Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1922 - Mar 1923)

82 Cxfjibitors fteralb December 30, 1922 No Need for Apologies, Says Thos. H. Ince Screen Is Established, All Pessimists, Censors and Arbiters to the Contrary THE motion picture industry is in for a boom that will last and there is no need for any individual connected with the industry to make apology for lack of audience pictures. So declares Thomas H. Ince, whose latest big feature, "The Hottentot,"' will be published by First National on Christmas Day. k*TrHERE ha *• industry," lave been booms in our ry," says the producer, "but just as the boom days of other industries have slumped into days of lessened popularity so have our periods of the unnatural growth fallen away — we had not built a firm foundation and our periods of hectic prosperity could not endure. "But our day of enduring stabilization is here. This season will see the screen permanently established! Thos. H. Ince "J am not con. cerned with the pessimistic reports of 'picturegocrs' indifference' — 'poor productions'— 'nothing new in pictures' — 'no new facts' — 'necessity for mixed programs,' or any one of the countless phrases that are being uttered by individuals who do not appreciate the strides we have made in a few years. * * * "Such unintelligent mutterings arc not consistent with the evidences to the contrary that are everywhere throughout the industry. "Would business men of proved judgment such as Balaban & Katz launch such a house as the magnificent Chicago theatre in the face of a possible waning popularity? And what of Colonel Fred Levy's new house, the Kentucky at Lexington, the Melba in Dallas, John Kunsky's new Detroit theatre, Sid Grauman's Hollywood, Gene Roth's Granada in San Francisco, the splendid Eastman in Rochester. "Out of the general chaos in the motion picture industry following the war — with its under-production and later its over-production — came a steady growth for our art-industry toward a permanent foundation. And I firmly believe this enduring foundation is now established. "Never before have we had as many big splendid productions from American producers as arc available in this season. Each producer seems determined to give the best that it is possible for his organization to achieve, whether it be spectacle, big drama, program picture or comedy. * * * "There is no need today for any individual connected in any way with the motion picture industry to make apology for a lack of a audience pictures. There are plenty being booked this season and there will be more next year. "We will have pessimists within and without our industry — we may have censors or arbiters, for one kind or another, but the screen is established. "My faithful hope of twelve years is my certain knowledge of today." Quality Stressed in New Hodkinson Films Strong Features and Short Subjects of V aried Nature Announced for New Year NOT only is it the intention of W. W. Hodkinson Corporation to supply variety in their production output, but special stress is being laid, it is announced upon the quality of pictures scheduled to appear for the year 1923. Every necessary care has been exercised by the company in order to select screen entertainments with strong box office possibilities as well as a variety of subject matter with striking appeal to theatregoers. THE Holiday season opens with the two Victor Schertzinger productions, "The Kingdom Within" issued December 24, and "Dollar Devils," issued January 28. "The Kingdom Within" is from the story by Kenneth B. Clarke. "Dollar Devils," which is the second Victor Schertzinger Production, is a comedy drama. * * * Hodkinson Corporation has also acquired the series of four Film Guild Productions featuring Glenn Hunter. The first three are "Second Fiddle," "The Lap of Luxury" and "The Scarecrow." 1923 will sec the Corinne Griffith productions issued through Hodkinson. Charles R. Rogers, former general manager of distribution for the Select Picture Corporation and the Robertson-Cole organization, will have charge of the distribution of the Corinne Griffith productions. Edward Small will have charge of production. * * * The Maurice Tourneur production, "While Paris Sleeps," which features John Gilbert and Lon Chaney in the cast, will be published in January. Hodkinson will also offer a variety of short subjects. The All-Star Comedies produced by C. C. Burr and starring Charles Murray, Raymond McKce, and Mary Anderson; "Fun From the Press," and "Colonel Heeza Liar," produced by Bray Productions, Inc., are among the short films to be found on the Hodkinson program as well as the Bray Romances. » * » "Days Afield With Rod and Gun" is another series, backed by an exploitation campaign in conjunction with the magazine "Field and Stream." This series was produced by Eltinge F. Warner, publisher of the magazine and is devoted to sports. Charles Urban's Official Movie Chats produced by the Kineto Company in conjunction with the M. P. T. O. A. and distributed through Hodkinson, is another one-reel novelty to fill out the program. "Builds" His Characters Films Point Success of Robertson's Methods THE year 1022 has seen some splendid photoplays flashed on the screen, and away in front among the best of these will be found Mary Pickford in "Tess of the Storm Country," directed by John S. Robertson. It was almost a foregone conclusion that Miss Pickford's reproduction of one of her early successes would be a tremendous success, but scarcely anybody dreamed that star and director would accomplish anything like the charming success of the finished product. In this respect, Mr. Robertson, whose previous successes included "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," with John Barrymorc, "Footlights," starring Elsie Ferguson, and "Sentimental Tommy," with May McAvoy and Gareth Hughes, contributes in a large way to the artistry credited to the screen for the year drawing to a close. * * * Mr. Robertson has achieved striking success with his public and with the critics as a direct result of "character building" in his screen players rather than in resorting to sudden changes with swift-moving action developments. Occasional fisticuffs seldom mar a picture, and Mr. Robertson believes, it is permissible for a fight to creep in now and then, but through building character, and snowing the betterment wrought by this character building, he has set his work apart. By his recent move in signing with Inspiration, to direct Charles Duell's stars, Richard Barthelmess, Lillian and Dorothy Gish, the director will have a charter as free as the wind upon which to base his future directorial activities. The director's contract with Mr. Duell calls for pictures which will be "John S. Robertson Productions," as well as star pictures with the Inspiration stars. Late in November, Mr. Robertson took a company, including Richard Barthelmess and Dorothy Gish, to Cuba, where a number of shots will be taken for "The Bright Shawl," a story by Joseph Hergesheimer, in which Mr. Barthelmess will be starred. Beginning as an actor, and with a wealth of stage experience, Mr. Robertson first essayed screen work with Vitagraph, as leading man with Vitagraph stars under the direction of Ralph Ince. After two years, Mr. Robertson took up direction, going thence to Famous Players, where for five years he directed Famous Players-Lasky Corporation's stars. .