Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Jun 1921-Apr 1922)

Page Twenty CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Exchange Men’s Association, Montreal Combat Successfully Lord’s Day Alliance HE big development here lately is the recent attack of the Lord’s Day Alliance on the picture theatres. This offensive which aims to close Montreal ap on Sundays was eraftily calculated to coincide about with the Lenten season and was given a sort of lukewarm reception by Premier Taschereau who, however, did not entirely discourage the authors of the attack. The trouble is that certain elements of the more rigorous Roman Catholie community here are not indisposed to favor any move which hits the movies and so the Alliance chose the'r move wisely and with care, There is no cause for alarm, but that does not mean that there is also no cause for remedial action on the part of the movie men. This is thoroughly well recognized by the Exchange Men’s Association who are again showing their value to the whole of the industry in this city. For instance, Eddie English of the Famous Lasky, and A. Gorman of the Associated First National, respectivelv chairman and direetor of the Montreal Exchange Men’s Association, have recently been earrying on a erusade down the Main in an effort to induce owners of picture theatres in that neighborhood to close up on Sunday mornings. This is the sore spot in the situation. It is felt and rightly felt that Sunday should after all be regarded as a day mainly sect aside for worship, and that no temptations should be set in the way of a man and his family attending church on that day. The majority of picture theatres here recognize this and do not open until well on in the afternoon, thus interfering in no way with attendance at church in the morning. The pictures in the evening are arranged in such way that a man ean go to evening service and afterwards go to a picture theatre in ample time to see a picture at the start and not half way through. This is a rule pretty generally observed here and so far has solved the question of Sunday opening. But this business of opening early Sunday morning and running without a stop all day until midnight is queering the piteh and providing the fanaties with a really powerful weapon. Hence the efforts of Messrs, English and Gorman are worthy of the serious support and grateful consideration of the whole of the industry in this city. Fox Releases For March Include Big Productions With Well-Known Stars Mareh releases includes profeaturing William Farnum, Dustin Farnum, Charles Jones, Shirley Mason, Johnnie Walker, Edna Murphy and Al St. John, There are also Sunshine Comedies and Mutt and Jeff Animated Cartoons. Bx Film Corporation's list of duetions Heading the list of feature presentations is ‘‘A Stage Romance,’”’ with William Farnum. It is this popular star’s first appearance on the sereen since his long vacation abroad, and has already received the unanimous praise of reviewers. ‘‘A Stage Romanes’’ is the story of a spirited chapter in the life of Edmund Kean, the great English tragedian. According to even the most conservative crities who have seen the picture, Farnum has handled most skilfully a powerful role, giving to it an impersonation of undeniable fasvina tion. The picture was directed by Herbert Brenon, and the sereen version adapted by Paul If. Sloare from Alexandre Dumas’ famous play. Among the prominent actors supporting Farnum are Holmes Herbert. as the Prinee of Wales. Paul MeAllister as Count Koefeld, Etienne Gerardot as Salomon, and Peggy Shaw as Anna Damby. Myrta Bonillas appears as the Countess Koefeld. Dustin Farnum’s produetion will he “Tron to Gold,’’ from the story by the noted author of Western Tales, George Oken Baxter. It concerns the life of a gold prospector who had been dealt with unjustly by his partner and who, in his seareh for revenge, is diverted into the righteous path by his love for the woman married to the false friend. The east includes Margaret Marsh, William Conklin, William Elmer, Lionel Belle. more, Glen Cavender and Robert Perry. : Google ‘‘Pardon My Nerve,’’’ written by ’ William Patterson White, will be the March vehicle for Charles Jones. It deals with a wandering boy whose romantic nerve enables him to save the fortune of a beautiful girl and win her love. Jones, as the cowboy, thwarts the villainous plans of a dangerous saloon gang, giving the picture a series of thrilling fights and stunts. Jones is capably supported by Eileen Perey, Mae Busch, G. Raymond Nye and Joe Harris. In ‘‘The Ragged Heiress,’’ Shirley Mason essays the role of a motherless girl whose father has been sent to prison, and whose future is left to the eare of parsimonious and scheming relatives. The story is by Jules Furthman. Harry Beaumont directed. “Extra! Extra!’’ the MurphyWalker picture presents an intensely absorbing story of newspaper life and carries the eo-stars through a series of lively experiences, in which, of course, romanee develops between them. The Clyde Cook release will be “The Studio Rube.’’ The Sunshine Comedians are ‘‘The Barnstormer’’ and ‘‘The Shriek.”’ There are four Mutt and Jeff Cartoons for the month: ‘The ast Shot,’? “The Cashier,’? “Hop, Skip and Jump.’ and “‘Any Tee Today??? * * * Ten Per Cent. Log Angeles Population See ‘‘Sailor-Made Man’’ Warold) Llovd’s ‘‘A Sailor-Made Man,”’ finished this week its long run at the Symphony Theatre, Los Angeles, where it showed for seven weeks, with 405 separate showings and to 150,000 people, or twenty per cent. of the Los Angeles population. The comedy shattered all records in Canada Thru Film Spceialty. e e e “If Winter Comes’’ Fox Buy Biggest Book of The Year William Fox has won out in the bidding for the sereen rights to “Tf Winter Comes”? the biggest seller of the vear, and the book will be made into a motion picture before next autumn. Several companies were in the market for the A. S. M. Hutechinson novel, but the eontract was signed by Fox and the author last week. DON’T FORGET Famous Players Film Service Week APRIL 24--29th Goldwyn Special—“The Man From Lost River”