THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: AUGUST 29, 1920.
11)
Temperament of
y&. Film Stars Lead
To Dire Failure
By S. G. SLADDIN.
(Parsmeent Exploitation BtprewatetlTa.)
It it a well-known fact that there
are men and women today who have
sacrificed wonderful careers on the
screen because of their impossible
dispositions. The writer could name
several in this article who, while not
known to the general, public, are
thought of only with a shudder by
men who have produced motion pic
tures. There is no business in the
world, perhaps, where temperament
comes in such close touch in fact,
openly clashes so completely with
the business end, as in the produc
tion of motion pictures.
It has been in many instances a
failing of a star to wait until a mo
tion picture has progressed to such
a point that it would be impossible
to do without her (unless at a finan
cial loss that would be fatal to the
producer), then suddenly become
temperamental.
Stars are wont to have it paraded
up and down the land how disagree
able they can act at certain times,
and they gloat over what they term
"temperament," but the men who
are forced to deal .with them and
whose money is involved have lit
tle sentiment about temperament;
fo them it is just plain, ordinary
cussedness, brought out to the nth
degree.
In pictures the dangers of a tem
peramental star exceed even those
of legitimate productions because in
the latter a star can be replaced be
fore the production goes to the pub
lic, or even later, whereas, in the
ease of a motion picture production,
much of the picture is made and is
on actual record before the star be
gins to cut up.
Strange as it may seem there have
been mala stars who are just as mean
as women stars. The writer knows
of one personally who frequently
quit in the middle of the picture
jf the temperature in the studio was
one degree higher or lower than
what he demanded as the proper
temperature in which he desired to
work. This star, furthermore, was
not averse to punching a director in
the nose occasionally if the director
didn't suit him.
The writer has in mind a certain
woman who rose in a measure to the
ranks of stardom from (he extras.
When she was a novice she was con
sidered sweet and lovely, but no
sooner had she become elevated to
a large salary and a tremendous ad
vertising campaign, than it was al
most impossible for anybody to deal
with her. She hardly spoke to her
best friends, and her acquaintances
among the extras, from whose ranks
she had graduated, she always re
ferred to as cattle. Strange as it may
seem this woman did not become a
star because of her beauty or her
ability, but because of her ugliness.
Another star nearly disrupted a
company because of her almost in
sane demands upon it
Despite the fact that they were
positively ridiculous the officials of
the company deliberated nearly two
months before they finally decided
to let her ro. The reason for. their
deliberation lay in the fact that some
of her pictures would do as high as
$250,000, and few less, than $175,000
and she could make eight a year for
jhem., so it. is not hard to see why
; they did not like to lose her.
, But these highly terrvperamenta!
people, as a rule, shoot like a meteor
across the moving picture horizon.
.They get so positively disagreeable
that nobody cares to deal with them
and they gradually lose their friends.
The writer has figured out the rea
son for these bursts of meanness oh
the part of stars and believes it is
due to the fact that they lose their
heads because of the enormous
amount of attention and petting that
they receive. It naturally takes a
pretty strong person not to get what
is known in the vernacular of slang
as a swelled head.
-Take, for instance, a star begin
ning to teach her zenith. Perhaps
every newspaper that she picks up
for days and weeks contains her
photograph and great advertise
ments of how wonderful she is; the
magazines teem with her praise, the
billboards and electric signs flash
... i 1.
ner name in leners a -yara nign.
Everywhere she goes somebody in
' the crowd will recognize her and
then there is a great rush and flood
of adoration and heroine worship
that actually becomes disgusting.
But it all helps to turn a head that,
perhaps, at no time was extra well
balanced.
Actors and actresses are naturally
temperamental. If they were not
they would not be in that profes
sion. It has been said that they afe
more or less like children because
they are always living in a world of
make-believe.
i In other words, they are like the
child that plays house. The case is
like taking a young child and placing
him on a pedestal and having people
all over the world do him homage,
with people constantly telling him
how great he is, how much better he
is than anybody else in the world,
and on top of this, having him
praised up and down the land on
picture screens and in everything
that carries printers' ink. This, in a
measure, will account for what stars
themselves are wont to call tem
perament. '
( i
Ruth Stonehouse in
Loose, Gauzy Garment
Angelica, played by Mist Stone
house, wanted 'em wild! She wanted
a man who shaved between meals.
