Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

January 21, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 55 Hodkinson Plans Extensive Sales Drive on "Light in the Clearing" Changes Are Announced in Personnel of Company's Home Office and Branch Forces— Kilgour Sales Manager in New York Frank Keenan Stars In Tourneur Picture "Lorna Doone" Scheduled As Producer's Initial First National Feature "Lorna Doone," one of the most popular and enduring novels of English literature, will be Maurice Tourneur's initial production for Associated First National. For the past ten months, preparations have been under way for the screening of R. D. Blackmore's classic. Many of the most spectacular scenes of the story have been filmed, several thousand feet for the prologue having been made early this summer. Arrangements for the filming of the remainder of the drama are so far perfected that Mr. Tourneur expects to complete the entire picture within the next two months. Keenan Again in Pictures Frank Keenan, noted dramatic star of both silent and spoken drama, will return to the studio stage after an absence of many months as "Sir Ensor Doone," the picturesque chief of "those Doones of Bagworthy Forest." Madge Bellamy has been selected for the title role of "Lorna Doone." For the role of "John Ridd," the 6talwart hero of the novel, Mr. Tourneur has chosen John Bowers, popular leading man. Tourneur Is Directing Mr. Tourneur is actively directing every scene of the story. Scott R. Beal, president of the Assistant Director's Association, is acting as the director's assistant. The production will be published by Associated First National, probably in the late spring, as a special. Main Headquarters of Sunburst Pictures Are Opened at Springfield Sunburst Pictures Corporation recently organized in Massachusetts has opened main offices in Springfield at 360 Worthington street. Albert W. Plummer, director of productions and president of the company, is acting as manager. Clarence A. Phinney, formerly with Universal on the Coast, is assistant director. Maurice B. Townsend is treasurer. The first picture to be produced will be "Sands of Humanity," on which work will be started soon. The script, written by J. Herbert Dodge of the Boston Herald, is based on the argument of the new woman's demand for freedom in choosing her mate. The company plans to build a studio in Springfield. For the present scenes will be taken on location. Arrow Publicity Book to Aid Picture Exploitation Arrow Film Corporation announces that a publicity campaign book on "Ten Nights in a Barroom" is ready and will reach exchanges, exhibitors and others interested soon. The book contains some of the exploitation experience gained at Providence, R. I., where the picture was subjected to what is generally regarded as a try-out. The picture is to be presented at Reading, Pa., on January 9. and thereafter at Chester, Pa., and many other cities in the territory. Andrew W. Smith, Jr., sales manager of W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, announces that plans have been perfected for an extensive sales drive for the week of Lincoln's birthday on "The Light in the Clearing," a Dial Film Company production. This Irving Bacheller opus is considered by many as a typical story of Lincoln's ideals and achievements, personified by the character of Joe Wright. Managers Forecast Success Branch managers have indicated to the home office that every available print would be called into action during the special week. Early bookings received on the picture are: Orpheum theatre, Flint, Mich., for entire week beginning February 12; Riviera, La Crosse, Wis., four days beginning on February 12; Lyric, Lima, O., four days beginning on February 12, and New theatre, Troy, N. Y., February 13, 14 and 15. Kilgour Is Promoted Addition to the home office and branch forces of the company also are rumored. One of the first important promotions from the ranks for several months is the assignment of Fred A. Kilgour, former salesman in the Brooklyn and Long Island territory, to the position of branch sales manager of the New York exchange. Mr. Kilgour has been identified with the motion picture industry since he first started his business career. He was employed by the old General Film company a number of years ago as manager of tht stock and supply department, but later left the distributing end to engage in the exhibiting field on Long Island where he operated his own theatre for more than four years. After that he returned to General Film in the Long Island territory. Later he was with Universal in the Brooklyn territory and Yitagraph in the same district. Engage Realart Man Announcement is made of the appointment of L. W. Kniskern, formerly manager of the contract department of Realart Pictures Corporation, to become manager of the contract bureau in the Hodkinson home office. Mr. Kniskern has been identified with the motion picture industry for the past seven or eight years. He was a member of the Paramount office in Pittsburgh when Paramount was in the state rights field. In 1918 Mr. Kniskern left the exchange business and purchased a theatre, which he operated until the time Realart was formed, when he sold his theatre and came to New York to organize the contract department for Realart. Select Arliss Film Title "The Ruling Passion" has been selected by Distinctive Productions, Inc., and its star, George Arliss, for the new Arliss production which will be distributed by I'nited Artists. MARION DAVIES and the Christmas doll, which the Cosmopolitan star auctioned off in New York, on which she raised $1,400 for poor children. Wing Carver, son of H. P. Carver, general manager of Cosmopolitan Productions is holding the doll. Others in the group are (left to right) : James Sayles, advertising manager; Luther Reed, scenario writer; H. P. Carver, general manager; William LeBaron, editor scenario department.