Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-09
Flashes From the Screen
BY c. E. NELSON.

studios. Through the work of
George K. Spoor, head of the Essa-
nay Co., and Commodore ]. Stuart
Blackton, founder of Vitagraph, both
pioneers of the motion picture in
dustry, the new step is expected to
revolutionize screen production and
bring the screen closer TO the leglt-
innate stage Natural vision pic
lures will give to the screen the
third dimension-depth. The CLOSE
up" will be eliminated and scenes
will be exhibited continuously with
out hashbacks or other Interrupt
tons, necessitating many rehearsals
Before the play is ready for the
camera.
The American" is the vehicle Sc
lected by Spoor and Blackton for
the first natural vision photoplay.
The story was suggested by the late
Col. Theodore Roosevelt to Mr..
Blackton. Work on the picture will
start this month.
4 SIMPLIFIED talking motion
"A picture is expected to see the
light of day during the coming year.
There have been numerous expert
ments and a few public presenta-
tons of the talking photoplay dur
ing 1926, and plans are already under
way for the simplified invention.
This will take the Broadway stars
into the small towns of the Nation,
according to the promoters.
Another feature of film produc-
ton from which much is expected
during the coming year will be color
photography. The color pictures
have been more or less of an expert
ment, but recent changes indicate
that they will play an increasingly
important part in the photoplays to
be released during the coming year.
CTARTLING figures come from the
- West Coast. where a survey
shows that $lo7, 100000 will be spent
by the motion picture industry dur
ing the coming year. Twenty-Five
million dollars less than that amount
was spent by the California pro-
ducers during 1926. 1t is estimated
that the weekly pay rolls on the
West Coast will average about
100000, and schedules of the
largest producers call for expendi-
ture of $30,000,000 more than last
year. However, to reach the figure
set-$25, 100000 over last year
100000 of the amount was de-
Quoted to cover decrease over 1926
figures because of consolidation,
closing of studios and other changes.
X X X
IRON Hollywood comes word
l. that Lya de Putti's contract
with Famous Players has been abro-
gated by mutual consent. but that
the company will use the services
of the actress on a free-lance basis.
The Oregon censors killed" the
picture, Ladies at Play" but later
agreed to its production after GER
tain cuts had been made.
THE Kid Brother" Harold Lloyd's
newest picture, is to be released dur
ing January. 1t will be exhibited
first at the Rialto Theater, in New
York.
Tom Moore is to have the princi-
pal role in support of Gilda Gray in
Cabaret" which will be started on
Long Island this month, Robert Wig
nola directing.
"Moana of the South Seas" is hav-
ing a record run in Paris. The pic
ture has just completed its fifth
month at Copeau's Theater Vieux
Columbier. 1.-THE Black Pirate" is
L.
Kinema, in London.
Seventeen reels of the Ufa film
Metropolis" have arrived in this
country, and the picture is being cut
for exhibition. The premier will be
given at the George NJ. Cohan The
alter, New York after the run of
Michael Strogoff" is completed.
George O'Brien and kathryn Perry
will have the leading roles in as Eat
So?" The play was bought for the
movies after long stage run.
Robert Z. Leonard has completed
THE Demi- Bride" The picture has
three stars-Norma Shearer, Lew
Cody and Carmel Myers.
Ramon Novarro's new vehicle is
"Old Heidelberg" with Ernst Lu-
bitsch directing. Chester Conklin !
will be the comic" of the produc- |
ton.
John Barrymore, after several |
months of movie work on the West |
Coast, has sailed for a cruise along
South America.
Michael Dantchenko, son of one
of the founders of the Moscow Art
Theater, will have a part in Norma
T almadge's Camille"