The New York herald., 1922-05-14

reversed. which is nothing new
for the movies. Rut this time
It viii be done in striking way, even
for an industry where persons cannot
die except in q striking way Merton
of the Movies" the novel by Harry
Leon Wilson. which managed to sift
through Hollywood without once
stirring up the customary scandals.
will, according to report. be done in
and around New York, thereby mark
Ing a revolutionary step for the movies
but there again, as movie fans might
say epigrammatically, that's old
stuff"
In the past Los Angeles has many
times produced pictures in which, the
local scenery was made to purport to
be Manhattan, principally by strong
effort of will on the part OF the
director. Now New York is to turn
the tables and try TO look like Los
Angeles. A prize will be offered for
the best solution of this riddle: Which
town is the more flattered?
Charlie Chaplin has been noticed con-
ffoerably of late in the immediate vicin-
ity of Lila Lees smile. To which the
answer. however, is said to be MOT"
Chaplin. now that his period of proba-
tion after his divorce from Mildred
Harris is over is said to be willing to
lool. into the subject of marriage again.
This is not to be construed as hint
10 thousands of girls to step forward
with their curls in their hands. 1t
merely expresses Chaplins current
nood--he may presently suffer a re-
lapse into his bachelor phase. In any
event, Miss Lee is said to be not for
him, principally because the young wo-
man has so decided herself. which ought
to settle it.
The conviction is now general that
Goldwyn Distributing Corporation, con-
Quoting the exchanges of the GoIdwyn
Pictures Corporation, will be amalga-
mated with the First National distribut-
ors ''ere yet autumn's fires have tipped
the leaves with FURNISHED gold" as a
film sub-titler would undoubtedly ex-
press it. The name of the combine will
probably be changed to the Goldwyn-
First National Distributing Corporation.
which will be q fine mouthful for the
ordinary exhibitor to utter when CALL
ing up an exchange in hurry.
Incidentally, some speculation is going
on lit always is AS to whether the
Capitol instead Of the Strand next fall
will wear the mantle of First National
franchise. A few First National pic
lures have been shown recently at the
Capitol, but the Strand, as the official
wcarer of the royal purple of First Ma
tional, has had the right to first call
on the regular line of goods that was
being pushed. But in view of the new
deal now being shuffled in the pic
tures---
However, one of those who is doine
the least worrying about such shift
1n the balance of power is S. L. Rotha-
Eel, who directs the presentations at the
Capitol when not attending to his real
business in life, that of studying hand
ball. What is bothering Rothafel just
now is rheumatism in the right shout
der. but not because he cherishes any
aim of leading the big Capitol orchestra.
He is annoyed at his indisposition be-
cause he was to have played for the
theatrical handball championship
against B. S. Moss, who arranges the
movie offerings for his own and the
Keith and Proctor circuits whenever his
time isn't taken up by handball.
The epochal match had to be post
poned because Of Rothafels attack, and
now not only are Mosss followers tug
ging at the leash, but all Broadway is
getting restive under the strain Of hav-
ing this unimportant title undecided.
Whenever the subject is mentioned to
the Rothafel forces, they say. "Well.
anyhow, Mr.. Rothafel beat Mr.. Moss
once before" To which the Moss Office
replies fiercely. tut, TUT!
Meanwhile his ailment hasn't kept
Rothafel from swinging his trusty right
IN making arrangements for some in
teresting future bills at his house. One
prospective offering will be Mack Sem
nett's latest long feature. Gross Roads
of a Great City" which is said to have
humor as we'll as hokum thrills. SO that
the highbrow can laugh while the low-
brow thinks that life In the big town
must be wonderfully terrible. Then
there will be Shattered another of
the French films which are multiplying
here with regularity.
For June 4. the second anniversary
of the Rothafei dynasty at the Capitol,
. pretentious Bruce scenic. MY Coun-
try win be shown. which has Inn
pressed the organization under Edward
Bowes so much that a symphony Will
be written around IL, which Is not to he
confused with the way that many sub
titles for scenics virtually rine them
selves, especially when dealing with
clouds and the wide. open spaces. This
is the first time that mountains In the
movies have been deliberately set 10 mu
sic. a piano duet by child prodtgies Is
also pronsed--which is virtually the
me plus ultra Of juvenile talent
Fatty Arbuckle has been lSeering very
much in the shade lately, as he was ad-
vised to do. and doubtless an effort will
presently be made 10 bring him back as
one of the staple figures of Main street
rut Is is n question whether the public
snay not only decide 10 forget ere past
hut. as has been its habit In the case or
other stars who retired temporarily
from the screen, to forget Arbucl-le him
self.
Even where the star has had q good
deal OF popularity and there was moth
ing extraneous TO be considered, failuf Q
40 keep before the public for Ions
stretch of time has been almost as fatai
es being wiped off the silver sheet oy
the censors Marguerite Clark, ut on4
time rated second only to Mary Pick"
ford In general esteem, tasted from the
firms for period. When she reap
peared; the usual attitude of tie fans
eeemcd TO be. LET me see, where have
seen her before?" Following her mar
rage. Mae Marsh abstaiped from the
screen likewise, and when she returned
encountered a big question mark, too.
gAA most conspicuous instance recently
III. = that If Flora Finch who rnboupded