The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • 53

COMEDY HITTING BETTER STRIDE LI ff4 ''ill Provide Laughs Oftener; Chaplin Has out; Scnnetl in Ring With Feature; "Tillie's" New Romance Finishing nil i nr nui not 4 BY EDWIN SCHALLERT ILL the comedian be In the ascendancy again? He baa been lagging In the race tor first honors, but now Charlie Chaplin has hit his full stride In "The Circus," ttad Harold Lloyd's new picture, "Speedy," is said to be one of exceeding promise. from season to season, yet It Is still the great note that can be hit: The last picture to strike It forcibly of which one can be cer- tain, was 'The Big Parade." I Cafnldrd fcf tbm ArtM SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 18, 1927. Vol. XLVII. "HELEN" MAKES NEW YORK HIT PORTALS OF STATELY NEW UNITED ARTISTS THEATER SOON TO OPEN "One of the most beautiful theaters in the United States" is the statement used to describe the new United Artists Playhouse on Broadway, between Ninth and Tenth streets, which Is to be formally opened on the night of the 26th inst.

with the premier showing of Mary Plckford's "My Best Girl." There has been a tremendous expenditure of money upon the part of Joseph M. Schenck and associates on the interior decorative features of the theater, it is said. The unique sketch below by Staff Artist Charles H. Owens of The Times represents a cross section of the huge theater. Also may be seen a photograph of the exterior which fronts on Broadway.

Mainly the star comedian lags nowadays because he doesnt make films often, and it Is encouraging to hear that Lloyd henceforth will produce two films Annually, as his average has been slower than this lately. There are Buster Keaton and Harry Langdon, too, who are due for the revivifying Influence because their most recent pictures have not been by any means their strongest. Wally Beery and Raymond Hatton, to go a bit outside this field, need a more pepful brand of fun If they are to stay together as ft COMEDY In the feature, ft superabundance of gags, has Korda-Virected Film is Lauded Titles Evoke Shrieks; Stone Praised Lon Chaney Packs Capital; 'Jftr. Ifjp Star Popular BY NORBEBT LCSK NEW YORK, Dec. 18.

"The Private' Life of Helen of Troy." wmcn re- i-d "The Patent Leatner kjo. the Globe Theater last Friday night. novelty. Greeted wiw ht hir the audience, the the star comedian, who has graduated from the two-reelers. Beery and Hatton and also Charlie Murray and George Sidney are not In this particular classification, but the others of the group are.

Coming along in a new two-reel group is Luptno Lane, who has evolved a new type of eatlre, and whose recent efforts disclose a much surer touch than the beginning. Mack Bennett significantly Is to sponsor shortly a feature-length picture, which may serve to give a new edge to the feature vcomedy progress. Christie's have "Tillie's Punctured Romance" In the offing, which looks unique with W. C. Fields, Louise Fazenda and Chester Conklln billed In the big letters.

Hal Roach's "Gang" has had many changes since the old "Gang" was gotten together, but they manage to retain their place nicely. It might be interesting some time to see this group of boys In a bang-up full-length picture, despite that this will Involve considerable Ingenuity. fevtew, rrearcely less enthusiastic and an Indication, po Int to the pr o-longed popularity of the picture on Broadway, at least. It. remains to do Jin in First National has a dlsttngulsnea jod ,7, picture tflt John Ersklne.

tie. I cannot be cauea -thrbook. for the picture end. where the novel began, but as It now stands It is entertainment mr I to the screen than any attempt to Aim the original would th nroduction is sumptuously beautiful and the lighting 1 1 ally happy, for It conveys the mood of ttavcty and freedom from restraint. Thrtltles evoked continuous shrieks THE significance of "Sunrise" as production seems to persist extraordinarily.

This picture, which did not meet with such favorable response in New York, Is achieving a brilliant record in Los Angeles. There were errors made. I hear, In the New York presentation. The picture here has done the most remarkable business in the history of the Carthay Circle Theater during its first two weeks. -Strangely enough, "Sunrise" is one of the few pictures that I have ever seen that could stand wholly and completely independent of a musical accompaniment.

My first view of it was under these auspices, and silence seemed only to add to its power, because of the peculiar concentration It demanded for Its best GREAT TO BE "FREE," SAYSSTAR He Sketches Characters as He Writes Lloyd Hughes is Enjoying Respite from Contract Film Work WHAT effect will "The Private Life of Helen of Troy" have upon plans of producers? One cannot feel that It Is such an overwhelming success that it will alter the course of moviedom, as new types of pictures do frequently under such circumstances. Yet It Indicates a path not uninteresting. There are certain pictures that seem to leave everything said for the time being along a certain line. Though it was vastly ular, "The Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" was an example. It had no successors, the nearest thereto being the present Ersklne adaptation.

