The New York herald., 1921-07-03
Screen ShadowS
Cast Where the
Movies Are Made
'The Two Orphans Long in
Reaching the Screen Owing
to Legal Complications.
BY LUCIEN CLEvEs.

Thus Dorothy Donnelly, who was the
original heroine of Bisson's Madame
X" when Henry Savage produced the
play at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
played the same part in an early film
version Of the work. The cinema was
generally exhibited, but that did not
interfere with Pauline Fredericks's ap-
pearance as the unhappy heroine of
the same piece somewhat more than a
year ago. The second version was
much more elaborate. The heroine's
life in the Argentine. but an allusion
in the original, was made the subject
of many pictures as well as the ex-
cuse for innumerable tangos. This
second cinema was undeniably more
impressive
THE Two Orphans" If one may call a
cinema from the studio of David Wark
Griffith an old play when he will prac-
tically give it an altogether new pro-
duction. Indeed it may fairly be said
that D'Ennery's famous drama will
under Griffith's hands reach the screen
for the first time. 1t provides wonder
fully picturesque opportunities for an
imaginative director.
But it took the play owing to legal
complications years to reach the studios
in the right form. Naturally from the
first time that plays were selected as
material for the screen the eyes Of the
directors We're fixed on 1.-THE Two
Orphans" which Is, next to Camille
and East Lynne" one of the plays best
known to the great mass Of American
citizens.
The English version, made by Hart
Jackson for Shook & Palmer at the
Union Square Theatre in 1875. was
copyrighted and became later the props
erty of Kate Claxton, who played LouAss
for years all over the country. Miss
Claxton. who has been in retirement for
almost q decade, sold the picture rights
Of her version to the Polyscope Company
some years ago and a small picture was
made. In 1915 the Fox Company made
much more elaborate use of the same
work, explaining at the time that the
material came from the French original
Already there were two Aims of the
piece in existence over here in addition
to others made in France and Italy.
Mis- Claxton sued for an injunction on
the ground that her rights had been in
fringed by the use of material from her
version and decision was rendered in her
favor. The picture was shown, how
ever. as royalties were under an agree
ment paid by the Fox Company to Miss
ClaXton. Its agreement came to an
end in January last, and now the ex-
elusive rights to the use of the play be-
long to Mr.. Griffith. 1t is not alone Miss
Claxton who complicated the acquisition
of the film rights by the earlier sales.
! There was an element of romance in all
these transactions. Charles Stevenson,
one time husband of Miss Claxton, who
played the Chevolior for years, also
| owned the rights and ultimately trans
| ferred them to his wife.
Now and Then.
Time-One year ago.
Place - Forty-secoud street near
| Broadway.
Characters-Thc manager of a largo
producing company and a reporter from
daily newspaper.
Take 1t from me-" said the manager
II have never had a more valuabls
assistant than young Jones. He had
only brief experience as a producing
manager in the drama. but he learned
an awful lot then. He is my right hand
man. He is full of ideas, knows moro
about casting than an old hand in the
business and has most OF the stage
directors put to sleep. ! tell you. so
long as l am at the head of the Unnamed
Takers Producing Company that boy will
keep his job"
"And is II true" asked the astonished
reporter. that he gets already 100000
year,"
Don't ask me-" came from the mag
nate. "You know Iscan't tell office se-
crets. 1t isn't right. But 1t is five
figures already"
So there was some excuse for the re-
porter's astonishment the other day
when he heard that the Unnamed Fakers
Producing Company had dispensed with
the services of the wonderful Jones. He
was no longer getting his five figures.
There was a rumor that he would not
even have been kept at five cents.
But such Is the drift of affairs in the
cinema world to-day.
Maciste Redfvivus.
In the revival Of "Cabiria" at tho
Strand. which is the most INTERESTING
/ incident of the week in the picture thea
| tres. Macste will live again before the
| eyes Of the spectators He was to be
seen here last about two years ago at
the Criterion Theatre In a series OF 1tal-
ian war pictures called THE Warrior"
II was said at the time that he died later
as a result OF some OF the valiant efforts
on behalf OF his comrades shown in those
scenes. II has since been denied that
he met such fate. After lying under
an ice drift In the Austrian Tyrol he was
recovered by his comrades. faint from
exposure and cold. Ills strength and
health were ultimately recovered.
His real name is Ernesto Pagani and
ne was stevedore I'm Genoa when he
began 10 pose to appear in "Cabiria.'
His first role required fifty-seven re-
hearsals. Now he Is an accomplished
cinema actor and is at present making n
picture In italy. He uses now the name
he bore first in "Cabiria."
Important Competition.
There were two famous writer's en-
ployed last week on the titles In two Of
the picture theatres. SO well known are
.t.... ..,,~ooa ~ iftora tttro fpdaad thof