Evening star., 1923-04-29
BY HALLET ABEND.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
LOS ANGELES. April 23.-Douglas
Fairbanks has given UP the idea Of
being a pirate. Instead, he will turn
to fairy tales
Bv the middle of May work will be
underway at the Fairbanks studio
on a spectacular film play TO be call
ed Douglas Fairbanks in An Arabian
Nights Tale" The actual filming will
continue until about the end of No
vember.
After raising special head of
hair, writing the plot and announcing
my plans for the pirate picture. /
decided j didn't like the play, so I've
given it up he says.
Instead I'm going TO make the
story OF the thief OF Bagdad who
loves the caliph's daughter and who
inds that the thing he wants most in
all the world is the one thing he can
not steal or gain by chicanery."
Fairbanks left his private Office for
a moment and then came back accom-
panied by Edward knobloch. who is
busy on the continuity. Between
them they carried large. heavy
PORTFOLIO
Look at these" Fairbanks ex-
claimed. and he ranged against the
walls large scenic drawings OF start
ling beauty and originality. one
showed the gateway to Bagdad, an.
other street scene. There was
drawing for a set at the bottom of
the sea. another of the bedroom of
The caliph's daughter showing the
thief crossing long bridge leading
to the moon flooded chamber
These drawings. ] learned, are the
work Of William Cameron Menzies
and they will be followed when the
sets are built.
I'm this picture" said Fairbanks,
there will be symbolism and an
allegory but they will both be con-
cealed Those who remember the
reading from the Koran in one Of
the opening scenes in mosque will
catch the meaning OF the allegory.
TO 'EverNman, will be no preachment.
II will. I think. have wider appeal
than anything I have ever done. For
the children there will be seeming
those who seek merely entertainment
there will be a swiftly moving plot
with interest and suspense.
Roughly the plot will be this:
Three princes will be contenders for
the hand Of the caliph's daughter. hut
will promise his daughter to the
suitor who brings the most priceless
gift. One will bring a ystal in
which one may see all that exists:
magic carpet that will transport one
any place for the wishing: the third
viii return with magic apple, one
bite Of which will cure any Ill.
"On their way back from their
quest the three suitors meet. look
into the crystal and see that the
princess is dying of poison. OF
course they stand on the magic car
pet. sail TO the palace and save her
life by giving her bite OF the magic
nj L.
TO marry the prince who saved her
life with the apple. but she. in order
10 win delay. points out that the
three gifts are of equal importance
the crystal and the carpet"
oh. the thief"
He paused and smiled
"Ill not tell you how the thief get.
there nor what he brings as his great
gift. But the thief has been having
marvellous adventures OF his own. lie
has met perils and overcome tempta-
tions.
There will be ten or twelve reels
10 this film. and every one will be
and novelty of plot. The time and
location-Bagdad at the height of the
glory of the caliphate-will give an
unexampled opportunity for splendor
of costumings and backgrounds"
What Others Are Doing.
William De Mile has gone to New
York with his uncut negative of
only Thirty Eight
Robert Mantell has signed 10 act the
part of Cardinal Richelieu in Under
the Red Robe" for Cosmopolitan.
Charles Ray has completed the film
ing Of THE Courtship Of Miles Stan
dish" and may spend a few months
on the stage before starting a new
picture.
Helen Jerome Eddy has been signed
10 appear in a series of J. L. Froth-
inEham productions.
Thompson Buchanan is working at
the screen adaptation OF Peter 3.
Kyne's 'Harbor Bar" which will be
produced by Associated Authors.
Eugene O'Neills Pulitzer prize play,
Anna Christie" will be screened by
Ince.
Will Rogers will arrive herr June l
fo work for Hal Roach.