Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Taylor Holmes Prepared to Make Comedies for Metro Distribution Star Secures Rights to "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies" As First of New Productions Metro Pictures Corporation will publish through its system of exchanges in this country and its affiliations in Great Britain the new Taylor Holmes productions, the first three of which are to be "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies." Mr. Holmes has now practically completed his plans for the production of the three features named, and with the arrangement to publish them through Metro is in a position to begin work immediately. Both parties were highly TAYLOR HOLMES Whose future comedy features are to be distributed by Metro Pictures Corporation. gratified when the contract had been closed. Secures Right to Plays J. Davis Pendleton originally acquired the motion picture rights to the three plays "Nothing But the Truth," "The Very Idea" and "Nothing But Lies" some time ago, and announced that he was ready to dispose of them. Taylor Holmes seized them as quickly as possible, believing they offered the precise light comedy for material which he had been looking. The first of the three comedy-farce successes to be picturized will be "Nothing But the Truth." Mr. Holmes is selecting his cast for this picture and declares he will surround himself with the best company he can obtain in New York, where the studio arrangements will be made. As soon as this play is completed work on the next will commence immediately, the selection of which has not as yet been made. "Nothing But the Truth" served as a stage vehicle for William Collier for several seasons. This farce revolves about the efforts of Robert Bennett to win a bet by telling nothing but the truth for twenty-four hours. It was highly successful in its book form by Frederic Isham. James Montgomery made the stage version of the story. Le Baron Play Included The other two plays acquired by Mr. Holmes are modeled along similar lines. "The Very Idea" was written by William Le Baron who has a long list of popular farce successes and musical comedies to his credit. "Nothing But Lies" is from the pen of Aaron Hoffman and also served as a vehicle for William Collier following his success in "Xothing But the Truth." Taylor Holmes' advent as a producer of motion pictures has aroused considerable interest. It is understood that he has already made arrangements for a studio near New York City and that he is now organizing his executive, sales and advertising forces. The personnel of the staff of the business organization will be made public shortly, according to Mr. Holmes. Suitable Yacht Found For "The Inferior Sex" The Chaplin-Mayer Company has succeeded in locating a yacht suitable for the marine scenes of "The Inferior Sex," Mildred Harris Chaplin's first starring vehicle under her new contract with Louis B. Mayer. Permission to use the yacht "Companero" has been obtained from Wrigley and Banning, owners of Santa Catalina Island. Efforts to obtain suitable yachts in San Francisco were futile and the company returned recently from the northern location after inspecting a fleet of boats entirely too small. The "Companero" is a steam and sailing yacht eighty-eight feet long and with eighteen feet beam. It is said to be the trimmest vessel of its kind now in the Pacific. It is now docked at the Wilmington shipyards, San Pedro, but will put to sea with the Chaplin-Mayer company the latter part of this week. Select Magazine Story For Corinne Griffith Albert B. Smith, president of Vitagraph, and George Randolph Chester, its production editor, have selected "Dead Line at Eleven," adapted by Lucien Hubbard from the magazine story by Ruth Byers, as the next feature for Corinne Griffith. Miss Griffith completed her latest picture, "Human Collateral," less than a week ago and will take a few days' rest before commencing on her new feature. It will be directed by George Fawcett. Another of Miss Griffith's pictures, "The Tower of Jewels," will be published early next month. 67 Metro Will Resume Production in East Richard A. Rowland Announces Expansion on Return From West Coast A policy of vast expansion for Metro Pictures Corporation embracing a resumption of production in the East on the same large scale as now conducted in the West and the extension of activities to the developing foreign field, was announced by Richard A. Rowland, president of Metro and Screen Classics, Inc., upon his recent return to New York following a month's tour of inspection of the new Metro studios in Hollywood, Cal. Will Start in Spring Production in the East will be resumed early in the coming Spring. Metro re RICHARD A. ROWLAND President of Metro Pictures Corporation, who has announced his company will resume production in the East in the early spring. cently renewed its lease on its West Sixty-first street studios, overlooking Columbus Circle, temporarily vacated by the company when with other motion picture producers it was compelled to curtail its activities to aid in the government's policy of restriction and economy to win the war. All efforts were concentrated at that time at the Hollywood studios, which were developed and improved with every tacility known to the motion picture industry. Six Pictures Under Way Metro will now embark upon a program which will mean no vital change in policy except in the extension, according to Mr. Rowland, of facilities to improve the quality of "fewer and better" pictures. As the exigencies of the war situation began to disappear Metro increased its activities at Hollywood. It announced a policy of "fewer and better" pictures. At present there are six special productions under way at one time at the studios.