Indianapolis Times, Volume 34, Number 266, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 March 1922 — Page 7

In The Land of Make Believe By WALTER D. HICKMAN

" Costume plays are In demand Just now.” That was one of the statement* made by Dallas Van Cleave, an Indianapolis movie actor who has been in Hollywood. Cal., which made a profound impression jSB 1 many of us I juL SC- J impression that * '/the "costume’’ 'WM I'lay on the MH si-reen or the 2<fi stage was risky " TB business as the public often has r < pert eutertaiur*? uienis of that nature. Vet as prulilem, the , ' lyp fear of the drawing power Dallas Van Cleave. ti'.me movie" is only imaginary. An examination of box office reeonis show that “The Conuecticut Yankee,” which was a costume or period play done with a delicious touch of satire, was a tremendously big box office attractions. I will admit that the name of Mark Twain ns the author helped to increase the vogue of this movie. It is noted that several of the movies of Mr. George Arliss were costume plays and although the box office appeal of these classics varied in diffeicC* localities, yet it is conceded that Mr. Arliss has established himself as a recognized favorite among movie patrons. "Kismet” with Otis Skinner belonged to the “costume extravaganza” type of entertainment. Griffith's “The Birth of a Nation” was a “period” play. The box office success of Douglas Fairbanks in "The Three Musketeers," is of such tremendous porportions that many producers for weeks have been rushing productions of a similar nature. "Czarina.” anew Broadway production, which is es- entially a costume play, is right among the big money getters at the present time on the stage. I have before me a notice from the Cosmopolitan Productions to the effect that a movie version of “When Knighthood Was in Flower,” is nearing completion. Marion Davies is to be featured. Although Mr. Van Cleave has devoted most of his time to appearing with Bobble Vernon in Christie comedies (by the way Mr. Van Cleave is appearing in a Christie comedy, which has been on view at Loew's State all week>, he has appeared with Nazimova and Norma Talrnadge. lie longs to do dramatic work. He has been In the movie game for about three years. He is married and. lives In Hollywood. “There are many good men In Hollywood.” he stated. He has faith that Will Hays will be able to bring about needed reforms in the movie industry. Mr. Van Cleave will return Monday to the coast to resume his work in the Christie studio. -I- -!- -II thought that you would be interested to know how some of the leading editors of the country consider the appointment ■of Will 11. Hays as the nead of the feiovie industry and what his task really In the April issue, the editor of Photoplay Magazine, in an open letter to the Industry’s new head. Mr. Will H. Hays, answers these questions while outlining a sound, constructive policy, ne says: “Dear Mr. Hays: You have 3ust accepted a position which makes you the representative head of the motion picture art and industry. You are the ideal man to occupy that position. Your traits of character and your proven ability, sanity. directness and fearle-sness qualify yon for this great responsibility. "I am taking the liberty of writing you a letter; and the things I am going to say to you are the outgrowth of a six years’ undivided association with the motion picture industry—its leaders, its directors, and ts stars. ‘‘You are confronted by the biggest job in America. You hold in your hands, as a sculptor holds a piece of clay, an industry which wields perhaps a more direct and personal influence upon the public than any other in the Fnited States. “It has become a necessity in the lives of many millions, and because of its vastness and influence, is almost a public utility. "You have it In your power to do a greater and finer service for this country than any other man today. You are, indeed, not merely face to face with a gigantic task—you have a sacred duty to perform as well. "In motion pictures, as in all great Industries, there are undesirables—selfish vicious persons who work Injury to every one with whom they are associated. "There is the unscrupulous producer who, for a temporary profit, makes bis appeal to the baser instincts in human nature. "There is the actor and the actress who live loose, immortal lives, and who thrive mi scandal and lurid notoriety. “And there Is the exhibitor who attempts to capitalize this scandal and to benefit hv this notoriety. (In Los Angeles, while the press was at the height of a recent orgy of sensationalism, a local theater threw across its entrance a large canvas banner bearing the words: T love yoa: I love you; 1 love you!’ quoting a note which Mary Miles Minter wrote to Taylor, the murdered director.) "There are the self-appointed guardians of public morals, who forget the spirit •>{ our form of government and in their frenzy of egomania, busy themselves in

