davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
What the Players Say.

sonally very interested In the posi-
bilities OF musical comedy on the
screen"
Esther Ralston: Although 1t means
the development of new technique on
the part OF writer's, directors and play
ers. I think the use OF the dialogue In
pictures is worth the trouble. am
very anxious to make my first talking
film."
George Bancroft. "As a stage-veteran
I am naturally looking forward to 81,
escape from silence on the screen. ]
wish we had chance at sound accom-
paniment, II not dialogue, in Under
world"
Bebe Daniels. Il vote for sound-es-
pecially in news reels. The develop
ment of dialogue Is going to take time,
of course. and crudities are pretty sure
TO accompany first attempts. But we'll
get there"
Charles Rogers, Chester Conklin,
Give Brook and Richard Arlen are 9TH
ers lined up on the side OF "talkies. "
Conklin declares he Is cultivating q
voice to match the moustache.
Richard Dix and Adolphe Menjou
we're the only Paramount players not
positive In their approval Of sound pic
lures Both declared that they pre-
ferred to await further progress before
expressing an opinion. Neither, how
ever. has anything to fear In the COM
ing OF dialogue. Both have pleasing,
natural voices, and both have had
plenty of stage experience.
Florence Vidor, now In Europe Is re-
garded as the most fortunate of the
Paramount list In the matter OF voice.
She has speaking voice exactly adapt
ed to the needs of the new medium.
Fay Wray Is another to whom sound
films should mean added opportunity.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
LeOna Powers Returns.

CONFRONTED with the retirement
~ from the National Theater Players
Of Miss Leneta Lane. its leading lady,
Manager Cochran, who is very wide
awake theatrical man for his day and
generation. began warming the wires,
and from far-off California, where she
is a perennial favorite, he again pre-
sents to his Washington patrons Miss
Leona Powers, whose Titian-haired
beauty, coupled with rare and effective
talents, captivated washington last
season, to fill the vacancy.
There will be wide regret as q matter
of course, at the departure OF Miss Lane,
who has endeared herself to many dur
ing her several seasons In Washington.
A wide host of admirers viii wish her
bon voyage and much success.
But vacancies must be filled, especially
In stock organization that has made
the fine record In histrionic achieve
ment unuuestioningly accorded the Ma
tional Players. True, Washington be-
came well acquainted with Miss Powers
last season, but her sense of delicacy
prompted her to ask the withholding of
personal publicity which had for It's pur-
pose the laudation of the woman her.
self Miss Powers much preferred to
stand or fall on her acting ability and
charm, and on that point she rose to
great heights with her washington adj
mirers
Miss Powers has played the four cor
ners of the United States and In each
she has achieved an unusual measure
of success New Orleans so idolized her
that 1t held her fast for five long years
of her young life. and she might be
there today but for her own notion that
u -s~an II a la
had better be up and doing elsewhere,
In Dallas. Tex, she repeated her New
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

CHORTLY after the movie began t.
ride high on the crest OF the wave
of success, the notion suddenly de-
veloped In the studies that players who
had won fame by giving delight in their
performances over and again upon the
stage did not exactly At In motion
pictures. 1t used to be said among
other things. that they lacked movie
technique and we're either too proud
to attempt to acquire 1t, or else they
how hard they might try.
This monstrous condition Of affairs
has gone on for fully score Of years,
and during that period many gallant
veterans OF the stage, especially the
woman stars, women who knew and
understood drama and who were most
competent to enact 1t, have been showed
aside, even snubbed by the wiseacres Of
the studios
Those who really knew the facts
thoroughly understood the arrogance of
the studio experts" and many of them
vigorously protested, not so much for
Justice to the legitimate player as for
the ultimate perfection OF the drama
In the movies But 1t was cheaper to
hire pretty ambitions and teach them.
from picture to picture, how to act, and
the director who could best do this
there are many of him now--at once
became the master In his line And. by
the same token. many pretty moments
ties leaped overnight from the sodden
earth to the screen armament as
planets. stars of the first magnitude
and down to protoplasmic illuminants.
But screen drama now Ii to be silent
no longer 1t must sneak. and In that
speaking what screams may come.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

