The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

June 30, 1923. “WILD LIFE IN MADAGASCAR.” Unique Serles of Films. FEW months ago the Gaumont Company, Ltd., released an unique series of films which were immensely popular with the public and are still remembered in preference to other series—this was the ‘t Wonders of the Amazon "’ series. The company has just acquired the rights in another similar series, just as interesting in a differont way, which will be released under the general title of ‘‘ Wild Life in Madagascar.” These pictures, secured by a special expedition sent out to Madagascar by African Film Productions, Ltd., are the result of five months’ hard work and travel amongst the dense forests and primitive races of ‘ Africa’s Emerald Isle.” Joseph Albrecht was responsible for the camera work, no sinecure in view of the fact that many of the tribes, believing-in witchcraft, refused to come anywhere near the camera and in some cases, were deliberately: hostile. ‘There are six distinct races of-natives on the island: the Betsimisaraka.and the Antanala aro foresters, the Sakalava and Bara are fighters, the Hava are the business people and politicians, and the Betsileo are the industrialists. The pursuits and pleasures of all these races are shown not only with interest, but often with humour, Some of the most remarkable features in. the series are the Great Stairway of Antananarivo, probably the most remarkable in the world; real jungle and wonderful tropical river. scenes ; some’ extraordinary coiffures of the natives, men and women, ofall races; the deadly fighting skill of the Sakalava; the secrificial rites of the Antanalas, showing the sacrifice of an ox and the ceremony of the virgins and the sacred water; Bara dancing men (highly decorated) and wrestlers witn their queer ceremony of challenging; the unique animal, the Aye-Aye, only found in the forests of Madagascar; tree-felling by Betsimisaraka lumbermen under conditions that obtain no THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 45 where else in the world;-natives shooting the rapids in their canoes; English golden sovereigns that are the exclusive ornaments of Sakalava society women; adventures with Madagascar oxen that are more thrilling than encounters with bucking bronchos on an American ranch; queer burial customs of the Betsileo; and many other minor points of interest too numerous to mention. The series consists of eight subjects, each in a convenient length of 500 feet. Each subject has an individual and separate interest and is fascinating throughout its length. The eight subjects are: (1) ‘‘ The Heart of Madagascar,’’ (2) ‘A Forest Paradise,’’ (3) ‘‘ The Raphia Industry,"’ (4) ‘‘ Giants of the Forest,’’ (5) ‘‘ A Tropical Harvest,’’ (6) ‘‘ The Bamboo Dwellers,” (7; ‘‘ Savages at Play,’’ (8) ‘‘ With the Betsileo.”” A selection of these will be privately shown in the Gaumont Theatre at 6, Denman Street, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week, at 2-30 p.m. each day, in conjunction with the showing of the Leo Maloney ‘‘ Range Rider ”’ series of two-reel dramas. : ELITE PICTURE PALACE. N the Chancery Division on June 19 Mr. Justice Lawrence heard a petition by the Elite Picture Palace (Wimbledon), Ltd., for the sanction of the Court to a proposed reduction of its capital from £15,000 to £5,000. Mr. Bridges, for the company, stated that it was incorporated in 1916, and that the object of the petition was to obtain further capital. The only way this could be done was by writing down the nominal value of the old shares. The shareholders were to have the right to subscribe to the new shares, and a great part of the desired capital was already promised. His Lordship sanctioned the reduction. TRADE IN THE YORKSHIRE TERRITORY—Continued. Wardour Films, screened to the trade a film entitled ‘A Sheik of Araby."’ Most exhibitors who viewed the film were not impressed: indeed, some were quite unkind in their criticism. Only with some difficulty did the Wardour staff get it out from Leeds; but now, wherever it is shown, it is doing big (and in many instances record) business. The fame of the film has spread abroad rapidly, with the result that everybody (even those who previously were not interested) is now wanting to book it. So heavy are these inquiries and bookings that Bert Marshall, who has maintained all along that it was a boxoffica winner, has had to ask London for extra copies. Ye Kinema Anglers! The first off match of the Cinema Exchange Angling Club will be held at Ulleskelf next Wednesday. A motor coach will leave the top of Queen's (Cinema Exchange) Arcade at 10 a.m., the return fare being 3s. 6d. Will all members who intend going please hand in their names to the secretary (Mr. 8S. White) as early as possible. The match entrance fee is 2s. 6d., and prizes will be awarded. Regent’s Chief in Leeds. Mr: H. A. Andrews, the new managing director of the Regent Film Company,-was in Leeds last week, and with his Leeds manager, Mr. Wm. Leverton, must have been delighted with the reception accorded the Nazimova film, ‘‘ Motherhood,”’ and alsp the nes series of football films for release in September. Mr. Andrews has secured for his next big offering a Capitol production, ‘*‘ Why Announce Your Marriage? " featuring Elaine Hammerstein. Of Interest to Showmen, A party of exhibitors were taken over from Leeds to Castleford by ‘‘ chara ’’ by Mr. H. A. Whincup last Tuesday to witness a -matinee screening to the public, at the Picture House, of ‘‘ The Man They Could Not Hang,’’ the life story of the famous John Lee. ; The’ film, which has been showing all week, last Monday broke all records for the house, except—and by a very small margain—one other super-film. With special recital narrative this film is a fine showman’s proposition. From All Quarters. Chaplin’s ‘‘ The Pilgrim” is keeping Mr. Ernest Tyler, of Pearl Films, very busy these days. There was a big trade show at the Majestic, and everybody was satisfied. ‘‘ Indian Love Lyries,’’ ‘‘ Samson and Delilah,” ‘‘ Henry of Navarre '"’ and ‘‘ Young Lochinvar,’’ not to mention Robey comedies, are things to be noted and watched from Mr. Ralph Hanbury, «of Stoll Films. For his trade show of the Harold Lloyd ‘‘ Safety Last,’’ Mr. Daniels, of the W. & F. Film Service, sent out an invitation card secured by a safety pin. A footnote said: ‘* N.B.—For ‘Safety First’ when seeing ‘ Safety Last,’ bring this safety pin with you—you may need it!””