Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

40 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 8, 1924 Eschmann Drive in Full Swing On First National Twenty Company Believes New Product Will Duplicate the Success of Last Year 's A ttr actions (Spfciat to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, February 26. — "The widest distribution of any group of pictures in the history of the industry," is the achievement which First National hopes to attain on its "1924 twenty." The sales drive on this group is now in full swing under the leadership of E. A. Eschmann, general manager of distribution. THESE pictures, the first having been published early this month, will be released in the order named : "When a Man's a Man," a screen version of Harold Bell Wright's novel, produced by Principal Pictures, under the direction of Edward F. Cline and interpreted by an all star cast headed by John Bowers and Marguerite de La Motte. "The Love Master," starring Strongheart, and presented by James Miirfiri and Laurence Trimble. The story is laid in the North and has magnificent photographic shots. Trimble is the author and director. Richard Walton TuUy's "Flowing Goli)," a Rex Beach novel, presenting a fascinating story of the oil fields. Milton Sills and .^nna Q. Nilsson head the all-star cast. Joseph de Grasse directed. * * * Thomas H. Ince's "Gallopixg Fish," a comedy which is expected to equal the success of "The Hottentot." Louise Fazenda. Sydney Chaplin, Ford Sterling and Chester Conk-Iin head the cast. Norma Talmadge in "Secrets." an adaptation of the New York stage play directed by Frank Borzage. Eugene O'Brien supports the star. .\n emotional, stirring romantic play which reflects rin the screen four phases of the life of a woman. Maurice Tourneur's "Torment." an exciting melodramatic story, the scenes of which are laid in Russia. Japan and the United States. Owen Moore and Bessie Love head the cast. The story is by William Dudley Pelley. Richard Barthelmess in "The Enchanted Cottage," a John S. Robertson production with May Mc.^voy in the leading feminine role. A tender romance declared by the star to be his best picture. "Lilies of the Field," featuring Corinne Griffith and Conway Tearle and directed by John Francis Dillon. A modern society story. The national release date of this picture is March 16. "A Son of the Sahara." produced by Edwin Carewe in .Mgeria and Paris with a cast including Bert Lytell. Claire Windsor, Rosemary Theby. Montague Love, Walter McGrail and Paul Panzer. "The Woman on the Jl'rv." a dramatic story of modern life starring Sylvia Breamer. Cast includes Lew Cody. Frank Mayo. Hobart Bosworth, Mary Carr and Bessie Love. Directed by Harry Hoyt. "Cytherea" presented by Samuel Goldwyn and directed by George Fitzmaurice. Adapted from the novel by Joseph Hergesheimer. Cast includes Lew Stone. .\lma Rubens, Irene Rich and Constance Bennett. "The Goldfish," starring Constance Talmadge. A vivacious story of Coney Island life. Jack Mulhall is in the leading masculine role and Jerome Storm directed. * * * Thomas H. Ince's "The Marriage Cheat." adapted from the story of the South Seas hv Frank R. .'\dams. Leatrice 1 Joy, Percy Marmont and Adolph Menjou have the leading roles. John Griffith Wray directed. "Sltndown," a dramatic, heart interest story, laid in the West, and based upon the passing of the cattlemen from American history. Roy Stewart, Hobart Bosworth. Mary .Alden. Tully Marshall. Charles Murray and Bessie Love are the principals. "Those Who Dance," a dramatic .story based upon one of the many reactions of the Volstead law. John Griffith Wray is directing Blanche Sweet. Bessie Love. Warner Baxter. Robert -Agnew. A Tliomas H. Ince production. "The Ragged Messenger," a forthcoming Edwin Carewe production, to be adapted from the novel by W. B. Maxwell, famous English author. "The White Moth," a forthcoming Maurice Tourneur production featuring Barbara La Marr and Conway Tearle. A story of theatrical life in Paris. "The Perfect Flapper," with Colleen Moore, the story of a little daredevil of the younger set. Constance. Talmadge in "Heart Trouble'" adapted from the Somerset Maugham play, "Penelope." Alfred E. Green will direct. Corinne Griffith in "For Sale." an unusual story of society circles in New York, written by Earl Hudson especially for Corinne Griffith. Rebecca Belsky, Eddie Silton Form Producers Service Organization (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 26.— The announcement that Rebecca Belsky. known to members of the industry as "Rebecca." who for the past seven years has held the chief executive position in the Edward Small Company, has decided to enter business for herself, has been received with interest. Joining forces with Eddie Silton. also of the Small organization, the new company, which will be known as Rebecca & Silton. Inc.. has taken well equipped offices on the fifth floor of the Powers building, at 723 Seventh avenue. Specialization will be made in the direct needs of the producer, for this is the major angle of the business that Rebecca has made a detailed study of during the entire time she has been engaged in this important field of endeavor. When a producer or a director comes to her and wants a picture cast, she knows immediately the kind of people that he wants and they are called together for the director to make his selection from. Realizing that time is the most expensive item in picture production after the word to "Go ahead" has once been .given. Rebecca feels that every minute that she saves means money saved in the final production cost. Eddie Silton will act as the outside contact man of the new organization. Previous to his association with Small he was in the exchange end of the business, where he acquired a composite knowledge of the box office value of pictures. EzTry four weeks this department zvilt be expanded to several pages so that a thorough discussion of the foreign marliet may be conducted. Tniart in Europe Alexander Aronson, general manager of sales for Truart Film Corporation, announces, following his extended tour of Great Britain and the Continent, the closing of a number contract whereby the entire Truart output is assured distribution throughout the LInited Kingdom, the greater part of continental Europe and several outlying territories. The W. & F. Service has acquired for the United Kingdom, "Broadway Gold," "Drums of Jeopardy," "Driftwood" and a fourth production which has not as yet been announced. In addition to these Elaine Hammerstein productions, W. & F. has acquired "The Unknown Purple." Unify Films, of London, has purchased for the United Kingdom the Richard Talmadge productions, "Let's Go," "On Time," and "In Fast Company." Orion Films of Budapest, has acquired for all of Central Europe all the productions listed above and in addition "Women Men Marry" and "The Empty Cradle." Kominik Resigns Otto Kominik, head of the Foreign publicity department of LTniversal, has resigned to go with the Excelsior Publishing Company, publishers of the "Excelsior Cinema," as business manager. "Excelsior Cinema" is a new Spanish motion picture trade paper to be published in the United States, and is expected to be an important link between the American producers and the Latin-.\merican exhibitors. Cuba Gets Feature .■\ccording to report. Cuba is to be the fourth country outside of the United States to see "The Covered Wagon." The Foreign department of Famous PlayersLasky received word that the Caribbean Film Company, Paramount distributors in Cuba. Porto Rico. Hayti and Santo Domingo, has arranged for a special prerelease at the Fausto theatre, Havana, Cuba, the latter part of March. Up to the present time "The Covered W^agon" has been presented in the LInited States, Australia. Great Britain and France. Sees Little Opposition (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY', N. Y., Feb. 26.— The bill introduced in the state legislature, relative to theatres desiring to admit unaccompanied children, providing a matron is in charge, is to be made a local option measure. .According to Sam Berman. secretary of the M. P. T. O. of New Y''ork, who is at the state capitol each week watching motion picture legislation, there will be little or no opposition to the bill. F. B. O. Officials Here (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. Feb. 2(;.— T. L. Schnitzer, vice-president of F. B. O., and H. C. S. Thomson, managing director, are here for a conference with studio manager. B. P. Fineman.