Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

January 14, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 59 Fox Film Corporation to Produce Educational and Industrial Films New Departments to Operate Entirely Independent of Company's Other Enterprises— Plan Production on Large Scale Film Corporation states that it will present every industrial picture with a guarantee of satisfaction. While this is the first public announcement of the inauguration of the industrial division, the company has been quietly pushing the enterprise for weeks. One result of this is that many orders for industrial pictures have been received, and within the past month three productions for manufacturing concerns have been completed. William Fox, president of Fox Film Corporation, announces the organization of educational and industrial divisions which will operate independent of the company's other amusement enterprises. Production of these subjects will be on a broad scale, according to the initial announcement. The two divisions are under one head — Herbert E. Hancock, formerly director of Fox News. Supervisory direction will be exercised by Mr. Fox and Winfield R. Sheehan, vice president and general manager of Fox Film Corporation. Have Films Prepared The educational division possesses an immense advantage in its access to the library of Fox News, containing more than 1,000,000 feet of negative film from which may be assembled hundreds of educational subjects. Experts already have selected an assortment of subjects of inestimable value as the basis of visual instruction for the first months of this Fox enterprise. The industrial division, the company believes, has an appeal which must prove irresistible, inasmuch as it presents the latest method of advertising and one the tremendous pulling power of which is universally conceded. The progressive manufacturer realizes the extraordinary value of the screen as a means of reaching the public directly. Organization Is Perfected Operates in Europe The Fox plan fixes the price charged for such films at the lowest figure that is possible, and also offers to the manufacturer a system of circulation to meet every need. The guaranteed circulation is either local, national, or international, according to requirements. The United •States is divided into service zones; but the industrial division is also inviting orders from business firms in foreign countries. Its activities cross both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. The Fox exchanges and branch offices abroad are cooperating energetically with both the educational and industrial divisions. Three hundred cameramen in all parts of the world will serve these new divisions. The main offices of the new divisions are in the Fox studio building, in West 55th street, New York. Bert Lubin Tours South Director Hancock, having perfected his organization, announces that he is prepared, at a moment's notice, to undertake an industrial production of any size or scope. The making of an industrial picture is very similar to the making of an amusement film. Its success depends upon similar care and quality of output. Fox MAX GRAF, producer of Hobart Bosworth-Associated Producers' pictures, now being distributed by First National. "White Hands" is his latest production made for Wid Gunning, Inc. Bert Lubin, producer of the new series of six society-adventure dramas, starring Allene Ray, is touring the Southern exchanges. He has with him a print of "Partners of the Sunset," the first feature of the series and will screen for interested exchangemen. Selznick Enterprises has issued an announcement scheduling the star series pictures featuring Elaine Hammerstein, Eugene O'Brien and Conway Tearle for publication during 1922. Conway Tearle's pictures are all screened and in the Selznick laboratories where plenty of time will be allowed for adequately preparing the exhibition prints lor circulation. "Shadows of the Sea," published on January 10, will be third in this season's list of Tearle issues that have included "After Midnight" and "The Man of Stone." Doris Kenyon in Lead "Shadows of the Sea" has Doris Kenyon in the role opposite Tearle. The story was furnished by Frank Dazey, associate editor of the Selznick scenario department. The picture to follow "Shadows of the Sea" will be selected from "A Wide-Open Town" and "Love's Masquerade." The latter is from Edward J. Montagne's story and scenario and was directed by William P. S. Earle. "A Wide-Open Town" will have Faire HERBERT E. HANCOCK, director of Educational and Industrial divisions of Fox Film Corporation. "The Prodigal Judge" Is Completed by Vitagraph Vitagraph has completed "The Prodigal Judge," adapted from the novel by Vaughan Kester. Jean Paige, who is featured in the production, and several of the principals have returned from Savannah where the final exteriors were filmed. Since then Director Edward Jose has made the few remaining interiors at the Brooklyn studios. The final editing and titling has been done and the technical force is now preparing prints for publication. The cast, headed by Jean Paige, includes Maclyn Arbuckle as Judge Price, Ernest Torrence, Earl Fox, Arthur Carew, Horace Braham, Charles Kent, Charles Eaton, Robert Millasch, George Bancroft, Peggy Shanor, Lillian Van Arldale, Mrs. Mary Curren and the six Curren children, and others. Binney as leading woman, her presence in the cast being of particular advertising interest because of the personal success she is making as ingenue of "A Man's Home," the Selznick Special. Earle Mitchell provided this story and Ralph Ince made the production. Lists Hammerstein Films For Elaine Hammerstein, "Bachelor's Blush," a Saturday Evening Post story by George Weston; "Yesterday's Wife," written by Evelyn Campbell, and "Borrowed Wings," contributed by Leonard Praskins and Thomas Marstens have been obtained. When Ralph Ince is finished with his present assignment as Eugene O'Brien's director he will begin one of the stories starring Miss Hammerstein. Eugene O'Brien features are provided for in "Prophet's Paradise," to be published on February 10; "Channing of the Northwest," now being screened by Ralph Ince, and "The Law Bringers," to be produced from C. B. Lancaster's story. Selznick Schedules Its Star Series Features for Publication in 1922