Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

68 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 25, 1922 Personal Appearance Increases Patronage Selznick Believes Both Star and Theatre Benefit by Visit in Person That the popularity of a star is increased through personal appearances at theatres is the belief of the Selznick organization as the result of personal appearances recently made by Eugene O'Brien. Appears Three Times Daily "Only a few weeks ago, O'Brien went to Detroit and for a full week appeared three times a day at John H. Kunsky's Madison theatre in connection with showings of his starring vehicle 'Chivalrous Charley,' says a statement from Selznick. "O'Brien made the trip to Detroit especially for the purpose of greeting his friends from behind the footlights and it is a matter of record that his audiences were at all times large and enthusiastic. "In the latest issue of Loew's Weekly, the free-distribution tract that Nils T. Granlund issues for patrons of Loew's Greater New York theatres, appears the headline: 'Crowd Tears Buttons Off Gene's Coat.' In the story under that caption Granlund tells of O'Brien's appearance at Loew's Boulevard in conjunction with one of his starring vehicles, where the crowds mobbed the Selznick star and in attempting to force his way through the jam, all the buttons were torn from the sartorially perfect Gene's overcoat.' Had Stage Experience "O'Brien gained extensive experience on the stage before he entered motion pictures. He is credited with doing a good monolog if occasion requires; can make a speech, be comical or serious; recite, act a scene or find impromptu means of entertaining the crowds he attracts. "Thus it is that scarcely a week passes but that O'Brien is called upon for a personal appearance in theatres where his pictures are shown." Lee-Bradford Handling "Determination;" New Series to Be Produced Lee-Bradford Corporation is distributing "Determination," produced by U. S. Moving Picture Corporation, on the state right market. The feature, handled in the Greater New York and Northern New Jersey territory by Elk Photoplay Company, has been presented at a number of Eastern houses, including B. S. Moss' Cameo in New York City. The producing company, James W. Martin, president, announces that owing to the success of this feature arrangements have been made for the production of a series of pictures beginning in May. The company has taken larger headquarters in the Fisk building, 250 West 57th street. New York. Arthur S. Kane Now Playing The Topeka State Journal of February 21 contained the following item in its "25 Years Ago" column, the original having been published February 21, 1897: "Arthur Kane, a young newspaper man of Topeka; will take the part of Horatio in the student presentation of Hamlet to be given at Crawford's Opera House March 1." It seems particularly appropriate that this secret of Arthur Kane's past should be let out just as the new Charles Ray-First National attraction, "The Barnstormer," is being launched. Mr. Ray's press agent appears to have overlooked a bet in neglecting to mention in the catalog of one-time barnstormers the man who presents the present picture star. New Type of Short Reel by Educational Special "How to Grow Thin" to Be Published During Educational Week Educational announces a new type of one-reel special titled "How to Grow Thin." The picture will be ready for bookings through the United States and Canada by April 16, the start of Educational's annual week. Has Comedy Angle The film is a one-reel special production, said to contain both humor and instruction. Its purpose is to give a simple lesson in hygiene, showing how easily one may avoid the unpleasantness and actual danger of superfluous flesh. It is told in story form, with enough good fun to provide as many laughs as the average comedy, it is stated. The story is that of a couple slightly past the age of thirty-five, who have fallen into the habit of settling themselves comfortably in an easy chair after a hearty meal, in which they have eaten unsparingly of the good things that weigh down the American table. Exploitation Possibilities Big The "jolt" comes to the couple when they receive an invitation to a "swell affair," and find that they can no longer get into their evening dress. Then they arc visited by a woman who was a bridesmaid at their wedding, and when they see her just as slender as she was the day of their wedding, they begin to do a little thinking. "How to Grow Thin" offers some of the best exploitation possibilities of any recent picture, says Educational. Binks — He says a $2 investment made his fortune. I can hardly believe that. Jinks — He married a rich widow and the $2, I suppose was for the license. — Pontiac Press. Laemmle on Coast Plans Fall Schedule Universal May Offer Twelve Jewels Next Season — Three Complete Having made plans to publish Priscilla Dean in "Wild Honey" and Harry Carey in "Man to Man" this spring with the possibility of putting out one more Jewel during the summer, Carl Laemmle, now at Universal City, has turned his attention to the production of Jewel pictures for fall. Mr. Laemmle is undecided whether to put out eight or twelve Jewels for the season of 1922-1923, but whether it will be eight or twelve Universal is in a particularly advantageous position so far as the first six are concerned. Three of them are completed and three are either in work or in preparation at Universal City. "The Storm" Completed Those completed ones are: House Peters in "The Storm," a picturized version of Langdon McCormick's and George Broadhurst's New York theatre success. This is Reginald Barker's first production for Universal. Supporting Peters are Matt Moore, Virginia Valli, Josef Swickard, James Alamo, Leonard Clapan, Frank Lanning, Gordon McKee, Jean Perkins. Priscilla Dean in "Lass O'Lowrie's," a picturized version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's story of the Lancashire coal mines. The production was directed by Hobart Henley and prominent in the cast are Robert Ellis, Wallace Beery, Beatrice Berham, Katherine McGuire, Fred Kohler, Frank Lee and Emmet King. Picturize Reid Play "Human Hearts," one of Hal Reid's stage successes. House Peters plays the role of Tom Logan, and others in the cast are Russell Simpson, George Hackthorne, Edith Hallor, Ramsey Wallace, Mary Philbin, Gertrude Claire, and George West. The production was made by King Baggot. The three productions on which work is starting at the present time are: "The Suburban Handicap," based on Charles T. Dazey's stage melodrama. Booth Tarkington's novel, "The Flirt," and Priscilla Dean in "Under Two Flags." Miller Productions at Work on First of Four Independent Photoplays Charles Miller, director and head of Charles Miller Productions Co., has selected the cast for his first independent picture, "The Long, Long Trail," and work on it will be started this week at the Miller Studio, Port Henry, N. Y. The company plans four independent offerings during the coming year. "The Long, Long Trail," a Northwestern story by Jasper Ewing Brady, will be the first. It will feature Earlc Fox. Frank Losee, Fred Benton, Charles Mackey, Harry Lee and "Peggy," a girl of mystery, in whom Mr. Miller believes he has a real find. It is expected that the film will be ready for publication in May, and distribution plans will be announced later. 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