davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Washington His Best Bet.

REHIND the recent announcement
by the President Players that
John Litel, talented young leading
man, would share honors with Miss
Edith King during the coming stock
season that opens at the President to-
morrow night, it is asserted, lies one
of the pleasantest tributes ever paid
to Washington's playgoing popula-
tion, largely because it is based on
facts.
According to Mr.. Litel himself. who
deliberately surrendered a contract to
play on Broadway in order to come
TO Washington, there is a cosmo-
politan element in a Washington au-
dlence that brings the remainder of
the country to the actor here without
making it necessary for him to spend
the best part of the year touring
through the several states. And.
paradoxically enough, it is claimed.
he decided not to heed it's call at
this particular time.
You know explains Mr.. Lite1,
after you put in a little time in
stock you get the itch to move along
to Broadway. And like as not, YOU
get the chance to do il in produc-
tion that will last about three weeks
and then fiatten out like a punctured
tire and leave you just as fiat.
II had been playing stock in At
lanta. and this autumn. according to
my calculations, would see me in New
York, with a Broadway run ahead
Il went to the metropolis, and, sure
enough, there was the chance II
was new production cast for an
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Easy, If You Know How.

THERE has been a great deal said
and written from time to time
about the failure of the motion pic
ture to develop an individuSlistic
school of original screen writer's 1t
has been pointed out that the new
medium of expression inevitably must
produce a new. school Of authors, and
nearly every one in the United States
has attempted at least one scenario,
The number of manuscripts pur-
chased by producing companies to
which they have been sent unsolicited,
however, is amazingly small. In
yersely. the country's gross authorial
disappointment is StupendouSly large.
There is a reason for this.
The composer attempting a musical
creation begins his work only after
a close study of and thorough famil-
iarty with the rules of his art. He
knows theory harmony, counterpoint
and Instrumentation. When he knows
something of all these. in the opinion
of Sol Lesser. who, with Joseph NJ.
Schenck, is engaged extensively in
photoplay production, distribution and
exhibition, he writes, and his success
is determined not only by the beauty
of his inspiration, but largely by the
measure of his erudition. Certainly.
he will not write effectively beyond
the limits of his own technique.
THE novelist" says Mr.. Lesser "be-
fore writing successfully, studies the
art of composition; he knows some
thing of syntaX, rhetoric and gram
mar. And the measure of his success
will be determined very largely by
the measure of his literary technique.
So, too. with the poet, who builds
verse, the architect, who builds monu-
mental structures. and the landscape
4 "a.
to which he is subjected by the laws
of nature and of art.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Apollo.

Today and tomorrow, Ben Alexander,
in Booth Tarkington's "Penrod and
Sam" and Lige Conley, in FBackfire";
Tuesday and Wednesday, Lionel
Barrymore. in Enemies of Women;
Florence Vidor, in Alice
Adams" and Paul Parrott, in Live
Wires: Friday. Anita Stewart, in
1.-The Love Piker." and George O'TIara,
in Fighting Blood" round IL; Satur-
day, Herbert Rawlinson, in % The
Victor" Harry Pollard, in '1The
Mystery Man." and Lyman II. Howe's
Hot Shots"
Evening star., 1923-09-02
'No$2Movies, 'SayExhibitors

Therefore, we-the actual theater
owners of America-have made a
definite stand, not only for ourselves.
but for the Independent producers and
the public.
The Theater Owners Distribution
Corporation has proceeded construc-
lively and carefully, building up
toward the time when this step could
be taken. We are now ready"
Sydney S. Cohen. president Of the
Motion Picture Theater Owners of
America, states that the need of a
theater owners distributing corpora
tion found expression in 1921 at the
Minneapolis convention. and a resolu-
tion was passed authorizing the board
of directors to investigate the situa-
tion.
AT the Washington convention in
May, 1922, the committee on business
relations submitted a unanimous re-
port, which was likewise unanimously V
adopted. urging the board of directors
and officers to continue their activi-
ties. The board of directors unani-
mously resolved that as the Motion
Picture Theater owners OF America
was purely a membership organiza
ton. "A separate organization should
be created for the distribution of
pictures.
Following this decision, the Thea :
ter Owners Distributing Corporation
was formed I'm December, 1922. Both
at the Minneapolis and Washington
conventions the Motion Picture Thea
ter Owners of America gave notice to
the producers and the trade generally
that relief was needed in distribution.
These interests were seemingly given
no heed and conditions have grown
worse. The time for resolutions and
conferences has passed.
II is understood that men who are
said to represent an investment of
over S20.000.g00 in motion picture
thsaters are behind the movement.
The officers of the new organization
are: W. A. True, president; Harry
Davis, vice president; l.. J. Ditmar.
treasurer: W. D. Burford. secretary,
and Sydney S. Cohen, chairman of the
board of directors.
Mr.. Cohen for four years has been
president of the Motion Picture Thea
ter Owners of America; Mr.. Davis,
Mr.. Burford and Mr.. True are mem
bers of the national board of directors
and Mr.. Dittmar is president of the
Motion Picture Theater Owners of
Kentucky. Other theater owners in
clude the presidents of many state or
ganiZatiOnS
Evening star., 1923-09-02

