The New York herald., 1922-03-12
High Lights and
! ShadOuS on News
| of Motion Pictures
famous Players-Lasky Still
Undecided About Opening
Long Island Studio.
/, ny FRANK vREELAND.

fNI1E HdiiiouS FfayerS-LaSky Cor
poration has again turned
around three times and
scratched its collective brow over that
al absorbing problem: "Shall we open.
the Eastern studio and make Long
Island City blossom as the rose?"
fhis question is assuming the pro-
portions of serial; one week the
Famous Players executives feel thew
nave the solution we'll in hand the
next they are foiled but not down
hearted
This weeks decision is that thev
VIII not reopen the studio, closed. 10,
these many salary months That is.
they won't reopen it in the immediate
future-other bulletins may make this
decision seem like mere ftful i'm
pulse. No doubt this reversal of iudg-
fnent will cause, keen disappointment
and pain in the. region OF the pocket
book to many actors, extras scenario
writer's, cameramen and general studio
iauna and flora. Many of them might
9ccupy their idle time keeping a
graphic fever chart OF the change
or plans made by the company.
A month ago, when the hubbub
attendant upon the death of William
desmond Taylor was all that the from
pages could hold, It was thought bes
again to throw wide the doors of the
Long Island City plant to romance
curtafling the activities of the Holly-
wood studio, though these were not
70 be amputated to the extent where
the Cafeteria owners of Los Angeles
Nyoiild cry for mercy.
hut in view of the tings of onion
that had crept into the odor of
ppcitity around Hollywood. 1t was
thought best to transfer some COM
paBies to the East. in addition to the
fact that the Long Island studio. now
eaang its head off in idleness, was
considered capable Of holding emotions
as scheaply as California at so much
per cubic foot. Victor Fl. Clarke was
10 sbe put in charge of the Eastern
hive of drama. and starting with March
the lid was to be off on excitement
there.
tAdciph Zukor. head of Famous Play
ers, went West to consult on the re-
ADVANCEMENT with Jesse L. Lasky, first
vice-president in charge of production.
and xeturned short time ago with
nsw revelation on the issue. The Long
Island calls for the queen honey bees
were mot to be opened on March l. but
~ Dr hcPl SiuI AOl eAlcc VI
maybe longer, probably depending on
how the income tax collections left
egery one feeling The reason given
for not opening the plant until July
or perhaps August was that Clarke
has had to be kept out West to sub
stitute for Charles Eyton, general man
ager of the Hollywood studio, who Is
taking three months vacation during
which he may succeed In forgetting the
Taylor case.
But evidence that the Long Island
studio may be an even longer time
IA opening its camera eyes is fur
nished in the fact that John S. Rob-
ertson. newly returned from trying to
buck the various climates and govern
rients in making pictures abroad. has
gathered his ideas about him and gone
10 Hollywood this weekend, no doubt
FEELING better and better the farther he
gets away from Europe. After having
been slated to direct at the Realar
studios in California. 1t was decided in
stead that he would control the rolling
OF eyes at Long Island City.
Now that Is altered, unless a painting
Famous Players messenger snatches his
ticket from him at the station at the
last moment and tells him not to be in
such a rush--they may need him here.
George FTtzmaurice. another director,
likewise back from Europe, who was to
he fellow producer with Robertson on
Long Island. has already preceded him
TO Los Angeles, and has just arrived
there to unfurl more reels. They Will
both work at the Lasky studios, where
aliSthe Famous Players work is being
coYicentrated as the Realart studio they
took over has been closed soon after
having borne the brunt of a new name.
the Wiltshire The reasons given for
not limiting film making In the West is
that production there Is cheaper than In
the East, and there is a more plentiful
supply OF actors, as well as lemons.
Meanwhile others OF film importance
seem to have the primal urge to get
away from New York. Despite a flying
visit here, Norma and Constance Tall
madge are said to be permanent vic
Tins of the California climate. Now
John Emerson and Anita Loos. two OF
the most prominent independent pro-
ducers. who have been associated with
the Talmadges for several years. will
leave for Europe in couple of weeks
for the particular purpose OF having
front seats at the impending conflict
between Perpignan and the Republic OF
Andorra. when several OF the combat
ants are expected to be laid up for q
day or so. They are interested in this
intimate war because they want to see
II they mastered the technique of such
European gang fights in Red Hot
Romance" Considering the likely
workmanship of the two armies, one
would prefer to be participant rather
than spectator.
The Famous Players-Lasky Company
Isl going to make determined effort
to dispose Of the remaining Fatty Ar
buckle comedies, of which 1t still has
on it's shelves at least two, represent.
ing about 100000 before the trial came
along and made them act in value like
european currency. The first one Il
booked to be released on June 1S, which
wouIe make 1t appear that the most
californian optimism Is entertained
arlent his next trial.
Oh the other hand. Famous-Players
istreported to have been casting about
for successor to Arbuckle with sim
liar axtra-territorial dimensions Wal.
ter HERS. a roly poly comedian who has
bafn gradually squeezing his way for
ward before the camera. has in fact