The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 911 Schenck Engages Halliday. John Halliday, who has just finished playing the role of Daniel Garford, the artist, opposite Norma Talmadge, in her second First National picture, "The Woman Gives," has now been engaged by Joseph M. Schenck to play Jim Winthrop, the lead, in support of Constance Talmadge in "The Love Expert." "The Love Expert" is an original story by John Emerson and Anita Loos, and will be the fifth of Constance Talmadge's First National releases. Universal Awards Prizes in Big Business Drive Contest "The Dangerous Talent" Is Strong Drama of Today THE DANGEROUS TALENT," the latest "Flying A" super-drama, is a "human" sort of story, which Margarita Fisher vitalizes and brings close to the experience of the spectator — that is not to say that the screen spectators have all, like "Lelia Mead," sat on a park bench, hungry, scanning the newspaper for a job, nor have they necessarily been born with a talent that seemed a curse and a blessing by turns; nor is it taken for granted that they have brilliantly exposed a couple of crooks and then proceeded to fall in love with a wealthy employer— but it does mean that Margarita Fisher and a strong supporting cast have made the experiences of the heroine so natural and convincing that they touch a sympathetic chord in every heart. Harry Hilliard, playing opposite the star, handles the role of the wealthy young bachelor and philanthropist with understanding and finesse. Harvey Clark is the tricky butler. Other roles of importance are interpreted by Neil Hardin, as a good for nothing "sponge" lazily enjoying a sinecure as secretary to the philanthropist ; George Periolat, a crusty and suspicious lawyer, and Mary Talbot, a park bench derelict, whose hardened outlook on life has worked out a philosophy which was the source of Lelia Mead's inspiration in getting a job, and the cause of her fall from grace later. All the way through the picture is crowded with vivid, suspenseful drama, youthful romance and interesting character sketches. Daniel Whitcomb wrote the story, which was adapted to the screen by Lois Zellner. George L. Cox directed the production. WITH an average ol over 20 per cent, increase in bookings for a three months' period, Universal has just announced the results of its recent big business drive. The salesmen and the office force of the Universal's Cleveland exchange have been mailed a check for $2,500 as an award for winning first place in a three months' sales contest which closed on the first of the year. The Cleveland exchange increased its film sales by 55.57 per cent, over the sales made during the three months immediately preceding the contest. Detroit was second with an increase of 54.61 per cent. Detroit's check was for $1,300. The third Universal exchange to come in the money was the Buffalo branch, which captured third place with an increase of 44.7 per cent, and won a check for $700. Besides the main awards in the lively sales contest the most efficient salesman in each of twenty-five exchanges received a check for $100. J. A. Daly, publicity manager of the Charlotte (N. C.) Exchange, received $50 as an award for the best and most consistent publicity during the contest A second publicity prize, $25, was given to Dean Collins, of the Portland, Oregon, Universal branch. These prizes are in addition to the provisions made for publicty men in the big contest. Netted Over 25 Per Cent. Increase. So spirited was the drive that the Universal sales machine as a whole averaged an increase of over 25 per cent, during the months of October, November and December, as compared to the months of July, August and September of last year. The contest was known as the $6,000 Prize Contest, that amount of money being set aside to be divided among three leading exchanges and among the twenty-five top salesmen. Other prizes were added during the competition, until the total amount awarded as a result of the drive was more than $7,000. The increase gained by the various exchanges is all the more unusual due to the fact that the results were compared with months in which a previous sales contest was running at full steam — the Universal anniversary contest, which lasted for two months last summer. The winners in that contest were Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Cleveland, with percentage increases of 24, 22 and 20 per cent., respectively. In the previous contest Detroit was fourth with 18 per cent, and Buffalo was almost at the bottom of the list, showing a loss. Business Increase at Branches. The percentage of increase in business of the leading exchanges for the three months of the contest follows : Cleveland 55.57 per cent.; Detroit, 54.51; Buffalo, 44.7; Chicago. 43.88; Milwaukee, 38.02; Pittsburgh, 35.96; New York, 32; Des Moines 30.34; San Francisco, 2/; Seattle, 25.06; Sioux Falls, 24.96; Los Angeles, 20.25. To spur salesmen on to greater individual efforts prizes of $100 were offered for the top salesmen of each branch exchange In this way every exchange had at least one man who benefited directly by the contest. In Chicago and New York, because of the size of the exchanges, two $100 prizes were offered. An interesting angle of the drive is that at Sioux Falls Universal's only woman sales representative topped the list. Picking Cast for New Duncan Serial. Vitagraph has assembled an unusually strong supporting cast for William Duncan, who now has his new Vitagraph serial by Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, and his new collaborator, Cleveland Moffett, well under way. Edith Johnson is again Mr. Duncan's leading woman. Virginia Nightingale, a graduate of Vitagraph comedies, appears as the feminine "heavy," while Jack Richardson, formerly "heavy" for J Warren Kerrigan and W. S. Hart, occupies the same position with Mr. Duncan, succeeding Joe Ryan, who is being starred with Jean Paige in his own serial. Change Title of Ince Picture. Enid Bennett's latest Thomas H. Ince production, announced previously under the title of "The Man in the Moon," has been changed to "The False Road." "The Woman God Sent," "Blind Youth" and "The Woman Game" Given Our Own Presentation. Showing Selznlck stars about to magnetize the boz-ofBce registers all over the country.