
Rialto's money about the middle OF
April. has been granted new lease o.
life and probably won't go into the outer
darkness for at least q month later. "A
Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur'i
Court" now enjoying the third month
OF a pre-release ramble on the screen
in Los Angeles, where Il Is appreciated
even In tho midst of the custard pie belt
will take over the key of the Selwyr
Theatre here a week from tomorrow
after "The Prince and the Pauper" has
d eparted this life. Thus Mark Twair
in the flesh win be succeeded by Marx
Twain In the flm. The adapter OF
Twain's satire on the round table days
is said to have stuck by the origina.
story pretty Loyalty. but wasn't able ir
spite OF a vigorous quarantine 70 keeI
fivver from creeping In.
'The Queen OF Sheba," with Miss
Betty Blythe wearing the costumes thai
kept Solomon from being as wise as hs
might have been. Is due for an ex.
posurc here around Easter. The Central
Theatre Ia the logical candidate for hold
ing its Oriental displays. especially after
.Afgar." With "Over the Hill" and
these two new productions on Broadway
simultaneously william Fox will have Q
bank account that even an income tar
collector would love.
A few days ago polic officials notl
fed the Universal company that thel
had received complaints about certain
scenes in ''Outside the Law" their epi
of san Franciscos Chinatown, and tina
even a resident OF Nanhattan's Orion
had objected, although his compatriot
In ii were clouted on the head just n!
lmpartially as white men The polio.
represented that for ther own part the!
mad no burning desire to uphold law ant
order on the films But In Wow OF th,
protests about this Aim they felt called
upon 70 see that there was no crimi
wave on the screen. regardless of wha
might be done about crime wave OF
the streets.
Tho Universal executives obligingl,
made the slight changes requested, eli
mlnating scene in which small boz