The Moving picture world (September 1920-October 1920)

September 4, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 89 Dwan Begins First Feature for Associated Producers A LLAN DWAN, whose contract with Mayflower has just been completed, has moved out to the John Jasper plant at the Hollywood Studios, and has everything in readiness to begin on his first production for the Associated Producers, entitled "The Forbidden Thing." Mr. Dwan has leased one of the producing units, which includes dressing rooms, projection room, shops and technical department for the company's use, conveniently connected with the big stage used by the individual producer. The cast he has selected includes James Kirkwood, Helen Jerome Eddy, Marcia Manon, King Baggot, Jack Roseleigh and Arthur Thalasso. will head the two units making films on the West Coast for Mayflower. Noted Author Arrives Louis Joseph Vance has come to town to confer with Tom Ince and J. Parker Read on matters relating to his stories that have recently been put into film form by these two producers. Mr. Vance is author of "Beau Revel," soon to be released by Ince, and of "The Lone Wolf's Daughter," a Louise Glaum production. He will remain on the Coast a month or more, and will turn in stories for the screen which he has written, and which are to be produced for the Associated Producers. Berwilla Acquires New Property The Berwilla Film Corporation has purchased an apartment house of six units adjoining the studio to provide additional offices for its growing staff. Office suites in the remodeled building have been provided for Ben Wilson, star and serial producer; William La Plante, general manager, and Jack Hoxie, who is being starred in "Thunderbolt Jack," an Arrow serial. Joe Brandt, Harry Cohn, Al Nathan and other New York film buyers are making their headquarters at the Berwilla plant while they are in Los Angeles. Lasky to Install Aerial Phone Negotiations have been opened for the installation of wireless telephone svstem at the Lasky ranch, which is about six miles from the Lasky studio in Hollywood. Fred Kley, studio manager, states that the necessity of carrying wires several miles for regular phone service made it seem reasonable to provide for a wireless system, providing the arrangements could be made. The Lasky ranch, which comprises 1,250 acres, is situated in the most beautiful section of the mountainous country back of Hollywood, and has natural scenery that is ideal for many locations used in Paramount pictures. Here are erected large exterior sets that would be too extensive for the Lasky lot in Hollywood. Mayflower Continues at Brunton Contracts were signed last week between the Mayflower Photoplay Corporation and M. ' C. Levee, vice-president and general manager of the Robert Brunton studios, whereby Mayflower will confine its western production exclusively to that studio. George Loane Tucker and Raoul Walsh To Resume Publicity Work Arthur S. Wenzel, for many months manager of the Superba Theatre in Los Angeles, and more recently in charge of the Victory Theatre, has resigned as manager of the Victory to resume the work of business manager and publicity representative for screen and stage stars. Mr. Wenzel leaves the Victory in a flourishing condition. Robert Wells, recently of the Sennett studios, is the new manager. Protest Against Park Locations Because of a formal protest that has been made against the granting of a permit to the Fox Film Corporation, to construct a building at the Vermont entrance to Griffeth Park, Mayor M. P. Snyder, of Los Angeles, has intimated that the practice of building large sets by the various film companies in the park would no doubt be discontinued, and that the companies now having sets there would be required to remove their buildings from the park. The public welfare committee will consider the situation this week. Shrine Convention in Films The Columbia Film Corporation, of Portland, Ore., is ready to release films covering the Shriner Convention held in Portland recently. L. S. McNutt, president of the Columbia Corporation, states the pictures are the most complete ever made of a big convention of this character. The films are in one and two-reel units, and where it is desired the delegates, including their patrol and band, from any certain city can be shown heading the picture. The Shriner films were made by the Continental Producing Company, who held the exclusive rights to make official films of the convention activities. Film Exporter on Coast Reginald Ward, film exporter and owner of the foreign rights to Educational pictures and Christie Comedies, has arrived in Los Angeles for a month's stay. Preview of Willat Production A preview of the seven-reel rural drama, "Down Home," just completed by Irvin V. Willat from the book, "Dabney Todd," written by F. N. Westcott, brother of the author of "David Harum," was given at the Alvarado Theatre in Los Angeles on last Thursday evening, for the benefit of the cast and studio personnel. Immediately after the showing of the film, C. A. Willat, brother of the producer, started with both print and negative of the film to New York to deliver them to the Hodkinson Corporation for distribution. Irving Lesser Gets "Neptune's Bride" "Neptune's Bride," the sea fantasy written and produced by Captain Leslie T. Peacocke for the Ormshy Film Corporation, has been taken over to Irving Lesser for distribution. The Ormsby Corporation is planning to start another picture about September 1. Captain Peacocke is now working on the scenario for the new production. Gore and Lesser Add Two Pomona Theatres to Chain THE Mike and Abe Gore-Sol Lesser theatrical interests acquired control of two theatres in Pomona, Cal., last week, the American and the Belvidere, which brings the string of amusement houses under the Gore-Lesser policy up to thirty. The Belvidere will remain a picture house, but the American will have a combination of vaudeville and pictures. The Gore-Lesser organization has also taken an option on a building site in Pomona, and with the co-operation of investors in that city, are planning to erect a new playhouse on the lot with 1,800 seating capacity. Actual construction on the new Hollywood Theatre, at Ivar and Hollywood Boulevard, one of the Gore-Lesser chain of theatres, is about to begin. Bert Adler Arrives Bert Adler has arrived in Los Angeles to complete arrangements for his new duties as representative for Allen Dwan. Mr. Adler will stay two weeks and then proceed to New York and begin a campaign for the exploitation of "The Heart of a Fool," "The Scoffer," "The Splendid Hazard" and the "Sin of Martha Queed," pictures made by Dwan under his contract with Mayflower, and the new pictures that Mr. Dwan will make as a member of the Associated Producers. Exchange Moves The Famous Players-Lasky Exchange, for some time located in the Marsh-Strong Building, has moved into its new quarters at 924-26 South Olive street. O. V. Traggardh, branch manager, states that the large increase in the volume of business made the move necessary. Frances Marion to Direct Mary Frances Marion and her husband, Fred Thompson, arrived on the Coast last Tuesday, and were met at the train by Mary Pickford, for whom Miss Marion has written a play, which she will direct in collaboration with Miss Pickford. Miss Marion has obtained a four-months' leave of absence from the Cosmopolitan Films in order to work on the new Pickford play. Nell Shipman Heads New Company A new film company has been added to the local colony, which will be known as the Nell Shipman Productions, Inc. Articles of incorporation have been filed, and the capital stock given as $200,000. The directors are Nell Shipman, Bert Van Tuyle, W. H. Clune (of the Clune Theatre Company), O. K. Evans and Anna G. Brown, all of Los Angeles. Preview of "Barbarian" Monroe Salisbury's newly finished feature, "The Barbarian," was given a prerelease showing at the California Theatre in Venice on the evening of August 17 for the l)enefit of the cast and a large luimbcr of invited friends of the star.