Fllmdom falls peculiarly in ruts on the strength of sbme pictures. Others receive little or no attention. Oftentimes it isn't the big picture so much as a small and successful picture that starts a fad. Consider for Instance the flood of college films, sport films and the like. The question of economy enters often Into the game of follow-the-leader.

"It's certainly great to ii ITiaU V.L?'- i.r l-V 'J (I 1 1 again 1" These few words have nothing to do with either the "Prisoner's Song" or the divorce courts not at all I Quite to the contrary they were uttered by one of Hollywood's popular juvenile leading men, Lloyd 'Hughes, who is featured In "No Place to Go," the current attraction at the Boulevard Theater. Hughes, who very recently completed a long-term contract with First National, is at the present time reveling In the first holiday vacation that he has had In three years, alternating his time between golf, Christmas shopping, and planning for his freelance career. "I've, tried both contract and freelancing," Lloyd said one day last week, "and I find the latter to be much more satisfactory. Of course both have their advantages as well as their drawbacks, but to be able to pick and choose stories, under the free-lance method, is a greater benefit than most people realize. It is a farce comedy of the "No- BY EDWIN 8CHALLEKT A PLAYHOUSE for motion plcturesl That is the dream to be realized in the new United Artists Theater, which opens the 26th Inst.

It Is a $3,500,000 structure between Ninth and Tenth streets on Broadway, and a rhapsody in gold, as regards the elaborateness of Its construction. It is a showhouse of 2100 capacity and is the first to be built here for pictures to have a mezzanine floor in addition to a balcony and lower floor thus three for the accommodation of audiences. president of United Artists, told me i -T'li-r. that the artistic presentation of mo' SOMETIMES it will be the actually daring thing the real Innovation that will receive more attention, even In the small picture. That will be ft better day for production In general.

It is coming to the point also where the film will have to appeal to a special public, Just as the stage does today in the majority of its attractions. The good old fundamental note Is getting more difficult to sound on the opening mg6 best summed up by the reviewer who classified them as the wisest cracks Broadway has ever sheer impudence disarms criticism at the outset and causes the most captious spectator to yield to the on slaughts of broad burlesque. ACTING HONORS Alexander Korda's direction leaves nothlnit to be desired. He may be ld Tto acquired the Hollywood technique as few foreigners have exceeded in doing, this having Indicated in his first picture. The Stolen Bride." The acting honors go.

of course, to Lewis Stone, who gives a superb' performance replete wit a all the resources of the accomplished comedian whose lifting of an eyeUd Is more eloquent than a gesture, wo fault has been found with Maria Cor-da. although her performance played in a mood of fixed coyness, devoid of light and shade, but she i plctorlally ravishing and has been photographed with results that seemed Impossible to those who saw her In foreign films. NEGATIVE PARIS Klcardo Cortea proved ft rather negative Paris, but this apparently is due more to the exigencies of footage rather than his acting. There Is cause for criticism In the way the episode of the Trojan horse Is introduced because the audience Is not permitted to see Menekos and his troops conceal themselves In It, but this detail of construction detracted not the least from the enjoyment of the majority. Mme.

Corda left yesterday for San Francisco, accompanied by Margaret Etttnger, to appear at the opening of the picture, following which they will arrive In Hollywood Thursday. MYSTERIOVS. GBEWSOME Lon Chaney and Tod Browning ere to be congratulated on the excellent picture with which they have packed the Capitol Theater this week. "London After Midnight" is conceded to be tholr best since "The Unholy Three," which, it seems, will always be the criterion by which Lon Cha-neys pictures will be measured. The new one has not the same degree of human Interest found In the earlier picture, nor Its diabolic humor but It is myterious, grewsome nX closely knit.

That the star's popularity on Broadway is second to none, particularly when he appears in a picture that pleases the reviewers. Is proved by tho fact that the theater was crowded for the 8 o'clock show Monday. The entire cast has been praised as well as the Ingenious story and the straightforward, matter-of-fact title by Joe Farnham, which lend conviction to the fantastic story of this sort. "Now We're In the Air" Is the latest picture combining the talents of Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton to be seen hereabouts. It opened last Saturday for a run at the Rlalto, and has received temperate reviews.

