Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

64 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 25. 1922 Bigger and Better Films at Lowest Rental Possible, Is Pyramid Policy Pyramid Pictures, Inc., has announced plans for bigger and better pictures, whereby the exhibitor can be given a maximum product at the lowest possible rental. With this new policy is announced a plan of financing whereby the company's product will be jointly owned, the profits being equitably divided. The Pyramid plan of finance, according to President Walter E. Greene, eliminates control by Wall street. Under this plan syndicate units are sold to the public at $100 each, unit holders to share in the distribution of profit after production and distributing costs have been deducted. Divide Profits 50-50 It is said that no profits are divided between Pyramid and syndicate holders until at least 100 cents on the dollar have been repaid to the investor. Then the profits are divided 50 per cent to the investor and 50 per cent to the company. Pyramid states that the best proof of the stability of the plan is evidenced by t he large number of exhibitors who have invested in the profit-sharing units and are booking all of the company's product. Promises Sixteen Films President Greene points out that the short-time investment made by the general public to become partners in Pyramid allows the investor to re-invest in one picture after another. Pyramid will publish sixteen productions during the current year. "My Old Kentucky Home," directed by Ray C. Smallwood, has been completed and is ready for distribution. Production has commenced on "The Queen of the Moulin Rouge," also being directed by Smallwood, and "The Mayor's Wife," starring Betty Blvthe and directed by Kenneth Webb. Miss Holmquist Sails In "My Old Kentucky Home" are such players as Monte Blue, Arthur Carew, Matthew Betz, Frank Currier, Billy Quirk. Sigrid Holmquist, Lucy Fox and Julia Swayne Gordon. Following the completion of this picture Miss Holm quist returned to Sweden for a six weeks' visit. Prior to her departure on the Aquitania Miss Holmquist said: "I am going away for six weeks and I trust that before I return that the American people will forget my title: The Swedish Mary Pickford and remember me just as Sigrid Holmquist. I more than admire the work of Miss Pickford, but I think it unfair to her to have her name used in conjunction with any other star." Vitagraph Acquires Big French Picture "The Sheik's Wife" Filmed in Algeria — Directed by Roussell Vitagraph has acquired the American rights to one of the biggest French motion picture productions ever made, according to an announcement by Albert E. Smith, president of the company. This is "The Sheik's Wife," the scenes of which were filmed in Algeria. This production is the first outside independent production which Vitagraph has contracted to distribute, although its executives have looked at hundreds of film possibilities, domestic and foreign, with a view to marketing through Vitagraph exchanges if, in the opinion of Vitagraph officials, they were good enough and big enough. Many Unique Shots Made "The Sheik's Wife," by its very nature, il is said, would have been next to impossible to film to the best advantage in this country. A large troupe of players and technical men made the voyage from Marseilles to Algiers, and then made the journey to the deserts of the interior, first jy train and then by caravan. On the wide Sahara a countless number of beautiful and unique shots were made. All of the extra and a few of the important roles were played by natives. Marcel Vibert in Lead The highest artistry of France was injected into the picture, it is said. Henri Roussell, long identified with the stage and screen, directed the production. The role of the Sheik Hadjid»Bcn Khcdim is assumed by Marcel Vibert of the Comedie Francaise. The leading feminine role is played by a youthful actress, Emmy Lynn. "The Sheik's Wife" has been described as a 100 per cent showman's picture. Many of the scenes are spectacular in the extreme, it is said. The dashing maneuvering of the native cavalry is colorful. There an interesting scenes in the luxurious interiors of the ten harems. " The Sheik's Wife" has already scored an immense success on the continent, according to reports. SEENA OWEN and J. Barney Sherry as they appear in a scene from "Back Pay," a Cosmopolitan-Paramount picture Laemmle in Chicago Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Film Mfg. Company, arrived in Chicago Saturday, Feb. 11, to attend the opening of "Foolish Wives" at the Roosevelt theatre. He returned to New York on Sunday night. JACK MULHALL leading man in "Turn to the Right," the new Rex Ingram production, which Metro is now distributing. Selig Succeeds in Third Attempt to Film Thriller For "The Jungle Goddess" Col. William N. Selig, producer of "The Jungle Goddess," wild animal serial, has successfully completed the making of one of the most daring stunts in the serial. The story called for a fight in mid-air in a speeding airplane between the pilot and two leopards. Several attempts to stage this thrill for the camera had previously met with failure. In one of the attempts, one of the leopards, frightened by the deafening roar of the airplane motor, clawed and ripped the linen off the wings and fuselage of the plane. The third time^ the two planes took to the air the leopards were invisibly strapped to the struts. Elinor Field and Truman Van Dyke, co-stars, then took their cues and the fight in the air was caught by the camera from an airplane circling above. Burston to Make Series Of Specials During Year Louis Burston will make a series of new special productions during the year. The first of these is now under production with Garrcth Hughes and Bessie Love in the leading roles, which VV. S. Van Dyke is directing. The film is from a story by Henry R. Symonds and John B. Clymer. As yet no publication channel has been decided upon for the productions, it is stated. Pacific Film to Publish Two Features in February Pacific Film Company announces that it will place two features on the independent market during the current month. One of these is "The Abie-Minded Lady, starring Henry B. Walthall. The second is "The Girl From Rocky Point," featuring ()ra Carew. . According to John J. Haynes several new productions will be started shortly.