Exhibitor's Trade Review (Jun-Aug 1923)

August 25, 1923 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW 539 ANDERSON HEADS NEW COMPANY Will Distribute for Independent Producers in Thirty Key Cities Into the motion picture field has entered a new national distributing organization which will begin functioning on September 1. Conceived by Carl Anderson, the new organization was incorporated at Albany last month and will operate under the title of The Anderson Pictures Corporation, with offices in thirty key cities. It will distribute pictures for independent producers. Carl Anderson, president of the company, is well known in the industry. He was the first manager of the Lasky Company and remained with them until Paramount was formed, when he joined the latter organization in the same capacity. He remained with Paramount until the war, during which he entered the service of the Government. At the conclusion of the war, Mr. Anderson became identified with the Educational Film Exchanges, resigning from that organization a few months ago. Since then, he has been in California completing arrangements for production. Mr. Anderson has always been an exponent of intensive distribution, preferring to supply a large number of theatres at a moderate price, rather than a small number of theatres at a large price. In the announcement of the new corporation Mr. Anderson says: "I believe the time is ripe for a new distributing organization. The motion picture business has been a series of steps, generally followed by the comment from some quarters that 'it can't be done.' However I have lived to see, and in fact have been actively identified with several of 'It can't be done' propositions, which proved to be financial successes. These successes have been due to the creating of a distributing organization and personnel that succeeded, because they gave the exhibitor good service and good pictures. ' Today nearly all companies give good service; prints are delivered in good condition, advertising helps are plentiful, so that the only thing that really interests the exhibitor are good pictures. "I realize there is not room for 'just another distributing company' — it must have something to offer the exhibitor and producer. Just wherein we will differ from the ordinary run will be shown as we make public our plans. "We will specialize in pictures of definite exploitation merit, to which we will give intensive selling, wide distribution, with certified accounting to the producer and ' cards on the table ' policy. "The national quota on features will be arranged on a sound business value and not on motion picture figures. "I might say," said Mr. Anderson, "here is a distributing organization with fresh ideas which will help not only the producer but the exhibitor, enabling the PHOTOGRAPHY COMPLETED ON THE ACQUITTAL Photography on ' ' The Acquittal, ' ' the Universal-Jewel production of Eita Weiman's stage play, has been completed. The cast includes Harry Mestayer, Kichard Travers, Barbara Bedford, Frederick Vroom, Ben Deely, Emmett King, Dot Farley and Hayden Stevenson. latter to give his patrons entertainments of quality, with a surety of profit to his theatre. It will moreover help change materially the character of conducting the business particularly for the producer." The various executives in the Anderson Pictures Corporation are capable showmen who have spent their business years in show business and in the motion picture industry. CAPITOL BOOKS WARNER CLASSIC Where North Begins Will Be Shown in New York Early in September The Capitol Theatre, New York City, has booked the Warner Classic, "Where the North Begins," starring Ein-tin-tin, the Police Dog Hero, following the world's premier at Loew's State Theatre in Los Angeles and will be shown at the Capitol early in September. Other important bookings on this Harry Eapf production are the Loew Circuit in New York's metropolitan district; Bijou, Atlantic City, West Coast Theatres Circuit, Paramount Circuit throughout the South and Southwest, Eialto, Washington, D. C, Alhambra, Milwaukee, Modern and Beacon Theatres, Boston, Gordon Circuit, Boston, Eialto or Princess Theatre, Denver, and affiliated houses in Boulder, Pueblo, Greeley and Colorado Springs; Colorado, and Joe Phillips' Eialto Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas. PICKFORD-FAIRBANKS STUDIOS HUMMING The Pickford-Fairbanks studios at Hollywood present scenes of intense activity these days. While Douglas Fairbanks is hammering away on "The Thief of Bagdad," Jack Pickford's company is taking a trip through the blue grass country on location for exteriors for "Valley of the Wolf" to be released through Allied Producers and Distributors Corporation. Due to the fact that each organization uses an orchestra during the rehearsing and shooting of the scenes a system of whistles has been arranged so that the orchestras will work in relays. Will Crown Princess Assist? B. P. Schulberg has asked the Crown Princess Charlotte of Monaca to assist in the preliminary activities and research work for the film version of Eobert Service 's novel "Poisoned Paradise," which is to be a Preferred Picture. The story is a romance of the tiny principality in which the princess spent her entire life. Select Two Warner Pictures The National Board of Eeview in their Photoplay Guide issued by the National Committee for Better Films have selected in the group of especially good pictures for the month of July the two Warner Classics of the Screen, "Little Johnny Jones" and "Where the North Begins." New Pal Comedy Started "Pal Puts It Over," the first of the new Pal dog comedies for Century, is now in the early stages of production under the direction of Al. Herman. New Chief of Editorial Men James McKay, the man who with Frank Atkinson edited "Merry Go Bound," for Universal has taken up his duties as chief of the editorial department at Universal City. GODDESS ENJOYS NOTABLE PREMIER Celebrities Join Press in Lauding New Feature and Work of Arliss "The Green Goddess," long heralded feature production of the Distinctive Pictures Corporation featuring George Arliss, had its world premier at the Sam Harris Theatre, New York, on Tuesday night, August 14. The New York Times declares in its review that "The Green Goddess" marks a new era in the industry. One of the largest first night crowds in the history of Broadway attended the opening. The motion picture and theatrical world — managers and stars alike — were there, many celebrities standing throughout the entire showing. "The Green Goddess" was directed by Sidney Olcott, who was responsible for another big current attraction, "Little Old New York," while the continuity, which won the praise of the newspaper critics, was prepared by Forrest Halsey. Karl Breil, who wrote many of the scores for D. W. Griffith openings, supplied the musical accompaniment. Clark Eobinson prepared the settings and decorative effects, while the Oriental details were supervised by Eoshanara, interpreter of East Indian dances. Comments of some of those who saw the picture on its opening night were as follows: Irving Lesser — I think it is better than the play. I can 't say that Mr. Arliss ' performance is any superior to what it was on the stage, but I do think the picture contains more sustained interest. Thomas Dowd, Capitol Theatre — As I said last night, I think it is a finished picture. I like it very, very much. It was an admirable presentation. J. D. Williams — A great artistic success. Arthur Friend and Mr. Hobart deserve great credit for getting together an organization that can produce a picture of this kind. Jules Brulatour — It 's a marvelous picture, one of the best things Arliss has done, from any angle, but the best from the box office standpoint. It has marked emotional appeal. The Oriental atmosphere is faithfully delineated, and the melodramatic scenes are sensational. Albert Pach, Fifth avenue photographer — I found the picture very delightful in all respects, and of course what naturally appealed to me it was admirably photographed. I think it is one of the most delightful motion picture entertainments I have ever witnessed. Another pleasure for me were the views of the mountains from the aeroplane. The whole production was an example of superior work, a complete success. All Set to Go Selection of the cast for "Maytime, " a Preferred Picture, has been completed. The players are: Harrison Ford, Ethel Shannon, William Norris, Clara Bow, Wallace Macdonald, Netta Westcott, Joseph Swickart, Martha Mattox, Eobert McKim, Betty Francisco, Edna Tichenor and Mertha Sterling. Change of Title Warner Brothers announce that the title of "Lueretia Lombard," the photoplay adapted from the novel of the same name by Kathleen Norris, has been changed to> "Loveless Marriages."