Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

08 EXHIBITORS HERALD December 31, 1921 Books Hodkinson for Twelve Solid Weeks Extensive Exploitation Drive Planned by Company's Frisco Office One of the longest bookings ever noted in the Industry is one which concerns an arrangement whereby the Francesca theatre in San Francisco, under the management of R. E. Sharbara, will show Hodkinson productions for a period of twelve solid weeks. The contract provides for an extensive exploitation campaign which will be conducte.l by the Hodkinson branch in San Francisco. Here Is Schedule Beginning with the week of December 10, with "The Breaking Point," the productions included in the engagement, and the dates, are as follows: Week of December 17, "The Other Woman"; week of December 24, "A Certain Rich Man"; week of December 31, "Lavender and Old Lace"; week of January 7, "The Journey's End"; week of January 14, "Rip Van Winkle"; week of January 21, "God's Crucible"; week of January 28, ""Fifty Candles"; week of February 4, "Cameron of the Royal Mounted"; week of February 11, "At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern"; week of February 18, "Heart's Haven," and week of February 25, "The Grey Dawn." Of this list four productions, "Cameron of the Royal Mounted," "At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern," "Heart's Haven," and "The Grey Dawn" have not been published. "Cameron" will be issued late in December, "Jack O'Lantern" in January, and "Heart's Haven" and "The Grey Dawn" in February. Theatre Changes Hands The remaining productions on the schedule have been in distribution since April, with "Rip Van Winkle" and "Fifty Candles" October and December publications respectively. The latter attraction, an Irvin V. Willat production, was issued on December 11. The Francesca theatre recently has changed hands and under new management has been partly remodeled and refurnished to an extent that places it on a plane with San Francisco's leading downtown houses. Although not as large as some of these theatres, the Francesca caters to a high class patronage. Latest of Anita Stewart Productions Is Completed Louis B. Mayer announces that Anita Stewart's latest starring vehicle, "The Woman He Married," from the play by Herbert Bashford, will be ready soon for shipment to New York. Fred Niblo directed the picture and is now completing the cutting and titling. Included in the supporting cast are Darrel Foss, Donald MacDonald, Shannon Day, William Conklin, Charles Belcher and Charlotte Pierce. First Mae Murray Picture For Metro Issue Jan. 23 Metro will publish its first Mae Murray nictu-e, "Peacock All<*y," a Tiffany Production, on January 23. "Peacock Allev" is presented on the screen by Robert Z. Leonard, director general of Tiffany Productions, Inc., and director of the picture. It is based on a story by Ouida Bergere. Menjou Signed by Schenck Adolphc J. Menjou, who played Louis XIII in "The Three Musketeers," has been signed by Joseph M. Schenck to play in Norma almadgc's next picture. Mr. Menjou is complctin ' the rol of Dudley King in the all-star cast of "Is Matrimony a Failure?" for Paramount. All Units Working on Sennett Lot Production activities at the Mack Sennett studios in Hollywood are at their maximum, with all companies working at top speed, turning out comedies for Associated First National. Encouraged by the success of her "Molly O," Mabel Normand has 6tarted on her next production, the working title of which is "Suzanna." Prints of "By Heck," featuring Billy Bevan and Mildred June, have been shipped to New York, and work has started on "The Blockhead," featuring the same players. The illness of Phyllis Haver has delayed completion of her latest picture, "Bright Eyes," but she has recovered, and it is expected that the prints will be ready for shipment1* shortly. Press Lauds Sale as Vaudeville Headliner Billed at Two Theatres in New York During the Same Week Charles (Chic) Sale, star of Exceptional pictures, during his recent engagement the same week on the bills at the Palace and Riverside theatres in New York, received highly favorable reviews in the metropolitan dailies. Sale is now spending a few weeks in vaudeville. Sale Is an Artist The Tribune said : "Sale really is an artist and the audience yesterday was not lacking in appreciation of his efforts." The Evening Telegram reported : "Chic Sale was inimitable in his latest version of the country Sunday school benefit. With new laughs and fresh business, Sale is a humorous genius." In the Morning Telegraph: "Charles (Chic) Sale again has the audience overcome by paroxysms of hysteria at the characters he portrays at the rural Sunday school entertainment." Protean Art Is New The comment in Variety: "Then 'Chic' Sale made each minute avail for some gag or new quip, a line or a quirk. His protean art is quite new and apart from the usual 'heavy dramatic' work." The Neiv York Clipper wrote : "Charles (Chic) Sale knocked 'em cold as usual with his impersonations of rural characters, and had to make a speech of thanks to stop the applause." Dorothy Woods Gets Part In "Buffalo Bill" Serial Dorothy Woods will play opposite Art Accord in "The Days of Buffalo Bill," Universal announces. The historical serial will have a strong cast of players. Edward Laemmle, who is directing the production, is dividing his first days on the picture between actual filming and the selection of the remaining players. Robert Dillon has prepared the story of Buffalo Bill for filming, following history and weaving tl»e whole plot around the romantic adventures of a young pioneer. The ranch owned by Edgar Rice Burroughs, a few miles from Universal City, will be the scene of much of the shooting of earlier episodes. Early Publication of "Conceit" Promised Production is Second of Six Specials to Be Offered By Selznick The presentation by Lewis J. Selznick of his second special feature for this season is bringing "Conceit" into early prominence on Select's booking sheets, according to information received from Sam E. Morris, vice-president in charge of distribution. "A Man's Home" has made an_ auspicious start as the first of six specials promised among the "Forty from Selznick." "A Man's Home" is the offering at New York's Capitol theatre this week. "Conceit" is ready for immediate publication. Is of Different Type "Conceit" is a different type of photoplay than "A Man's Home," the second Selznick special being more sensational and picturesque, according to the reviews and Selznick announcements, than the domestic drama now so generally in service on the screen. "Conceit" was photographed in th% Canadian Rockies, the players making headquarters at Banff, and into the action, that largely transpires out-of-doors, is woven the wonderful scenery for which that section is famous. The cast of "Conceit" commends itself to both exhibitor and public because William B. Davidson and Mrs. DeWolf Hopper are names familiar to hosts of theatregoers. Davidson has been leading man in numerous screen productions and in "Conceit" is featured, it is said, for the first time. Hedda Hopper has won her way to great popularity on both stage and screen and as leading woman in "Conceit" is declared to have the best opportunity the screen has ever given her to develop her native gifts as an actress. Costello in Cast Maurice Costello, one of the veterans of the screen, is another name that will add to the public appeal of the Selznick special. In the earlier days of pictures Costello was a screen idol when Vitagraph was booming him as a star and the presence in the cast of Betty Hilbum, Charles Gerard, Warren Cook and Patrick Hartigan give further assurance of good acting.