Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD EDWARD JOSE ON THE WEST COAST The well-known director is now in California assembling a cast preparatory to directing Anita Stewart in "The Fighting Shepherdess." Edward Jose Selecting Players For "The Fighting Shepherdess Edward Jose, the Belgian director who is now at work in Los Angeles, California, on Anita Stewart's next First National picture, "The Fighting Shepherdess," an adaptation from Caroline Lockhardt's famous novel of that name, announces that Noah Berry has been engaged to play the part of "Mormon Jo," one of the most interesting characters in the story, and that the unique character of Jezebel will be portrayed by Eugene Besser. Wallace MacDonald will take the part of Hughie, and Pete Mullendore, whose character is so well portrayed in the novel, will be played by Walter Long. The picture deals with the struggles of the early settlers in a Western community-— the lofty mountains and sagebush plains form a fitting background for the story — which is said to be rich in human interest, a combination of humor, pathos, love and adventure. Edward Jose believes that in the screen productions of the future, psychology will play an important role. Writers, directors and producers are beginning to realize that the public demand for melodrama is nqt as insistent as in former days and stories of human interest are now being much sought after, as a much welcomed change from the old standards of the past. In "The Fighting Shepherdess," he says, while the plot excites the interest, and leaves much to the imagination until the story is brought to ariose, it .also offers great opportunities for character delineation, and there is plenty of local color and many possibilities are offered for beautiful scenic effects. Miss Stewart will play the part of Katie Prentice, the lit tle shepherdess, who wins all hearts by virtue of her beauty, youth and inexperience. Lloyd Hughes is Signed As Thomas H. Ince Star A new star has been added to the Thomas H. Ince firmament. Lloyd Hughes is his name. His recently signed contract covers a period of five years. He started his picture career under King Vidor in Culver City, playing in comedies. From the Vidor lot he went to the American studio in Santa Barbara, playing juvenile leads with Margarita Fisher. His next part was at Universal City in "The Heart of Humanity." Following this, he played a lead in "The Turn in the Road," at the Brentwood studio; then at the Ince studio with Enid Bennett in "The Haunted Bedroom," after which he was loaned to the Morosco studio where he worked with Vivian Martin in "An Innocent Adventuress." Coming back to the Ince lot once more, he played in "The Virtuous Thief," with Enid Bennett, which he followed up with a lead in the Thomas H. Ince special production, "Dangerous Hours." Plan $300,000 Theatre NEW YORK.— Plans have been filed for a two-story theatre and garage to be erected at 262 West 145th street by the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Street Theatre Company on a plot 88x72. The structure will cost $300,000. Begin Exploitation Of "Old Kentucky" Film Version of Famous Play Will Open in Detroit for Extended Run The first gun in the road exploitation of Anita Stewart's massive production, "In Old Kentucky," was fired this week when Leon Victor left New York for Cleveland, Detroit and other central western cities to make preparations for the long run engagements of the production in these cities. Louis B. Mayer had a special object in view in selecting Mr. Victor to undertake this work, for he was the original agent who piloted the dramatic production of "In Old Kentucky" 27 years ago. Veteran Plans Exploitations Since that time Mr. Victor has seen "In Old Kentucky" tour the country year after year, smashing house records and becoming implanted firmly in the hearts of the American public as the one big American play. The records of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "Old Homestead," "Black Beauty" and other well-known successes pale into insignificance when placed alongside that of Charles T. Dazey's remarkable classic. Not even the panic of 1893 nor subsequent panics could stay the progress of this freak of showmanship. This season has been no exception and two dramatic companies are touring the United States and Canada to a business which shows no decrease from that of former years. Long Theatrical Record Mr. Victor has had many connections in the theatrical world, but none which he treasures more highly than that with "In Old Kentucky." The first engagement of the motion picture production will start in Detroit, December 21st, where it will run indefinitely. The week following, engagements will be started hi Cleveland, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth, Kansas City, St. Louis and other first run cities. In every instance engagements are for extended runs. Lodge to Build Theatre Despite Deed Provision HANNIBAL, MO.— Whether a provision in a warranty deed made five years ago, when the Hannibal Fraternal Order of Eagles purchased ground in the Hannibal business section still holds good, may be thrashed out in court. The Eagles recently announced that a theatre and lodgeroom would be erected on the ground, which is opposite the Star theatre, Hannibal's largest motion picture house. The ground was purchased from John B. Price, then sole owner of the Star theatre, and the warranty deed stipulated that no theatre could be erected on the lot. Price, who is now a stockholder in the company which owns the Star theatre, yesterday notified the Eagles of the agreement made five years ago. However, the Eagles intend to go ahead with their plans, and thrash out the matter in court, should the other side take such legal steps. The new theatre building will cost $100,000. 54