Deep Gloom Pervades All
Movieland These Hot Days
Summer Time Is the Time for the Reign of the Pes
simists—Everyone Says Things Are “Terrible”
—The Best Laid Schemes and Plans Are
Naught but “Apple Sauce.”
-- _
Gone are the days of joy and fun
in motion picture land. Lightsome
spring is no more and a heavy mien
of nothing is good pervades all who
are connected with the joyful busi
ness of entertaining the public.
Pictures are reported as no good—
even though they look better to the
reviewers than many of the “greatest
sensations of the year" which were
released weekly all the fall and win
ter months. The exhibitor looks with
fearful eye at the reported Immense
cost of the new productions on both
roasts, and reads nothing but grief In
the promises of the press agents that
the cost will be as nothing compared
with the artistic beauty and wonder
ful ticket drawing power of these
newest films. Producers glare with
baleful eye at cost sheets and wonder
why stars, near stars, and just plain
ham actors and actresses, should cost
so much real dough—why carpenters,
painters and cameramen on the pay
roll are allowed to exist and the pub
licity man hardly dares approach.
The distributor wonders why he can't
fire bis whole force of managers and
salesmen.
But in the course of the sweltering
days passing there will do fall an
nouncements and undoubtedly the
clouds of gloom will disappear in the
bright prospects for “bigger and bet
ter’’ all next fall and winter. Whis
pers from the coast Indicate that new
sorts of pictures arc promised by sev
eral firms and when the public an
nouncements come not a bit of print
type but will tell of the magic wand
of happiness striving for ft banner
year of the silver screen.
Empress Features
Dramatic Photoplay
“My Friend the Devil,” which
opens at the Empress this week, is the
screen version of George Ohnet’s
novel, "Doctor Rameau.” Heading the
cast are Barbara Castleton and
Charles Richman.
“My Friend the Devil” is declared
to be a Btrong, vital, dramatic story,
a story that digs deep into the heart
of modern life, and helps to lead us
on, through Its example, to the road
to happiness. It is the story of a
great scientist who is an unbeliever—
a man who thinks that science Is
greater than God; the story of an
unfaithful wife—with a great climax in
the discovery of the unfaithfulness at
the time his daughter is to be mar
ried. Here we find the "house di
vided," wrecked, but from the wreck-,
age comes a relief and a gentleness
that Is as soothing to the mind of the
viewer as the thrills of the previous
scenes were tense.
It is said to be a story that will
help to bring happiness into many
homes and teach future brides and
grooms to “look before they leap."
Johnnie Walker a Pug in
“The Fourth Musketeer”
Brian O'Brien, the husky young
Irish garage owner, turned quickly
to the leering face of the thug stand
ing over him, knocked the pistol out
of his hand and planted two wicked
left hooks on the lawbreaker's jaw,
sending him unconscious to the land
of starry dreams.
It's all a part of “The Fourth Mus
keteer," which stars Johnnie Walker
at the Moon this week.
Walker enacts the role of a pugi
list who fights his last fight, only
generously to give his roll away and
sacrifice a busftiess opening. How he
wins back a dwindling bank roll and
a wavering wife form an absorbing
story.
A splendid cast appears In “The
Fourth Musketeer” in support of
Johnnie Walker, including Klleen Per
cy, former Zelgfeld Follies beauty.
"The Fourth Musketeer” is from the
pen of H. C. Witwer, one of the most
popular short story writers of today.
Gladys Walton Stars
in “Gossip” at Worltl
A story of a girl of flapper age,
but with the Ideals of the girl of
50 years ago, comes to the World In
“Gossip." starring Gladys Walton.
"Gossip" Is based on Kdith Barnard
Delano's novel, "When Carey Came
to Town."
The story Is of a girl of the old
south, 50 years behind her times, who
is suddenly thrown Into contact with
the jass edges of tho modern world.
b|8he doesn't know what it is all about,
■but she Is certain that a girl can get
■along anywhere if she Is a "lady," for
ladles are ttlways protected nnd helped
by “gentlemen.” Her simplicity pro
vldes a striking contrast to that of
the people with whom she Is forced to
associate.
Ramsey Wallace, Freeman Woods,
Albert Frisco, Edith Yorke and Kate
Kent have principal roles In support
of Miss Walton.
