Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

62 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 11, 1922 One of the tense scenes from the Goldwyn picture "Broken Chains," the story of which won a prize of $10,000 for its author in a scenario contest conducted by The Chicago Daily News. Big Success Reported For "East Is West" on Test Runs at Theatres Constance Talmadge in "East is West." a First National Attraction, is scoring a tremendous success in test runs throughout the country, according to First National. The test runs system is a method adopted by First National for determining the exhibition value of a picture. "East is West" played to standing room for one week at the Rivoli theatre, Baltimore, and proprietor Guy L. Wonders extended the run for a second week. At the Des Moines theatre. Des Moines, Iowa, the following report on it was received at the office of First National: "'East is West' opened Des Moines Theatre with holdout at seven o'clock. Lock out as early as this has not occurred in this theatre during any previous engagement this year." Famous Novel Bought by Mayer for All Star Film Paying what is reported to be the record high price of the year, Louis B. Mayer has purchased the screen rights to the Blanche Upright novel, "The Valley of Content," for production as an allstar special by Reginald Barker. Dedicated to Marjorie Rambeau, the book is now in its tenth edition. It will be Mr. Barker's second picture for Louis B. Mayer, following his production of "Hearts Aflame," in which Frank Kernan and Anna Q. Nilsson played the leading roles. Hatton Starts New Film Production has been started at Fine Arts studio by Dick Hatton. Western characters star, of "Playing Double," a narrative of the plains from the pen of J. Stewart Woodhouse. Dick Rush is directing it. It is for distribution by Western Pictures Exploitation Company. Many Territories Sold On "Flesh and Blood" Sixty per cent of the total rights in this country to the Lon Chaney special, "Flesh and Blood," have been sold, according to Irving Lesser, Eastern manager of Principal Pictures Company, which also includes Sol Lesser and Michael Rosenberg. The following exchanges have purchased rights in their respective territories: Commonwealth Pictures Corporation. New York City; First National, Chicago; Eastern Feature Film Corporation. Boston; Standard Film Service Company, Cleveland; Midwest Distributing Company. Milwaukee; Enterprise Distributing Company. Atlanta; Enterprise Distributing Company. Dallas; Enterprise Distributing Company, New Orleans; Enterprise Distributing Company. Oklahoma City; Enterprise Distributing Company. St. Louis; Enterprise Distributing Company, Kansas City; Enterprise Distributing Company, Omaha; De Luxe Feature Film Company, Seattle; H. Lieber Company, Indianapolis; All Star Feature Distributors, Inc., San Francisco; All-Star Feature Distributors of Los Angeles, and Strand Film Service of Washington, D. C. Foreign Competition Not Serious in Latin Nations John L. Day, South American representative of the foreign department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, has' returned from a three months visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he made arrangements for increased Paramount distribution during the coming vear. According to his report to E. E. Shauer the Paramount offices in Rio de Janeiro and San Paulo were found to be in flourishing condition, and business of the last year has shown an important increase over the preceding year, he reports. Prospects for the new year arc unusually bright, according to Mr. Day. Foreign competition has made no serious inroads upon the market for the best American productions, in his opinion, and will not do so in the future unless American standards lapse. Gibson Making New Film "Kindled Courage" is Edward Gibson's latest starring vehicle at Universal City, which William Worthington is directing. Beatrice Burnham returns to the Universal fold for this picture. European Audiences Like Baby Peggy Comedies Is Finding of Julius Stern Describing the comedy field in Europe Julius Stern, president of Century Film Corporation, who recently returned from abroad, declared "that while the European idea of farce would never take in this country, yet our American comedies appeal to their sense of humor. "I refer particularly to Baby Peggy," said Mr. Stern, "whose releases play to big houses not only in England, but in France and in Germany, where she has received notices worthy of a dramatic star. They have never seen the humorous possibilities of a child that age depicted in family scenes of ordinary life. My plans for the coming season include besides the Baby Peggy Century special productions, and the animal plays, a series of all-star comedies in which every one of the actors will be a featured clever player and each one will have an equal chance. I am having special tworeel scripts, which are little stories with a well-defined plot, written for these all-star casts and I intend to produce a series of twelve of them." "Enemies of Women" Unit Finishes Work in France The company which has been in France for the last six weeks working on the exterior scenes of the Cosmopolitan picturization of Blasco Ibanez's story, "The Enemies of Women," finished work last week and sailed for home on October 25. The exteriors of the picture were taken amidst the very scenes in Paris, Nice and Monte Carlo, where the author located his story. As soon as the company arrives back in the United States the picture will be finished in the Cosmopolitan studios here. Alan Crosland is directing it with Lionel Barrymore. Alma Rubens and Pedro de Cordoba in the cast. Bebe Daniels Given Lead In Edith Wharton Story Paramount is completing its preparations for the production of "The Glimpses of the Moon," the novel by Edith Wharton, which is rated among the three best sellers of current fiction. Alan Dwan will direct and Bebe Daniels will play the leading feminine role. Fdfrid Bingham has completed the scenario. Nita Naldi has been chosen for one of the leading roles and with the arrival of Miss Daniels from the west coast the complete cast will be named. Make Neilan Film Abroad Marshall Neilan's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," the Thomas Hardy novel which will be made in association with Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, will be filmed in England and at Goldwyn's studio in Culver City. Frank Urson, staff director for Mr. Neilan, David Kesson, camera man, and other members of the company, have sailed for England to take some of the scenes in the natural locale. Acquires Equity Special Equity Pictures Corporation has signed contracts whereby their special production, "What's Wrong With the Women," will be distributed throughout western Pcnnsylvania and West Virginia by the Supreme Photoplays Productions, First National Bank building, Pittsburgh, Pa.