The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 25

FRIDAY MOfiMNQ. JULY 11, 1924. PART n. fccatetsamusement0 iumainmcnt3 FILM BANQUET Three Charmers on Local Programs FLASHES itCtcatets amusements- entertainments 7- LAST TIMES TODAY STARS COME HOME LeU A) 11 eea- i IS DAZZLING Grand Variety of Effects -i MARY AND DOUG SAIL FROM Adorn "Thief of Bagdad" Doug Has Mark Nearly Impossible to Equal Carnival Spirit Prevails at the Premiere 1 EUROPE TUESDAY By Grace Kingsley "We are sailing for home on the Leviathan, tha 15th Inst" Thus wrote Mary Plckford In a letter to her brother Jack. Said I vl phHl8 IVtarent Lope.

Richard Dlx I JunJor M-uon and tb I A Paramount Orcbeatra Bow" I -A i eonl.Tp'ortrajr rrooi (Myof 1 i V' ss'f I I rf I I 7 if At, a I A lr si I' 'A 4' Ml v- 1 1 DOLLARVsm IWUtWUiJ GRAUMAN'S OWtTrWllp "Covered Wagons ea the ruiot" logue with Indians aad wagons an the stage. MILLION warn r-i Tey Sat in Awe! Pm Tempestuous Love anc Thundering SID GRAUMAN'S, DAZZLING PRELUDE Vfe "THE CITY OF DREAMS" IBB Tickets at downtown agencies: Barker fiLSrra Birkel Music Co Saturdays and. fRm3rj Sundays at Grauraan's Metropolitan tr'3r Theater, and at Egyptian box-office vi HOlly. 2131. i Take P.

E. cars atHlll St station direct 5)) to main entrance. yfJxx i in. i Sj UM nssBim fteiiy Sinclair heify Corxpron Pt.aV Mr art t'me marrlaRS vV JSr marriage up but Vivl VTr'i make a speedy picture vb 1 fi "TUU Wl" I LILLY VON I Cbrlrtlt ody K0VACS I Entertaining Marie Prevost appears in "Being Respectable," opening at the California tomorrows Betty Sinclair is in "White Collars" at Egan's, and Betty Compeon stars 'in "White Shadows" at the Mission beginning tomorrow. HTCpMaanaMBMnaBSBanaapaaBBMSjaiSHaw luMt'iiMsSy THEATRE ft BROADWAY At 9 th iP ftO UAVsTTt AT A "IrVtsT COAST C.

TMfcATKB TO 7TH GRAND I TwSt TO 7TH GRAND I Jf-TfG'V7 i Join the romance-crowds revei- -ft ling In this the most glorious 'tAjfmM 1 of all presentations! 05r'ii I la 3 i I JwTIONL PICTURE Jr cd 1 IJXMlltcnSills I LAST TIMES TODAY JSr LOUIS JOSuPfl VANCE'S letter arrived yesterday and thereafter Joy was unconflned. "That great," said jacK, ana he immediately picked up the telephone to broadcast this official news to his brother-in-law and eister, Allan Forrest and Lottie Plckford Forrest, who live in Beverly Hills. And he also notified Tom J. Geraghty, who produced Jack's latest starring vehicle, "The End of the World." and who Is now at the Hollywood Hospital enjoying radio concerts and a broken hip. "They leave from Cherbourg, France," said Jack, "and come direct to New York.

Mother is coming with them and so is little Mary. Mother did not go on many of tha tours with Mary and Douglas, but spent most of her time at Alx Les Bains, a lake resort In the southeastern part of France." one of the Interesting bits or Information in Mary's letter to Jack is this: "Mr. Smith, who has charge of our Paris office, says Xhat The Hill-Billy' Is one of the very best pictures that has been sent to Europe from America. It sold to twice as many theaters in half the time of any other picture you have ever. made.

All you have to do Is make pictures as good as 'The Hill- Billy. "Although we have au had a wonderful time in Europe," Mary continued, "we are anxious to get back home. The Santa Monica Mountains and the wonderful gardens and beautiful homes of Holly wood and Beverly Hills will look mighty good to me." BETTY BLYTHE, GEORGE SIDNEY, ARE BURNED Severe burns were suffered yes terday by Betty Blythe and George Sidney, leading actors in tne pres ent Montague Glass story, "In Hol lywood with Potash and Fenmut-ter," during the making of some fire scenes. Miss Blythe'a shoul ders, bare because of the gown she wore, and (Sidney's neck and hands were blistered severely and will necessitate bandages and a doctor's care for reveral weeks, according to the physician in attendance. Al Green, director, insisted that Miss Blythe wait until the flames had died down a bit, in the scene where a cabin was supposed to be burning, before she went in: other wise she might have been burned much worse.

