Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

62 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 14, 1922 ERNEST TRUEX, in his football togs, as he appears in "Little, But Oh My," his current Pathe comedy. State Right Announcement on Serial Brings Inquiries to Export Company Export & Import Film Company, Inc., following its announcement that the Col. Selig serial, "The Jungle Goddess," would be state righted has received many inquiries from independent buyers and exhibitors throughout the country. These letters, according to the distributing company, indicate that Col. Selig's reputation has created such a tremendous exhibitor demand for his product that many of the biggest exchangemen are making arrangements to come to New York to view the serial. New Ideas Incorporated Col. Selig's previous serials, "Miracles of the Jungle" and "The Lost City," are said to have set a high mark in animal chapter-pictures. Building on the experience gained with these pictures Col. Selig, in co-operation with Export & Import Film Company, last July began planning a new serial in which the new ideas which came to him after the other two animal-jungle serials had been completed were to be incorporated. "The Jungle Goddess," as a result of this forethought, is said to be practically censor-proof. Added to this is said to be the logic of its plot and the elimination of the ludicrous and impossible stunts which are often great drawbacks to serials. Many Exhibitors Interested An indication of the value of trade paper advertising and the eager interest which the public has in animal-jungle serials made by Col. Selig, is apparent in the large number of exhibitors who have written in and wired for information regarding the booking of the serial, according to the company. "In 'The Jungle Goddess,' " states Col. Selig, "I am packing in action to the Nth degree. I am mixing in 'hokum' and comedy relief which the public cats up. I am using three times as many animals as I utilized in my previous serials. 'Miracles of the Jungle' and 'The Lost City' aroused the praise of the public everywhere. 'The Jungle Goddess' will not only do the same, but will create a sensation wherever it is shown. I have given it everything that my brain could evolve. I have made it my masterpiece serial!" Hearst Paper Would Preserve Big Films Leader of Movement Asks For Cooperation of Rothacker The Chicago American a Hearst newspaper, has launched a movement to preserve big motion pictures for posterity. To make this movement a success Watterson R. Rothacker has been asked to cooperate. The American's plans became known through a letter addressed to Mr. Rothacker by Fred McQuig, amusement director of the Chicago paper. An annual voting contest will be held to select the best photoplay of the year. This film, properly preserved, will be presented to some governmental agency which will act in the capacity of librarian. In his letter to Mr. Rothacker, Mr. McQuig says: "Through you, Mr. Rothacker, we are asking the technicians of the picture industry to help solve two problems. The first is regarding the life of film. Will the celluloid base and the photographic figures be in existence after 1,000 or 5,000 or 10,000 years? Cannot a way be found to insure a photodrama of a life of, say, 15,000 years? "The second problem is that of print copies of the photoplays which are handed down to the future. Five thousand years from now school pupils will want to study early celluloid literature iust as high school pupils of today study Homer and Virgil." 500 Theatres Book Playgoers Program Policy of Issuing Thirty-six Productions Annually to Be Continued In announcing the continuation of its policy to publish features on the basis of thirty-six a year, Playgoers Pictures has issued a statement calling attention to progress made during 1921, which shows that more than 500 theatres have contracted for its product on that basis. Inaugurated Last September The thirty-six-a-year policy was inaugurated last September and has shown consistent progress, says the company, which indicates the general satisfaction which the product has afforded, and proves the wisdom of the plan and shows that, at this period of unsettled conditions, theatre owners are eager to avail themselves of the opportunity to obtain and maintain, on such a basis, features of audience appeal. The Playgoers statement says that up to the present time its program has been marked by a high percentage of excellent features, and in proof of this assertion, it directs the attention of exhibitors to the following offerings: List of Productions The J. P. McGowan features, "Discontented Wives," "The Ruse of the Rattler," and "Reckless Chances," the latter being scheduled for January 15; also "Tropical Love," the production made in Porto Rico by Ralph Ince, with Reginald Denny, Ruth Clifford and Fred Turner; "Anne of Little Smoky," . the Wistaria production with Winifred Westover, (now Mrs. William S. Hart), Joe King, Dolores Casinelli and Frank Sheridan. Marion Davies in Role Of Santa Claus Brings Xmas Joy to Children Marion Davies, star of Cosmopolitan Productions, again played Santa Claus to hundreds of children in the neighborhood of the company's studios this year. Toys were distributed to a small army of Harlem children who gather at the studio each night beginning on Christmas eve. Long tables were loaded down with gifts and double lines a block long swamped the studio to receive presents. In addition to this, the star also gave a dinner to more than 500 soldiers, sailors and marines on Christmas day. Vaudeville entertainment and music supplemented the dinner. Miss Davies also visited St. Joseph's hospital, where she distributed numerous dolls and toys to juvenile patients. Hiller Cooperating in Exploiting "His Nibs" L. L. Hiller, president of "His Nibs" Syndicate, Inc.. the organization formed to distribute "His Nibs," the Exceptional Pictures Corporation production in which Charles (Chic) Sale is making his first appearance as a motion picture star, has gone West to aid with the special exploitation programs that will mark the first run of "His Nibs" in the key cities of the Middle West. Mr. Hillcr's first stop will be at Cleveland, where he will confer with Phil Selznick, who controls the distribution of "His Nibs" for Ohio. Mr. Selznick has booked "His Nibs" in a number of important key theatres throughout the state.