Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

60 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 14, 1922 SCENE FROM OWEN MOORE'S latest Selznick production, which is said by the company to be the biggest picture it has ever made. No permanent title has been selected. Henry Lehrman joined the Selznick organization especially to direct this picture, the story for which he wrote. Pauline Garon is the star's leading woman. The Moore pictures are being sold individually by the company. Centralized Control Produces Finer Films, Says Hobart Producer of George Arliss Pictures Declares Single-Unit Production Is Most Efficient CENTRALIZED control and single unit production are productive of the finest photoplays in the opinion of Henry Morgan Hobart, president of Distinctive Productions, Inc., which is making a new series of George Arliss pictures for distribution through United Artists. In explaining more fully that his plan in no way interferes with the work of the director, scenario writer, art director and other technicists in the production of a picture he continued : uTWO heads are always better than A one, and conferences between the producer and his heads of departments are of the greatest value, but there must be one central authority and positively no division of responsibility. "The exhibitor knows a well made picture when lie sees one. One man, if given full authority, will make a good picture. The practice of scattering production authority about among half a dozen or more men results in a slip-shod production, and nobody can be deceived as to how that pictures was made. * * * "In the first place the selection of a story is the basis of operations. I am reading stories constantly, but it is not an easy matter to select a story for Mr. Arliss. When a story is selected, I work with the scenario writer until I get just the script I want, and then we go into consultation with our director. The art director is called in, and studio details arranged. The cameraman must be 'in tune/ and conferences smooth out the little details. "From the time the camera starts to grind, I keep in personal touch with every phase of production, and catcli the 'rusher every evening. When the cutting begin*, I remain in touch with the director and his assistant, and am at their elbow when the final cutting is being prepared. "Single-unit production, especially in the matter of photoplays, has a decided advantage over the multiple-unit production. In the case of the personally supervised picture there is a smoothness, a finish, that is absent in the other product. * * * "A picture should be so made that a slight cutting will not ruin it, but how often is this true of the great mass of pictures you see? The picture story that passes through eight or ten hands (never returning to the source of inspiration that ordered the making of it), has no chance when pitted against the photoplay upon which one person has lavished every possible consideration. In a nut-shell, that is my position." Mr. Hobart is now producing a story by Earl Dcrr Biggers, based on his short story, "Idle Hands," which appeared in The Saturday Evening l'ost. Arliss is star of the picture. Building Is Remodeled ALVA, OKLA.— The McReynolds building is being converted into a motion picture theatre by A. C. Hill of Oklahoma City. Forecasts Successful Year for Independent Buyers and Exhibtors The year 1922 holds prosperity for the independent exhibitor and his friend, the state right distributor. That is the belief of L. L. Hiller, president of "His Nibs" Syndicate, Inc., the company formed to handle the distribution of Charles (Chic) Sale's first motion picture, which was produced by Exceptional Pictures Corporation. "I don't feel that anyone will contradict the fact that the state righting of good pictures is growing in favor," Mr. Hiller says. "The past year has seen a big period of advancement for the independent field. "Good, clean pictures, productions that are intelligently made, pictures that do not flaunt a star who cannot act, pictures that have comedy value or are tensely emotional and dramatic — these are what the public is demanding today, and unless the public is satisfied — they stay at home. 1 sincerely believe that the independents are the first to realize how vitally important it is that they should get the type of motion pictures they are demanding. Two Former Stars Play In Latest Realart Film Two former stars, Florence Roberts and Cleo Ridgely, will play in support of Constance Binney in the Realart picture, "The SleepWalker," to be published by Famous Players-Lasky. Cleo Ridgely co-starred with Wallace Reid in "The Golden Chance" and other plays before her marriage four years ago to James Horn, director. She recently returned to the screen with Betty Compson in "The Law and the Woman," and will now appear with Miss Binney in "The Sleep-Walker," by Aubrey Stauffer, which Edward Le Saint is directing. Others in the cast are Edythe Chapman, Jack Mulhall and Bertram Grassby. HENRY M. HOBART, president of Distinctive Productions, Inc., which is making a new series of George Arliss pictures for distribution through United Artists.