Exhibitor's Trade Review (Sep-Nov 1921)

1382 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW Volume 10. Number 20. Selznick Keeps Ahead of Its Own Schedule Showmen who play Selznick pictures on the star-series arrangement that has long been the selling policy of that organization are assured, on report from Myron Selznick, vice-president in charge of production, that Eugene O'Brien, Elaine Hammerstein and Conway Tearle's share in the "Forty from Selznick," as promised in the early season announcements, are "all set" and many of the presentations completed. The Owen Moore comedies are also provided for in the new season's arrangements. Last week, at the Selznick studios, in Fort Lee, N. J., one of the pictures in which Conway Tearle will star went through its concluding scenes and two •days later Elaine Hammerstein began filming, under direction of Alan Crosland, one of the six pictures she will be seen in this season. Then, too, Eugene O'Brien is just ready to begin another issue of the series in which he will come to the screen six times within a twelve-month. The Conway Tearle production just completed goes into circulation as A Wide Open Town, Ralph Ince directed the offering and in the process of filming made the prologue last. In these scenes crowds were required and Fort Lee had excitement in plenty. After Midnight, set for release Sept. "20, is a Conway Tearle picture that is •declared by Selznick to possess advertising possibilities that attend few program pictures. Apart from the character of its story-melodrama set in San Francisco's Chinatown — there are "names" that will •concern showgoers as After Midnight proceeds across the screens. Zena Keefe, who is also a Selznick star, is Conway Tearle's leading woman in this offering, and Ralph Ince, also a Selznick star, directed After Midnight. Through his share, as director, in producing A Man's Home, the name of Ralph Ince takes on new meaning as a "name" to advertise, as his latest achievement is the climax of his years of work as a director and star of the screen. Guhl Buys Franchise L. H. Guhl of the Guhl Film Corporation of Milwaukee, Wis., has signed a contract with the Associated Photo-Plays, Inc., for their franchise in southern Wisconsin, which includes a series of westerns starring Pete Morrison, a Mary Anderson series and five Jane Novak productions. H. C. Witwer, author of "The Leather Pushers," which the Knickerbocker Photoplay Corporation is producing in a series of twelve two-reelers, going over the big scenes in his book with President H. L. Messmore, Reginald Denny, the star (standing), and Director Harry Pollard Exhibitors O. K, Playgoers Films v C J Sales Manager, J. E. Storey, of Associated Exhibitors, Announces Receipt of Most Enthusiastic Reports from Theatre Owners John E. Storey, sales manager of Associated Exhibitors, Inc., said last week that the policy of releasing the Playgoers Pictures features on the basis of three a month had been successfully launched, and that reports from his branch sales managers indicated that the diversity of these attractions is the basic reason for the popularity of the arrangement with the exhibitors. He further stated that it is the purpose of Associated to keep the nature of the Playgoers features totally different, so that in no, individual month will there be three "westerns" or three "society dramas," but each one will have the elements of amusement value which are attractive to various classes of patronage. "Starting with Home Keeping Hearts," said Mr. Storey, "Playgoers offered to the exhibitors a beautiful rural American drama reminiscent of the successful old stage productions of this class. Its reception has been very satisfactory, and we are well pleased with the progress it has made todate. Then came The Family Closet, basically a mystery story, built around the old saying that every family has a skeleton in its closet. This feature found a ready market because of its wonderful surprise ending. "Next in order we released J. P. McGowan in Discontented Wives, a smashing good western feature with an appeal which reaches the heart of everyone. "So you see, that judging by these three alone, we have made good on our promise to keep Playgoers' releases 'different,' and judging by the very nice increase in bookings of the Playgoers features on the basis of three a month, we are satisfied that the merit of our policy has been recognized by the exhibitors throughout the country." Arliss to Produce at Bennett Studio Distinctive Productions, Inc., has made arrangements with Whitman Bennett for the occupancy of the Bennett Studio at Yonkers, N. Y., where Disraeli was produced, and the second George Arliss picture will be put into work there at once. The working title of the new picture is Idle Hands and Doris Kenyon has been engaged to play the role opposite Mr. Arliss. Henry Holker is directing. OPEN BOOKING TOWN HALL For TRADE AND PREMIER SHOWINGS In the Heart of the Theatre District New Simplex Equipment 1 500 Seats CALL, 'PHONE OR WRITE. MANAGER BRYANT 2636 113 WEST 43rd STREET -". ■ " ■ ■ -"■ ,■ „ ...iiisisssrr "" "" IMIMIMC'I:, rai:'; i 308 NATIONAL *w Alt EXCHANGES » ■MCOrx.POrv.ATED ' CJlnnounces GunenlRdease °f