Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

58 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 20, 1920 Who s Going To Do The Dirty Work? This is one of those "Just Before It Happened" moments from Mack Sennett's latest Paramount Comedy, "Ten Dollars or Ten Days," featuring Charles Murray, Ford Sterling, Phyllis Haver and Billy Armstrong Fox Adaptation of Literary Works Expedited by Increased Facilities Purchase of Davis Stories Said to Conform With Company 's Policy to Transfer to Screen Best in Classic and Modern Literature William Fox's purchase of screen rights for sixty-seven stories by Richard Harding Davis is announced as in line with Fox Film Corporation's policy to transfer to the cinema literary works of transcending interest. This policy was manifested first, it is said, in the production of "Evangeline." by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and in the screening of Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables" and Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities." Popular Works Screened Recent Fox publications, together with productions now in the making at the new studios in New York and at Hollywood. Cal., constitute what is considered by Mr. Fox as a treasure-house of choice literature. The pictures, based upon triumphs in particular fields of literary endeavor, include visualizations of classics, recent novels and stage successes. The expansion of producing facilities resulting from the opening of the new building in New York and the construction of a large indoor stage on the West coast, it is announced, will enable Mr. Fox to film the masterpieces of noted authors to a larger extent than heretofore. The staff of scenario writers has been enlarged. Madlaine Traverse Vehicle The purchase of the world's motion picture rights to the Broadway success of three years ago.. "Her Honor, the Mayor." from the pen of Arline Van Ness Hines, is announced as the most recent transaction in conformity with that larger policy. Madlaine Traverse will play the lead in the screen version. Edward Knoblauch is another dramatist whose creations will reach the screen through William Fox. "My Lady's Dress" will be one of the productions from his pen. Larry Evans also is a Fox contributor. Preeminent among the fiction writers of today is Georges Clemenceau, whose one and only story, "The Strongest," has been screened by Fox. Pearl White at Work The two Fox productions thus far announced with Pearl White in the lead are adaptations of novels by prominent writers which had a tremendous sale as books and which will reach an infinitely larger public as screen dramas. "The White Moll," already completed, is from the pen of Frank L. Packard, while "Tigers' Cub," now being made, was written by George Goodchild as a novel. "White Lies" is from a great novel by the author of "The Cloister and the Hearth," Charles Reade. Gladys Brockwell stars in the production. Pearl Doles Bell has provided two vehicles for Shirley Mason — "Her Elenhant Man" and "Love's Harvest." The latest Shirley Mason feature, "Molly and I," was written by Frank R. Adams. Title Is Changed The most notable chanee made in the filming of the N. P. Niessen's novel, "The Love Thief." is in the title. It is called "The She Tiger" on the screen, but is said to retain all the power, intense interest and overwhelming love appeal of the original. Charles Alden Seltzer, author of "Forbidden Trails," and Harold Titus, have offerings for Tom Mix and Buck Jones. "The Orphan," a story of the west featuring William Farnum, is from the novel of Clarence E. Mulford, author of "Bar-20" ranch stories. The picture is being filmed on the west coast. E. Lloyd Sheldon is among the successful authors whose talents have been placed at the service of Fox Film Corporation. Other Authors Contribute William C. Lengel has given to the screen through William Fox, his widely read "Tin Pan Alley" stories as published in the Red Book Magazine, and has several others now in work for early production. Others who are writing for the Fox organization are, Paul H. Sloane, Natalie Sumner Lincoln, Anthony Roach, Gelett Burgess, Denison Clift, H. H. Van Loan, Henry Clifford Colwell, Paul Dickey, Justin Huntley McCarthy and Richard Stanton. Neil an Has Taken New Studios and Is Ready To Start on Picture The Marshall Neilan Company has removed its picture equipment and business headquarters to the Hollywood Studios at Santa Monica boulevard. Work on a new production will start within a few days. The Neilan organization has taken over one entire unit of the new plant which was constructed in 1919 under the supervision of John Jasper, formerly a studio manager for Charles Chaplin. The unit consists of a convertible stage, a number of individual dressing rooms, an individual projecting room, an individual camera vault and a complete set of private offices. In addition to this, a new building adjacent to the Neilan unit is being erected to house additional members of the company. When this is complete Mr. Xeilan plans to expand both his producing and business force. Besides an elaborate double office occupied by Mr. Neilan, Mr. Jasper has furnished private offices for Henry R. Symonds, director; Tom Held, assistant director; the business manager and the publicity department. A separate building also has been furnished for Ben Carro. technical director. A private suite of dressing rooms has been furnished for Marjorie Daw. J. Barney Sherry and Wesley Barry also will have their private rooms. Student's Exploitation Draws to "Evangeline "Evangeline," the Fox screen version of Longfellow's poem, was booked by the Y. M. C. A. of the University of Illinois for three performances. At no performance were there less than 1,900 persons present. In exploiting the picture, according to Clyde W. Eckhardt, manager of the Chicago Fox exchange, the students tied up with the local music and book stores in Champagne. At each performance one of the co-eds. dressed in the costume of Evangeline, sang the song written for the picture.