Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Sep 1924)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD August 16, 1924 Distinguished Audience Attends “Janice Meredith ” Opening Elaborate Decorations by Urban Transform Cosmopolitan Into Ball Room of Colonial Days By JOHN S. SPARGO New YORK, August 5. — The world premiere of Marion Davies in “Janice Meredith’’ is scheduled to take place tonight at the Cosmopolitan theatre before one of the most brilliant audiences that probably has ever been assembled for a motion picture presentation in this city. The audience will include practically all the notables of the motion picture, theatrical, musical and social worlds, as well as city and government officials and numerous other distinguished persons. Mayor Hylan and Mrs. Hylan will occupy a box. Extensive and elaborate alterations have been made in the Cosmopolitan theatre for the premiere. The stage settings designed by Joseph Urban are exceptionally beautiful in the representation of a colonial ballroom in keeping with the period in the picture. The panel portraits in the setting show Miss Davies as “Janice Meredith” in several costumes worn by the heroine in the production. These were painted by Marion Davies^ Schotten stem and each is a work of rare beauty. The ceiling of the auditorium is a mass of flowers in the form of garlands, extending from the dome above the massive crystal chandelier to the wall. One side of the auditorium is covered by a massive tapestry from the private collection of William Randolph Hearst. In the role of Janice Meredith, Miss Davies achieves new heights of artistry, even outranking in dramatic values and charm of characterization, it is said, her memorable impersonations of Pat O’Day in “Little Old New York” and Mary Tudor in “When Knighthood Was in Flower.” * H: * “Janice Meredith,” directed by E. Mason Hopper and adapted for the screen by Lillie Hayward from the late Paul Leicester Ford’s romance of the same name, is tremendous in its dramatic sweep. It contains tumultous scenes which follow rapidly one upon another, and its vivid and dramatic characters move against a shifting panorama of fascinating scenes and situations^ Depicting ' a charming love story, it is wide in its scope, with scenes showing the clash of the British regulars with the ragged little bands of determined American patriots, Washington’s soldiers fighting their way across the ice-laden Delaware, the pomp and grandeur of the French court during the reign of Louis VI and the struggles and tribulations of the men who founded the American Republic. Two of the most lavish scenes ever filmed are depicted in “Janice Meredith.” They represent the court of Louis XVI at Versailles and the ball given in honor of Lord Howe in Philadelphia. As backgrounds for throngs of actors and actresses richly clad in costumes of the period, they are scenes that for magnificence and dazzling grandeur surpass anything yet produced for the screen. In every detail, from the innumerable candelabra to the huge mirrors that line the walls, they are exact copies of the original places. Other scenes include such stirring episodes of the American Revolution as the Boston Tea Party, Patrick Henry's speech, the ride of Paul Revere, the Battle of Yorktown, and the surrender of the British. * * * The supporting cast of “Janice Meredith” includes such stars of the stage and screen as Holbrook Blinn, Harrison Ford, Maclyn Arbuckle, George Nash, Tyrone Power, Joseph Kilgour, W. C. hields, George Siegmann, May Vokes, Olin Howland, Douglas Stevenson, Spencer Charters, Lee Beggs and Helen Lee Worthing. More than 8,500 persons appear in “Janice Meredith” including the Twentysixth Infantry, U. S. A. and cavalry men from Fort Ethan Allen, who take part in such scenes as the Battle of Trenton, Washington crossing the Delaware and Valley Borge. Costumes worn in the picture are particularly elaborate. Miss Davies, in the title role, displays twenty gowns. They were designed by Gretl Urban and cost more than $25,000. More than 7,500 costumes were required in the picture, representing an expenditure of more than $200,000. A feature of the performance is the special musical score composed by Deems I'aylor and which will be rendered by the Cosmopolitan theatre symphony orchestra of forty-five musicians, under the direction of Frederick Stahlberg, at every presentation of the picture. Six Companies Granted Charters in New York {Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY", N. Y., Aug. 5. — There were six companies incorporated in New Y’ork state during the past week to engage in the motion picture business. While this' is a comparatively small number, as compared to the winter months, when as high as twenty companies have been known to incorporate during a single week, the week just passed compares favorably with like period during past years. The following gives the names of the companies incorporated last week with the amount of capitalization: Astor Productions, Incorporated, capitalized at $10,000; Athletic Films, Inc., $1,000; Rene-Bill Amusement Corporation, $10,000; Prominent Pictures, Inc., $100,000; Astor Productions, Incorporated and Hobart-Hurst Productions, Inc., the amount of capitalization not being stated. Made Pittsburgh Manager PITTSBURGH, PA. — First National Pictures has promoted R. S. Wehrle, assistant branch manager here to be Branch Manager. He succeeds A, S. Davis, who has resigned to become general manager of the Rowland & Clark chain of theatres. Sex Titles Hurt Industry Says Smith {Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Aug. 5.— “Censorship has failed to achieve the things for which it claimed to strive — the suppression of the supersex-theme. Of course the censors can and do cut out an5rthing which may be obscene; but the police had the same power and they still have it,” said Albert E. Smith, President of Vitagraph, when seen on location while supervising the making of “Captain Blood” at Hollywood. “The irresponsible independent has learned how to get his ‘sexy’ titled picture past the censors. The story may dally on the border line and hurt patronage at the theatres where shown but the evil of the title has hurt the entire business. “I thoroughly approve the stand of Will Hays. Vitagraph has always kept away from undue stress on sex sensationalism either in picture or suggestive title. In our more than twenty-six years of producing we have tried to provide clean entertainment. When we can no longer do that we will shut up shop.” Oliver Morosco Loses Five Million in Holding Firm, Says Attorney (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, August 5. — Indictment of seven men on a charge of using the 'mails to defraud in connection with the sale of stock in Morosco Holding Company, has brought the statement from Assistant United States Attorney McCoy that Oliver Morosco himself was a victim of the fraudulent activities of the indicted men who, Morosco says, have stripped him of all his properties valued at $5,000,000. Those indicted were George R. Rental, vice president and general manager oi the holding company; Benjamin Leven, organizer of the Morosco Sales Corporation; George H. Pierce, sales manager; George G. Hanson, Albert Dew Blum, sales manager; William C. Amos, a former assemblyman, who was said to be the star salesman, and George Derr, sales manager. English Actor Here to Work in Vitagraph Film {Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Aug. 5.— Victor MeLaglen, noted English actor, arrived in New York last week on the U. S. Liner Republic en route to Hollywood to play one of the leading parts in Vitagraph’s “The Peloved Brute.” Minter to Return ? (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, August 5. — Mary Miles Minter left for the East Sunday and it is reported that she intends to reenter pictures there.