Motion Picture Director^/ Neighborhood Home* JL PROSPECT THEATRE Churchman and Harlan. Sun. and Mon.. “Affairs of Anafol.” Tu*s., Goldnyn Special. “Branding Iron.’’ Me<l.. “No. 813. f ' Tliurs.. “Birth of a Soul.” Fri., “Magnificent Brute.” Sat., Special entertainers an (I rood picture. LINCOLN THEATRE C‘or. S. East and Lincoln Bt. Today, Tommy;" Sondayi "Tol'ablo David;'* Monday, W. 8. Hart in **Th© Testing Block," and ••The Adventures of Taxzan.** JEWEL THEATRE 1124 SO. WEST ST. Sun.—City Sparrow; Mon.—Branding Iron; Tots.—No. 813; Wed.—Birth of a Soul; Thurs.—Terror Island; Eri. —Broadway Buckeroo; Sat.—Greatest Sacrifice. PLEASANT HOUR THEATRE 1502 Roosevelt avenue Sun., Tom Mix, “Bough Iliamond." Mon., “Romance of Tartan.” Turn., “Bose of the West." Wed„ William Eaveraham. "llan Who la>st II imaelf.” Thurs., Gladys Walton, “Desperate Touth." FrL., William Earnum. "Gone Star Ranger.”

bringing about censorship, or exercise it in such an autocratic manner that compared to them, the kaiser was a benign and humble ruler. "Whenever a crime or a scandal connected with motion pictures has come to light, there have been those in various branches of the business who have at once rushed In and sought, through one mekns or another, to profit by it at the expense of the industry's reputation, scattering lies and accusations and innuendoes broadcast. "These are the facts. What, then, can be done?” "Viewing the situation broadly, I be-

AMUSEMENTS Ru 1 | Tft i Jril Em U ■ ALL NEXT WEEK V I Musical Comedy Extravaganza I Gambols of 1921 Catchy Songs A Broadway Elaborate |..... .... /. ... §. .1 ' .. i. ... 1 COMBINED WITH A FIRST TiME SHOWN FEATURE PHOTOPLAY * | Mabel Badin j Norman Trevor | | Jane tyre I THE STORY THAT NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION I TWO SHOWS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE t Matinees Except SAT. and SUN. j CONTINUOUS NIGHTS | Mezz 15c floor' 25c i till li p.M. BaI -20c^30sFloT49C

Hly Gush ! aa Ciir Bs | & so. I WILSON I ) CLARK i GEAR IKAID I The Romance of an Egg Tight Wire Exploits HALL ROOM BOYS FARCE—“Beware of Blondes”

Qcmcin&m ife Lyric IQall

Have that what motiov. pictures need at the present time, more than anything else, is a moral house-cleaning. They need it for their own good, as well as the public’s. And you are the one man who can bring this about. It is you alone who can rehabilitate the good name of a great industry which has been dragged through the mire. "First of all, you should call on producers to discharge all persons whose private lives and habits make' them a menace to the industry. This is vital. When the Stillman scandal broke, the National City Bank dropped Stillman. Surely the picture industry can do as much for its own good name. "Furthermore, you should eliminate all those persons who are eager to take advantage of the sensational publicity offered by any motion picture scandal which gets into the papers. "Moreover, in every motion picture con-

INDIANA DAILY TlXYiUfc, &aaukDAY, MARCH 18, 1922.

tract there should be a clause similar to the one in the new Goldwyn contracts, providing for the Immediate discharge of any actor whose private life reflects discredit on the company. "Your problem is to restrain not only the exhibitor, but the producer and the actor as well. "It Is a general moral house-c,leanlng that is needed. "Then there is another point. One of the cardinal reasons why scandals like the Arbuekle and Taylor eases are possible, Is that the motion picture business has built up great public characters, thus making them easy targets for sensational journalism. "This method of production has been wrong; for the publicity, advertising and expenditure should be spent on the pictures and not on the stars. “And here again you can help by so-

eusing Interest and attention on the art of motion pictures and not merely upon personalities. • “Indeed, the time probably will come

