Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

(>8 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 4, 1922 EUGENE O'BRIEN in three scenes from "The Prophet's Par adise," a new Selznick production directed by Alan Crosland. Sigrid Holmquist, the "Swedish Mary Pickford," appears opposite O'Brien. Third of O'Brien Series Scheduled For Selznick Distribution Feb. 10 The third picture in the Eugene O'Brien series, "The Prophet's Paradise," is scheduled for distribution February 10. Sigrid Holmquist is cast in the leading feminine support to the Selznick star in the production which was directed by Alan Crosland. Lewis Allen Browne's scenario was based on a Red Book story by C. S. Montague that furnishes a colorful vista of Turkish life with adventures centering in Constantinople. Has Slave-Mart Scene "The Prophet's Paradise" gets its title from a fictitious slave-mart invented by Turkish crooks as a means of robbing American tourists. O'Brien plays the role of a Yankee traveler disguised as a Turkish prince, who goes to the crooks' retreat and rescues an American heiress who has been kidnaped by the schemers and made the chief character in a slavesale. Sigrid Holmquist, who is O'Brien's leading woman and the object of the hero quest and adventures, played at Fort Lee, N. J., in the production last summer before starting work on her second picture in America. She has previously played the leading role in Cosmopolitan's current picture, "Just Around the Corner," which has served to intro duce the Swedish actress to fans of America. Players in Cast "The Prophet's Paradise," it is pointed out, will have an advertising feature in both the star and his leading woman. The supporting players in the production are: Arthur Housman, Bigelow Cooper. Arthur Donaldson, Joseph Burke and Nora Booth, all having personal followings through previous appearances on the screen. Clark-Cornelius Has New Franchise Plan Rollo Says Exchanges Are Enthusiastic Over Proposition S. J. Rollo, general manager of ClarkCornelius Corporation, in marketing the twenty-four pictures which that company is issuing this year has developed a franchise proposition for exchanges which, according to his statement, is entirely different from any of the plans before offered state right buyers. Is Along New Lines "We feel that we have developed a plan that is worthy of the name of franchise," says Mr. Rollo. "It is along an entirely different line of procedure than any that has been put forth in the business and does not work any hardship on the exchange. "It's greatest value, we believe, lies in its simplicity. None of the exchanges with whom we have entered into the franchise agreement has found anything lacking in the plan, but have accepted it with a great deal of enthusiasm. Consider Present Conditions "In developing this marketing arrangement, we had in mind the present conditions, the requirements of the exchanges and the theatres and accordingly made it as easy as possible for an exchange to work with us." Made Assistant Director Willy Wyler, for over a year in charge of Universal's foreign publicity department in New York, has been sent to Universal City, by Carl Laemmle, to act as assistant director. Gunning Gives Time To Production Work Turns Sales Matters Over to Associates — Is Selecting Features With Wid Gunning giving his personal attention to production, important announcements in this direction will soon be forthcoming from the Gunning organization according to Robert E. Welsh. Mr. Gunning has, for some time past, been devoting his energies to the building up of the sales machine. With his relinquishment of these duties, however, he expects to go actively into production matters, leaving the sales end to his associates. Views Productions "Now that Wid Gunning has completed his reorganization work he has been able to devote his time in the selection of productions," says Mr. Welsh. "He has been spending practically every evening for some weeks past in the projection room viewing productions which have been submitted. "Certain subjects have been selected for Spring publication which will be announced in the near future. Aiding Independents "In conjunction with this work Mr. Gunning has been actively engaged in association with banking interests in New York and California arranging for the financing of independent directors. Under arrangements being worked out these directors would be, in every way their own bosses. "The financial interests, which are becoming particularly interested in financing independent productions, have turned to Wid Gunning because of the efficient and sound sales plan he has put into operation for the Wid Gunning organization and because of his years of experience in the business." Comedy Drama Is Latest Arliss Starring Feature George Arliss, inimitable character actor, will be seen in a comedy-drama role in "The Ruling Passion," his latest screen production, and second of the Arliss features for United Artists. "The Ruling Passion" was adapted from a story by Earl Derr Higgers called "Idle Hands" and published last summer in the Saturday Evening Post. Fish Contracts from River Bed Three contracts which have been reposing on the bottom of the Columbia river for some time have been received at Goldwyn's Seattle exchange, calling for the company's entire output of fifth year photoplays. The documents were on the Northern Pacific train No. 27 which plunged into the river early in December. They recently were fished out, along with other mail, and forwarded to the Seattle exchange. After being thoroughly dried, the writing was still found to be legible, and showed that the applications were from the Rex theatre, Bonners Ferry, Idaho; Liberty theatre at Kalispell, and the Rialto theatre, Whitefish, Mont.