Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Six First National Productions To Be Published Before January 26 9 9 1 • * V T Before January 26 First National Exhibitors' Circuit will publish six attractions of special importance, including the third Mary Pickford feature from her own studios and a D. W. Griffith special production. "Heart o' the Hills," starring Mary Pickford, was published on November 17, affording exhibitors excellent opportunity for booking it as a Thanksgiving week or Christmas week feature. Second MacDonald Feature Probably one of the strongest society dramas to be published this fall is "The Beauty Market," starring Katherine MacDonald, generally termed "the most beautiful woman in the world," and billed throughout the nation as "The American Beauty." This production shows the star at her best and affords her ample opportunity for the display of her histrionic talent. Its advance bookings have already exceeded those of "The Thunderbolt," her initial starring vehicle through First National. The release date of this feature is December 1. Unquestionably the most ambitious of the Anita Stewart productions to date is "In Old Kentucky," the famous American racing classic, directed personally by Marshall Neilan. This production will be ready for release by December 15. Abounding with an unusual amount of local color obtained by establishing an entire production force in the heart of the Kentucky mountains, as a depiction of life in Kentucky, this attraction stands unsurpassed. New Chaplin December 22 December 22 has been set as the release date for Charlie Chaplin's fourth million-dollar production through First National. A drastic departure from the subtle comedy of "Sunnyside" and other releases is made in this attraction. On December 29, D. W. Griffith's initial special attraction for First National, entitled "The Greatest Question" will be released. This attraction, presenting in vivid form the most agitated and discussed thought of the day, pro vides exhibitors with unprecedented exploitation material in addition to the work of the master director. Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, George Fawcett and other well-known Griffith players are in the cast. In addition to the foregoing it is likely that one or two independent special feature attractions will be released by First National. Only Two Characters In Vitagraph Picture Another of the O. Henry stories, "While the Auto Waits," has been completed at Vitagraph's Brooklyn studio. The story is unique in that it has but twcr characters. The roles in the picture version are played by Ethel Flemming, who recently played the leading feminine role in another O. Henry subject, "The Church With the Overshot Wheel," and Regan Stewart. More Territory Sold For "Lightning Bryce" The Arrow Film Corporation reports the sale of their serial, "Lightning Bryce," featuring Ann Little and Jack Hoxie, for the territory of Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky, to the Standard Film Company of Cleveland. The serial is playing in a downtown house in Milwaukee that heretofore would not run serials. ALICE BRADY Kealart star, as she appeared on the Program Cover of a Singapore. India, Motion Picture Theatre. The decorations around the picture are characters that the folks in Singapore understand to refer to Miss Brady's popularity as a Realart star. Selznick Adds Players Ida Darling, who has appeared in many films, and William N. Bailey, now appearing in Washington in a stage production, "Forbidden," have signed contracts to appear exclusively in Selznick productions. Alice Joyce Completes Work on Two Features and Starts New Production GEORGE Li. COX "Who is directing; "Plying; A" productions at Santa Barbara, Calif. With one special production nearing publication, another completed and being assembled, and a third well in the making, Alice Joyce is ending up the present year. The warm and sometimes unfavorable weather and the vacation period played havoc with Miss Joyce's plans during the summer but now matters have adjusted themselves and the publication of her features will come with their accustomed regularity. Given Pre-Release Showing "The Vengeance of Durand" will be the next Alice Joyce special production to be shown, coming the latter part of this month. This is the photoplay adapted from Rex Beach's story by Mr. and Mrs. George Randolph Chester. It had a pre-release showing at the B. F. Moss Broadway theatre where it was accepted as one of the best of the many features Miss Joyce has made under the direction of Vitagraph. Tom Terriss directed the picture. "Slaves of Pride" was completed about three weeks ago so far as the camera work is concerned. This is an adaptation by William B. Courtney of a novel and was directed by George Terwilliger. Miss Joyce has the support of a company including Percy Marmont, who is again Miss Joyce's leading man; Louise Baudet, Templer Saxe, G. V. Seyffertitz and Charles A. Stevenson. It will be published early in the new year. 74 Film Drury Lane Play "The Sporting Duchess," the Drury Lane spectacle on which Miss Joyce is now at work, will be one of the most pretentious productions made by Vitagraph in several months. Miss Joyce and her supporting company have spent three weeks in the vicinity of Stamford. Conn., and Rye, N. Y., making some of the outdoor scenes. This week the company will go to the Little Belmont race track, on Long Island, where there is a turf track, and where the race scenes will be made. Hundreds of extra people will be used in these scenes. From there the company will go to the vicinity of Upper Montclair, N. J., where additional outdoor scenes will be made. Meantime several interiors, one costing several thousands of dollars, are being constructed at the Brooklyn studio. Lincoln Begins Work on Second "U" Serial Word has been received from the West coast to the effect that Elmo Lincoln, star in "Elmo the Mighty," Universal serial, has begun production upon another chapter-play under the working title of "Fighting Through." This follows close upon the completion of a feature-length production, "The Beach Comber," in which the athletic star has the leading role.