Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

December 25, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 145 Ziegfeld Is Completing His Initial Photoplay Offering Predict Successful Step in Bringing a Closer Link Between Screen and Stage EXHIBITORS, producers and distributors are awaiting the first showing of W. K. Ziegfeld's initial screen offering, now being completed at the Peerless studios in Fort Lee. With a battery of tour cameramen working day and night. Emile Chautard. the director, expects to put the finishing touches to the final scenes the . latter part of this week. * * * W. K. Ziegfeld's advent into the mo* tion picture field created a stir in motion picture circles, as the producer, who is known throughout the world as a theatrical manager and musical educator, declared that he would restrict himself as far as he possibly could to directors, actors and writers from the legitimate stage. Closely following this announcement, word came that he had signed up Florence Reed of "The Mirage" as the star for his first production. With this stellar light to open the way. Ziegfeld then scoured the field for a director with legitimate training and finally obtained the services of Emile Chautard. Then followed the signing of many contracts. * * * Adhering to his original intention of recruiting his associates from the field of the legitimate. Ziegfeld signed Philip Bartholomae. author of "Very Good. Eddie." "When Dreams Come True," and other plays as scenario writer and followed this with contracts with such artists as Xorman Trevor, now co-starring with Gilda Varesi in "Enter Madame": Earle Foxe, who has just closed as a featured player in "Come Seven": Tyrone Power, the tragedian, who played the title role in "Chu Chin Chow"; Henry Stephenson, now playing a leading role in "Spanish Love"; William Roselle, featured player in a score of Broadway hits: Paula Shay, a well known Henry Savage player; Mile. Dazie, former Follies and Winter Garden star: Ernest Lambart, and countless others. Thus fortified with an array of imposing talent. W. K. Ziegfeld pitched into his new task with the same energy he displayed in making his legitimate plays and operas. And those who have seen run-offs of the picture as taken to date declare that it marks a new era in motion picture production, and is FLORENCE REED >'oted stage actress who will be starred in Ziegfeld Films. the most successful step yet taken in bringing about a closer link between the stage and the screen. Xo definite publication arrangements have yet been made. EXHIBITORS I HAVE MET (.Continued from page 707) EMILE CHAITARD Eminent director now putting finishing touches to first Ziegfeld Films picture. the exhibitors move along more deeply worn tracks in their operations. Competition is less keen because theatres are less closely matched in the fight for attendance, but high class entertainment is the order of the community. Richmond, Durham, Hillsboro, Buriington. Greensboro, Chester. Charlotte, all share an even serenity of purpose and endeavor. "Business as usual" is the com W. K. ZIEGFELD Famous producer, who has just invaded the motion picture field as head of Ziegfeld Films. mon report, and observation discloses that business is usually good. Covering in seven days 750 miles and so many cities that they recalled the famous telephone poles of the picket fence joke, I parked in front of the Criterion theatre, Atlanta, Ga., and staggered up to the box office like "Bill" Hart used to do in the days when he killed at least one horse in every five reel feature. * * * Atlanta theatre men have made their, showmanship known to the trade in a long series of excellent accomplishments, The Alamo Xo. 2 theatre has in George Schmidt, manager, an exploitation geniu9 of originality and executive ability. His work is well known to American ex-* hibitors. James F. Jackson, manager of the Tudor, is a man of the same type. The Criterion and its executives are too well known to require further description here. In and out of Atlanta, the motor responding cheerfully to the influence of the justly celebrated "Southern hospitality." I gathered the impression that Georgia exhibitors will be up forward in the vanguard of progressive showmen for some time to come. They take their showmanship seriously, these Georgians, and they "look before they leap." When they start an individual campaign or a general movement they "start it from the ground." They have a definite purpose, a well thought out course of action, and they proceed steadily to their goal. Then it rained. It kept right on raining. I still think the car that I drove out of Detroit in May and over fifteen thousand miles of miscellaneous and assorted roads to Atlanta could have "made the grade." But there wouldn't have been much left of it. and I hate to kill more than one car a year. So I parked it for the winter and decided to ride "the cushions" until the elements settle their annual controversy. It's been a big year. I've met hundreds of good showmen and true in the twelve months since the 1919 Holiday number of this publication. I can't keep up a steady correspondence with all of them, much as I'd like to. so I'm going to take this opportunity to wish each and every one the best of the season's good things.