Strand Comedy Drama
Tells of College Town
Four prominent stars make fun for
the audience in “Only 38" at the
Strand this week. The cast Is head
ed by May McAvoy, Lois Wilson,
Elliott Dexter and George Fawcett,
portraying their parts in a story of
a college town.
The story is that of a widowed
mother, 38 years old, who longs
for romance. Her twin son and
daughter are shocked when sho
accepts the attentions of Prof.
Charles Glddlngs (Elliott Dexter) and
they do not hestitate to tell their
mother so. To Mrs. Stanley It is a
case of making a choice between her
love of her children and the professor,
who opens up an entirely new life to
her. She chooses the former, but in
the end the mother's eyes are opened
by her daughter's love affair and thus
the way is paved to happiness for
both.
This production is an honest-to
goodness comedy and it is packed with
heart appeal. Admirably supporting
the principal players is an unusually
well balanced cast, Including Robert
Agnew, Jane Keckley, Lillian Leigh
ton, Taylor Graves and Ann Corn
wall.
!__
Rialto Offers Boyhood
in “Penrod and Sam”
"Penrod and Sam,” which Is to be
the feature this week at the Rialto
theater, contains a scene that for
pathos has never been exceeded on
the screen.
Penrod Schofield for years had been
monarch of the domain embraced by
the boundaries of the lot adjoining
his home. He was the master of its
contents, consisting of shacks, caves,
tunnels and other mysterious hiding
places so dear to the average boy’s
heart, and in that lot he had bur
ied his best friend—his dog— when an
automobile had crushed out its life.
Around the grave he had constructed
a picket fence and at the head was a
crude cross bearing the name,
"Duke.”
When Penrod's father sold the lot
to the town's miser, Penrod was
heartbroken. He was denied the
privilege of entering upon the ground.
On# evening his father found him sit
ting on his bed, looking through tear
dimmed eyes at the little grave. Ten
derly the father tried to console him.
"I didn't know it meant so much
to you, son." he said.
An hour later he had repurchased
the plot of ground and he presented
Penrod with a deed conveying the
lot to the boy "down as far as China.'’
William Beaudlne directed "Penrod
and Sam” from the story by Booth
Now Showing
1 >
TODAY, MON., TUES.
H. C. WITWER
author of “Fighting Blood” and “Leather Pushers,"
wrote this seven-reel comedy drama of sizzling action.
III JOHNNY WALKER
and
j&Bm, EILEEN PERCY
Boy, oh boy—what a picture 1 It'e a wham
dazzling comedy drama with a twenty-mule
kick—a humdingin’ peacharino with enough
laugh* to bring joy to the eye* and ahimmie*
to the (houlder* of the Sphina—it’* a hang
clattering icreen atopper with enough cradl
ing drama, *hi»ering thrill* and heart
wrenching romance to make even the most hopeless old maid
feel like a beautiful flapper debutante.
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Tarklngton. Rockllffe Fellows plays
the part of the father and Benny
Alexander that of Penrod.
“Mary of Movies” and
“ W onders of Sea” at Sun
What Is said to be a true story—
the actual life-story of a girl named
Mary Mack who left her home in
Barston, Arlz., and went to Holly
wood to seek fame in motion pictures;
and an actual intimate “close-up" of
Hollywood, the Mecca of film lovers
everywhere, is promised in “Mary of
the Movies,” at the Sun today. The
cast includes a list of stars long
enough to make a aeries of pictures,
and includes Bryant Washburn, J.
Warren Kerrigan, Stuart Holmes.
Douglas MacLean, Alec Francis,
Louise Fazenda, David Butler, Rich
ard Travers, Marion Mack, Jack Per
din, Francl* MacDonald, Creighton
Hale, Johnnie Walker, Barbara La
Marr, George O'Hara, Maurice Tour
neur, Eva Novak. Estelle Taylor,
Rosemary, Theby, Bessie Ixjve, Zasu
Pitts, Carmel Myers, Majorle Daw.
Malcolm McGregor, J. Frank Glen
don, Stuart Holmes and others too
numerous to mention.
In addition to that it brings to film
patrons a real slice of Hollywood as
it really is—shows just how the
movies are made, what sort of people
make them, how they live, and, above
all, the whole-hearted kindness of
them.