In short, no one in any line Of
art seriously undertakes expression
until he has achieved a degree at
least of technical ease and freedom
IN the line he essays TO develop.
But everybody thinks he can write
Tor the screen, and most of US attempt
1t from the depths of abysmaI igno-
rance of the requirements"
Mr. Lesser expressed it as his Arm
conviction that more qualities of
creative force are involved in the
creation of a successful film play than
in the making of a stage play, an
opera, music drama. a comedy, or a
spectacle for an audience of the
the single undertakings specified in
order. but the sum total of them all.
for there is something of each. he
says. in the production of a really
notable picture.
And Yet in the face of all these
technical difficulties bristling in the
path of the amateur screen writer.
we find gay and impudent indiffer-
ence and a confident serenity and as
surance abroad among the ambitious
that prompt the unkind reflection
that it must be true that fools rush
in where angels fear to tread"
When Mr.. Lesser wished to adapt
James Otis story of Toby Tyler" to
the screen for Jackie Coogan Mr.. Otis
confessed frankly that he knew nothing
VI the leShHIqut VI IIle screen OT screen
writing. and requested that his story
be translated into action by some one
more skilled than he. Accordingly
the story was turned over to Director
Eddie Cline. who fashioned from its
pages a picture rejecting the story's
romance, pathOs and adventure, with
a heavy leavening of humor, as no
tyro could ever hope to do.
Toby Tyler" was a fine story, but
not picture. Circus Days" which
sprang from it, is both, which aspi-
rants for the toga of c. Gardiner Sui
livan might do we'll to remember.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
FASHION CREATIONS
OF THE STAGE

ful folds Of drapery radiated from this
fastening, giving the bodice a basque
like contour, and catching one side of
the coat skirt several inches above the
other, so that a double row of fur was
disclosed. A coronet of flashing bril-
liants clasped around Miss Sanderson's
sort brown hair was an effective COM
plement to her costume
Allyn Mann, appearing in "A Whirl
OF Dance at keiths, wore an adorable
irock OF orange and silver changeable
taffeta, combined with apricot georg
ette. The fitted basque of taffeta was
yelled by deep, rounded bertha collar
of georgette, daintiIy frilled with self
color lace. The skirt revealed a foun-
dation slip of georgette circled every
inch or SO with lace, so that striped
effect was given. and longer overskirt
of taffeta opened the length of the front
so that the foundation reSembled a cen
ter panel. wreath of roses appeared
on the 'taffeta at each side of the open
ing and crisp bow of silver ribbon at
the top seemed to hold the flowers in
place. A much larger bow Of taffeta
ribbon was placed at one side of the
bodice. its ends dropping over the skirt,
to add the final touch.
Another attractive gown displayed by
Allyn Mann was fashioned with a bo-
dice Of silver cloth, and d bouffant skirt
of orange-hued satin petals, outlined
with silver. Long strands of sparkling
rhinestones fell from the shoulders.
hanging in graceful loops at the front
and forming latticework at the back.
while a large rhinestone medallion on
the corsage gave additional touch Of
brilliancc to the model.
Grace Leigh. appearing in "The Love
Gamblers" wore an evening creation
of bright geranium pink satin-faced
canton. The crepe side was used for
the surplice bodice and inserted gilet
and also for the draped skirt. However.
large butterfly bow over one hin re-
vealed the lustrouS satin finish, while
the long end that trailed below the skirt
hem. forming panel, was also of satin
A turban Of self-mdterial trimmed with
large sequin disc placed at the cen
ter front, formed an effective head
Evening star., 1923-09-02