Orleans conquest and duplicated 1t
again and again in Seattle and San
Francisco. Boston, the home OF culture,
we are told, also took her to its heart
and gave her added fame.
Today, In the inner sanctum OF the
theater, where things become facts only
after the most thorough straining and
sitting, she ranks as the ideal stock
actress" and commands a higher COM
pensation than others. ranking as the
highest paid stock actress In the coun-
try"
But her talents and worth are not
confined to stock alone. She has run
the gantlet of Broadway in q canter
tried hard to get her name on the
dotted line. They have not succeeded
because another of her own notions
stood In the way. Miss Powers has a
firm and abiding faith that great actors
and great actresses are developed better
in stock than in ephemeral shows OF
magnitude that run their little course
and are then forgotten.
The demands of stock production, she
believes will ultimately bring out the
best there is in her, and that when that
best has been rounded out and ulti-
mately achieved, she may easily take
her rank with the noted tresses Of the
theater and deseryedly reap the reward
they have already received. She Is
young yet. very young, and who viii dis
pute her reasoning?
Last year when she played with the
National Players, the management states
all attendance records were broken. and
Manager Cochran firmly believes that
Washington likes Leona Powers and VIII
give her It's heartiest welcome when she
appears tomorrow evening In the new
mystery play. 1.-The Nightcap."
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

An almost unanimous verdict, It Is
announced. in favor OF the use OF sound
both for synchronized musical accom-
paniment and for dialogue purposes in
motion pictures was the result OF re-
cent survey among players &C the Para
mount studios in Hollywood. Most OF
the stars and featured players now url-
der contract were asked TO give their
opinion In regard to developments in
the sound film field.
William Powell was the most enthu-
siastic In regard TO the future OF the
'talkies."
Il see no reason for alarm among
screen actors and actresses who have
reached the top OF their profession be-
fore the advent of sound" he said,
THE same skill IN pantomime which
has served them in the past must con-
tinue to be Of basic Importance in the
future, sound or no sound. And / sim
cerely hope that the sudden arrival OF
spoken dialogue on the movie scene
viii not result In an attempt to teach
standardized. school teacherish 'elo-
cution' for picture purposes.
II believe that the sound picture has
come to stay. Sound films, In color and
in three dimensions, should be the ulti-
mate goal Of the movie-makers.
Powell himself is a graduate OF the
Sargent School In New York and has
had years of experience on the speaking
stage.
Clara Bow said: II am certainly in
favor of sound pictures In the SYM
chronized Aims / have seen the musi-
cal accompaniment has been decided
improvement over the usual orchestral
arrangement. Dialogue will add to the
effectiveness of such pictures as Ladies
of the Mob ! am sure. And I'm per-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
On the Road to Fame.

JACK oAKIE. who played an inpor
tant comedy role with Clara Bow
In 1.-THE Fleets H." has been given a
featured player contract with Para
mount
Oakieis career has been brief but
colorful. A native New Yorker. he
took a job as a clerk In Wall street
after graduation from De La Sale High
School His first stage appearance was
In the 1919 Junior League charity re-
vue. His act attracted the attention
Of Lulu Mcconnell, vaudeville comedi-
enne. who suggested a partnership
which lasted eight years. Together
they played in Innocent Eyes" ar
fists and Models" and several Pass
ing Shows"
Last year Oakie vent to the Coast
with a letter of introduction to Wes-
ley Ruggies. who gave him a small
part with Laura La Piaute in Find
ers Keepers A member of the Para
mount writing staff saw the picture and
called in Malcolm st. Clair, then cast
ing for THE Fleets In" st. Clair
at once signed Oakie for the Bow pro-
duction.
And now Oakie seems on the road to
fame. Incidently he has voice.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Ruth Welcomes Flyers.

THE first six aviators to arrive at
l. Mines Field, Los Angeles, at the
end of the national cir tour contest re-
Gently were guests of Ruth Elder at
a luncheon given by the Paramount
Studios.
George Haldeman, Miss Elders pilot
on her ocean flight. and william Brock
and Edward Schlee, around-the- world
flyers, also were present. The winning
pilots were Robert Cantwell, Eddie Stin-
son, David p. Levy, Vance Breese. Rich
ard w. Frears and Jay Sadowsky.
When the entrants In the race arrived
at Mines Field they were greeted by
Miss Elder, who acted as hostess for the
occasion. Nearly 100000 spectators as
sembled to see the airmen. A parade
through the city. led by Miss Elder. fol-
lowed the arrival Of the planes
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Cossack Knife Dance.

