Exhibitor's Trade Review (Mar-May 1922)

April 8, 1922 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW 1317 McGowan to Star in Six Pictures for Playgoers A contract has just been closed with Playgoers Pictures, Inc., for the release by that organization of six more pictures starring J. P. McGowan. The papers were signed by S. F. Champion, Jr., of the Champion Film Corporation, of Grand Rapids, Mich., which will produce the features. I Four McGowan Westerns have been already released by Playgoers. The release of the first of these films, Discoritented Wives, in September last, was followed by The Ruse of "The Rattler," Reckless Chances and Hills of Missing Men. The last of these was out Feo. 25. Mr. McGowan accompanied Mr. Champion to New York City and the two called on John C. Ragland and other officials of Playgoers Pictures. Champion Film Corporation, they announced, will establish at once production studios both at Grand Rapids, Mich., and in California. Selections have not been made for the forthcoming vehicles, but Mr. McGowan promised that they will be action pictures, following the same general lines as those with which he has achieved his present wide popularitv. "Replete with thrills, moving at high speed, with much rough riding and hard fighting, the portrayal given by these four of the rugged life of the early-day West has made a strong and insistent audience appeal, according to the reports of exhibitors throughout the country," says the announcement. The sales force of Playgoers is in the Pathe branches. "A Fool There Was," 1922 Edition Estelle Taylor Will Have Vamp Role in Feature to Be Made by Fox — Complete Cast Announced Lupino Lane at Work on Fox Comedies Lupino Lane, the English comedian and pantomimist, who was recently signed to a contract by William Fox, is nearing completion of his first two-reel special comedy at the West Coast Studios, under the direction of Jack Blystone, according to announcement from the offices of the Fox organization this week. The title of the picture is The Broker. Lane, the idol of the London Hippodrome and of Drury Lane, made his American debut when the English production Afgar was presented in New York City in December, 1920. His performance even eclipsed that of the much-heralded female star with Afgar, according to the reviewers. What is described as one of the most distinguished casts ever assembled for the production of a motion picture feature, with Estelle Taylor in the role of a 1922 "vamp," has been chosen by William Fox for A Fool There Was, a photodrama based on the stage play by Porter Emerson Brown — which in turn was inspired by Rudyard Kipling's famous poem, "The Vampire." Work on the pro Estelle Taylor duction has already begun, according to announcements from the New York offices of Fox Film Corporation. Emmett J. Flynn, who directed A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Monte Crista, and other Fox specials, will direct this picture. Bernard McConville prepared the new screen adaptation of the famous play. The director and the scenarist, with the technical staff of the Fox Hollywood studio, have been busy since December laying out and arranging the sets, which are now complete. Work on the production is to begin at once. Miss Taylor is remembered especially for her work with William Farnum and in the Fox specials, While New York Sleeps, and Blind Wives. There will be no display of passion in the new production that will meet with objections by the censors, it is announced. The 1922 vamp will treat her victims with haughty indifference, and at the same time lure them with her physical beauty. The remainder of the cast includes: Schuyler, The Fool — Played by Lewis Stone. Mrs. Schuyler, The Fool's WifePlayed by Irene Rich. The Schuyler's Child — Played by Murial Frances Dana. Nell Winthrop, the Fool's Sister — Played by Marjorie Daw, who has been featured in many Marshall Neilan productions. Morgan — Played by Mahlon Hamilton. Parmalee — Played by Wallace McDonald. Boggs — Played by William V. Mong, who played Merlin in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Pai'ks — Played hy Harry Lonsdale, character actor with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Roach Bans Serials So as to Concentrate on Comedy Product Due to contracts with Pathe for additional comedy output, such as the forthcoming "Snub" Pollard two-reel comedies and a series of two-reel animal and kid comedies now in preparation, the Hal Roach Studios will make no more serials and will concentrate all activities on comedy production. Production of the next two Ruth Roland serials has been contracted for with the United Studios, formerly the Brunton Studios. The Timber Queen, starring Miss Roland, having been completed, work on the first of the two new serials began at the United Studios on April 1. It will be recalled that the justly famous Pathe serial starring Jack Dempsey was made on the Brunton lot. The Avenging Arroiv, the Roland serial next preceding the current release, White Eagle, also was produced there. All of the production facilities which contributed to the success of these two highly popular chapter-plays are commanded by the United Studios, where Miss Roland and her supporting company are now starring on what is at present called The Riddle of the Range, the story and continuity by John Grey. Relieved of their serial responsibilities the Hal Roach Studios — lately much enlarged and provided with new and valuable equipment — are in an excellent position to meet the constantly growing demand for the class of screen comedy distributed by Pathe. Three picturesque sets from "Why Not Marry," with Margery Wilson. Distributed by National Exchanges, Inc.