Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1925-May 1926)

Page Four CLASS A—“NATURALS” — These photoplays which are so outstanding as to need little pressure in exploitation. CLASS A “LIGHTNIN’” (Fox) This adaptation of one of the greatest of all stage successes should prove a Natural Box Office magnet, not only on account of its widespread success, but also on its own acount. The stage play was the very essence of “Hokum” and _ this screen version retains much of the “Hokum,” (which is to its advantage) and creates a sincere atmosphere of its own. The story of the untidy, bibulous, but lovable old fellow who was for so long a village byword, and who finally finds himself, is familiar to nearly everyone. Jay Hunt, in his first big screen part, plays the lovable old Bill Jones, CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST “Lightnin’’’ Strikes Spotlight’s Class A Registering Another Fox Sure-Fire Hit and while not as whimsically humorous as the originator of the rule, the unforgettable Frank Bacon, gives a really splendid portrayal. Edythe Chapman has never risen to such heights as she does as Mother Jones, Madge Bellamy, not quite suited to bucolic parts, does prettily as Mollie, while Wallace McDonald was adequate as John Marvin, her lawyer sweetheart. Ethel Clayton is fine as the prospective divorcee, and she and J. Farrel MacDonald, as the very susceptible judge, furnish one of the best scenes of the picture. Otis Harlan is funny as Lightnin’s pal. John Ford has done a splendid piece of work in the direction in being able to retain so much of the flavor of the original, and the entire production is so clean and wholesome that it will appeal to all tastes. This may be played up to the greatest extent with no fear of a ‘“kick-back.” F.B.0. Purchase First 1927 Story “The Pedigree’ by Calvin Johnson Leading Independent Company Already Selecting Material for Season Ahead With one of the heaviest production programs in the Industry for the 1925-26 season well launched, the scenario forces of Film Booking Offices, both east and west coast editors and staff, are concentrating on story material for the 1926-27 season. ‘The two departments are wading through hundreds of novels and original manuscripts, and B, P. Fineman, production manager of the studios, announces that a deal was consumated today between the company and Calvin Johnston for the screen rights of his novelette, “Pedigree,” which is to appear in several installments in Pictorial Review, one of the most widely circulated of the women’s magazines. It is estimated that the story will reach over 10,000,000 persons before it a? pears in screen form. “Pedigree” will be made into a special, and will be listed under the F. B. O. Gold Bond productions for the 1926-27 season. The cast, not yet selected, will be all star. The story concerns itself with the conflict between Dennis and Millie Fenn, reformed crooks. Tired of the narrow path, Dennis wishes to return to his old life of easy money, while Millie, with a mother’s answering devotion, holds adamantly to her purpose of raising their two children, Tom and Nona, in the ways of honesty. But old Dennis bides his time, having illimitable faith in the farce of heredity. Knowing the children’s pedigree to be what it is, he is confident that some day they will go wrong of their own accord, and thus destroy the mother’s power to keep Dennis on the straight path. The sweet, innocent Nona is the one to justify her father’s belief in pedigree as a moulder of human destiny. The girl commits a theft in order to rectify an ancient crime of her mother’s. Taking this as his release from the strait-jacket of honesty, Dennis prepares to return to a life of crime, but at the final moment some higher power restrains him, and he returns to Millie. Nona’s theft is forgiven by Algy Gray, the man she had robbed, who loves the girl. Tips for Projectionists By GUY E. McALLAN On many projection machines many of the oil holes are very hard to reach with an ordinary oil can without spilling the oil and making a mess of things. In this case run a piece of bare No. 14 wire from the hole, being careful that it does not touch the machine at any part, oil poured on the wire will run down to the hole without dripping off. Projectionist’s who use the mazda lamp for projection, should make every effort to keep the reflector used with such machines as clean as possible as a dirty reflector will waste a lot of available light. The best polish for the delicate silvered surface of the reflector is common rouge, this is used with a piece of high grade chamois leather and alcohol, being sure to polish in a circular motion. Electric bulbs around the theatre can be frosted in the following manner, mix thoroughly two teaspoonfuls of epsom salts and three drops of mu cilage, now add one teaspoonful of water, heat to a boil to aid mixing, the bulb to be frosted is then cleaned and the solution applied hot, giving one or two coats depending on the degree of frost wanted. In the small stage where the bulbs in the footlights are few, they often throw strong objectionable shadows on the performers and the back drop, this can be prevented by placing a diffusion screen between each bulb and the stage, these diffusion screens can be made from ordinary frosted window glass and will well repay the time and trouble it takes to make them. Government Bureau Taking Pictures Around St. John, N.B. Much interest has been aroused in pictures of St. John and the vicinity which are being taken under the direction of the Dominion Government Moving Picture Bureau. Messrs. Badgley and Ross are taking one thousand feet of the points of interest and historical spots about the Loyalist City. At the Riverside Golf and Country Club they caught a unique group of four generations of one family playing the ancient game. Another rather unusual series of views will be of the model boat racing on Lily Lake at Rockwood Park, St.John. ‘Views of the magnificent harbor will be shown and a complete idea of the city given to many people near and far. Before Buying Pictures Read The Digest Advertising Pages. Google