For the first time before any motion
picture camera. the barbaric eau.
casian Cossack knife dance was per-
formed by two Russian warriors for the
lavish ballroom scenes for THE
Mysterious Lady"
The knife dancers were members OF
the CosSack regiment brought 10 this
country for screening The Cossacks"
and remained here to participate In the
making Of the new Greta Carlo picture.
Andre Stadnik and Jock Steklesky.
the Cossack dancers used knives they
had fashioned themselves and did the
startling Russian war dance hurting
the sharp daggers spinning to the moor
after holding them In their teeth.
BY hardening their gums and Inns
through constant practice. 1t Is said.
the Cossacks are able to hold i've bis
knives in their mouths while going
through the fery dance. They finally
Gus Jerks OF the head.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

ON every first night during the sea-
~ son OF the National Players there
has sat In the audience a very delight
full matron who calls herself an old
woman. but whose bright eyes, plump,
rosy cheeks and hearty, ringing laugh
ter abruptly challenge her claim as a
relic. ......
line gets by her without peal OF
wholesome. hearty laughter that Is 80
infectious that those who sit within 10
feet of her seat location respond In
echo. some with the youthful giggle, be-
cause It simply isn't being done by our
youth OF today. that hearty laughter
business. and others with the grin or
the half -sighing chuckle OF age.
She saws she wants to be known SIM
a,v a. Aunt Maryland she looks and
acts the part; and II all the audience
were iike Aunt Mary the roar OF APP
n,a,,se at q good thing that would go
aver the footiights to those who cause
| Il would fairly make the welkin ring,
whatever that means.
Aunt Mary was in her glory with
mrs. Wigs of the Cabbage Patch" She
| fairly ate II up, for MRS. wigs was
really her Otner Sell, uuu uouUuy ~. hel
neighborhood doubted y. Indeed, so
ioyous was her enthusiasm and 50 ten
der her sympathy as the one or the
other aiternated during the evening
that they fairly engulfed her surround
ings and disarmed the spirit Of critl-
cism which 80 often nanifests itself
in an audience which Is simply seeing
O play. -
Aunt Mary never criticixes. but oh
how often does she feel IL necessary to
gloss over something which she feels Is
not Just as 1t ought TO be. She always
has q very satisfying excuse for every
| thing, and those who haven't just sit
quietly enjoying her good nature, To
| the writer she has made many tire
some incident glide by almost without
| leaving a shadow,
But Aunt Mary Is, nevertheless, hu-
man. And she Is delightfully."- feminine,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Rodin Inspired Film.

pUT seldom are movie fans privileged
- to see a great director in an acting
role. yet that phenomenon occurs N
"Chained." the Ufa production OF LIE
In the artists colony of Paris which
the Motion Picture Guild brings TO
Washington today.
In Chained" the role of the great
artist, Claude Zoret. is played by Ben
iamin Christensen. noted Danish d.
rector. whose work with the Ufa or
ganization led to his importation TO
this country. In America he has d.
rected such productions as 1.-THE Devils
Circus" and THE Hawks Nest"
The character Claude Zoret is
founded on that OF Rodin. according to
the Motion Picture Guild. The great
sculptors unfortunate befriending of a
ward. a theme similar to that OF the
much censored THE Captive" Is an In
cident In the picture. Much OF the
Aim was photographed In Paris. among
the studios OF the Latin Quarter, while
others we're shot in Germany.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

