Exhibitor's Trade Review (Nov 1924 - Feb 1925)

December 27. 1924 Page 83 Greatest Prosperity During 1925 By Robert Lieber Pres. First National Pictures^ Inc. Judging from recent surveys niade_ by First National, of motion picture conditions in all parts of the country, I see every reason to anticipate a season of the greatest prosperity during 1925. Practically all lines of business are in a healthy condition, which means a minimum of non-employment resulting in general prosperity. This being the case we may feel confident that the great average public will have money to spend on entertainment, and that a fair share of this money will go to moving picture theatres as it has in the past during periods of financial ease. Although, of course, there are problems to be faced by the industry, I believe that none of them is of a fundamental nature so long as we meet the basic needs of furnishing mteresting motion pictures in attractive surroundings. We are well supplied with magnificent theatres, and speaking for First National I may state with confidence that there never has been a year when we have had so many fine productions in prospect. Last season we set something of a record with such pictures as "The Sea Hawk", "Abraham Lincoln", "Secrets" and a number of others of extraordinary box office value. There is every indication that we will surpass even this unusual list of ^ ' during the coming twelve-months. We have been fortunate in securmg motion picture rights to a number of the most popular novels and stage plays of recent issue, which will be included in the new output. I should ake to make particular mention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World", which, after years of preparation, is nearing completion and bids to be one of the most amazing pictures ever screened. First National's new specials and leader group are not the outcome of a hit or mis" production policy. From the selection of the stories to the last touch of cutting and titling the vital qualities that appeal to the heart of the public have been considered. And pictures which touch the heart of the public pull the purse strings. Now that First National is operating studios in New York as well as at me west coast, the production units have better faciliities than ever before for supplying just the right locale for stories. Our pictures will be made in whatever section of the country seems most suitable to the action. I see every reason why First National should be extremely optimistic in considering the new year. J. G. BACHMAN Vice-president, Preferred Pictures The Outlook for 1925 By E. E. Shauer Director Foreign Department Famous Players-Lasky Corporation Being of a naturally optimistic nature I find no difficulty in reading a most pleasant horoscope for the motion picture industry during the year 1925. Barring unforseen ralamities, conditions seem ideal at the present time for the development of the industry throughout the entire world on a much greater scale than ever known before. Better pictures, better presentation and still better exploitation have been working wonders in many countries and are destined to make still greater advances during the coming year. The motion picture industry has never built on a more solid foundation than at the present time, and this is why I have difficulty in tempering my optimism within reasonable bounds when I survey the conditions affecting our business in all corners of the world. E. E. SHAUER Director Foreign Dept., Paramount "The Covered Wagon" and "The Ten Commandments" have served a most useful purpose for the entire industry in that the exploitation which has put over these two Paramount Pictures has served to convince the exhibitors of the real money value of properly selling the picture to the public. There are tens of millions of persons on the earth who are not regular motion picture patrons, and this task of selling them on the value of this form of entertainment will be the real problem to solve during the cor.-.ing years. So far progress has been made. * * * Coming Program Announced by Producers Distributing Corp. That adaptations of well-known stage plays and the novels of popular authors will predominate the releases of Producers Distributing Corporation during the coming season is disclosed in the official announcement made this week by John C. Flinn, VicePresident of the Distributing Company. The new program covers the period between February 2nd and July ISth and contains two big feature comedies from Al. Christie; two Renaud Hoffman productions; one feature starring Florence Vidor; one special starring Priscilla Dean; three productions starring Agnes Ayres ; one special starring Weber and Fields and four artistic westerns starring Harry Carey. The first of the Agnes Ayres subjects will be "Her Market Value" to be released on February 9th. This is a Paul Powell production adapted from the celebrated New York and London stage success, "The Eleventh Commandment" by Frances Nordstrom. It is a hig'h society drama founded on the theory that where a woman is concerned all friendship between men ceases. Director Powell has surrounded Agnes Ayres with a real all-star cast that Includes Taylor Holmes, Anders Randolph, Edward Earle and Hedda Hopper. Florence Vidor in "The Girl of Gold" will be released on February 16th. This is an adaptation of the well-known story by Cleveland Moffett and Alice Chapin. The story in its motif is a modern "King Midas" drama dealing with society life and stressing the blighting influences of the craze for wealth. This production has already been completed under the direction of John Ince with such well known headliners in the supporting cast as Malcolm MacGregor, Alan Roscoe, Charles French, Bessie Eyton and Claire Du Brey. The first of the new Renaud Hoffman productions, "On the Threshold", will be released on February 23d. The first of the new Harry Carey series of Westerns "Beyond the Border" will be released on March 2nd. It is an adaptation from the story published under the title of "When Smith Meets Smith". It will be directed by Tom Forman under the personal supervision o<" Hunt Stromberg. The Hunt Stromberg special production "The Crimson Runner", starring Priscilla Dean, will also be released on March 2nd and will present the star In the role of an Austrian Countess. The story was written especially for Priscilla Dean by Harvey Gates whose knowledge of conditions in the Austrian Empire was evidenced in his successful story "The Merry-Go-Round". This feature is now in production under the direction of Tom Forman with such stars as Ward Crane, Alan Hale and Mitchell Lewis in the supporting cast. The Frank Woods production of "Beauty and the Bad Man", adapted from Peter K. Kyne's popular story "Cornflower Cassie", will be released on March 9th. It will be produced at the Peninsula Studios under the direction of William Worthington, and while it has not yet been definitely decided who will fill the leading role, in all probability it will star Agnes Ayres. On March 16th A. H. Sebastian will present the famous stage stars Weber and Fields in the adaptation of the successful stage play "Friendly Enemies". As a play, "Friendly Enemies" established an enviable reputation as produced by Al. Woods. The film adaptation was made by Anthony Paul Kelly and it will be produced by Belasco productions under the direction of George Melford. "Stop Flirting", the second of the Al. Christie features will be released on March 30th. This will be an adaptation from the successful London musical farce which ran continuously for two years at the Shaftsbury Theatre. It will be an all-star production and will be produced under the direction of Scott Sidney. W. F. CLARKE Vice President, Cranfield & Clarke