Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

anuary 28, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 71 VIOLA DAXA IN" THE FOURTEENTH LOVER (METRO) ix reels of close-ups of Viola Dana, with Jack Mulhall, Kate Lester, Theodore von Eltz, Albert Lee and Frederick Vroom appearing at intervals between said closeups. Directed by Harry Beaumont from a story by Alice D. G. Miller. There was hardly sufficient material in •liss Miller's story to make an interestng five reel screen comedy-drama, but vith the aid of a good cameraman, some >retty backgrounds and unlimited celluotd, Metro has turned out a six reeler tarring Viola Dana. As stated above, t is mostly Miss Dana in many fetching white gowns, doing her usual cute tricks, nessing around the kitchen, and mussing ip a good looking boy's hair. 1 Jack Mulhall is cast as a handsome 3Ut exceedingly stupid gardener, who supports an aged mother by trimming wealthy people's bushes. Miss Dana is v'i Marchmont, daughter of the wealthy Mr. Marchmont, played by Fred Vroom, md Mulhall is Richard Hardy, the garlener. Alberta Lee is Mrs. Hardy, his -nother, Kate Lester is Aunt Letitia, and Theodore von Eltz is Clyde Van Ness, a iuitor for Vi's hand. Vi, having grown weary of her thirteen some-picked suitors, turns to Dick Hardy, he gardener, but he has no use for society, ladies who cannot cook or sew. She throws herself at his feet, then learns :o cook to please him, but he is unimpressed. Her society friends lie about Hardy and she goes to his home and compels him to keep her there all night ;o that he will be forced to marry her. It all ends happily when Hardy "consents." Some of the titles are amusing. GLADYS WALTON IX THE WISE KID (UNIVERSAL) A refreshing little comedy drama that will give entire satisfaction. Detail work of both producer and players is excellent. Universal sets a new mark in comedy production with this one. Directed by Tod Browning. Five reels. We predict a big measure of success for "The Wise Kid." It is one of those whimsical, deftly made and highly amusing comedy-dramas that the majority of picture-goers like. It gives Miss Walton 'additional opportunities to display her talents and in selecting the cast Tod Browning, or whoever is responsible for this part of the picture, knew his business. David Butler plays Jimmy Smith, a bakery boy with fine understanding; Hallam Cooley is Harry Thome, alias Jefferson Southwick, a bogus wealthy youth, and Henry R. Barrow and C. Norman Hameron are in the cast. Gladys Walton plays the role of Rosie Cooper, cashier in a restaurant, in an appealing light-spirited manner that certainly gets the effect she aims for. Rosie Cooper is in love with Jimmy Smith, but when she helps out a customer, Jefferson Southwick. who has forgotten his pocketbook, Jimmy becomes jealous. Southwick poses as the DAVID BUTLER, in a scene from "The Milky Way," a Louis Burston production, being distributed by Western Pictures Exploitation Co. son of a wealthy merchant, but when they discover his accounts short, he borrows a hundred dollars from Rosie, and attempts to run away. She is too smart for him. however, and he lands in jail, Rosie gets her money back and is content to accept the attentions of Jimmy, who is honest even if he is poor. An entertaining little yarn, well staged and photographed and containing some well written subtitles. AN IDLE ROOMER (UNIVERSAL) This Century Comedy, starring Harry Sweet, is as full of laughs as an alley dog is of fleas. It is one of those boarding house mixups that keeps you on the qui vive to see what happens next. Sweet is cast as a bachelor who cooks his meals on a trick gas stove in his room. It looks like a talking machine but isn't. A rival mixes dynamite in his pancake dough and the batter finally explodes and blows him up. The business of the bubbles floating around and exploding is extremely funny and well managed. A good comedy for any house. Service Record to Aid Universal Employes in Attaining Advancement Julius Stern, second vice-president of Universal, has appointed Zion Myers, his secretary, personnel adjutant of Universal City, commissioning him to compile an accurate service record of every employe. The information will be used for the advancement of workers at Universal City and for reassigning men. who, by reason of experience and aptitude, are fitted for positions of more importance. Myers will handle the matter much as it was practiced in the United States army. Preliminary forms have been prepared which will give a brief outline of the individual's experience and education. Joins" Gunning Home Office Harry McDonald, for the past several years associated with the Fox Circuit of theatres, has joined the Wid Gunning organization in New York City. Showing of Film at Naval College Urged Admiral Sims Gets Report on Showing of Picture at Annapolis Following the special showing of the three-reel picture, "The Battle of Jutland," at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and at the Marine Barracks in Washington, Rear Admiral William S. Sims, hero of the World War and now president of the Naval War College at Newport, R. I., has requested a showing of this historical subject at the War College. Admiral Sims requested a report from the officers at Annapolis following the presentation of the film before the officers and students there, and after receiving the report, wrote requesting a showing before the War College class. Rush Work on Prints "I have received reports from officers who have seen the film showing that it would be highly desirable to arrange for an exhibition of it before the present class," said the Admiral. "We would be delighted to have the privilege of viewing this most interesting subject." Work on the prints of the picture is being rushed to completion at the laboratories of Coronet Films Corporation at Providence, R. I. Much tedious work had to be done on the prints, such as the painting by hand of every frame in 200 feet of the picture, requiring an unusually long time and a great amount of labor by a large force to prepare the picture for distribution. Will Be Available Soon All prints are expected to be shipped to the exchanges within a few days, however, so that one of the two English prints from which much of the work was done, will be a%ailable. One of these will be sent to the Naval War College. "The Battle of Jutland" is the first special subject to be published by Educational Film Exchanges in 1922. Three Territories Buy Carnival Comedy Series Carnival comedies is the name that has been given to the new series of two reel comedies obtained by C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation for state right distribution. They feature Polly Moran and "Smiling" Bill Jones. Since the announcement of the series recently, the comedies have been contracted for by Masterpiece Film Attractions, Philadelphia; Federated Film Exchange of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and M3"riad Pictures Corporation for the New York territory "Nell's Busted Romance," featuring Polly Moran, will be the initial publication. Newspaperman Appointed Theatre Publicity Head Norman E. Beck, for the past two years dramatic editor of the Salt Lake Telegram, has been appointed director of publicity and exploitation for the Swanson Theatre Circuit, operating the American and Gem theatres in Salt Lake City and the Elk theatre at Rexburg. Idaho. Mr. Beck came to Salt Lake City two years ago from the Northwest where he had been previously active in publicity and theatrical circles.