A LREADY they are beginning to re-
pent, not so much the approval OF
the sounds picture, but the mad rush
10 make all pictures noisy. Film Daily.
the trade movie journal, questions the
wisdom, because of lack of preparedness.
That's what America was during the
war, isn't It?
The American Federation Of Musicians
is preparing to spend million and
half dollars to ascertain r. mechanical
music" Is to replace the live musician In
the theaters. With the mechanical
music" being made by the best Artists
obtainable, it ought to be pretty fight,
as radio listeners might say. Labor day
is the time for renewal OF contracts by
the live musicians
Opinions differ. DR.. Alfred N. Gold
smith, RCA Photophone vice president.
in charge OF engineering and production.
says: when person wishes to see
silent film three years from now he
will have to 60 to museum"
An Associated Press report from
Vienna July is indicates that Maria
Jeritza, the Metropolitan Opera star,
has signed with an American producer
to sing in sound picture.
Pola Negri has been engaged to APP
pear In two British screen productions.
one Somerset Vaughan story, work on
them starting in November.
warming Up" Paramount's first fea-
ture sound picture, is reported to have
broken records at the Paramount, In
New York City, crossing $30.861 for last
Saturday and Sunday, including mid
night ShoWings.
Fox was to have sent Nick Stuart
star: June Collyer and an American
company abroad to make Chasing
| Through Europe" Now he has changed
his plans and Nick Stuart, the star, viii
| have all foreign players to assist him
in order to meet European quota re-
strictions.
Dick Lashlee, director. with Marie
Reno. star, is said to have come to
Washington to shoot exterior scenes fol
Some Baby"
| Warner Bros. are said to be negoti-
ating to have John Barrymore appear
in Vitaphonized Hamlet" in Holly
wood Bowl.
Cleveland exhibitors, who are strong
for sound pictures, apparently have set
tied the fate of silent" drama oy
prophesying that after while it VIII be
found in the neighborhood theatres. be.
cause they cannot afford to install
sound devices.
| Anna May Wong is being starred ir
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Mutual Circuit Ideas.

THE Mutual burlesque circuit. pre-
pairing for its new season Just
ahead. announces that the present Is a
good time to institute new ideas and in
novati0ns In that branch of theatricals.
The first move along these lines has
been the establishing of free school
Of instruction In New York City for
young women with theatrical ambitions.
II Is stated that more than | 900 girls
went through course OF training and
Will make their stage debut on the
Mutual circuit the coming season.
Another idea tending to the better
ment OF the programs will be 10 have
travelling stage managers, song writers
and masters of humor to visit the vari-
Gus units while en- tour. These men will
look over the programs and remedy
shortcomings that are found by writing
new songs, music and humor for the
shows.
These ideas appear sound and are ex-
pected to result In general Improvement
n the character OF burlesQue produce
tions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
SCREEN
FROM THE
BY c. e. NELSON.

SHOW Boat" Gertrude Howard,
who plays the part of Aunt Chloe
in Uncle Toms Cabin" is Queenle
in Show Boat"
1.-THE ShannonS of Broadway
has been purchased by universal
and it will become q complete talk
ing picture. Mr.. and Mrs. James
Gleason. who starred in the Broao-
way production, will have lead
| ing parts in the screen show.
"The City without Jews" a new
| foreign picture, had a long rest
with the censors before 1t was al
lowed on the screen In New York.
Several deletionS were made in
the original film.
The censorship boards of Can
ada have disagreed over Dawn"
the Edith Cavell picture. The CEN
SorS of the Province of Manitoba
passed it without a single change.
In the Province of Saskatchewan
the picture was condemned in It's
entirety. If the censorS cannot
agree, who is to decide?
THE BurgomaSter of Stile-
monde" a British Aim, is expected
to meet with the same sort of
storm of protest from Germany
that came when Dawn" was first
exhibited. Several of the German
newspapers have already carried
lengthy articles protesting about
the picture. One German paper
printed the following statement
in black type: Don't let us, as
in the case of Dawn" raise q
protest after the film is produced.
Let us here and now strongly
protest against this new war and
hate Aim by calling upon the gov
eminent to bring pressure to bear
Immediately. for we must remem-
Der that Maurice Maeterlinck,
who Is a great Belgian poet, Is
also a great German hater."
Joseph NJ. Schenck. head of
United Artists, decrieS the general
use of talking pictures. He says
they will not have an information
al appeal and that they will never
disulace the silent drama.
Leo. the travelling trademark
lion of Metro Goldwyn Mayer. has
been insured for a million dollars,
according to a story from the
nreSS agent. Also, it is said that
$4,000 of insurance is carried
against Leo taking French leave"
from his cage.
Douglas MacLean'S next picture,
The Caranation Kid" will be a
talkie.
And Mack Sennett plans to re-
lease talking movie comedies this
Autumn. 1t will be interesting to
hear those bathing beauties talk
and sing.
The Gold Hawk Film Co. has
purchased, for $50. 900. the right
to take motion pictures of the
Tunney- Heeney fight next Thurs
day night at Madison Square Gar
den. A sound device may record
the 'trazzberrieS" of the fight-lov-
ing populace.
Paramount's first talking pic
ture is warming Up" with Rich
ard Dix as the star. 1t is base
ball story.
Jackie Coogan--if you remem-
Der hirn--is taking an intensive
course of dancing instruction from
Fanchon and Marco, prior to an
Eastern tour on the stage.
Estelle Taylor, wife of Jack
Dempsey. is completing work In
'sThe Singapore Mutinv" Then
she is to appear in Belasco play
with her husband.
Norma Talmadge has returned
to HOLLYWOOD from a Hawaiian
trip and she starts work soon on
the picture, The Woman Dis
puted,"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Ramsaye' Screen Magazine

