Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1923)

54 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 24, 1923 Ike FILM MART : : : : Production Progress First National FRANCES MARION and Kenneth B. Clark are collaborating on the continuity of "Sundown," Earl J. Hudson's epic of the cattle country which First National will make in Mexico. This is the picture showing the driving of 250,000 head of cattle from the Southwestern states into Mexico, a production which will mark the greatest efforts of First National's own producing unit. + + + ANNA Q. NILSSON has been engaged by Richard Walton Tully for an important role in Rex Beach's "Flowing Gold" . . . "Ponjola," presented by Sam E. Rork through First National broke all records at Loew's State theatre, Los Angeles, it is reported . . . Marion Coakley will make her picture debut in Richard Barthelmess' next starring picture "The Enchanted Cottage" under the direction of John S. Robertson. Barthelmess has just completed "Twenty-One." ♦ + + JOHN FRANCIS DILLON, director of "Flaming Youth" is to direct a picturization of William Hurlburt's stage play "Lillis of the Field" . . . "Her Temporary Husband," the farce comedy directed by John McDermort for First National is now being edited . . . "Trilby" featuring Andree Lafayette, was received with acclaim in England accordng to advices received by First National. United Artists TWO BIG United Artists pictures were attractions on Broadway the week of November 4. Mary Pickford's "Rosita" was at the Capitol theatre, while Charlie Chaplin's "A Woman of Paris" played the Mark Strand. It is reported by United Artists that "Rosita" did a tremendous business and was held over for a second week, as was "A Woman of Paris." + + + THE COMPLETED CAST for Mary Pickford's next production, "Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall," has been selected. It includes Allan Forrest, Anders Randolf, Estelle Taylor, Claire Eames, Eric Mayne and Lottie Pickford. . . . Mortimer Wilson, composer-conductor of New York, is in Hollywood to do the musical scores for Douglas Fairbanks' new picture, "The Thief of Bagdad." + + + "ROSITA" AND "The White Rose." both United Artists pictures, were selected by Mae Tinee, photoplay critic of the Chicago Tribune as among the twelve best pictures for October. Pathe "DERBY DAY" another of the "Our Gang" comedies heads Pathe's list of pictures for publication November 18. . . . A tworeel special production titled "Why Elephants Leave Home" will be issued by Pathe December o. This picture shows the hunting and capturing of elephants and their subsequent training to the service of man. + + + HAL ROACH has started a feature length comedy-drama for Pathe titled "Somewhere in Kansas," which will be the first of • •••••• a possible series of two comedy dramas a year for the company. . . . Pathe has launched a special campaign on its "Chronicles of America" in connection with the celebration of National Education Week, November iS to 24. The first of this series is called "Columbus" and was issued October 7. The second is "Jamcstovsn" which was issued November 4. Metro J. G. HAWKS has been selected to prepare the continuity for "Women Who Wait" the production Reginald Barker will make under the auspices of the Metro-Louis B. Mayer forces . . . Buster Keaton's second feature comedy "Hospitality" has been changed to "Our Hospitality". . . . + + + ROBERT EDESON has been added to the cast of "Thy Name Is Woman," the new Fred Niblo production. . . Work on "Happiness" J. Hartley Manners' play has been started by Metro with King Vidor directing and Laurette Taylor in the leading role. . . . Rex Ingram and party have safely arrived in Cairo, Egypt, Metro is informed. + ♦ + VICTOR SCHERTZINGER has completed "The Man Life Passed By" one of the Premier features for 1923-24 . . . Edward Connelly, veteran actor, has been added to the cast of "The Fool's Awakening," picrurization of William J. Locke's "The Tale of Triona." Vitagraph DR. HUGO RIESENFELD, managing director of the Rialto theatre, New York, has booked Vitagraph's "Pioneer Trails" for the week of November 11. , Whitman Bennett had his belief confirmed that mystery plays were in favor among theatre owners and audiences when he sent a questionnaire to one thousand exhibitors on the matter. "The Leavenworth Case", a detective story, will go through Vitagraph. + + + VITAGRAPH announces that it is supplying an Indian head dress to exhibitors booking "Pioneer Trails." . . . Vitagraph has received word from President Albert E. Smith that the French unit producing "The Beggar of St. Sulpice" is making satisfactory progress on this production. + + + THERE IS NO indication of a production let-up at Vitagraph studios. David Smith is filming "A Tale of Red Roses" and acquisition of rights to "Captain Blood" by Rafael Sabatini was recently announced by Vitagraph. Preferred Pictures "THE BREATH OF SCANDAL", by Edwin Balmer will be produced immediately by B. P. Schulberg as the third of the next series of Preferred Pictures which will include "Poisoned Paradise" and "White Man." "The Breath of Scandal" first appeared as a Cosmopolitan Magazine story in serial form and was later put in book form. + + + EFFORTS OF B. P. Schulberg just now are beinq concentrated on "Poisoned Paradue" which Gasnicr will direct. Schulberg plans to make this one of the biggest pictures yet attempted by his organization. Distribution News Clara Bow is to have the feminine lead and casting of other characters is under way. + + + ACCORDING TO reports from Preferred Pictures "The Virginian" broke all house records at opening engagements in Denver and Detroit where it played at the Colorado and the Broadway-Strand theatres respectively. Grand-Asher MILDRED DAVIS has practically completed her first Ben Wilson production for Grand-Asher under the direction of Arthur Rosson. . . . Director Rosson has just finished work on another Ben Wilson production starring Mabel Forrest and Norman Kerry entitled "The Satin Girl." + + ♦ THE STORY for Monty Banks' first feature comedy for Grand-Asher has been completed and production will start in about a week. Jean Havez and Alf Goulding have both worked on the script. The cast is soon to be selected. Herman Raymaker will direct. + + ♦ F. HEATH COBB, director of exploitation for Grand-Asher, who has for some rime been engaged in finding suitable stories for forthcoming productions of Bryant Washburn and Elliott Dexter announces that stories have been obtained and the pictures are soon to be announced. . . . Anders Randolf who has an important part in Elliott Dexter's first Grand-Asher picture "The Way Men Love" is playing with Mary Pickford in her present production. Warner Brothers "A SUPERB PICTURE." This is the concensus of opinion of Warner Brothers officials of "Tiger Rose," starring Leonore Ulric, a print of which has just been received in the east and viewed by the company's executives. It is freely predicted that "Tiger Rose" will make a big name for itself as an outstanding attraction. + + + WITH THE COMPLETION of his role in the Warners production of Clyde Fitch's play, "Beau Brummell," which is being directed by Harry Beaumont, John Barrymore will leave for New York where he will again assume the principal part in "Hamlet." + + + AL FEINMAN, Warner Brothers exploitation representative abroad, has returned from England. . . . According to reports received by Warners from Franklin Film Company, Boston, "Where the North Begins," the picture featuring Rin-tin-tin, the police dog. is meeting with great success in the New England states. Universal E. H. GOLDSTEIN, treasurer of Universal, has left for the West Coast to look after affairs at Universal City during the absence of Julius Bernheim, who was suddenly called to the bedside of his mother who is dangerously ill in .Laupheim. Germany. . . . Maurice Pivar of the Universal home office has been pro