THE Theater Owners Distributing
Corporation, created by the Motion
Picture Theater Owners of America,
will actively engage in the distribu-
tion of motion pictures in October.
This is said to be the exhibitors
answer to the demands for higher
rentals and increased admission
charges.
w. A. True, president of the new or
g'anization. states in a lengthy an
nouncement in part, as follows:
The exhibitors protest against the
folly of 81 admission charges and the
attitude of many of the national dis
tributors who are trying to secure
more than the business can legiti-
mately bear. We believe that our
success holds. for the future as well
a. the past, on the fundamental policy
of healthy entertainments at small
prices.
1--WE know that the exhibitors, in
constant touch with the public, are
frequently unable to supply the public
with what it wants under the present
system, whereby are frequently
forced to book pictures sight unseen
six months in advance of th@ir actual
showing in our theaters. We have
even been forced to buy pictures be-
fore they are made.
THE whole system has tended to
disregard the public'S wishes. Bad
pictures in the theaters have not been
the fault of the exhibitors altogether,
but largely the evil of a situation be-
yond the exhibitors control This we
will correct. Under our plan we will
secure for the public the kind of at
fractions it desires. For the first time
the public will actually have a voice
In a campaign for better pictures.
I'VE are opposed to the outrageous
ly high salaries paid to stars-and
this includes stars who are mere chill
dren-which tremendously high costs
are passed on to the public. We also
object to the eXtravagant press stories
put out by producers and distributors
in the announcements of such salaries,
and to misleading statements about
the quality of pictures which prove TO
be false.
I'VE protest against padded lengths
of pictures and against doll-faced
beauties who contribute nothing to
the pictures.
I'VE are prepared to fight the cause
of the independent producer. who is
at the mercy. of the big companies
under the present system,
Evening star., 1923-09-02
BY ELENORE DE WITT EBY.

ONE of the prettiest stage pictures
seen in Washington in many day
was that of Julia Sanderson at the con-
clusion of her vaudeville debut at
Keith's Monday evening. A huge bou-
quet Of pale pink roses clasped in each
arm, she was radiant and yet delight
fully shy, much as a sweet girl grad
uate might be, and all she could manage
to tell the enthusiastic audience was,
Really, I'm frightened to de>.h.'
Her frock was of misty green chif-
fon and seemed to have been especially
designed as background for the beau
ffful flowers which were handed UP over
the footlights. The sleeveless blouse
showed a bright tracery of silver along
it's edges, while an elaborate motif, en-
broidered in brilliants, appeared just
above the girdle at the center front
The skirt was circular and its rip
ping hem dipped a trifie at each side.
occasionally foundation of pale canary
yellow was revealed when a sudden
movement sent the folds in whirl. A
glrdle OF crushed chiffon a shade darker
than the green of the bodice was fold
ed over the hips to define a low waist
line and an ornament of crystal beads
was placed at its center, just below the
sparkling embroidery on the blouse
Several panels. also of the darker chif-
ION, Veiled the skirt. and occa sional
nashes of crystal beading on them re-
sembled the sun-hecked spray of a
woodland waterfall.
Miss Sanderson first appeared in an
elaborate coat-wrap of delicate peach-
toned fabric heavily powdered with sill
Ver Fox fur. as white and fluffy as
snowf1akes and seemingly as intangible
formed a luxurious collar, huge muff
ike cuffs for the flaring bell shaped
sleeves and a border for the lower edge
of the wrap. The lines of the garment
were similar to those of a one-piece
dress, for the bodice opened in an
oblique line, and was fastened at one
MP with sparkling sequin ornament
fringed with light coral beads. Gracal
Evening star., 1923-09-02
LATEST MOVIE GOSSIP
FROM HOLLYWOOD
Daytime Wives" Will Agitate the Women

