Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1921)

74 E X II IBITORS HERALD June 11, 1021 Paramount Campaign Nets Heavy Booking Thinks "Best Show in Town Week" Will Surpass "Kent Week" Reports received by S. K. Kent, general manager of distribution for Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, are said to indicate that exhibitors throughout the country are preparing to participate in Paramount's "Best Show in Town Week," beginning on June lit in numbers that will make the bookings for that week surpass those in the recent "Kent Week." which rolled up a record 01 nearly $800,000 in rentals. Conduct Newspaper Campaign Backed by a widespread newspaper campaign, conducted by Jerome Beatty. director of publicity and advertising. Paramount salesmen are making an effort to surpass the rental record during the last Paramount week. Full page advestisements listing the names of theatres in the paper's territory showing Paramount pictures during the week are being carried in key cities. This advertising is supported by an intensive publicity and exploitation campaign. Claud Saunders, exploitation manager, has outlined a campaign for his exploitation men in the field, and exhibitors booking Paramount pictures daring that week will receive an unusual amount of co-operation in the way of exploitation of their theatres. Aids Summer Business "The object of this intensive campaign," said Mr. Kent, "is to assist exhibitors in getting away to the right *tart at the opening of the summer season. The results of "The Best Show in Town Week' are expected to show exhibitors that the best way to combat the present period of industrial dullness is to exert extra efforts." Selznick Denies Levey Has Firm's Films for Non Th ea trica I Tra de News stories which recently have appeared in publications circulating among motion picture people to the effect that National Non-theatrical Motion Pictures, Inc., of which Harry Levey is the president, had obtained for non-theatrical publication a number of Selznick pictures, among them "The Land of Opportunity," "Uncle Tom's Cabin," "The Isle of Conquest," "The Imp," "Panthea." "The Country Cousin," "The Miracle of Manhattan." "Cheating Cheaters," the Kaufman Masterpieces and others, seem to have been unfounded. At least the Selznick organization is not aware of any such arrangement. Lewis J. Selznick, the head of that organization, says that no such deal with Levey's concern has been made or is in contemplation. The Selznick product, said Mr. Selznick, is open for non-theatrical booking either directly or through any proper medium, but is not and will not be tied up with any booking agency whatever. Signs Ruth Stonehouse For Santschi Support Cyrus J. Williams has signed Ruth Stonehouse to play the feminine lead in the first of a series of Western features starring Tom Santschi. Marion Fairfax learns how to operate a typesetting machine from George Miltemer, foreman of the composing room of Los Angeles Examiner. The machine was used for scenes in "The Lying Truth." a Fairfax Production. Play "Ne'er-DoWell" in First Run Houses Exchange Men Report Lively Booking on Reissue of Beach Picture Ben Friedman, president of Friedman Film Corporation, Minneapolis, and Lee Goldberg of Big Feature Rights Corporation. Louisville, both advise Robert W. Priest, president of the Film Market, Inc., that they have booked some very important first runs on Rex Beach's revival of "The Ne'er-doWell." Mr. Goldberg, while in New York recently, told Mr. Priest that he had booked "The Ne'er-Do-Well" at Keith's National. Louisville. The new titles make it comparatively a new feature suitable for any first run. Mr. Friedman reports a long list of bookings for the summer and has laid in a supply of accessories and three new prints. Hall Writes Story for First Allene Ray Film The first of the new Allene Ray series of pictures to be produced by Western Pictures Corporation, Bert Lubin, president, and of which there will be six, will be a screen adaption of an original story written especially for the star by Walter Richard Hall, scenarist. It is claimed by the producers that the picture will depend on its fast action, physical feats and dramatic suspense to carry it over. It will be free from holdups, murders, and free-for-all pistol duels typical of Westerns. Goldwyn Denies Morris Is Leaving Eminent Authors Goldwyn emphatically denies a report recently published to the effect that Gouverneur Morris, the author, is to withdraw from Fminent Authors Corporation, which is associated with Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. "We have a long term contract with Mr. Morris and have first call on all his material," said Samuel Goldwyn. Selznick Will Utilize Two Fort Lee Plants Six Directors are to Have Units in Production Shortly At Fort Lee the Selznick studios are declared to represent about all that is left of motion picture activities there, but present operations and plans for the immediate future will keep the Universal and Paragon plants humming with production. Six directors will have companies at work very soon. Two presentations are occupying stages at the Selznick-L'uiversal studio, with George Archainbaud directing Eugene O'Brien in "Caly Dollars." and Ralph I nee supervising the Elaine Hammerstein presentation of "Remorseless Love." On Leave of Absence Because Henry Kolker is away on leave of absence, while he directs the George Arliss presentation of "Disraeli," the office of director for Conway Tearle is being filled by William P. S. Harle, who is producing "Love's Masquerade." Just before starting on the "Disraeli" production Director Kolker finished "Ye Shall Pay." in which Mr. Tearle will soon be presented in the Selznick series. The versatility of Selznick directors is demonstrated by Robert Ellis, who recently has directed Owen Moore. Mr. Ellis has just finished three weeks of acting opposite Elaine Hammerstein as her leading man in "Handcuffs or Kisses." Very soon he resumes activities as Mr. Moore's director when the Paragon facilities will be utilized for the next Moore feature comedy. Crosland to Return Alan Crosland is another Selznick director off on leave who returns to Fort Lee as soon as he has completed the Constance Binney presentation he is now rounding out for Famous Players-Lasky. Mr. Crosland has previously directed Eugene O'Brien features, although "The Last Door." newest of the O'Brien offerings, was prepared for the screen by William P. S. Earle. George Ade Will Title Neilan-Barrymore Film Marshall Neilan has signed George Ade, famous humorist and author, to handle the titles of the John Barrymore picture. "The Lotus Eater," produced by Neilan in New York and Florida. Mr. Neilan visited Mr. Ade's home in Indiana, where the film was projected in the author's home and the preliminary work of preparing the titles was laid out. Upon completion of his conference with Mr. Ade, the producer went to Los Angeles, where he will resume activities on his next First National picture started in New York recently. The new story on which Mr. Neilan is now engaged is said to present a novel idea in motion picture writing, details of which are expected to be forthcoming upon the director's arrival on the West Coast. In this picture Mr. Neilan brings out a new discovery in the person of a young artist who has just arrived from Europe and whose identity will be kept a secret until the picture is finished. Thompsons Control House DALLAS. TEX. — Robert Wilmans has sold the Palace theatre at 2407 Elm street to True E., Paul E. and C. W. Thompson, P. E. Wilson and W. R. Lloyd.