The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-12
Fairbanks Back
in Movie Work
Prepares for Production of
Marco PoIo.'

HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 12.-(NEA)
Mr.. Fairbanks dressing room has
been refurbished The adjoining
swimming pool or plunge dts 8 by
IS feet), has been filled.
Mr. Fairbanks old parking space,
right next to that of Mary Pick
ford, is marked by fresh, green
sign. And the offices of Douglas
Fairbanks, producer, are ready for
business.
It's no trick to see him, unless
he happens to be comforting with
the rest of the United Artists. A
flve-hour poW-wow had just ended
when 1 went in, but Mr.. Fairbanks
was amiable and looking very fit,
thank you.
Mr. Chaplin also was there, look
ing little washed out. Another
man, Mr.. Fairbanks business man
ager, was introduced as Capt.
Erickson. The military title is one
of his boss little jokes Mr.. Erick-
sen was captain of polo team, or
a sandlot nine or something.
Deep in Film Making
The actor, who may or may not
be an eX-actor, likes to talk about
his new enterprise, which is max
ing movies. Particularly Marco
Polo
I've been to China five times"
he said. I've wanted for years to
do a picture about it.
"Confucius? Yes, I read him.
Lao-tse, too, and some others of
the old-timers. A lot of the things
they said ring just as true today"
Fairbanks is quite phrase maker,
and the philosophical Mr.. Chaplin
is an able ally. The former be-
lieves it should be possible to tell
every good screen story in a single
sentence, and that sentence an
axiom. He even had a little aphor-
ism for The Thief of Bagdad" 1t
was, Happiness must be earned"
Charlie didn't like that much, ="
recalled Mr.. Fairbanks. Instead,
he went profound on me with Hap
pineSs is journey, not a deStina-
zion. L IKE tnaC.
Not Sure He Said 1t
so do l." said Mr.. Chaplin, who
had seemed to be doing. And I'm
not sure / really said it
Well, that's my story" insisted
Mr.. Fairbanks. Il remember once
attributed to Confucius, in pic
ture. saying that I actually made
up myself. 1t was, Live to learn,
and in the fullneSs of time you will
learn to live AT least. I've checked
it everywhere, and can't find where
1t was ever used before.
And what was that one about
tomorrow ?-'There is no tomorrow
until it is today The idea -"
Sounds to me like the fourth di-
mension." interposed the languid
Mr.. Chaplin, not even bothering to
open an eye.
Work Well Started
In addition to two and one half
months actual work on the picture,
Mr.. Fairbanks has had all the re-
search done and catalogued. Most
OF the data on costumes, setting and
such was obtained in London. He
wants to go to China to shoot sew
eral of the big scenes.
After few more days of business
conferences he is to begin assem-
bling his staff, and hopes to hire
most of his old organization.
I'm trying to build this outfit
as I'd cast picture" he explained
They've got to be sympathetic
minds. In a couple of weeks we'll
actually be at work on the picture
assembling it, mean. not shoot
ing. 1t should be finished by next
September"
He has nothing to say about his
selections for the cast, the director,
or even the technicians. Although
he is nominally only the producer,
the best guess is that he'll do most
of the directing himself.
And as for his announcement
that he is through with acting
well, he may be weakening a little.
1t stands, though, until he changes
his mind.