Moving Picture World (Dec 1917) - Learn About Movie Posters

December 22, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1821
Paramount to Issue Chapin Pictures
Will Be Grouped Into Ten Episodes of Two Parts Each, All
Dealing with Life of Lincoln.
PARAMOUNT is to present a most notable motion picture
achievement, Benjamin Chapin in "The Son of Democracy,"
a series of ten two-reel features, each complete in
itself and each telling a dramatic chapter in the life of Abraham
Lincoln. Mr. Chapin has given his life to the portrayal
of Lincoln on the lecture platform, on the stage and on the
screen. For years he has been engaged in making "The Son
of Democracy," which now is to be available for exhibitors.
No other living man could produce such a series of features as
make up "The Son of Democracy." Mr. Chapin from boyhood
has been a disciple of Lincoln. He has produced Lincoln plays
and vaudeville sketches, appearing in them all in the character
of Lincoln. In stature, in face and in manner he is a living
reproduction of the Civil War president.
In "The Son of Democracy" Mr. Chapin portrays the great
President, Abraham Lincoln's father, and the first Abraham
Lincoln, grandfather of the President. Lincoln was noted as
a humorist, a kindly humorist, and "The Son of Democracy" is
crowded with smiles and hearty laughs, as well as with heart
throbs and stirring patriotic moments. Mr. Chapin. an actor
and playwright, as well as a man who loves Lincoln, has made
first an absorbing picture, a drama that would hold interest
even though its leading character were fictitious. There are
rousing hand-to-hand conflicts, for both Abraham Lincoln and
his father were, like all strong men of their time, fighters.
Mr. Chapin's talent in directing children is shown in charming
stories of the boy Lincoln and his playmates. They were
real boys and girls, Mr. Chapin shows. Throughout he establishes
the fact that Abraham Lincoln was above all a human
being.
A part of Mr. Chapin's Lincoln pictures was shown at the
Strand Theater in New York City and later enjoyed a long run
at the Globe Theater, on Broadway, at advanced prices. They
were an immediate success. Hundreds of discerning men and
women saw these pictures and wrote Mr. Chapin, congratulating
him. Exhibitors throughout the country tried to book
them, but Mr. Chapin held off. preferring to finish his plan,
which was to produce a complete series showing the life of the
great emancipator.
"THE HEART OF A LION" (Fox).
William Fox will release another Standard Picture December
16. It will be a William Farnum production. "The Heart of
a Lion," based on Ralph Connor's novel. "The Doctor."
The story, which has been read by thousands of moving picture
patrons, is called by the author "A Tale of the Canadian
Rockies," and has been closely followed by Director Frank
Lloyd in his screen version. Most of the opening scenes, laid
on a farm, were taken on Mr. Farnum's country place on Long
Island, several of the old country town characters Introduced
in the picture being friends and neighbors of the actor.
Action is transferred from the farm to the West through
the folly of Barney Kemper's brother, Dick, whom Barney is
sending to a theological school. Dick gets in all sorts of
trouble and slowly eats up Barney's savings, finally making it
necessary for him to abandon the farm. Incidentally, Dick
also is caught by Barney making love to the latter's fiancee.
Scene from "The Heart of a Lion" (Fox).
That settles matters for Barney. He "hits the trail." landing
in a mining camp. Dick, who reforms and finally becomes a
minister, goes to the same camp, and the story thereafter has
to do with their joint fight against evil influences in the place.
William Farnum, of course, has the role of Barney Kemper.
The part of the brother is played by William Courtleigh, Jr.,
and the other principals include Mary Martin, Wanda Petit,
Walter Law, Marc Robbins and Rita Bori.
"FACE VALUE" (Bluebird).
The Bluebird set for release January 14 will be a Mae .Murray
feature in more essentials than merely featuring the dancing
actress in the advertising and publicity. Robert Le",
collaborated with Miss Murray in writing the story, and Director
Leonard shared his work with his co-author in finally preparing
the subject for the screen.
"Face Value" will be Miss Murray's second Bluebird, the
release of "Princess Virtue" having served to introduce her
to Bluebird's "star-cycle" in November. In the January 14 re-
Scene from "Face Value" (Bluebird).
lease. Miss Murray plays the role of an orphan girl who goes
on to prosperity and contentment through her own efforts,
finally coming into the culmination of joy in the happiest of
endings.
In presenting "Face Value." Miss Murray qualifies as a
"stunt" actress through her leap from a moving train as it
crosses a bridge and her swimming feats that immediately result
in finding safety on shore. In the earlier sections of the
play the star shines as a comedienne, and her talents as an emotional
actress are later disclosed in the more dramatic episodes.
Robert Leonard has made a production declared to be one
of the most sumptuous Bluebird has ever offered in its program.
ELSIE FERGUSON CHANGES STUDIOS.
Production of Elsie Ferguson's new Artcraft picture, "The
Song of Songs," adapted from Edward Sheldon's well known
play of the same name, has been transferred from the Fort
Lee (N. J.) plant to the Fifty-Fourth Street Studio. New York.
The "Song of Songs" company was installed at the New York
plant last week, where new sets had been prepared in advance
so that there would be no loss of time in making the
change of studios.
Director Joe Kaufman reports rapid progress in the production
of Miss Ferguson's new vehicle, and it is expected the
picture will be completed in the near future. In selecting his
supporting cast, Mr. Kaufman has assembled a splendid company
of players, including such well known artists as Craufurd
Kent, Cecil Fletcher, Frank Losee. Gertrude Berkely,
Robert Cummings, Corinne Uzell, Charles Wellesley, and Henry
Leone. The release date of "The Song of Songs" has not as yet
been decided upon.
BIOGRAPH STUDIOS AVAILABLE FOR INDEPENDENTS.
Since the Biograph Studios became available November 1, the
Biograph Company offers its facilities to the independent producer
for such period of time as his production requires. With
its Cooper-Hewitt lighting equipment augmented by hard
lamps it affords a floor space of 19.200 square feet, which is
the largest electric lighted studio floor space In the United
States.
Madame Petrova, Lewis J. Selznick. Robert Warwick. James
Kirkwood, Ralph Ince. Clara Kimball Young, Emily Stevens,
Eva Tanguay, Harry Rapf, Charles Richman, Leonce Perret,
Charles Giblin, Albert Capellani and Florence Reed are a few
of the notable producers and artists who have made feature
productions in these studios. Thomas A. Persons is in charge
of the studios.
"THE FAIR BARBARIAN" (Paramount).
Vivian Martin is always most at home in a picture that
enables her to display the natural vivacity which is one of
her chief charms, and in "The Fair Barbarian," adapted by
Edith M. Kennedy from the story by Frances Hodgson Burnett,
she has a character to portray that might have been
Robert Thornby is directing Miss Martin in "The Fair Barwritten
expressly for her.
barian," which will be a Paramount release for December 17.