J. E. Williamson’* remarkable
photodrama, "Wonders of the Sea,’’
which is also booked for this week,
was made possible by the Williamson
Submarine Tube System, and presents
both scientific and dramatic features.
The picture teems with enthrall
ing scenes enacted on the bottom of
the ocean. Divers descending to bat
tle with giant octopuses and other
monsters of the deep, are recorded
on motion picture films by a camera
man concealed in the observation
chamber of the Williamson Sub
marine Tube System fathoms below
the surface.
The cast of Cecil do Mille's new
"Ten Commandments” includes Theo
dore Roberts, Lsatrice Joy. Richard
Dix, Nita Naldi, Charles de Roche,
Esteeie Taylor. Rod la Rocque, Julia
Faye, James Neill and Edythe Chap
man.
Neighborhood Houses
Offer Features Today
Western Union ...105 105 105 104
lirand—Marguerlts de la Motte In
"Scars of Jealousy.”
Victoria—Barbara La Marr In
"Poor Men’s Wives.”
Hamilton—"Valley of Silent Men.”
Muse Theater Propram.
Today, ‘‘The Fourth Musketeer."
Monday and Tuesday. Viola Dana
In “A Noise In Newboro.”
Wednesday and Thursday, Alice
Terry and Ramon Navarro in "Where
the Pavement Ends.”
Friday and Saturday, Estelle Taylor
in “Bavu."
REEL REMARKS
By the M. P. Editor.
Gloria Swanson has started Aiming
"Zaza.”
William S. Hart is expected to re
turn to screen work soon.
"Blow Your Own Horn'1 Is next. As
If even an audience needed that
propaganda.
William Fox has started work on
"You Can't Get Away With It." And
William is in the Aim business.
"Columbus Discovering America,”
picturing the life of the Italian ex
plorer, is being Issued by the non
theatrical Aim companies for educa
tional use.
A whole Aock of prodigies. Wesley
Barry is making "The Country Kid”
and in the supporting cast are Baby
Bruce Guerin. Juvenile screen star
In "Brass,” and Walter O'Donnell,
who has a part irl "Main Street.”
The famous Woolworth offices In
New York are being reproduced in
Hollwood for Betty Compson’s and
Richard Dlx's "The Woman with
Four Faces." They could shoot the
story almost anywhere.
•'Ben Hur” Is still being made into
Alms. So far ths only deAnite work
done has been by the publicity man.
who assures us it will be the biggest
picture ever made. What a novelty.
STARTS
TODAY
i
PRICES
E*enin«a, OC.
Sub. Mat., OUC
Daily Mata. ..25#
Children .... 10#
We’re off!—for fun—frolic—mischief with “the greatest kids in the
world.” Tarkington wrote it—and as he wrote it so it’s screened,
with all the fun of a lifetime in a fleeting hour of glee.
rHjp]
1
In tha Cad
BENNY
ALEX ANDEIl
ROCK LI FEE
FELLOWS
GLADYS
BROCK WKLL
BIDDY
MK88INGE.lt
GARETH
IIHGIIK8
JOE
BUTTER
WORTH
WILLIAM
V MONO
0
Don't Miss It!!
Comedy Special
CLYDE COOK
In “Lazy Bones"
LAVELLE GORDON HARRY BRADER
Canndian Tenor, Singing Symphony Player*
“Road to Mandalay*
“3 O’Clock in the Morning” JULIUS K. JOHNSON
“Song Of Songt” Premier Organ!*!
British Film Editor
Declares Americans Are
Inferior Artistically
Warns U. S. Producers
Uncle Ham still produces *5 per
cent of the world's photoplay sup
ply. but unless the product is im
proved materially movie fans in
other lands will revolt Just as soon
as it is economically possible—so
says Frank T. Tilley, editor of
Kinematograph Weekly, leading
English film trade Journal, who spent
several days in Chicago conferring
with Watterson R. Rothacker regard
ing the latter's plan of extending his
film laboratory' chain in England.
"During the war about 90 per cent
of the world's picture supply was
the product of American studios," he
said. "The United States still retains
a full 85 per cent. Not because of
quality. Ah, no! If quality were
the determnilng factor It would be a
waste of transportation to sent most
American pictures to foreign mar
kets.