And she married a mild, mere be
ing named Reggie. But dear,
"time" Reggie showed Angelica the
path to "Parlor, Bedroom and
Batto," at the Sua theater this week,
There's No End of Intrigue, Treachery and
Gun Play In Terriss Plays All For a Woman
jr . iff w
A revolver was man's law in the land of the great outdoors, where
Eve Merineourt, played by Marguerite De La Motte, and Richard Bedell,
portrayed by Wallace ' MacDonald, met and loved in "Trumpet Island,"
feature at the Moon theater this anniversary week. . i
A'FewDon'ts
The following "don'ts" are not
intended for you but for your neigh
bor. Be surf and follow them. If
you learn everyone by heart, you
will be eligible for a membership in
the Ancient Order of Movie Fans.
Don't hurry about buying your
tickets. The girl behind you in
the line is probably a department
store clerk and she doesn't have tc
get up tiU 5 o'clock in the morning.
Don't take the seat the usher
shows you to. She knows you don't
want that seat, but she takes you
to it just to be mean and ugly.
Don't rise to permit anybody else,
to pass. It's a joy to walk over
people.
Don't thank the lady and gentle
man who.' arise that you may pass
more easily they might think you
appreciated the courtesy.
Don't fail to assist the orchestra.
Your neightbors will .enjoy your
vocal accompaniment.
Don't forget to read the subtitles
loudly enough to be heard several
rods away. It is likely that the
people near you cannot read.
Don't fail to carry on a conversa
tion with your companion. Your
talk will help to . cheer up your
neighbors.
Music Won Her First, But Muscle
f Came Back Strong at the Finish
- 'Ai&P
Few girls have had as remarkable
a life as Lily Leitzel. The little
lady's mother, herself a wonderful
performer, brought her up in the
hope that she would become the
greatest of all aerial gymnasts. Lily
inherited her mother's genius and
proved an apt pupil. But likewise,
from her father, she inherited a
great love for music. And she cul
tivated this talent also.
For a time, as Miss Leitzel puts
it, "there waged a battle between
muscle and music." But music came
out victorious and the girl put aside
tarlatans and spangles and gave her
entire time to the concert platform.
For two years she followed her
chosen career with considerable suc
cess. But she could not forget the
circus. As time went on the "call"
became stronger and finally she suc
cumbed and came back to it. Today
Miss Leitzel is considered the great
est aerial gymnast that has ever
thrilled a circus audience. This sea
son she is under contract with Ring
ling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey
shows, combined, and will be seen
here next Tuesday. All else' comes
to a standstill in the mammoth "big
top" when she performs. Among
other wonderful stars. Miss Leitzel
suspends herself by one hand from
the end of a rope and then performs
as many as 90 consecutive "giant
swings" without pause.
"But I ; have not forgotten my
music,"-lay i she, "I practice con
- : - , I v
I '. .... . . - .Sflii
mrisr
How It Is Done.
The production of motion pictures
is a complex art. More elements
enter into it than any other industry
of art. There are untold details,
but the principal elements in order
of evolution in a picture, according
to Myron Selznick, production man
ager of Selznick enterprises are:
Financing (overheard the motive
power).
The story (the foundation of the
picture).
Continuity (the plan of action).
Casting (the building material).
Research (verification of the in
vestiture). Production (art and artitectural
investiture, props and costuming).
Locations (placing the color).
Direction (application, of the me
chanics and expression of the
drama).
Photography (registering the ac
tion). Developing and printing (toning
the film).
Editing (cutting the picture, plac
ing the subfiles, fixing fhe tempi).
Distribution (disseminating . the
prints the finished product). ' ;
Publicity and exploitation, (telling
the public).
Exhibition ' (showing the public).
Wr;'
tinually. Some day I shall go back
to the stage all the more fitted for
it because of my greater power of
endurance and breath control. Even
now I can sing 'cadenzas of any
length without even thinking of
pausing for breath."
GRAND 2;
Corinne Griffith in
"The Garter Girl"
Path News and Comedy
APOLLO Tw.rC'cJ,
TODAY
OLIVE THOMAS
in "THE FLAPPER j" ,
Alto a SpacUl Cemedr
"FOUR TIMES FOILED
IIAUILTOni?.
SUNDAY
JUNE CAPRICE in
"In Walked Mary"
;! M I
An
'Human Fly to
Thrill Crowds by ,
Wild Stunts
One of the most intensive exploit
ation campaigns ever attempted in
Omaha, in connection with Para
mount Week which begins Sunday,
September 5, is on the programs of
the Strand and Rialto theaters. The
Strand will present the photo drama
sensation of the year "Humoresque,"
the picture that has created a verit
able sensation in New York and
Chicago and. other big cities where
it is still continuing unbroken runs.
The Rialto wilt present Charles Ray
in "The Village Sleuth" the first
four days of the week, and the last
three days Dorothy Dalton in "Half
an Hour." Both of these pictures
have established big reputations.