The teamwork ot the comedians la taking on the permanence of an Institution highly regarded by the public a an Infallible source of laughter, but not possessed of a degree of novelty sufficient to rouse the Jaded critics to more than polite acknowledgment of their skill. They are of the opinion that the new picture will prove fairly popular. DOWDY HEROINE "French, Dressing" at the Strand might be called another version of "Ladles Must Drees" at the Roxy because both have to do with a dowdy heroine who becomes fascinating by means of the right costumes. However, the viewpoints of the directors of the respective pictures are quite dlMlmllar, and for that matter the frumpish heroine who Is galvanized into developing her perwnal appearance will always be with us. "French Dressing" is rated an excellent picture for feminine audiences.

In fact, no one would be surprised if Allnn Dwnn dPliborstety set out to achieve this end. H. B. Warner, Lois Wilson, Clive Brook and Ln-yan Tashman have been highly praised for that quality which make's them Interesting individually, no matter In what picture they appear. "Ladles Must Dress" has not received precisely the same praise re-celved by the more sophisticated picture, but It Is put down as a fair ture of conventional foundation.

Amusing at times by deftnew of directing, acting and titling, Nancy Carroll ha apparently registered with every reviewer as possessing a provocative personality and a good sense of comic values. There are writers and writers for the screen In Hollywood. No one has ever computed the total number. It couldn't be done, anyway, for almost everyone In any way connected with pictures, almost anyone who goes to see a picture, harbors ft sneaking notion he can write good plots and occasionally tries his hand. Probably, however, there are 200 or so who actually make a living concocting scenarios and have earned some measure of reputation for their work.

Out of this number Wallace Smith, a former newspaper correspondent, author and artlBt, who collaborated with Elton Thomas on "The Gaucho," the Douglas Fairbanks film of South America now showing at Grauman's Chinese Theater, is declared to be the only one who not only writes, but draws, his scenarios. Before Smith was seized with the yen to try pictures he had published several novels. He had also Illustrated successfully, and his drawings had adorned the pages of such books as Ben Hecht's "The Florentine Dagger," and "Fantazlus Mallare," Arthur Machen's "This Shining Pyramid," Maxwell Bodenhelm's "The Blackguard" and Benjamin De Cas-seres "The Shadow Eater." It was his novel. "The Little Tigress," drawn from Mexican life as he observed It when a correspondent with Pancho Villa, which brought him to Hollywood. United Artists wanted the book for Valentino.

Smith, with Mrs. Smith, was on his way to Paris to exhibit his work in European galleries when a radio message from John W. Consldlne caused him to divert his course to California. He had a look at picture making for the first time. A newspaper man who had lived the life of a rover, who had "covered" hangings in Illinois, execution "parties" in Mexico, who had chinned with notorious bootleggers, gamblers, criminals and police of Chicago, as well as bandit chiefs of Mexico, who had "suped" as an lnterno in Cook County Hospital to study the human body in connection with his art, a friend of (Continued on Page 14, Column 6) (Continued on Page 14, Column 6) G0UDAL IS AN "IMPROVER" Desire to Better Her Work Results in "Temperament" Says Star; May Rejoin De Mille "The trouble with Goudal Is that she wants to improve everything." That remark, made by ft firm executive, says Jetta Goudal.

sums up any difficulties she has had in her career of the screen those widely discussed difficulties which have earned for her the title, "the temperamental star." NO BAUBLES FOR VAMPIRES Modern Charmer, if She is Smart, Wears Modest Dress, Discovers Margaret Livingston The modern vampire doesn't adorn herself In picture hat, filmy gown, clinking bracelets and jewels, nor does she wear little French heels. Such a "get-up" might have sufficed ft decade ago to make a wife reach for her adorable husband and hustle him home, but It won't do now! Goudal, the exotic, the ornamental, It Is because of a deeply ingrained The premiere of this theater will be one of the great events of fllmdom. It Is sponsored by the United Artists Pictures. Corporation, which Includes the most celebrated stars of the films, and those who In a majority of cases have 'done much If not the most, to make film history through a period of years. FULFILLED IDEAL The theater Is to be a fulfillment of their Ideal In presentation in that It will give the true emphasis to the motion picture Itself.

According to present plans, there will be no prologues or other stage entertainment, but a highly perfected musical accompaniment. Attention will be concentrated on the shadow entertainment. The opening showing will be ot "My Best Girl." with Mary Plckford. It is considered her most successful production in several years. Mary's film was selected because she herself has been from almost their very beginning identified with the growth of pictures.

