Evening star., 1927-11-06
BY G. T.. NELSON.

Il number of really outstanding
picNires produced. but in the stars
who have been brought to the front
and the old favorites who have ap-
parently dropped by the wayside in
public favor The latter point is of
such character that the least said
about it the better; for. after all, the
star who is dropped certainly lands
with dull, sickening thud, and is
soon forgotten. 1t is not well to
mention those who no longer see
their names in the flickering lights
above the box Offices.
But the new stars certainly de-
serve special note and comment.
For instance, Janet Gaynor. Charles
Farrell and George Bancroft, who
have, only within the past few
months, reached the heights where,
ii their efforts were given to three
ring circus instead of the movies.
they would command the biggest of
the billposter's banners. Then there
is William Boyd. whose first note
worthy work came in The Volga
Boatman," and it would be possible
to mention several others who have
attracted with one or more pictures.
Bancroft, whose early work showed
the promise of stardom. really came
into his own in "Underworld,' and
he will be a star character actor
for long time if his producers do
not rush things and force him to
appear in too many photoplays.
Bancroft is the type of actor who
should star in two pictures each
year. He should have a schedule
similar to that of the German actor,
Emil Jannings, and each of his pic
lures should be given special thought
and treatment. Some producers
when they find a star. follow the
line of placing him, or her, before
the public in a food of pictures.
This has tendency, in some in
stances, of killing off the popularity
of the player. Douglas Fairbanks
and his wife. Mary Pickford, have
discovered a method of retaining
their popularity by producing and
appearing in few pictures. AS re-
suit. their work is eagerly looked
forward to-a Fairbanks or Pickford
photoplay is an event. If they ap-
peared in picture each month there
is no doubt that the public would
tire of their efforts. Bancroft can
hold his newly gained popularity
with the two-picture schedule, and
it is predicted that he will become
one of the really big stars of all
time.
It possible that Gaynor and Far
rell may retain their popularity with
a more general schedule. They are
of the type, to appear in a more
varied assortment of stories. Miss
Gaynor is only starting her motion
picture career. and big things are
before her.
The writer recently noticed in a
nearby city that Lon Clancy was
billed at three theaters at the same |
time. Each theater was putting on |
a different Clancy picture, and all |
the pictures were good ones. But
this sort of thing plays an important
part in cutting down the box Office
power of a star. Too much CLANCY,
too much Bancroft or too much
Mary Pickford-and then a star be-
gins to fade like those of the sky
when dawn approaches.
WASHINGTON theater patrons
W have an unusually dainty dish
set before them during the coming
week. At the cinema palaces thev
are to be treated with Chang"
which has created somewhat of a
sensation in New York; "Ben-Hur,"
being exhibited in the city for the
first time at popular prices:
camille. with Norma Talmadge in
the leading role, picture which has
long been looked forward to; Loves
of Carmen" with Victor McLaglen
and Dolores Del Rio; LES Miser-
ables. which is the lengthy French |
picture cut to 10 reels for American
consumption. and "Manon Lescaut."
with the dainty little star, Iva |
de Putt. 1t is truly wonderful fare |
for the lover of silent drama.
** **
THE gold rush days of the produc-
l. ton end of the movies seem
TO be at an end. and supervisors are |
now closely watching work in the |
Hollywood studios. And. it is ru-
mored, the supervisors even have
hand in the elimination of individ- |
uality and originality in the making
OF films. Be that as it may, the ex-
pense books of the producing COM
panies are being closely watched,
following the early Summer cry for |
economy. All along the line there
seems TO be a grim and determined |
stocktaking-and whether it bodies
good or evil for the industry will |
probably be reported later. Wall |
Street is making few investigations, |
but these may blow over and matters
settle down to the old routine.
Washingtonians are familiar with
Investigations, and they are aware
of the usual results, but Holly
woodians are frightened.
1T ONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT"
~ has been settled upon as the
title Of Lon Chaneys Forthcoming
production, hitherto known as THE
Hypnotist." 1t is based upon spe-
cial screen story and was directed
by Tod Browning. The tale is that
OF a Scotland Yard dick" who en-
ploys variety of disguises to
fathom bizarre mystery.
Joan CRAWFORD and James
J Murray have the leading roles