The greatest stunt in connection
with the exploitation in these two
theaters, will be the work done by
Jack Williams, the human fly. Mr.
Williams will begin his campaign of
neck breaking, dare devil thrills next
Thursday when he will climb one of
the biggest buildings in Omaha.
Each day lie will present some novel
and hitherto unattempted death de
fying stunt. On Labor Day in the
morning (hour to be announced
later) he will swoop down over the
city of Omaha in close proximity, to
the ground in an aeroplane from
which he will hang by his toes while
the plane is doing 100 miles an hour.
Mr. Williams has been persuaded to
have his wife assist him in some of
these dangerous stunts. The fact
that Mrs. Williams will participate is
of more than passing interest be
cause of the unusual romance con
nected with the lives of this young
couple.
Rescues Girl.
Not so long ago Williams was un
married and in the city of Cleveland.
A great fire broke out one day while
he was passing along the street. Far
up in a building beyond the reach of
firemen or the Stretch of their ap
paratus appeared the face of a girl,
pale and frightened. A great gasp
went out over the crowd. Suddenly
from the mass of frightened people
burst a tall, slender figure. It made
straight for the front of the build
ing and then began to ascend with
the agilily of a monkey, seemingly
hanging on to nothing. A hush
went over the crowd-as this figure
swiftly but surely approached the
window where stood the half-fainting
girl. The young man reached
the window, hung for a second by
his finger tips, on the sill pulled
himself up, entered the window,
lifted the young woman to his shoul
ders and with this added burden be
gan a descent that was far more
perilous than the ascent. It was only
the matter of moments until he had
reached the ground, but to the thou
sands that stood in the throng below
it seemed ages. When the young
man with his then fainting burden
was safely on terra firraa there was
a hush for an instant, and then a
great roar of applause broke from
the throng.
Married.
It was under such unusual and
thrilling. circumstances that Mr. anJ
Mrs. Jack Williams first met Later
they , joined not only matrimonial
ftrces but worked together in vari
ous dangerous stunts. It was only
after a great deal of persuasion that
Mr. "Williams agreed to allow his
wife to participate in the big events
of the coming week.
First
ATOM
It Is Different
From All Other
Pictures -
Is Something You
Will Keep Talking
About For a Long Time
o
0
Snub
o
"Bill" Hart In Conventional Attire Reminds
You to Watch for Some Wonderful Plays Soon
I". " "I'tSvfS ; yy
7 Om
Prominent film man throughout tha United State from the pro
ducing to the exhibiting scope are .preparing for Paramount-Artcraft
week, September S to 12. ."Bill" Hart, (peaking for the actor folks, sy
that the public can expect some exclusively graad pictures at theaters
joining in the plan. H. B. Watts of the Strand and John Loveridge of
the Rialto theater will follow "Bill's" suggestion.
Screen Plays
By Kennebeck-
" Press reports mention that Chap
lin will hibernate in Utah to escape
certain court officers, newspaper
men and other human pests. No
doubt his next comedy will be "Con
verted a Mormon," or "Again Reju
venated." ' Now comes the announcement
that women are directing film pro
ductions. Lillian Gish and Mrs.
Sidney Drew are the first to handle
the megaphone. No more will mere
man sway exciting multitudes with
his heroic actions, it is expected,
while the dashing heroine takes sec-
nd place. It'll be women to the
front.
Cpleen Moore is seriously consid
ering forming a company made up
entirely of relatives. Her brother
experienced three days in the studies
as an extra; a feminine cousin acci-
acntally stepped into an incidental
scene recently; an 11-year-old cousin
has acted the role of a messenger
boy. Plenty of wrangles may be
expected. .r
Ora Carew, who plays the leading
feminine role in "Mountain Mad
ness," to be released soon, is plan
ning to make a flying visit to Salt
Lake City, her former home. Utah
seems to be a haven of rest et cetera
for movie folk.
Outside of newspapers and press
journals, Mary Pickford's cognomen
appears most in court litigation. The
third trial of the case of Cora C.
Wilkenning against the movie star,
claiming $100,000 commissions, will
come np ' September 20. Already
Anniversary Celebration
Starting Today
TERR 155 PJYODUCTJOM2
From thm torv hS
:
A Special Scenic
and Musical
PROLOGUE
Wonderful Electrical Effects
E
Pollard Comedy, "A London Bobbie"
1 Moon Topical Tip
Moon Cartoon- By Tad
Moon. International Newtyvents
I 111! 11 'I I
and Players
each of the litigants has won a ver
dict. Some kind or deceiving admirer of
Seena Owen sent her a parrot re
cently as a personal gut All Miss
Owen needs now to make up a com
plete menagerie is a bell-hop.