Smoke pots were used, but the structure caught fire, and though water was played on the set and the fire put under con trol, the flames were heavy enough so that Miss Blythe In running through, was badly scorched. Sid ney behaved in heroic manner. He was ahead of Miss Blythe, but In sisted on waiting until Miss Blythe had passed through tne door. Helens Chadwick Gomes Home After aeven months' absence from Hollywood, Helene Chadwick, the beautiful star, will step off the California Limited this afternoon Miss Chadwick has been starring in productions made in New Tors) and now returns to her home where she will immediately com mence work under the Famous Plavers-Lasky banner. When Helene departed for Goth am, It was on pleasure only and her stay was a limited one.

now ever, it did not take the eastern film officials long to get her signa- tore on the dotted line of con tracts and the weeks soon turned into months. A wire from the train en route to Los Angeles, states the star Is bubbling over with excitement at the thought of once again meeting her old friends and stepping on grornd she calls home. Brer Robert Goes East Now that "The Thief of Bagdad" Is busily engaged in stealing high honors at Grauman's Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, Robert Fairbanks, who came out from New York to, represent his brother at the opening, has repacked his wardrobe trunk and will entrain at 10:30 this morning for his return via Union Pacific to New York. He was accompanied by W. W.

Kerrigan, Fairbanks studio manager. Robert came west at tne request of Doug, who felt that the im portance of tne Houywooa en gagement called for a personal representative. "Douglas naa imenaea to oe here for the opening himself," said Robert "but he promised to act as one of the Judges at the Olympic Games, and at that time the date tor the Hollywood engagement had not been fixed. Un fortunately, tne oiympio uames and the premiere hero occurred at the same time." Mr. Kerrigan expects to be gone several weeks, returning with the Fairbanks party meaning Mary and Doug, tt al.

Now that Tom J. Geraghty is nursing a broken hip at the Hollywood Hospital, Kerrigan will do a few errands in New York that Tom had intended to give his personal attention to. One of these Is conducting "The End of the World" into the big city and completing releasing arrangements there. This is the new picture in which Jack Plckford is starring that Geraghty has just finished producing. Kerrigan will visit his sister, who shares an apartment on Riverside Drive with Lenore Ulrich, and will also renew acquaintances of long standing In New York.

"111 prob-ably need a guide," he said, "as I haven't been in the big town for eleven years." Comedians in It Four comedians are playing prominent roles in one of the most dramatio pictures of the year. They can be found in the cast of "He Who Gets Slapped' Leonid Andreyov's tragio continental play which Victor Seastrom in directing for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The comedians are Lon Chaney, who was in musical comedy for years as dancer and low comedian, Ford Sterling. Clydo Cook and George Davies. Davies is a noted European clown and acrobat Military Man In Films From tha glare of tha battlefield to the glare of the Klelg lights is a long Jump, but Capt H.

J. Pepper has made it successfully. Widely known as a gas expert with the Canadian corps, during the war. and the recipient of numerous medals, he is now appearing in "Open Al! Night" Paul Bern's first directorial effort a Paramount production featuring Jetta Gouriat. Viola Dana.

Adolphe MenJou, Raymond Orlinth, Mantle B. Flynn and Osi Henry. BT EDWIN SCHAILEUT Ths great feast for the epicures has begun. "The Thief ot Bagdad" la showing at last, and it Is the banquet royal of film entertainment. Never its like has been seen be-fore: never Its like will be viewed again for many a day.

It is the first and the last, the magical height and the Iridescent depth of fantasy. The premiere maj have been the greatest; certainly It was one of the most dazzling that has ever been seen In Hollywood. It Is difficult offhand to estimate the effect of such a brilliant opening as this, and though summer is not the time for the most reiplendent of social audiences, certainly this first presentation lured forth a glamorous representation. Never has there been so much, of the spirit of the carnival at Grauman's Egyptian Theater, so much pi light and gaiety, so much i of free," flurrying spontaneous enthusiasm as that which filled with atmopehere not only the playhouse itself and the esplanade of the entrance way, but virtually all the boulevard In the Immediate vicinity. Everyone had beard of Douglas Fairbanks most ambitious and most costly cinema spectacle and everybody wanted to some part In the first grand unreeling of the same.