She was the first star to gain fame and to retain it until the present. The idea for ft theater of the type of the United Artists was conceived approximately two year's ago. At that time I remember Joseph M. Schenck, the intense, the fascinating woman of tlon pictures could best be obtained through the proper mingling of truly fine pictures and truly fine music, without additional presentations. "The two form a natural bond, and In the main the music should be quiet and tastefully chosen, played by an adequate orchestra, so as to form natural and unostentatious accompaniment," he said.

"I believe, that If pictures are presented in this Tashlon they will find the public more than receptive, and that they will reach a public, which Is beginning to weary of seeing programs In whlcn the Importance of the pictures themselves Is diminished by too much added entertainment." In recent weeks Mr. Schenck has even more forcibly expressed his belief In the future of te theater that Is dedicated to pictures, and the dangers to the film Industry itself through the overemphasis on stage divertlsements. CHAIN OF TWENTY The United Artists Theater here Is one of a chain of about twenty theaters to be built In various cities of the United States. The policy will be much the same In all of them, except that It is planneo to make the house here in the future the world premiere theater. This is another step toward the ad- (Continued on Page 18, Column 4) mystery who admittedly has been a qualitative force in the pictures she has brought to the screen, discusses quite frankly her so-called temperament.

"You have heard? Yes? How I Insist upon this, that? How I must do This Is according to Margaret Llv- Murnau then explained his con' It this way?" she questioned, a smile hovering about her Hps eyes flash' urge to create, rather than to accept as an automaton directions given her, which has led to the "tern-peramental" reputation. This has been in part responsible for the severance of relations with the Cecil De MUle studios, possibilities for renewal of which are now rumored. That she might return to the De Mllle lot on which she has achieved outstanding artistic triumphs, among them "White Gold." and "Three Faces East" was admitted by the star. Conferences between Miss 'Goudal'a attorney and the legal representative of De Mllle have been the order for several weeks, although nothing definite as yet has been settled. lng in amused if slightly sarcastic laugnter.

"It Is because I do not sav 'yes' ceptlon of the costume to be worn, a close-fitting black dress, simple and unadorned with frills of any sort. He gave her ft little black hat which partly slid down over one ear. He had her remove the filmy, flesh-colored hosiery and substitute black Bilk. Her shoes were plain, low-cut and black. Not a ring, not a bracelet, not a jeweled bauble of any kind In the approved Hollywood fashion, because I am not afraid to say what I thlnlr, rather what I feel to be right.

I must think out and create (Continued on Page 14, Column 5) (Continued on Page 18, Column 1) 1 4 ltW A 1 -AAAtttitisjiAAaaA lngston, one of the screen's most alluring who received an emphatic lecture from F. W. Marnau, the director, when she appeared for tests preparatory to the making tf "Sunrise," now being shown at the Carthay Circle Theater. The redheaded actress plays the role of the city girl who takes liking to the husband of ft country girl and goes after blm. In preparation for her film tests, she arrayed herself in one of her fluffiest dresses, put on all her gems, secured a hat that was big and floppy and donned Mean -colored stockings barely discernible to the naked eye.

She "swsnked" in before Murnau at the studio with all the gentleness and softness and warmth of a summer breeze. The director took one look and exclaimed: "What's the matter, Margaret? How did this happen?" A bit bewildered oy the unexpected queries, Margaret explained she had come prepared to play that role of the city girl in "Sunrlso." Very gently and very kindly, Murnau led her to a seat anl said: "My dear girl, do you think that ft burglar going to his work would wear mask and openly carry ft lot of tools In bis hands? Do you think he would stroll down the street with blackjack partly exposed in one pocket? Don't you think this would mark him so that the first police-mm he met would whistle for every other cop in the precinct, put In a call for the patrol wagon and possibly ft few reserves? Burglars don't carry such labels. Neither does a 'vamp' go dressed like ft magazine cover to get In her deadly wovk. MA HMlV DENIES OPERATION HlllOR Somewhat exatsterated. savs Oewge O'Brien, Fox Ftlma star, commenting upon the report currsnt in San Francisco that he hns undergone amputation of one of his legs.

Sprat ned ankle was the extent or his Injury. It happened la "Sharp Shooters." OUadqe rdA in. five Soulhem. in the Gaucho, Chinese' William 7aines and Joan Crawford in SPRING FEVER- CEetropolitaa A A THE PRIVATE LIFE OF MtLChl TROY 3owct pretty and your get-up Is charming, but-'.