' iiiii
Hallam Cooley, "the best dressed
man in the movies," is no relation
to "Judge" Julius Smith Cooley of
Central police court notere or,
rather fame.
Bryant Washburn has arrived in
England and has begun work on his
first independent production, "The
Road to London," which will be
made on the actual scenes of the
story. And England is wet I
Another playwright of the stage,
Aleves Kinkead, author of the Har
vard prize play, "Common Clay,"
has yielded to the seductions of the
movie money fount. Let's hear from
him. (
Molly Malone, who recently
signed a long term contract with
Goldwyn, will play opposite Jack
Pickford in "Just Out of College,"
from Geosge Ade's story. Bet
there'll be plenty of snarlin' and
fightin' in the play.
Fritrie Brunette plays the leading
feminine role t in the forthcoming
Pathe serial, "The Devil to Pay."
"In the Bishop's' Carriage
"Ducks and Drakes" , and "The
Snob," popular master stories, are
under production by Realart.
Jp
Sills, Stage Star,
, Enters Filmdom
First in Margarita Fisher's support
in 'The Week-End"; chH attraction
at the Empress tneaterthe latter half
of this week, is Milton Sills, a regu
lar "he-man" type with a personality
of distinction, the sort of a man who
draws the best of life toward. him.
He combines charm and strength to
a remarkable degree.
A native of Chicago, he received
his education in the schools of that
city, and at the University of Chi
cago. Upon completing his univer
sity work Mr. Sills entered upon a
theatrical career and durinar the next
eight years appeared as leading man
in the Belasco, Shubert and Frohman
stage productions'. '
Since entering upon a picture ca
reer, Mr. Sills has played the lead
with many of the "best known stars
of the film world and finds that his
services are constantly in demand bv
the larger producers. He has re
cently appeared, in "The Hushed
Hour" with Blanche Sweet, and in
"What Every Woman Learns.," with
Enid Bennett and is at present work
ing in "The Inferior Sex" with Mild
red Harris-Chaplin.
Moon Anniversary Celebration
Plans are complete for the Moon
theater birthday week, beginning to
day. A magnificent scnic prologue
will be presented in addition to the
big photodrama and comedy fea
tures. Joe Tenner and his 'famous
jazz band will be featured in the
scenic prologue.
The Moon management promises
a number of innovations during an
niversary week. Manager Ballan
tyne has spent weeks building a
show which he declares will be tte
greatest ever presented to the
Omaha movie-going public. A beau
tiful Scenic stage set 'is now being
built for the special prologue.
Opening Fall Attraction
ftii&;T
ONE WEEK-STARTS TODAY:
The "Zippiest" Comedy Ever Conceived
A Little "Frisky" But
Not Indecent
sst
Made Broadway
Asphalt
See It--and Ask No Ques-f
tions of Your Conscience!
If Convenient Please
ATTEND THE EARLY SHOWS
at Both Theatres Today
First Show 11 A. M.
Today Only
jS 1 1 MRNAM AT 149 i A
Emnress Forced to
mwmr h irrnur- r m w mm m n
Admission Into Effefi
Owing to increasing expenses, t
Empress theater is compelled
make a slight increase in me aami:
sion price to this popular theate
Starting with the musicians, the ii'
crease in salary is from $35 to $6
for men, and from $55 to $94.50 W
the leader. The stage hands wi
receive $50 each instead of' $3
which was the old scale. The oper
alors have been advanced from
In $1 an hnnr. and most of fh
other employes have received a raiid
This will increase the expensen o
the Empress theater over $4W
week, without counting the increa
of the films and increasing cost oj
acts, which will necessitate asm
raise in the admission scale of 1
cents on the main floor seats a
nieht and 5 cents on the baleoti
scats. The matinee prices will' te
main the same. . .
Autographs Automobile
Eddie Polo has been asVed to autd
graph photos, base balls, even bian
checks, but he was taken bysMM
prise recently when an admirer ntel
tored out to Universal Utyartj
asked him to autograph an automu
bile. "
Eddie Polo was nothing loath, tn
affixed his signature to the hootHs
the car in bold, tour-mch script; ",
The man who asked the ntfinti
favor was Captain' Wanderwellrwh
is touring the world in a carsri
cially designed for that purpose, ,P
his way he has inscribed on th,i
the names of the ckies Bass
through. One such inscription reafi
"El Paso, Texas, where thei
Grande is wet on one side only
Edi;e Fob's is the only inrYivjdu.
signature.
Laugh Until the
Wrinkled '
Last Show 9:30 Pi
Today