The Egyptian Theater ha come to be the center for the great premieres in tbls locality. It has also become the home of featurea destined for long runs. Only three films have been displayed there In nearly two years, and as "Robin Doug's previous spectacle of the chivalry of the Middle Ages, was the very first, there was an especial sentiment about the opening of 'The Thief of Bagdad." Doug himself was absent from the occasion. He has yet to be present, as a matter of fact, at the first screening of one his bigger features in Hollywood. And really, I feel that it would do no harm for him to discover on the next occasion Just what it is like.

At present, of course, he is traveling in France as Milton Sills, who presided as master' of ceremonies for the premiere, mentioned In his very effective talk. Despite the absence the star, the film was unveiled In a very eiaoorate style. Introductions were made for all the members of the cast, the majority of whom aa it happens are really new to most film followers, and a number of them oriental, because Mr. Fairbanks, In casting his film, endeavored to avoid wherever possible the conventional types. While the prologue may never be as Immensely commended as the one that Sid Grauman staged for "The Ten Commandments," it is evidence of his tremendous ability in showmanship.

He has caught the real spirit of the fantasy. There Is one of the most gorgeous displays of costumes that has ever been seen on the stage, and some of the dances. especially those that are eccentric in character, conjure not only the mood of the production, but call forth a lot of humor from the audience besides. Really the craftsmanship of this stage spectacle Is magnificent. It Is worthy in some respects to be compared with a divertisement put on by one of the best dancing artists.

I -fcav seen creations presented by Ruth St. Denis and Pavlowa that were no better done, or at least that held no more of popular interest. It is an achievement Indeed that Mr. Grauman ha? been able to go so far In perfecting an ensemble of terpslchoreans and a pageant to achieve such a lovely, colorful and artistic result. He has carried out the eame result In the exterior decorations in the esplanade, which last night was filled to every nook and corner with people waiting and watching for a glimpse of the stars.

Incense is burning everywhere, manlcolored balloons hover overhead, various figures of oriental deities are here and there Really, "the Thief of Bagdad" with Its arrival, has changed the whole atmosphere of this section of Hollywood Into a sort of Arab-tan Nights fantasy in Itself. The ushers of the theater wear the long veils of the harems and the dancing girls, and their dress mingles colors of exotic The members of the orchestra and the conductor appear in turbans snd sheiks' costumes. The stage is transformed right from the beginning Into a picture of bazaars, and hanging rugs and curved archways and minarets and everything symbolical of the Orient. By degrees this vista of beauty gives way to the all-Important culminating event, the showing of the film. Here as elsewhere there Is novelty, and the unusual even In the small Item of naming a huge list of technical experts and they certainly deserve to be named before one catches the first glimpse of the cast FILM OF WITCHCRAFT' And now "The Thief." I have no words to evoke Its magic.

Veritably It needs some sort of sorcerer's Incantation to do this, some strange voodoolstic talisman, that Is capable of immediately transmuting words to vivid pictures vivid and full of witchcraft as those that have been caught upon the celluloid itself. "The Thief of Bagdad" Is, I think, the ultimate of Its kind. I can see why now a majority of producers did not follow Doug as they did in the instance of "The Three Musketeers" and "Robin Hood." There will be no reign of fantasies following it as there was a perfect storm of costume films right after his previous production. This one is the last word. Of course, it is not the individual technical tricks that matter.

Some of these are new and some are easily recognizable. A few are even obviously of comedy origin, and one might in a lesser production be uproariously funny. I refer to the flying horse, because of all the steer i that were ever selected for a flight through the air, the white swayback which gallops over the coulds is aboit the most inappropriate that could be visioned. It is good that the shots of him are fleeting. Exoept for this one bit of grotes-querie the affects are almost unimaginably enchanting.

The fights with dragons and giaat bats and A' nr Evenings 75 MPS OiiMren- 25 OPENING TOMORROW BETTY COMPSON IN i "WHITE SHADOWS" DIRECTION WEST COAST THEATRES INC. I jasarsi I "iir I isMff li nr in in iiiiim HiifMi.n.1. nilti iiraaiaraSiiiliTMtnraMaw--i "rtm T-u'4 1 Vmiolille mi t4S Nwe Otntlnmiw II SO PEARL KICKMANS KIDDIES 10 Talented Tiny Tote 10 JACK BANieT Utm Mm. Frl. I Ml.