IAN this restless and daring age be
- reflected in a screen magazine with
that class of motion picture that here
tofore has been made up of short bits
Of "scenics" and similar pictures for
which no other place could be found?
Terry Ramsaye, editor OF the Pathe
Review, says 1t can. and his aim is to
put into his release that "sophistication,
sparkle and def handling which char
acterizes the smart magazine which has
become SO popular during the last two
or three years"
1T isn't the subject 50 much as the
handling that makes the difference, "
says Ramsaye. who is well known as the
historian of the motion picture business.
Tastes in entertainment change just
as they do In styles of clothing.
I'm taking the film magazine out of
shirtwaist and skirt and putting it into
knee-length sport clothes. For instance
If we have a picture of monkeys picking
coconuts. we turn the balloons into Bah
bits by careful selection of scenes and
Subtitles that lift the action out of the
commonplace"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Coming Attractions
NATIONAL MISUNDERSTANDING"

NATIONAL PLAYERS-"Clarence
Booth Tarkington's celebrated comedy
of adolescence, Clarence" will be the
attraction at the National Theater next
week, beginning Monday evening. The
National Players in this comedy will
offer performance somewhat different
from anything that they have present.
ed during these four seasons.
When Booth Harrington wrote 'Clar-
ence," it was considered by critics OF
American literature that he had sound
ed and plumbed the depths Of Ameri-
can boyhood; young manhood just
about to step out of the teens and into
the workaday life Of mans estate.
or all the writer's America has produced
in the past decade, there Is probably
none that has hit the high mark OF
comedy like Booth Harrington In his
study Of adolescent youth.
Clarence" has an especial appeal Tor
young folks, but fathers and mothers
too, will see In this character an exact
replica of many of the younger boys
of today.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22

r DIS MORAN and Neil Hamilton,
- among the screen stars Of the week.
are well known to washington.
Miss Moran made her first notable
success In stella Dallas" Other sue
ceSsful pictures are Publicity Madness. y
Sharp Shooters" and Love Hungry.
Mr.. Hamilton has been described as
''the ali-American young man OF the
screen" also as the "handsomest lead
ing man now appearing In the pictures.
He started In D. W. 0rifhths Amer
ica." He was credited with fine per-
Torrance In Beau Geste," and more re-
Gently he has won honors In Mother
Machree" and In The Music Master"
He also has appeared In many Of Zane
Grey's magnificent Western stories.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Production to Hum.

MOTION picture production will hum
Az at the Paramount Studio on Ions
Island this season as well as in Holly
wood. according to announcement by
Jesse L. Lasky,
we are going ahead full steam, both
East and West, In the production OF
sound pictures" said Mr.. l,asky. with
Mr.. Schulberg and Walter Wanger !
prehensive program which will occupy
both our Hollywood and Astoria studios
TO their capacity. This program en-
braces not only feature pictures, but
also the production Of short sound now
elites and the reproduction In sound
films Of big stage shows. Mr. Schulberg
Is returning with me to put our sound
production program In operation IN
Hollywood
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-22
Doug. MacLean's First
NOISY"

L MASON HOPPER will direct the
first Douglas Mclean production.
1.-THE Carnation Kid" a synchronised
picture, as soon as all arrangements are
completed at the Christie studios.
Hopper. having terminated his con-
tract with DeNfille-Pathe productions,
and fresh from q trip to Europe, Will
begin preparatory work at once In con-
junction with Mclean and AL Cohn, the
author. He was the director OF up
in Mabers Room" two years ago, ana
is noted particularly for his light com.
edy productions for Cosmopolitan ana
Metro Goldwyn. a.,
Hopper once was on the stage him.
self and he was also producer OF
stage attractions, which gives him an
advantage In the handling OF dialogue
parts in sound pictures.