and who was married here August IS
to John Emmett Mccormick, western
representative of her producing cor
trip. but will go to New York in Oc-
tober after she completes The
Swamp Angel"
short photoplays, the ordinary
tlve-reeler will soon disappear" de-
Glares Rupert Julian. director of
Merry -Go-Around." He believes that
the picture theaters will increase
their demand for long features and
will give, only two performances a
day, with most of the seats reserved.
Two more of the Los Angeles cinema
pIayhouses will adopt this two-a day
plan early next month.
Buster keaton is having hard luck
with his production work on "Hospi-
tality," the seven-reel feature. which
he has been making for more than
two months. Joe Roberts, the ESQ
round heavy, who has been in all the
Keaton productions since his days of
two-reelers, having suffered stroke
of apopleXy. This Will neceSsltate
securing a new heavy for the part
and retakeS of many scenes.
Harold Shaw will soon start pro-
duction work on film version of
William J. Locke's THE Tale of Trl-
ona," which will be called THE Liv-
ing Past" Mae Murray has begun on
Fashion Row." under the direction
of her husband. Robert Leonard.
Automobile Yields Plot.
Reginald Benny's next starring pic
ture for Universal will be Fhere
He Goes" an original automobile
story by Byron Morgan.
Coincident with the return from
Italy of Barbara Lamar and The
Eternal City company. Arthur H.
Sawyer Miss Lamarr's manager. an
nounced that the star had been signed
under a five-year contract by Asso-
ciated First National. She Will spend
four weeks in New York and then
come here to start work under Mr..
SawyerS direction.
A h Mczumdar. a Hindue philoso-
pher. has launched upon Il production
program in the motion picture feid.
His first feature will be Behind the
Veil and, though it will expound
oriental psychology, it will in no
sense be Il propaganda film.
wiison nSon."Ire has given Ven up her screen
career and married Ensign q. c.
Lewis of the L. S. S. Arizona. She
has been starred by Paramount in
Fair Week.
Cecil +. De Mile counts upon grip
ping human drama to make the last
eight reels, the modern sequence.
overbalance in interest the gorgeous
Biblical vehicle of the prologue of
The Ten Commandments" AS Mr..
De Mile phrased his hopes to me,
THE sob in woman's throat and the
cry of anguish wrung from a mothers
lips-theSe things I'm sure will
drown out the trampling of the hun
dreds of horses of Pharaohs war
chariots." He will spend five weeks
cutting and titling the picture, which
will be handled as a road show and
go out about November l.
Mike Donlin. former base ball star
and later vaudeville actor, is ap-
pearing in Woman Proof"
Marjorie Rambeau. who is in a hos
of appendicitis, was to have opened
this week at downtown theater in
THE Gold Fish"
Pat O'Malley will be seen as the
lover of Mary Philbin in Mamie
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Is Modest About 1t.
DONALD BRIAN, who has gone bac

DONALD BRIAN, who has gone back
to Keith vaudeville, at least for a
time. achieved his first stage triumph
in THE Merry Widow" the first of
the Viennese operettas to sweep the
country. AS the Prince Charming in
the Franz LehSr piece Donald Brian
created type of matinee idol that
set a distinct vogue. Being a. dash
ing. personable young man with ro-
mantle inclinations-that is. in THE
Merry Widow'-his characterization
we'll excited the envy of the operate
lotharios of other types.
Queried on this one point Brian
smilingly said:
You know I'm not entirely respon-
sible for The Merry Widow sensa-
ton. ! only tried to give the char
acterization my best endeavor and at
the same time seriously attempt to
follow the manuscript and score in
the hope that I might meet the ap-
proval of the author and the COM
poser. ] was not in any way respon-
sible for the Donald Brian hat or
the Donald Brian necktie,' and l lay
no claim to a reputation as a wan
dering and not to say promiscuous
lothario. j was very glad to be sue
cesSful. as is any artist. but / was not
concerned with setting a fashion in
clothes, personality or characterize
tiOn,"
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Gets a Surprise.
COINCIDENCE sometimes

CoINc1DENcE sometimes plays
strange pranks.
A few years ago, back in the days
of the big fight between the biggest
nations of the world, sergt. NJ. L.
Mobley, marine stationed at one
of the eastern training camps, re-
ceived nice gift box containing a
pipe, some cigarettes, a can or two
OF tobacco and a plug Of chewing
A note accompanying the pack
age said: ITO you, boy, from me-"
and was signed Mary Miles Minter."
Recently Sergt. Mobley became a
script clerk and cutter at the Lasky
studio and was assigned to the unit
IN which Mary Miles Minter is a star.
The soldier brought the gift pack
age, carefully preserved, and the note
TO the studio. and between scenes of
Drums of Fate" in which Miss Min
Ter is featured, showed the package to
the star.
Both looked at each other in won
derment, and then burst out in a hearty
laugh, which was joined in by Di-
rector Charles Maigne and all the
members of the company.
For Sergt. Mobley is q girl.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Paramount Week.