Mi NIfM. ud Sal MatlMw KM mm i i MATS. 1 jg WED. sea monsters, the magic carpet HAnrin? nvir thA hearlft nf the COD ulace of the charmed city, of legendary lore, the armies of men that spring: from the pufis of smoke when Doug: throws a magic powder on the ground, and above all the cleverness of the devising of the invisible cloak, and the manner in which it aids the cli max of saving the heroine, are simply unforgettable almost unimpeachable, too, in their proof of 'the perfection or. the photo graphic art, i PIOXEEKS AGAIN Doug has pioneered away beyond anybody in the use that he makes of the laminar camera trickery, and his remarkable staff of assistants have undoubtedly added a small legion of new effects beside.

The picture not only amazes with its scenery, but it also conveys an esprit, a lightness, a delicacy and, above all, a merry rhythm as of mystic music that matches all the fantastic feeling of Its glowing scenes. I do not, of course, know about the general popularity of this film. I am not prepared to make predictions, as to how it will be rated as compared with certain other featurea that have been vastly favored. The reason is because it is so different. Assuredly though, "The Thief of Bagdad" will captivate all those who have a love for beauty in, its finer and more delicate essence, who appreciate the fine shadings of a tapestry, who relish the deep tones of a painting, who understand the secrets of exquisite fabrics, the mystery of melodio tone, and the nuances of nature.

"The Thief of Bagdad" blends something of all these things, with a fairylike, youthful, radiant char acter, and in this respect is the first great art work that the screen has yielded of the naive. It is simplicity in the midst of an overwhelming maze and labyrinth of color and light and shade, that gives you the feeling of being a child reading a wonderful and su. perlatively illustrated story book, Unless you can accomplish this point or view you may not enjoy It to the fullest. Tou may marvel at Its beauty of photography, but you will not get the full value of its enchanting fascination, The story itself is a trifle long in the telling. Its texture is extremely light almost airy in fact That is to me its charm.

It lacks any deep or hidden meaning or power. The moral that Doug endeavors to convey about "happiness must be earned" is a platitude. There is really nobody to aught of his purpose, but there is a glorious symmetry and balance to the way the entire narrative works out. The culmination and the finish are a thousand per cent better from a dramatic standpoint than was the overdrawn suspense of "Robin Hood," and, indeed, all the second part of the plot is bewitching, even as the early part Is a light and pictorially flashing extravaganza. Primarily therefore "The Thief of Bagdad" is a triumph of effects uniquely belonging to the province of the camera.

will be remembered long, especially by those who know the technique of the screen, for what it suggests Of the possibilities on this glitjerlng two-dimension stage. It will be regarded as a summit of attainment contrasted with the past, and a peak of promise for the future. It is by this same token one of the most splendid Alms, if not in certain ways the most transcendent, ever made. I have never in fact felt quite so positive on viewing any film as to Just what It would mean, because what is lacking in its panorama of marvela is the significant and intimate feeling which makes people forget themselves in watching a play. Tet at the same time there Is in all this glamour something that sweeps and carries you away with It, but as a spectator not touched to the heart but, rather conquered by the spell of some great undreamed of achievement.

by some marble-white East In dian temple and ivory palace in far Cathay. Doug's personal performance is hard to estimate. The most signi ficant thing about it is that it blends eo well with the general feeling of the whole production, only a few close-ups, and a very few there are at that seem at all distracting, and even in these he has suoceeded more than fairly in holding the mood. For the rest, he Is a dominat ing figure, a real trickster him' self, doing michlef first and racing on wings to the rescue later, which is Just what makes the ca prlcious excellence and attraction of his portrayal. It is not great acting, perhaps, hut It la something that passes as a very satisfy ing substitute for the same.

Of types there is an astonishing assemblage. Few of them are known, if any. The leading woman is Julanne Johnston, who has only since this engagement achieved any real note. She plays tne princess, and may well be credited with being perfection per feet In the part. She has the grace and poise and beauty which seem to belong to a being of the legends.

Anna May Wong, to my mind. does one of the best bits of acting as the Intriguing Chinese girl. The menace that Is provided by So-Jim as the Mongol prince is superior. He appears to belong absolutely to the role. Snitz Ed wards -does a scraggly character in a capital way, and Brandon Hurst, Charles Belcher and others add fine portrayals.

Among the best also is that or M. Comont masculinely so called. as the stout Persian prince. Win ter Blossom, Etta Lee, Noble Johnson, Tote Du Crow, K. Nambu.