AMUSEMENTS MURAT ™PRICES TONIGHT TODAY t SE? 0 CfviJ L“3 Um U .b£s li c. 50c, ft, si.so ICL//AT V SPARKLING CTUSICAL COe-iEOY 00 $2.60 } IHTH ENTIRE NV CASINO ( 50c, fl, $1.50. the MATINEE MU SI C ALE Presents Adolph Bolm and Ruth Page In Dance Recital With Orchestra Carlos Salzedo Conductor and Harpist Wed., March 22, Murat Theatre, 8:30 P. M. PRICES—S3.OO, $2.50, $2.00 and sl.so—No War Tax TICKETS AT BOX OFFICE

The Most Important Dramatic Event Os All Time In This City Is The Engagement of Lionel Barrymore In “The Claw,” With Irene Fenwick And The Unaltered New York And Chicago Cast. With Pardonable Pride I Am Able To Announce That The Engagement Will Be A Most Successful One, And Have The Assurance Os The Young Genius, American Producer, Arthur Hopkins, Indianapolis Will Be Included In His Future Bookings Os His New York Successes With Complete Original Casts. Date of 1 Thank You. Engagement Nelson G. Trowbridge, v Mar - 23-24-25 j Manager Shubert-Murat Theatre.

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EVERY DAY NEXT WEEK Extravagantly Cast Gorgeously Mounted Appropriately Dressed Newest of the New JINGLE JINGLE with I he Two I lurrys STEPPE and O’NEAL Stella Morrissey, Evelyn Ramsey And Others, Including a Chorus of 18— CALIFORNIA BEAUTIES-18 This coupon and ten oent. entitles lady to rtworved sent any matinee during week except Sunday.

The St. Cecilia Players Present Msgr. Robert Hugh Benson’s PASSION PLAY March 19, S:ls P. M. St. Cecilia Hall. Seats 35c, 50c, 75c. Children’s Matinee Sunday at 3:00 p. m.

_ __ motion pictures. ? DOUBLE FEATURE PROGRAM ? FIRST TIME SHOWN What is it? . ■ Who is he? Who pays it? What hit V iSP* Who exacts it? Where T' le price of what ? Is he looking? \A/ Jjr\ HOPS HAMP YO N Mack Sennett’s Comedians Including Chas. ■ svs a. ■■r-nisßii i vil Murray, Phyllis Haver and BEN TURPIN -IN * . in “LOVE’S PENALTY” HOME TALENT No! You can’t guess the big climax. A TORNADO OF JOY IN FIVE ACTS And it’s too good to miss j The cock-eyed Romeo in his latest Afternoons The Little House Showing Biz Pictures .Nights ® Except Sat. and Sun. MISTER SMITH’? War Tax Included I • 20c m THEATRE U 2SC ®

when p. rsonalltiee will be almost entirely obliterated, although you can never succeed In overshadowing the individual (Continued on Page Nine.)

AMUSEMENTS VWWVVV>AA^VNAAA<VSAA/V/SAAAAAA/VVVVVVVVS^>VVV>VVVVSAAA>V\^wVVV^ , A^>AAiAA^A^ If, / , sensational , 808 PANDER TROUPE V NOVELTY 1 e-j- lL T WALKEI2S AND DANCE. QJ) I °°'itf T f£r op VAU Btv,utcittic Witt WALL I DAY "BACK TO WELL NGTCtfV 1 V.ON Q | TOPICS OF THE OW [wowev" songs i K A7HE ne^ l77cc\m \ aTW/sqs , ’"o c **] 1 Lt!! ’ Uo | pTHE MUSICAL COMEDV STASZ UERHAN TIMBERS, "LITTLE BITS’ /

ENGLISH'S Week Com. Monday Night MATINEES WEDNESDAY AND SATFRDAY. WORLD’S GREATEST AND BIGGEST MUSICAL REV lE. NATIONAL INSTITUTION. PRICES: Plus 10% Tax ■ ■ Sat Mat —sl.oo to $3.00. * A V * Un Mall order# must be accompanied by remittance and self-addressed stamped envelope. Good seats left for all performances.

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