The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

926 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 7, 1920 Arthur S. Kane Signs Charles Ray; First National to Release Pictures CHARLES RAY is the first big asset which the newiy formed Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation presents to the motion picture industry. Tiic news of the tie-up between this prominent figure in the producing business and one ot the most popular stars of the screen follows closely the announcement last week of the Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation at 452 Fifth avenue, New York.' By arrangements with Mr. Kane all the pictures of Ray will be released through First National under the terms of a deal made a year ago.. The Kane corporation will handle Mr. Ray's business with the releasing concern and will supervise every New York activity of the star. Books, plays and other screen material to be purchased for Mr. Ray's use will be contracted for through the Kane offices. The news of the union of Charles Ray and Arthur S. Kane received distinctly favorable comment from observers of the picture business. Great things were freelj' predicted from this combination of talent, and the coincidence was pointed out that the lovable character which Charles Ray has established on the American screen is typified in the industry by the character and record of the producer who will henceforth sponsor his work. The new afifiliation of Charles Ray has brought to attention the remarkable position which this star has created for himself in the industry. Mr. Ray is commonly accredited as being one of the very biggest actors on the screen, and indications are that his growth as a box office attraction will establish him more and more in the front rank of motion picture players. In aligning his interests with this fast moving box office asset it was considered that Mr. Kane had accomplished a masterstroke at the outset of his enterprise. It is learned that negotiations to bring limiitiiiiiii)iiiiii<iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiltmMiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiriiiii<Miiiii the former president of Realart and the First National star together were started weeks ago. It was expected to close arrangements in New York about December 1 last. It was finally considered best to settle matters in personal conference, and this was the principal reason for Mr. Kane's recent five weeks' trip to the Coast. "I am more happy than I can tell," said Mr. Ray in a statement given by him in Los Angeles. "For years I have watched Mr. Kane's career. I look forward to most pleasant years in the associations now beginning." "There is not a person in motion pictures whose association I would prize more than Mr. Ray's," said Mr. Kane. "He is a wonderful artist, a top man among stars and a power at the box office. His appeal is universal. Some stars are highly popular in certain sections, but not in such great demand in others. A few are liked everywhere. Charles Ray is one of the universal kind. The appeal of his humanness is as wide as humanity itself. And he's going up." "Desert Gold" Does Big Business in Jackson, Mich. WS. McLaren, proprietor of the Majestic Theatre, Jackson, * Mich., had every reason last week for pronouncing Benjamin B. Hampton's Zane Grey production, "Desert Gold," "the picture sensation of the year," a term he used in all his newspaper advertising and publicity notices, for, according to Mr. McLaren, never in all his long career as a showman has a production equaled the attendance mark set by the Hodkinson release at the Majestic. Holding crowds by the hundreds in lines stretching to the curb was the Herculean task that confronted the McLaren staflf at almost every performance of "Desert Gold." For two weeks before the opening of the performance the Majestic management, through newspaper and billboard teaser ads, set picture lovers of Jackson and its environs agog for a sight of the production. Three days before the first presentation Mr. McLaren h.-\d half page ads in the local daily. Mr. McLaren took advantage of the bookshop link-up, with the result that the four big Jackson bookshops gave up show windows for the entire run of "Desert Gold" to effective advertising displays that assisted materially in drawing crowds to the Majestic. In addition two of the big music stores on the main streets co-operated by running a special sale of the ballad, "Desert Gold." Charles Ray To be starred in Arthur S. Kane productions to be released tlirough First National. Goldwyn Pictures Boost Lyric's Matinee Business WS. CROSBIE, manager of the Lyrice Theatre, Birmingham, •Ala., is reputed to be one of the most astute showmen in the state, but for some unaccountable reason he found that his matinee business was falling off. The Keith vaudeville presented at the Lyric was as good as ever, but the manager decided that he must introduce something new to revive interest in the afternoon shows. Such was the condition last December when Mr. Crosbie concluded to try out Goldwyn pictures as a special matinee attraction. He selected four productions for the test, "The Girl from Outside," "Jinx," "Strictly Confidential" and "Almost a Husband," and then proceeded to let his patrons know that in addition to vaudeville they were going to see highclass photoplays. Receipts took such a jump that Mr. Crosbie did not stop with the fourth picture. He went on to the fifth and sixth, and indications are that Goldwyn pictures are going to be a permanent feature of the matinee program at the Lyric. Houses Shelve Other Films to Present "Desert Gold" ANOTHER group of first run exhibitors is reported by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation to have signed contracts for Benjamin B. Hampton's Zane Grey production, "Desert Gold," within the past few days. These include Frank L. Newman's Royal, Newman and Regent theatres in Kansas City; G. A. Bush's Superba and a chain of subsidiary houses in San Diego, Cal.; James Beatt's house in San Jose and C. W. Midgely's .American in Oakland. "Desert Gold," now in its twelfth week of national release, is said to be doing a larger business now than at any time since its release, the volume of contracts now coming in being larger than for any previous period. Following its successful engagements at the New York and Brooklyn Strand theatres, "Desert Gold" has been booked in the United Booking Office chain of theatres in New York and Brooklyn, in the Poli Pennsylvania houses, and a group of fifty Texas exhibitors this week signed contracts for immediate playing dates throughout the southwest. "The Beloved Cheater" Is Booked by the Loew Circuit GASNIER'S "The Beloved Cheater," starring Lew Cody, released as a Robertson-Cole special, has been booked for the entire Loew's Circuit of theatres in Greater New York. The Lyric Theatre, Hoboken, N. J., and the New Rochelle Theatre, New Rochelle, will also play "The Beloved Cheater" the week of March 8. In signing this contract, RobertsonCole officials were assured by the Loew management that this attraction would be widely advertised in Greater New York. An extensive billboard display, in addition to one and three sheets in and about the subway, together with magazine and newspaper advertising, will be used in obtaining for "The Beloved Cheater" a 100 per cent, run in the Loew houses. Sweet Pictures Breaking Records. Although "Fighting Cressy" was released several weeks after "A Woman of Pleasure," the two Blanche Sweet productions are running each other a close race each week both in the volume of business and the record prices being offered for the films. The most optimistic expectations of the Pathe Exchange have been exceeded and the demand for the two pictures is taken as an indication of the remarkable popularity of the return of Blanche Sweet.