Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

26 K X H I R T T O R S HERAL D January 21, 1922 Nineteen Exceptional Pictures Selected in 1 92 1 Nineteen Other Films Containing Points of Merit Also Are Listed by National Board of Review WHAT were the best photoplays published in 1921? That question has been answered scores of times by as many reviewers of motion pictures throughout the country. In a majority of cases such a list represents only the personal opinion of the person making the selection. THE latest to issue such a list is the critique committee of the National Board of Review. The pictures comprising the list are those that were reviewed as "exceptional" in the twelve issues of Exceptional Photoplays, which is published under the auspices of the critique committee. * * * Nineteen pictures comprise the list. They are: AU for a Woman The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari The City of Silent Men The Conquering Power Deception The First Bom The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse The Golem The Great Adventure The Kid The Lovelight One Arabian Night Over the Hill The Passion Flower A Small Town Idol Theodora The Three Musketeers A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court Way Down East To -attain the rank of "exceptional" these pictures first were seen by review committees who then submitted them for final judgment to the critique committee, whose membership is composed of persons from many professions and walks of life, including technicians and picture critics. * * * In addition to listing the "exceptional" pictures, the National Board also publishes those productions which "contain points of exceptional merit, such as settings, camera work, fidelity to detail, etc." In this list, which supplements the other, are the following productions: Cappy Ricks Disraeli Doubling for Rome Enchantment Footlights The Foolish Matrons Forever The Four Seasons Jane Eyre J'Accuse The Journey's End Little Lord Fauntleroy R. S. V. P. Rip Van Winkle Scrap Iron The Sting of the Lash Tony Sarg's Almanac Without Benefit of Clergy The Woman God Changed James Shelley Hamilton, a writer on films and a member of the critique committee, in making his choice of the five best pictures of 1921 selected the following: "All for a Woman," "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari," "The Golem," "The Kid," "A Small Town Idol." Tearle Leading Man For Norma Talmadge (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 10.— Joseph M. Schenck has contracted with Conway Tearle to play opposite Norma Talmadge in her forthcoming First National publication, "La Duchesse de Langeais." Tearle, who has been starring in Selznick pictures, will leave for the Coast immediately where the picture is being produced at the United Studios. Big City Is No Criterion Arthur Kane Says It Is Folly to Make Nezv York Standard for Regulating Programs of Country Neither New York nor any other large city is the criterion by which to measure the wortli of a motion picture. This is the opinion advanced by a New Yorker who lias practical knowledge of the films from the angle of Kansas (where he once resided) to that of Manhattan whence he keeps a close touch on the pulse of the playgoing public. Arthur S. Kane, who sponsors the Charles Ray productions, says: "There have been several notable artistic achievements among special productions released during the last two years. On Broadway they were hailed for the glorious accomplishments they were, and thev made money for their exhibitors in the metropolis. Outside of New York they failed miserably. "This may seem inexplicable until we realize that the population of New York City in large decree is the most provincial population in the country. Many of its residents have never been away from the greater city. Thousands more have come from other lands and have never been west of their landing place. "By environment and psychology, New York is apart from the rest of the country. It does not understand the customs, the habits, the temperament of the rrsi of th states. Moreover, the theatregoing; population of New York represents a vastly more sophisticated audience than any other section of the country. "For these reasons it is folly to make New York the standard whereby the motion picture program of the entire country is to be regulated." BETTY COMPSON takes a lesson in toe dancing from Theodore Kosloff. now appearing in Paramount pictures, and a famous Russian dancer. "Not so good," says Theodore. Reeve May Succeed Leek as Chief of Coast Advertisers LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10. — W. A. Reeve, associate publicity director at the Famous Players-Lasky studio, is slated to succeed Ray Leek of Metro as president of the Western Motion Picture Advertisers, according to the list of candidates for 1922 filed by the nominating committee. Pete Smith, Marshall Neilan's press representative, is booked for vice-president; Harry Hammond Beall for secretary; Malcolm Stuart Boylan, publicity chief at Universal City, for treasurer. The election will be held within thirty days, the new officers to take office immediately thereafter. So far no insurgent ticket is in the field. Play "Spirit of '76" Again in Court Case (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 10.— The picture. "The Spirit of '76," is figuring in a suit in the first municipal court, Manhattan, in the case of W. B. Northrop versus The All American Photoplays. Inc. The complaint is that James S. Keiley, manager of the picture associated with All American Brokers, had given the plaintiff alleged spurious notes which he had no authority to issue in payment for cutting and editing of the film. The film obtained considerable notoriety when Robert Goldstein, its author and director, was sentenced by the United States government to twelve years in a federal prison under the Espionage act. Linder Recovers Sight (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10.— Max Linder is back at work again, having recovered from the blindness he suffered recently. Fire Causes Alarm (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. Jan. 10.— A fire in Antonio Moreno's dressing room caused a stir at Vitagraph last week. Little damage resulted however.