Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

TORONTO, CANADA. have I seen a lovelier array of wo men, it would have been mest difficult to select which was the toveliest, and one is forcéd to give that swine of a Nero credit for his peculiar ability in knowing beauty. Paulette Duval was so bewitchingly lovely, in body and face, that one regretted Nero’s kicking her to death, although her superb acting of the Empress, registered the cold, calousness of a character cruel enough to sacrifice thousands of little Christ ian children to the lions, cruel enough to influence Nero to murder his wife, his mother, all who dared oppose the gratification of her ambition. Violet Mersereai. as the Christian Princess Marcia. wis by contrast as lovely as the lily and as appealing as its purity. Her acting was simple, with no attempt to make an apyeal; and it is this very artlessness which made the character the centre of all sympathy and interest. Gretillat, as Nero, was about as perfect as one could imagine. The childlike cruelty and fear of Nero, the abnormality of a brain, human only to plan and enjoy what even beasts would have shunned, were they by some miracle turned into humans, was in the art of Greillat manifested to a most convincing degree. Alexander Salvini, as Horatius, soldier and lover of Marcia, was fiery enough to be a conqueror and lover supreme. His work was magnificent throughout, no scene, no facial expression, no extravagance of gesture, marring a most excellent characterization. Considering that there were so many foreigners employed in the presentation of this picture, Mr. Edwards really achieved an astonishing thing in keeping them within bounds, for only those who have seen Italian artists in their own environment, appearing on the screen, will appreciate what effort and tact it must take to keep them emotionally tied down. This Mr. Edwards succeeded in doing, with the exception of the prophet, who just missed being considered a very fine artist, by his over-zealousness. The assembling of the mob scenes was most masterful, the settings, the photography, with its flashes of color, a revelation of colossal loveliness. There is a succession of climaxes, per: haps the least effective and yet the most thrilling was the burning of Rome. The terror and confusion of the people, the indifference of the rulers and their courtiers conveyed its message forcefully, but the actual burning of the city was void of enough fireworks to make spectacular display. However, the windstorm was exciting enough, the turning of the lions upon the defcnceless Christians, the chariot race between Nero and Horagivs, the () Before Br Page Nine mountain in eruption, the Samsontan feat of breaking the jaws of the lion by the slave defender of Marcia, furnishes more than an audience will coisider their money’s worth. Exhibitors do not overlook “Nero.” It is one of the big ones which will get the money and advertize itself. Associated First National Concentrating On Exploitation To Help Small-Town Exhibitor he Associated First National are furnishing exhibitors with a wonderful set of lobby accessories, colored lithographs of stars, one sheet posters and other printed matter to draw the attention and business of patrons. The lobby sets are expensively got up, but are given to exhibitors free of charge. Associated First National is trying by personal contact and attention to help, especially the small-town exhibitor, secure the business which his attraction should get with the right application. National Advertising On Associated First National Pictures 4Everywoman’s World,” a Canadian publication, had nearly a whole page of Associated First National illustrations in a current issue. The circulation of this magazine is stated to be 80,000. “The Saturday Evening Post,” in its issue of Oct. 7th, had a full page ad. on Richard Barthelmess’ latest production. Doric Does Big Business With “Smilin’ Through” After Four Theatres Played The Doric Theatre, Toronto, played “Smilin’ Through” to great business after four theatres in the same zone had previously played the picture. It looks as if it is impossible to kill the drawing ability of a really good production. Goldwyn Can. Organization Get Wolcott For Exploitation Mr. Wolcott, a veteran showman, has been engaged for exploitation on Goldwyn pictures. Mr. Wolcott has already tied-up the United Cigar Stores with a poster display throughout the Dominion of Canada on “Remembrance,” and also arranged a tie-up with the Canadian Underwriters’ Association, addressing three hundred insurance men from Ontario at a recent meeting in Toronto. Mr. Wolcott was formerly associated with Fox exploitation in the U.S., and impresses those with whom he comes in contact that he is a “live até wing Dieteres Read The Digest .42 ver eee “Glengarry School Days” Barred From Parliament Speaker Lemieux of the Canadian House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario, has declined to grant permission to the Ottawa Film Productions, Limited, to shoot scenes in the House of Parliament for “Glengarry Scltool Days” because he considers that such procedure is not in accordance with the dignity of the Canadian Parliament. New Manitoba Government Keeps Its “Hands Off” Amusement Tax Censor Fees Indications are that the new Manitoba Government will not interfere with the Amusement Tax or with the fees charges by the Censor Board, the motto of the Farmers’ Government being, “Let Winnipeg pay.” The four cents tax on a 35 cent ticket, which leaves the house only 31 cents admission, will be changed next session to 3 cents. Vitagraph Makes Striking Hit With “Marriage Coupons” Over Entire Indevendent Circuit Vitagraph has made a striking hit with “Marriage Coupons,” which ran recently at the Strand, and has since been booked over the entire Independent Circuit for whole year, to be run at each theatre on the chain every second week. This picture has now started its run. Further this exchange has booked “A Pair of Kings,” a Larry Semon’s two-reel comedy, at Loew’s and the Capitol Theatre. It will run at both simultaneously. A further big picture that has taken the province by storm is “Gypsy Passion,” featuring the great French actress, Madame Rejane. College, Winnipeg, Cannot Accommodate Crowds, Will Have Balcony Addition A balcony will be added to the College Theatre, Winnipeg. by the owner, A. R. McNichol, the crowds being so large some nights it is impossible to seat them. The College has been opened a year. It is in St. John’s suburb and seats 1,200. Mgr. C. E. Staples Opens “The Queen” Theatre, St. Stephen C. E. Staples, who has opened his new theatre at St. Stephen, N.B.. which he built to take the place of the Bijou, which was totally destroyed by fire. The new theatre is named “The Queen,” and we extend our best wishes to Mr. Staples for the successcdfdiis theatre. tising Pages.