Sadaklchi Hartmann strange names these are others who may well be named. That's not forgetting the three eunuchs either, done bv Jess Weldon, Scott Mat- traw and Charles Sylvester, who are verv amusinff I wish I -had the space to credit every technical worker In this Air, even as Doug has done on tne screen, but they compose a small regiment. The chief honeys outside of the star1 and producer after all undoubtedly go to Raoul Walsh, who directed all the remarkable pro-ceedi-i. He received a good hand when he, with members of the cast and others, as well as Mr. Grauman.

were called to make a bow last night. Various people had to do with the story, but. Elton Thomas is mentioned as the author. Edward Knoblock is named as consultant. The chief photographer, who well deserves approbation this time, was Arthur Edeson, and the art di rector, William Cameron Mezies.

All of them have had a part. that Is a surety, in the creation of a magnificent and gorgeous motion picture spectacle. Von Stroheim In Seclusion Mae Murray is all set to go on with the picturization of "The Merry Widow, to De made tor Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Erich Von Stroheim, who will direct, is rap idly completing the scenario adapted from, the plot of the light opera. Von Stroheim is making the adaptation at a secluded spot far from interruptions, especially rrom the telephone.

The director attempted to do- his writing at home, but was besieged by visitors and telephone calls to such an extent that he decided to go to well, to the place where he is now to be found, or ratner, wnere he is not to be found. Gamut Club at Show Even if they had seen the show before, members of the Gamut Club to the number of 1R0, showed what they thought of "White Col lars" and ita author. Edith Ellis, by attending tho performance of that comedy at Egaa'g Little The-. last night sir HIS ATIVT r-ITCEL COM- IOV. ALL abeat a bukful wk Muldnt kl nklni llrlt fall In tow wttk -T 5 The Popular Loa Angeles Star EVERETT 0 RTO In Oven Davis Sensational New York Comedy Success "THE NERVOUS WRECK" AST TTMF? THHAV KM ROMANCE OF A rLAMINS PASSION IN THt HtART OF THE DESIST THI I LOV STORY OF A IESV Jk MOHAMMEDAN MAID I itCOMING TOMORROW LCZWS XTATE wi'ft 14 tars Now Curtain at 8 o'clock I I JUAN REYES WILBUR MACK CO.

SHATTUCK O'NEIL MADAM TEN FLAT SU CEISHA GIRLS Xxclnatre Photoplay JOHN GILBERT Tn "Jnrt Off Broadway "1ST Nlihfc Su.fa. k. .1 a SaaT Hti. Im. Ta Air Time, IS.

SECOND WEEK THOMAS WILKE9 presents Mat Saato-eOa. Ena. 50 SI.2 ISHAM JONES BAND JANE GREEN CORBETT NORTON OLSKN A JOHNSON and Borprlea Party Ko. rRED'K SYIVFSTEB TILTOJi -CAVASA 1034 BAG 0 A SIX OTHER ACTS A 1 "A TSrUUng Troplral KymaD la TwrinMroior" MATINEE SATURDAY 2:20 17 1 ii mi I imi niniiiiwiin tun 1 Curtain NliMlft 130. Mata.

Sat, Son. null 15 $1.50 tl. Sun. and H.la. Mn TRIalty 3214 THE PILGRIMAGE PLAY LIFE OF THE CHRIS.T SCATS tiOVt ON SALE Barker 1 18 80.

Bdwr. IL MB 1840. Dnil 401 HoDywoo Pric, Sl-OO, W. S3'00- War Tax. OANTAQES VAUDEVILLp II nr rr Tvr ir 1 -r-r WTTH FRIG A "The UNINVITED QUEST 1 9J.TH BECORO-BSEAKINS WHH.

KM rwiv Beaaoal Caoaaal Fbotodramatio BaoMUtos "MAN AND WIFE" Featuring Clad, a Llf, Robert FlItoM. Maurice Cuatrlio and rwi r-hearer. toattnuoua iMulj 1 It. 6aaM i 11 CM. BASEBALL WASHINGTON PARK TODAY.

2:30 SALT LAKE vs. VERNON FOB REhERTATIOS CALL ATlantlc 9S5Z. HIPPODROME YaoievM. Arts Main St. at 4th THE FORUM Wart of twice raHr, aad T3L flMoa SOUiin tli.

The ft GLEN OSWALD'S VICTOR RECORDING ORCHESTRA DANCE MUSIC THAT, d. vr. Grcrnnrs AMERICA" PirntliMM rtw I Xkibana a kac a-ijea, Buaal's il Civ 1.