Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

November 14 , 1925 2257 "Vanishing American Set For Feb. 15 THE spring and summer season of 19126 will bring to the theatres for general release one of Par amount's most ambitious efforts— "The Vanishing American." Three premiere presentations, in widely separated sections of the country, have been accorded this historical screen composition dedicated to the vapidly disappearing Red race, the American Indian. It has achieved in each instance a record for drawing power, Famous announced. In its world premiere at the Imperial theatre, Charlotte, ,N. C, hundreds of persons were turned away at the final performance following a week's sensational run. The greatness of the picture and the power which it holds over audiences were reflected in newspaper comments. "No picture that ever played "in Charlotte," wrote one critic, "has received the enthusiastic acclaim and support that the world premiere of Zane Grey's 'The Vanishing American' at the Imperial theatre is enjoying this week. "Monday night (the picture opened Sunday at Midnight) so great was the crush that many patrons were forced to stand. The close of the business last night set a record for two consecutive showings at the Imperial. " 'The Vanishing American' is Paramount's greatest production. It will go down in the annals of Motion picture history as one of the masterpieces of all times." So generous praise was not confined to this one Charlotte critic. Another wrote : "Practically two solid hours after midnight a select Charlotte assemblage that filled the Imperial theatre sat as if spellbound watching 'The Vanishing American.' The death-like silence of that after midnight audience was broken, however, in the final scenes, not by the moving of feet, nor by movements prompted by restlessness, nor because of lack of interest or attention — it was the weeping of men and women scattered throughout the house, weeping that could not be restrained. " 'The Vanishing American' is a stupendous production. It is magnificent. If possible it is greater than 'The Birth of a Nation,' but only because it has in it more of that which made 'The Birth of a Nation' so great." San Francisco, though thousands of miles from Charlotte, accorded the production an equally warm reception, one newspaper reporting that "in their (the public's) dictum appears a confirmation of the motion picture critics' opinion of the picture." "Spontaneous applause," says the paper, "follows every screening, and in the hush that precedes the dramatic ending there is a volume of testimony as to its gripping, thrilling force and power." "If there were no more to 'The Vanishing American' than the inspiringly beautiful scenes which picture the coming of the Red man as we know him and the emotiongripping sequence Avhich signalizes his passing, the picture would find a place in the forefront of film production," writes Curran D. Swint in the San Francisco Daily News. "But that is only the beginning and the end. Between there is a picture drama unfolded which not only impresses the viewer by its interest-intriguing plot and thrilling action, but arouses speculation and admiration through the immensity of the task encountered. I offer my sincere congratulations to George B. Seitz into whose capable hands the direction was intrusted." The Herald says: "The credit for the success of 'The Vanishing American'— and it is unqualifiedly a success — must go to George B. Seitz, its director. The picture is superb. 'The Vanishing American' is destined to achieve general popularity and is an important link in the chain of historical drama toward which picture producers are turning nowadays for their greater efforts." No greater tribute could have been paid this picture than the statement of Quinn Martin in the New York World that, "There need be no secret of the fact that I am going to try to be a weekly patron of the Criterion for at least the next three months." Continuing, he said : "In the broad and colorful curtain which serves as its background, in the exqjisite camera work which has gone into the photographing of its far flung scenes, and in the remarkably true reproductions of its characters there is more than any man may digest in a mere visit. 'The Vanishing American' is the finest thing of American history ever done in the cinema. Its action is swift and smooth. It moves with the speed of the wind and with something of the power of a hurricane. And still I am inclined to say, 'Hail to the vanishing American, but not farewell.' The cinema, this cinema, has made it so." "The Vanishing American" lends itself admirably to exploitation. Exemplary of this are the three oampa'gns which have been conducted on it — Charlotte, San Francisco and New York. In this connection, it is a picture which educators, students, church officials, women's clubs and merchants associations alike will endorse. Wordof-mouth advertising will build patronage for the theatre presenting the attraction. Group of action highlights from the Paramount production titled "The Vanishing American.'