"America's monopoly is due to
economical reasons alone. The United
States domestic market is so tremen
dous that an American producer can
sink $500,000 into a picture, sell it
only to theaters at home, and still
make money—to where an English
producer can't spend more than $20,
000 and hope to make a profit from
home consumption. You know, $20,
000 is actually a British director’s
limit—for actors, sets, story and
everything—while some American
directors do not feel they have made
a good start until they have sunk
$150,000 into a production.
Force of Dallars.
“Having made a good profit on
home sales alone. everything an
American producer takes in abroad ia
pure velvet. He can afford to sell
a *200,000 picture to European thea
ters for less than a British, French,
Swedish or German producer can sell
a *20,000 film for. America main
tains its monopoly, throttles foreign
competition, by sheer force of dol
lars.
“From the aftistlc standpoint, Swe
den leads the world today. But given
the same amount of production mon
ey, either England, France, Italy or
Germany could put out pictures artist
■ically far superior to the present
American product.
“America might not like these pic
tures. but the real art would be there.
America might prefer to continue on
Its present menu of silly stuff. Amer
ica is youth mad. American fans
would rather see a pretty school girl
or handsome young male pose through
six reels of emptiness than view a
film with a serious thought enacted
by persons who have been on this
earth long enough to have learned
something about acting.
"Censorship abets this youth mad
ness In keeping your photoplays to
their recent level. In America it is
neither nice nor permissible to think
about many subjects that might be
woven into tremendous photoplay
themes.
“It has been fondly supposed by
many in this country that American
movies are Americanizing the world.
But America is not imposing its cul
ture on the world in this manner. The
culture exemplified by your average
photoplay is too shallow to make a
lasting impression abroad.
“It has been quite the fashion for
visiting Englishmen to criticise. I
am simply giving you the (acts, Roth
acker—not criticizing. 1 am (or my
country the same as you are (or yours
and therefore, as a Britisher. I hope
American producers will continue as
they are, because the day is coming
when It will be economically possible
(or some other country to cut In on
that 8& per cent. The rest o( the
world is wearying of its monotonous
diet o( predigested American photo
plays and unless Uncle Sam begins
serving up more red meat another
chef will get the business."
June Marlow. 17-year-old Minne
apolis girl, will have one of the leads
In Harold Bell Wright's "When a
Man's a Man."
We love our thrills. “Human
Wreckage,” the new dope picture of
Mrs. Wallace Held, is breaking house
records on both roasts. At least, so
the ever truthful P. A. writes.
NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS
VICTORIA .... 24th sad Fort
“Cooleaf is Omaha"
BARBARA LA MARK
In “POOR MEN'S WIVES"
GRAND .... lath and Blaaor
MARGUERITE de la MOTTE
in “SCARS OF JEALOUSY"
HAMILTON . 40th and Hamilton
SPECIAL PRODUCTION
“VALLEY OF SILENT MEN"
sparkling w
ashing stony & w
moviedom, with. x
f 40 FAMOUS STARS ip
F Kashas ^
h EVERY QIRLS DREAM ‘
jy PKOUQHT TO LIFE, i
Bristling vith. c
> action - lauAhs £
'/ and thrills^
^ i=3 p!F
Uollyioooal- i/ss/ums,i/s/acts
Jits heartaches, its huntor- A
C7h* story of an innocent m
-/country girl who seeks to M
dim. 6 the ladder af movie fame. Js’1
»WoNDEI?J
OP THE xe m
c/uo Dio/rs figAiatg a duetto deatA
tuUk a giant man-eating Octopus on.
tke ocean floor is but one of lAe
« (kousti nd (knits or bus amecung ptlurt
L THE EIGHTH WONDER 0? m. >-«
I_ THE W0KLD _ _ M^RATH
Div.ng
Poor Mother! Must she live only for ^
her children? Neglecting herself—
finding her happiness only in the happi- i
ness of others, younger than she? Or M
can she, as this mother does, live a life f
of youthful gaiety, rosy dreams and
happiness? I'
I
1/*o&//r />/cri/x£;
)10IS WILSON, ELLIOTT DEXTER,
MAY MCAVOY, BOBBY AGNEW,
ana GEORGE FAWCETT.
A story to plcaso young
and old alike—human—
real—breathing the spirit4
of youth, life and love—
You'll enjoy
> every minute!
It's a bigger, better comedy
drama than “Clarence” or
“Grumphy."
—_:
. , >•
SNOOKYS
TREASURE
ISLAND*
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