Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

82 EXHIBIT (3 RS HERALD June 24, 1922 Fox Announces 1922-23 Schedule; Plans Comprehensive Advertising William Farnum A schedule of production for 1922-23. exclusive of a long list of specials, is contained in an announcement just issued fro m the New York offices of Fox Film Corporation. The prog r a m displays promising box office attractions which are to be supported by a carefully planned advertising and exploitation campaign. Many innovations in press book, posters, stills, and other forms of paper are being planned by a staff of experts recently enlarged at the company's headquarters. It is said that arrangements are being completed for elabborate provisions of paper for each production r e gardless of its importance i n comparison t o the group of specials. Producing in East Among the Fox stars for the coming season, William Farnum will appear fir--' in "The Miracle Child" now in production in the New York studios under the direction of Herbert Brenon. Tom Mix will make eight pictures, the first of the series being "Just Tony." Shirley Mason This is a story of a horse, and is based on Max Brand's novel, "Alcatras." Tony, the pony known to all Mix fans, is practically a co-star in this picture. Among the plays in which John Gilbert will be seen are "In Calvert's Valley," by Margaret Prescott Montague and directed by Jack Dillon; "The Splendid Outcast," by George Gibbs 'and directed by Jerome Storm; and "Across the' Border." Six Films for Farnum The first of the Charles Jones series of eight is entitled, "West of Chicago." Dustin Farnum will be seen in six pictures including "The One Way Trail" by Kidgwell Cullum and a series of Richard Harding Davis stories, which have been purchased for him. There will be eight Shirley Mason pictures. This dimunitive star will be seen first in "The Little Teacher." William Russell will appear in three pictures among which arc "The Crusader" by Alan Sullivan, and "Mixed Faces" by Roy Norton. Mr. Fox will present a new comedy star, Lupino Lane, the popular British fun-maker who was seen here two seasons ago in "Afgar," and who has been a prime favorite in Europe for a number of years. The first of three Lane comedies is "The Reoorter." Eight For St. John There will also be three comedies presenting Clyde Cook, whose popularity on the screen has been firmly established. Al St. John will appear in eight comedies. The Lee children, Jane and Kathcrine, will appear in a series of fine two-reel comedies. There will be Sunshine comedies, one publisher every other week, and twentysix Mutt and Jeff animated cartoons, and the semi-weekly Fox News. From this list it appears that William Fox will distribute 227 subjects to the public in the season of 1922-23, among which there will be fifty-seven dramatic subjects of major proportion. ENA GREGORY, support of Billy Franey in the comedy series being produced and published by O'Connor Productions. Film Depicting Home Life of Hollywood Is Finished by Caldwell The filming of "Night Life in Hollywood," written and directed by Fred Caldwell, has been completed. The picture is said to embrace a great array of prominent players, combining a story of rural comedy and drama. The homes and home life of many of the greatest celebrities are contained in the production. De Luxe Film Company of which Mrs. A. B. Maescher is president, plans to make about eight productions next year, it is announced, portraying various rural sections of America. Fifth Franey Comedy in Production; O'Connor Leases Plant at Hollywood BILLY FRANEY, starring in two-reel comedies being produced and published by O'Connor Productions. Production on the fifth of the series of two-reel comedies starring Billy Franey, being produced and published by O'Connor Productions is now under way at the Caswell Studios, Hollywood. The working title of the comedy is "A Kissless Bride." Studio Being Rebuilt In order to facilitate production of the comedy series Robert O'Connor has acquired a long term lease on the Caswell studios. Extensive improvements, calling for an expenditure of $40,000, consisting of new buildings, office structures, mechanical devices and complete modern equipment arc being made at the plant. Ward Hayes, who directed the Morris R. Schlank series of Broadway comedies is directing Franey in his films. The comedies are for state-right publication direct to exchanges from the company's studios. Able Support for Franey I m inded in the list of players supporting Franey are Gale Henry, well known comedy player. Vera Reynolds, former Christie comedy star and Ena Gregory, Australian prize winning beauty. These players will form the principal support of Franey throughout tinentire series. An eight page press and exploitation book, which compares favorably with publications of this sort issued on feature pictures has been completed. According to ]•'. E. Samuels these will be supplied in quantity to buyers of the Franey comedies, and will be accompanied by'a supplemental press sheet lor each production. Will Visit Exchanges Mr. Samuels will spend six weeks at the company's eastern office, 220 West Forty-Second street after which he will make a tour covering the mid-western and southern territories. State rights buyers of the Billy Franey comedies are promised an advertising campaign of considerable proportion to reach exhibitors of America, it is announced bv Gus Schumacher, general manager of O'Connor Productions.