Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

62 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 21, 1925 the filming of “Seventh Heaven” to obtain realism. Buck Jones Begins New One “The Outlaw” was begun by Buck Jones this week. It is a western story. United Artists Ben Hitr Trip Aids in “Don Q” Harry Oliver, back from Rome with the Ben Hur company, has been engaged to supply first hand information about scenes and sets laid in the Suanish territory for “Don Q” in view of his knowledge gained while touring Spain on his way home. Fifty Women Found “Unbobbed^’ In search of players for “Don Q” with long hair A1 AlacQuarrie, casting director, has finally located 50 women in Hollywood for parts depicting “ladies” of other days when hair was the thing. Vitagraph Luxuriant Brochure Used A rather remarkable brochure in its pretentiousness has been distributed by Vitagraph for the exploitation of “School for \\ ives.” It is an eight page, delicately colored, pictorial with a Chinese gold leaf cover. Star Tours Dixie Charlotte Alerriam, featured in “Pampered Youth,” is visiting exhibitors and exchange men in southern cities. Success Attributed to Lens Gilbert Warrenton declares that his success as a cameraman is largely accounted for by a special lens used in his camera which is valued at thousands of dollars. The camera is used in “Stop Flirting.” Producers Dist. Corp. Obtain Rights to Stage Hit A. H. Sevastian, general manager of Belasco Productions, releasing through Producers has revealed a deal for the making of a film from “Three Faces East,” the reputed stage play of spy intrigue. Detroit Signs for Long Run Contracts were signed last week for an indefinite run of “Charley’s Aunt” at the Adams theatre, Detroit. Warner Brothers Prevost Assigned to Two Roles Two choice roles in novels bought by ^\’arners ha\ e been assigned to Marie Precost. She will be Rose Kirby in “Rose of the Vorld,” and cvill be a modern girl in “Bobbed Hair.” Raymaker Begins Neic Dog Film Herman Rac’maker, who has just completed film cvork on “Tracked in the Snocv Country,” cvith Rin-Tin-Tin, cvill begin this W'eek to make “Belocv the Line,” again using the famous animal. Louis From King to Hobo Willard Louis cvill fill the role of the locvlc' but important hobo in “The Limited Mail.” He cvas a king in “Beau Brummel.” Sullivan to Prepare ^equel C. Gardner Sullivan has been chosen to prepare a script for “Back Home,” a sequel to “W hy Girls Leave Home.” Moore and Brooke Signed Matt Moore and Clive Brook are the latest to be signed for long terms cvith Warners. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Unknown Girl in Unknown Title Marshall Neilan has begun production upon an original story cvithout a title; the leading cvoman has been selected but her name has not been announced ; she is said to he unknocvn in pictures. Boardman Plays in “Circle” Eleanor Boardman has begun work in “The Circle.” Important parts are taken by Alec B. Francis and Eugene Besserer. Metro Buys Alice Rice's Story “Lovey Mary,” written by Alice Hegan Rice, has been purchased by Metro-Goldcvyn-Mayer. It is widely knocvn. April Releases Announced Next month will see the release of “The Way of a Girl,” “The Sporting Venus,” “Man and Maid,” and “Proud Flesh.” Lecv Cody appears in the second and third of these. British Comedian in “Escape” George K. Arthur, the young comedian, echo aided in the production of “The Salvation Hunters,” has been signed for von Sternberg’s next picture, “Escape.” B. P. Schulberg Sets Release Dates J. G. Bachman set the release dates of “Faint Perfume,” April 27 ; “My Lady’s Lips,” Alay 15; “When a Woman Reaches Forty,” June 1 ; “The Boomerang,” this W'eek. Hogan Directs Society Drama James P. Hogan commenced the direction of “My Lady’s Lips” this cveek. It is a society drama. Universal Gibson’s Illness Delays Film Completion of “Spook Ranch” has been delayed because of the physician’s order that Hoot Gibson must take to his bed until he reco\ers from an attack of the influenza. LETTERS From Readers A forum at which the exhibitor is invited to express his opinion on matters of current interest. Brevity adds forcefulness to any statement. Unsigned letters will not be printed. On Traveling Shows OAKD.^LE, NEB. — To the Editor: It has become the go out here for someone who thinks he knows the show business to buy up some w'orn out film and start out on the road and book with small-town theatres, claiming that they have something wonderful together with some obscene vaudeville stunts or song. Now it has happened that 1 have been stung a few times, and the other day another one appeared upon the ground and w'anted to use the theatre, saying that he had a wonderful picture together with some songs and \audeville. WYll I took him into confidence and inquired w'hat he did and what show he had and, would you believe it, he told me that he had “The Eyes of Youth,” a Clara Kimball Young picture, at this time. Well I said to him, “On w’hat basis will you put that wonderful picture on in my theatre?” Well he says that he had given as high as 25 per cent but usually got it a little better than that. He also had a two-reel comedy, he said. Now I said to him, “How do you expect me to make any money by giving you nearly all that is taken in?” Well he said that he had not played to a house smaller than $70 and that should be good rent for the house. He said, however, that we should do at least $100 and that would give me $25 for the house. “All right,” says I, “if you will guarantee $100 house I will take you on.” But this he would not do. Now further I want to say that it is silly for one to take these fellows on, and let them spoil the trade that you have worked up on such stuff as they carry. Then again, when j'ou stop and figure it out, how can one make anything when you have to get your theatre in comfortable shape as to heat, light, janitor, operator and furnish the tickets and ticket seller. All they do is to take the ticket numbers and get their money and go on. Now I have made this rule and if they get in at all in my house that will be the price or they stay out, and that is they furnish all advertising matter and put it out, and split 50-50 or nothing doing. This party went up in the air when I told him that I would not consider it for less than 50-50 and said that I would never get anyone in for that price. “Well,” says I, “that will suit me better, as I do not want them at all, as I want to know what kind of shows are going to be in my theatre, and I do not propose that some outsider shall come in with an obscene show and ruin what I have built up.” I think it would be interesting to hear of other exhibitors’ experience with this kind of show, as the experience that I have had has been very unsatisfactory. The most of them have reels that are not fit to go through a machine and probably are not inspected for the whole year. I put on one here last summer that is mentioned to me yet at times, it was so crummy. — C. V. .A.NDERSON, Oak theatre, Oakdale, Neb. NOW BOOKING