Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

48 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 4, 1922 Theatre Review of Griffith's 4 'One Exciting Night" New Picture Is Great in a Way Different From Previous Work of Distinguished Producer By JOHN S. SPARGO NEW YORK, October 24.— D. W. Griffith's latest production, "One Exciting Night," which was given its metropolitan premiere last night at the Apollo theatre, is a great picture — great in a way different from previous product of the genius of the great director. Marked by the absence of mobs, costumes and big sets, "One Exciting Night" is a mystery crime story told so skillfully as to make every moment of its unfolding a tense, gripping one. n/~\NE Exciting Night" has every in predominates, melodrama is there. A gredient that goes to make for strong and most delightful love story real audience appeal. While mystery is interwoven, and such comedy as MONEY MA Which Have Been Exhibitors to Build By T. E. EDMUNDSON (Lyric Theatre, Grangeville, Idaho) As a money making idea I submit : "THE FASHION SHOW" The Fashion Show has proven to be one of my best bets. Draws better than any feature, and the cost is comparatively nil, as all you need is a fairly good program feature. The merchant really does all the advertising, and you take in the money. I put this on twice a year, in the spring and fall. The ladies come to see the pretty things and the men to get an eyeful. This will bring them in, whether they like pictures or not. It can be worked in any small town large enough to support a picture show. Try it once and you will be surprised at the result. I use six or eight young ladies for the models and they make three changes. Run the show for about 30 minutes. Be sure and get girls from the best families in town. They all like to wear the new togs. Now for the benefit of my brother exhibitors who have never seen a style show, I will tell you how I pulled my last one — a week ago, although I put it on differently each time. Have a small stage in my theatre 12x16, with screen in rear. Made a frame 3x6 feet, which I painted gilt, fixed boards at bottom so it could ' I N G IDEAS sed Successful ly by Up Their Patronage be moved, and yet set upright on stage, hanging small portieres in rear. Immediately after first show dropped front curtain placed frame about three feet in front of screen, brought in wings so as to close up stage in front of screen, then as curtain is rolled up, portieres are drawn aside with strings and you turn on the spot stopped to just fill the frame, after model steps down in front, turn on stage lights, and she walks around to appropriate dreamy music. The merchant has a lady announce the styles as they appear. By R. V. ERK (Temple Theatre, Ilion, N. Y.) We recently tied up with the local merchants in giving a fashion show. They used products of their own stock and local models and created a lot of interest. W e gave them' twenty minutes to use as they wanted to and all we furnished was a spotlight and an operator. This was run in connection with our regular shows and created a lot of good will between the merchants and the theatre as well as doing greater capacity business. It is late to follow this for fall showing but it has paved the way for a twice a year fashion show for us. It does not cost very much and benefits everyone. It is well worth staging. The Cast Agnes Harrington ....Carol Dempster John Fairfax Henry Hull J. Wilson Rockmaine Morgan Wallace The neighbor C. H. Crocker-King Romeo Washington Porter Strong The detective Frank Sheridan Mrs. Harrington Margaret Dale Samuel Jones Frank Wunderlee Auntie Fairfax Grace Griswold The maid Irma Harrison Clary Johnson Herbert Sutch The butler percy Carr Griffith was never suspected of heing able to conceive produces mirth at times, almost convulsing. The action of the story is in the hands of an excellent cast headed by Carol Dempster, who does exceptionally clever work as Agnes Harrington. Her work in the storm scene, when in pursuit of the mysterious villain she almost meets disaster only to be rescued by the hero, John Fairfax (Henry Hull), is most unusual and presents the talents of this capable young actress in a new light. No Griffith production would be complete without at least one big spectacular scene and in "One Exciting Night" this is provided in true Griffith manner. With the hurricane which swept New York last June, tearing down many huge trees in the near vicinity of his studio at Mamaroneck, as his inspiration. Mr. Griffith has woven into the picture a storm scene such as never before portraved on the screen. Huge trees are uprooted, their branches flying through the air across a background of driving, pelting rain, with lightning flashes illuminating the thrilling scene and lending weirdness and vivid realness that onlv a master craftsman could picture. The wonder of that storm scene leaves the spectators gasping in excitement, and provides the element which solves the mysterv of the unknown villain at the same time bringing to fruition the love story of the heroine and hero. "One Exciting Night" is a story of a night of mysterv. written by Trene Sinclair, a young Kentucky author. * * * The prelude is laid in a South African camp where a baby is born, her mother dving as she receives news of the death of the father and is left by an uncle in care of an unscrupulous woman that he might claim the large fortune which is the baby's. Two murders are committed and in trying to run down the murderer everyone is suspected. Bootleggers enter into the scene. A search for booty is made by several men. this having been hidden in the house by one of the murdered. Search for the girl to restore her inheritance is also involved. A love story of a negro "Romeo" bv Porter Strong furnishes the comedv relief. All in all "One Exciting Night" should nrove a big money maker for any exhibitor. Open Boston Exchange To Handle Warner Film (Special to Exhibitors Herald) BOSTON, MASS., Oct. 24— Franklin Film Company has opened its exchange here and will handle the seven productions of Warner Brothers. Sam F. Morris, an executive of the Warner organization, attended the opening, as did scores of exhibitors in the New Fngland territory.