Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-09
THE MOVlE FANS
LETTERBOX
By HENRY NJ. NEELY

l
Valentino fans and anti Valentine
fans will be interested In the latest
phase Of his career. 1t Is summarized
IN an article printed In the New York
worla II,y yesterday: ter a;:, Err tis; ,.,,..
Saturday It viii bring Charles Dc
Roche. thirty, a Frenchman, who is to
take the leading part in the important
Famous Players. Lasky motion pic.
ture "A Spanish Cavalier" q part
which originally was given to Rodolph
Valentino.
"valcntino. who rose to fame through
his appearance in The Four Horse.
men and several subsequent films
made by Famous Players, Is definitely
out as a Famous Players star. He
voluntarily left the organization a
month ago. The company now has
asked for an injunction to prevent him
appearing in other pictures. This In.
junction will be heard in the Appellate
Division Of the Supreme Court in about
two weeks.
''The World. learning Of the pro.
posed importation Of Dc Roche, who Is
said to be Of the same type as Valen-
tino, made inquiries both In this coun.
try and abroad. It has learned that
while the Famous Players -Lasky Cor.
poration had to keep its venture re.
eret; 1t will attempt to transfer to DE-
BY Valentino. In order to give this
success, a nation. wide publicity cam
paign will be launched for the young
actor shortly after he begins work on
his first film here. The Law Of the
Lawless,' with Dorothy Dalton. This
picture will be made at the Long Island
studio.
DE Roche first came to the atten.
ton Of the Famous Players Company
several months ago when motion pic.
ture called Spanish jade was shown
here. Officers Of the company in New
York telegraphed Jesse l.. I.asky. vice
president of the company. who was In
California, to see his work. This was
prior to public knowledge Of difficulties
between Valentino and his employers.
"Mr. Lasky agreed with the New
York executives and quiet investiga.
tion was made 40 to the possibilities
Of engaging him. When Mr.. Lasky
was in Europe late this summer he
contracted with De Roche TO come to
New York and appear in The Spanish
Cavalier, taking the part which had
been allotted to Valentino. 1t was on
with Pola Nesri for her trip to
"De Roche Is said by picture men
here and abroad to be handsome
chap, suited perfectly to step into parts
laid out for Valentino. He Is un.
married, and has appeared IN Paris in
such stage plays as 'Marthe.' He was
tho Due de Coranne in 'Imperia' and
Deputy Of Majomont in Gigollette.'
He was In a screen play with Renee
LIE Prince, the French star.
Although no confirmation OF the
ultimate aim Of the company in this
respect could be obtained directly from
Famous Players executives yesterday,
1t was learned beyond doubt that this
unique experiment in the transfer OF
popularity would be carried out. Such
an attempt has never been made In pic.
lures before,
Q. e. ID. writes: ''Thousands of
ss9. ts S'yi tse eess new. Ts' %aaes
Though have never be-
onged to his very strong personal fol.
owing, I certainly echo the regret OF
4. +. g., 80 few things that are last.
ne to show for Ills years Of work. 40
ew things commensurate with his real |
lbility.' I look upon thissAs one Of the |
'eal film tragedies.
~ wonder also II some Of the fans
lre not feeling deep regret for some of
he Aams they have been handing him.
dany causes have contributed to his
present condition. Of course, but one
4 those causes was surely the realixa.
ION on his part that he was taking n
lump In his work and gradually losing
10 popularity:
aid about him. ] believe that 90 per
ent OF those slams and practically all
{ tho responsibility for his slump
'hich has been exploiting him CONNER.
Ially ct the expense Of his artistic life.
wonder II We realize how little the
lajority Of screen actors really have
, say In regard to what. or even how,
hoy shall act? II
1.-THE producing company has proved
lat II 10 IN the moving picture
usiness first. last and always 10 coin
lOney, not to develop the personalities [
nd talents Of ambitious young actors
ho want to make for the public
orthwhile and artistic pictures.
personally ] have never slammed
cid. for which ! am now thankful,
Ut ] have been guilty OF throwing
rickbats at some others; but I have
armed my lesson. J.. too. have q new
eed.--'If you can't boost. knock, but
i the fellow that deserves it," ;
Donald writes: .'Heing q reader Of
'ur daily column. ! could not but help
reduction The Loves Of Pharaoh.
our criticism Of this picture prompted
. to see It and I really AM greatly
debt to you, cir. :
1.-THE program at this one theatre
insisted Of four vaudeville acts and
= fnaturo piot,lRo. ~ audieNnn N.