THE sixth annual Paramount week
will be celebrated this year during
the period between September and s.
inclusive.
The Famous Players-Lasky Corpo-
ration, producers and distributors of
Paramount pictures. are directly re-
sponsible for the event and have con-
sistently sponsored all that it stands
for. Born of the ambition that Para
mount pictures be recognized as the
highest standard of screen value,
Paramount week, from an humble be-
ginning six years ago. has grown
steadily year by year in Importance.
until it is now looked forward to with
much interest by the theatergoers of
every community.
The theaters everywhere have join
ed wear by year with the public at
large in making the event an impress
sive one.
work accomplished during the year,
and for the announcements of the at
fractions to be offered by Paramount
during the year just starting.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Comedy Requires Effort

4 FTER five years of comedy roles in
pictures, Owen Moore plays his
first serious part in The Silent Part
ner." a Paramount picture.
Mr.. Moore says that to him comedy
and comedy-drama require much more
effort than straight drama. A demon
strative audience, he has noticed, is
appreciative of good comedy acting.
On the other hand acting in drama
may be mediocre, yet if the story is
strong the audience appears satisfied.
"The Silent Partner" Charles
Maigne production, is for the most
part pure drama, though lightened by
occasional touches of comedy relief.
The theme deals with the right of
wife to have something to say regar-
ing her husbands business activities
Ito assure a certain income for the
family, instead of taking chances on
speculation. Leatrice Joy and Robert
Edeson are featured with Mr.. Moore
in the production.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Coming Attractions
COSMOS. C. Mack, in Mother
Goose"

]. c. Mack. the inimitable character
comedian, with his laugable produc-
tion, Mother Goose" depicting the
woes and the worries of the old lady
that beat the landlords by housing her
brood in d gaiter. will be the Keith
headline attraction for the Cosmos
Theater bill next week. AL Rea, Hat
tie Cole, Mary Ferry, Jane Stone, Billy
Clearwater, Marie Dolan and Celie
Corrine help in the fun making.
Offsetting the trails of the old lady
will come the Roth Kids, Lillian and
Anne, Broadway's youngest stars, in
The Night of the Party"
Laughter and jazz will be found in
the novel comedy, The Newsdealer,"
which Joe Shriner and Billy Fitzsim-
mons will bring; a harmonious trio
in the Keller Sisters and Frank
Lynch. who will put over ''The Spirit
of Youth" and songs that scintillate
when Maureen Englin opens her
pretty throat and you hear what
comes of 1t.
There is more to be told, including
the name of the photoplay, but later.
Evening star., 1923-09-02
Rose" Miss Philbin's first big starring
picture for Universal. .r "

Rose" Miss Phtlbin's hrst big starring
picture for Universal.
What Others Are Eoing.
Dorothy Phillips, wife of Alan
Holubar. has been chosen to CO star
with Lewis Stone in the j. II. Stahl
production of Avery Hopwood's play,
why Men Leave Home Mary Carr
also will be in the cast.
Carl Miller. juvenile male lead in
Charlie Chaplin's "A Woman of Paris"
is to play the male lead in Maurice
Tourneur's Jealous Fools" Jane
Novak and Earle Williams also are
in the cast.
"a Lady of Quality" will produce
THE Turmoil next. Eileen Percy is
engaged for the new feature.
King Baggot will soon start work
on Baby Peggy's third feature, "The
Custody of the Child"
The title of Universal's Sentenced
to Soft Labor" has been changed to
THE Breathless Moment"
AS soon as Mabie Normand re-
covers. from the ribs broken when
nado she will begin work on Mary
Ann" at the Sennett studio.
Irene Rich. who played the queen
of Spain in Mary Pickford's "Rosita,"
has been cast as the duchess in Beau
Rrummel." in which John Barrymore
will star.
Edmund Lowe, male lead in I'm the
Palace of the King" is being dis
cussed in Hollywood as a possibility
for the title part in Ben Hur," but
the Goldwyn officials are still reticent
about that feature.
Percy Marmont, English stage and
screen star. has created a sensation
by his work as Sabre in IF Winter
Comes" the Fox film version of the
famous Hutchinson novel, which was
directed by Harry Millarde and was
nearly a year in the making. The
exteriors were made in and near
Canterbury. in England. The plot
and spirit of the book have been tam
slow novel has been made into a
marvelouSly dramatic film. Mr.. Mar
mont is now working at the Lasky
studio in the star part of Kipling's
The Light That Failed"
Another Fox film for early fall dis
tribution which I have seen in the
Company'S projection room here is
'Monna Wanna" the famous Maeter-
linck play This film was made in
Germany and must have cost about
two train loads of marks. 1t is lavish
in the extreme, but at no time is the
plot lost because of gorgeous sets or
immense mobs. "Monna Wanna" is
without exception the best foreign
made film l have seen since PAS
sion" The names of the German cast
man who plays Fitelli could give Ro-
still beat him at any screen game
Copyright. 1923. in L. 5. and Great Britain
by North American Newspaper Alliance
All rights reserved.l