Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

46 KXHIBITORS HERALD September 23, 1922 Jones' New Comedy On Pathe's Program Company Announces Other Publications on List for September 24 Johnny Jones in the two-reel comedy, "For Rent — Haunted," heads Pathe's schedule of publications for September 24. Juvenile business efficiency with a comic twist enlivens the action in these two reels, as in the highly successful "Supply and Demand" and "Makin' Movies," which had their premiere on Broadway at the Capitol theatre. In "For Rent — Haunted," the young star, supported by little Gertrude Messinger and a capable cast of children and grownups, puts through an ingenious scheme to win a fat commission by renting a "haunted house" for a skinflint landlord who has evicted the lovable old lady who had made the place her home for years. By doing some expert "haunting" themselves as an object lesson they get a good tenant, solve the problems ot the old lady and give the skinflint landlord a terrible jolt. Other Films Listed The eleventh episode of "The Timber Queen," entitled "The Runaway Engine," will also be published on that date as will be "Screen Snapshots" No. 9; Pathe Review No. 174, photographic gems; "Soak the Sheik," with Paul Parrot, a Hal Roach comedy; Harold Lloyd is at his best im the single-reeler re-issue "Two Scrambled"; with "Snub" Pollard and Bebe Daniels. The Aesop's Film Fables called "Two Slick Traders"; Pathe News Nos. 78 and 79, and Topics of the Day, No. 39. Cameraman on Tour Editor Emmanuel Cohen of Pathe News corroborates the statement that Cameraman Thomas Baltzell continues with the Lieutenant Hinton party flying to Brazil, as the motion picture maker of ."The Log of the SC-2" — as the new seaplane has been officially designated. These pictures of land scenes along the route of the flight and of events aboard the plane will be screened in regular issues of Pathe News as fast as the film is received at the New York headquarters. Christie Comedy Gets Big Play in Omaha Newspaper The Omaha Daily News made a big exploitation display on the Christie comedy, "That Son of a Sheik," first picture in the new series of comedies through Educational Film Exchanges, when it played at the Strand theatre, where Harry B. Watts is manager. The Omaha News display, which was two-thirds of its daily pictorial pink section, breaks records for publicity on a two-reel comedy, and wa^s arranged by Neal Jones, managing editor, and Motion Picture Editor Landale. Jane Novak Stars in' New Film on F. B. O. Program "The Snow Shoe Trail," a Chester Bennett production starring Jane Novak, is the current attraction offered by Film Booking Offices of America, the picV're, being scheduled for mid-September publication. "The Snow Shoe Trail" is the third of the F. B. O. "Box Office Ten" with which that company is opening the Fall season. It is said to be a story of the Northwest which combines a goodly number of society scenes in the earlier reels Roy Stewart plays the leading male role. Says Laugh Is Worth $5,000 Some one asked Tom Geraghty, chief supervising director of Paramount pictures at the Long Island studio what was the most important thing in a motion picture. The answer was quick and to the point — a laugh. "We figure," explained Geraghty, "that a laugh is worth $5,000 so the more laughs we can pack into six reels of film the more valuable picture we have. "When a scenario writer or director comes across a good funny situation there is much elation. There is a saying around the studio that a laugh a day keeps failure away. No matter how many faults a picture may have, if it has the quality of humor it is fairly certain to be well received by the public." Paramount Has^New List Well Under Way Productions for Publication Starting February Are Being Announced Paramount production plans are well advanced for the second six months' product which comprises new pictures not included in the company's announcement of its "first fortyone." The fourth of the new productions on the schedule for publication starting in February has been announced. It will be George Melford's production nf the well-known Joseph Hergesheimer story, "Java ( Head." George Melford Future Films Picked The three other productions on Paramount's February publication list will be Pola Negri in "Bella Donna," production of which is ready to be started; "His American Wife," starring Gloria Swanson, now under way by Director Sam Woods, and "Sacrifice" by Stephen French, which Charles Maigne is directing with Mary Miles Minter as the star. Other productions announced by Jesse L. Lasky on the West Coast are Betty Compson in 'The White Flower," and Wallace Reid in "The Covered Wagon," with more to lie expected almost daily. "First Forty-one" Ready With this running start on its new productions, nearly six months in advance of possible publication dates, Paramount offers no sign of abatement of the high-geared production schedule on which the plans for the "First Forty-one" were launched last March. As for the "First Forty-one" with the exceptions of "The Spanish Cavalier," starring Rodolph Valentino, which is not published until January 15, and "Back Home and Broke," a Thomas Meighan picture scheduled for December 2;">, every one of these pictures scheduled to the first of February is either completed and ready for publication or is now in work. This list does not include the Cosmopolitan productions, which are delivered on contract for publication through Paramount exchanges. Famous Stage Play Acquired for Metro "The Famous Mrs. Fair" to Be Made Under Direction Of Fred Niblo "The Famous Mrs. Fair," the drama which was one of the outstanding hits of the New York stage two seasons ago, has been purchased for production as a motion picture, to be directed by Fred Niblo and published by Metro Pictures Corporation. It will be the second of a series of four photoplays, presented by Louis B. Mayer, which Mr. Niblo will direct for distribution by Metro. Start "Captain Applejack" This announcement follows closely upon a previous one concerning the purchase of the screen rights of the current theatrical hit, "Captain Applejack," as the first of this series of special productions. Mr. Niblo recently returned to Los Angeles after a brief visit to New York which he made for the purpose of viewing the stage production of the Walter Hackett Play, upon which actual studio work has since been begun. The purchase of those two famous stage successes is indication of the intention of the producers of this series to utilize stories for screen plays, only those of proven merit as dramatic material, to direct them with the experienced artistry of one of the most notable figures in motion picture direction, and to enlist their interpretation plays of recognized talent. Called Forbes' Best "The Famous Mrs. Fair" was written by James Forbes, and as played by Henry Miller and Miss Blanche Bates at the head of a distinguished company, ran for many months on Broadway, as well as in other leading cities. The author is one of the most noted contributors to the American drama, and in the opinion of many critics "The Famous Mrs. Fair" is his most significant work. Run of "Grandma's Boy" Is Extended One Week at Strand Theatre, New York "Grandma's Boy" has captured New York. What had been scheduled as a single week's run for the Harold LloydAssociated Exhibitors attraction at the Mark Strand theatre was less than half finished when Joseph Plunkett, managing director, announced the continuation of the run during a second week. "The house has been packed every afternoon and every night since the engagement began," declared Mr. Plunkett. "The attendance has smashed the record for this time of the year. "All this has been accomplished in the face of conditions that, in the beginning, looked distinctly unfavorable. The Sunday that opened the run was hot and muggy, and the beaches made their appeal to thousands. Despite that, patrons were glad to get standing room in the balcony from the middle of the afternoon on. On Monday there was a deluge of rain, yet the crowds at the Strand were even greater than on the day before. The following days continued hot, but the attendance was huge." Heads Scenario Division Mrs. Pearl Keating, who has been handling the "fan" magazine publicity for the Warner Brothers pictures, has been placed in charge of the Warner Scenario Department. Mrs. Keating is well known as a dramatic coach and director of historical pageants.