Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

876 Motion Picture Newt ADVANCE V I E tV S OF COMING ATTRACTIONS Li r i Q > N ews From Producers IV H AT THE MAKERS SAY ABOUT PICTURES Harold Lloyd Signs Long-Term Contract with Pathe HAROLD LLOYD has signed a new long term contract with Pathe. The new agreement between Lloyd and Pathe, under whose banner the comedian has become established in the front rank of motion picture stars, was framed by Paul Brunet, who conducted all the negotiations for Pathe. Hal Roach, who has made all the comedies in which Lloyd has appeared for Pathe, of course continues as producer. It is explained that the matter of the length of the Lloyd Comedies under the new arrangement will be strictly governed by the character and quality of the material evolved in the production development of each subject — -which means that the Lloyd standard of excellence is to be maintained first of all ; a given story that turns out to be adequately filmed in two reels will be confined to two reels, and so released. This is a principle cherished by Lloyd himself, and naturally met with no opposition from Pathe. It is well known throughout the picture industry that the last year of Lloyd releases has proved the comedian to be the peer of any screen star living, judged either by art standards or by the drawing power of his productions. It does not appear to be recorded that bidding for the work of any star has been more active or dealt with larger figures. But the long association between Pathe and Lloyd had been so agreeable and so fortunate for both parties that, it is said, a Christie Elevates Viora Daniel to Stardom IN featuring Viora Daniel in the latest comedy he has completed for Educational release, “ ’Twas Ever Thus,” A1 Christie has moved her up the ladder along with Dorothy Devore, Bobby Vernon and Neal Burns, who alternately head the casts in the new Educational-C h r i s t i e Comedies. Miss Daniel has been with •the Christie organization about a year. She was in the leading role in “ Let Me Explain ” and in “ In for Life.” She also appeared with Neal Burns in “A Pair of Sexes” and with Bobby Vernon in “A Barnyard Cavalier.’ Recognizing her ability and personal charm, Christie has now placed Miss Daniel as one of the “ regular ” Christie stars, and she will alternate in releases with the others. change never has been seriously considered by either. Nevertheless, their speedy mutual understanding regarding the justness of any new demands on the part of the comedian or his producer, and the advantages accruing to the latter through a continuance of their relations is considered to be an achievement highly creditable to Paul Brunet. Conferences on the subject of the new contract occurred almost daily during the two weeks’ visit of Harold Lloyd and Hal Roach to New York. Past and present conditions in the motion picture industry with promises held for the future, leading problems of production and distribution, evidences of the advancing status of Lloyd comedies both artistically and commercially — every detail of the situation was canvassed frankly and thoroughly. All these matters were thrashed out, it is declared, in an atmosphere of such complete mutual understanding that the actual signing of the new contract was a mere formality, postponed for ceremonial purposes to the last day prior to the departure of Lloyd and his producer for the Pacific Coast. Following the completion of the new long term contract with Har old Lloyd, Paul Brunet said : “ Harold Lloyd has established the reputation and earning power of a motion picture star of the first magnitude. On that basis his productions will be handled by Pathe. The widespread attitude of exhibitors toward all of the Lloyd comedies released within the past year, irrespective of our ownjudgment regarding their quality and commercial value, would justify this policy. Few pictures in the ordinary' feature classification released during that period have served to attract larger or more profitable audiences. “ Harold Lloyd’s comedy creations crystalize a fundamental quality lacking which, no motion picture or other creation designed for public entertainment can hope to make a convincing appeal. Reviewers are wont to refer to this as ‘ the human touch.’ More and more they are going on record with the statement that, ‘ Harold Lloyd has the human touch.’ “ This verdict has come to be recognized as obvious. Lloyd’s comedies have ideas and consistent form. He creates laughter by legitimate means through the medium of the picture screen with all the art employed by the masters of stage comedy. His opulence o creative impulses and fertility o ( invention make him independent o | familiar adventitious aids anmakeshifts. From the beginning h has continued guiltless of ‘ slap stick ’ methods, instinctively real izing that ‘ pie-throwing,’ farcica makeup and grotesque costuminj amount to a confession of paucit of ideas that spring from the foun tain head of human comedy. Be •sides, he has the rare ability o communicating his own spirit tc those_ who work with him. “ Neither public adulation no steadily advancing rewards have! caused Harold Lloyd to relax ii .the slightest degree either his re markable industry or adherence ti the high standards he set for him self. He is now barely reaching his prime, and the great succes he has won is certain of still fur ther increase. He has accom plished these things under the ban i ner of Pathe, and Pathe is prouc* to continue its function of givinf i the Lloyd Comedies the most in telligent handling and the wides distribution which the forces o its organization command.” Appointments by American Releasing Corporation JOHN L. HUNTER, one of the best known of the younger executives in the picture industry, is the sales i manager of American Re | leasing Corporation and Frederick G a i g e, assistant ; sales manager, according to announcement from Walter I E. Greene and F. B. Warren, the operating executives of I the new national distributing 1 concern. Benjamin C. Bubb, well 1 known in film circles, due to I his original advertising designs applied to many of the I big screen attractions of the past, has also joined forces I with the American Releasing I Corporation, and will be the advertising art manager of I that company. Simultaneously announce i ment is made of the appointment of Sidney J. Goldman as Middle Western manager of I American Releasing, with I headquarters in Chicago; I William H. Jenner as Pa < cific Coast manager with j headquarters in Los An i geles; John C. Shannon as i Southern states manager with headquarters in Dallas, and William A Crank as San Francisco resident manager. Dramatic Climaxes ! “THE ISLE OF ZORDA”