The Film Daily (1924)

12 THE ■a^Hk DAILY Sunday, July 13, 1923 jThe Weeks Headlines ' Monday ! Three hundred expected at N. Y. M. P. T. O. Buffalo convention. Slam at First Nat'l expected on "Sea Hawk." H. C. Durant, former Paramount production executive, interested in Connecticut producing outfit. F. B. O., Ltd., deal with Producers Dist. Corp., set, for English distribution of 36 pictures. Arkansas special legislature adjourns without passing any adverse bills. "Film Renter," London, suggests world conference to discuss international film standard. Tuesday Local independents rolling up volume business because national distributors hold out for stiff prices. Exhibitor convention opens at Buffalo. . Certified and Independent Films, Boston, combine as Independent Films, Inc. Wednesday ; Brandt attacks Steffes and O'Toole in annual address before State exhibitors. ! Japan plans 100% ad valorem tax on "films." '•■ No designation of what is meant. . Warners buy 'The Hair of Connemara," written by 20 authors. :J. Gordon Edwards to make "The Jest." F. I. L. M. arbitration board decides for George Cohen, Poughkeepsie, against Famous for $17,000, in contract argument. Thursday M. P. T. O. to break up into three T. O. C. C. zones. In arms over "Sea Hawk" contracts. Northwest exhibitors urged not to sign "Sea Hawk" contracts. Charles Brabin sues Metro-Goldwyn for $583,000 for alleged contract breach. Edmimd Goulding to direct for large producing unit. Forty from F. B. O. for new season. "Lefty" Flynn and Reed Howes signed. Friday N.Y. M. P. T. O. elect M. J. Walsh, president, and Samuel Berman, secretary. Mergers, block booking and titles flayed. Henry Ford denies report crediting him as financier of large international combination. Cosmopolitan may make "Zander The Great" and "Never The Twain Shall Meet" in the West. Hays office considering changes in uniform contract. Associated Exhibitors will release 28 for 1924-25. Saturday Griffith to make three pictures for Famous Players. Northwest exhibitor unit declares war on block booking system. Rudolph Valentino starts for Ritz in September. Lee Ochs signs Vincent Lopez as musical director of the new Piccadilly theater. Will Hays leaves for the Coast. Omaha Tournament, A Success (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Omaha — Much fun was had by those who attended the Second Annual Film Golf Tournament, conducted by "Movie Age" at the Elmwood Golf Course, Friday and from all indications it was a great success. Many prizes were offered at the exhibitor-exchangemen get-together. i "Bom Rich" Finished "Born Rich," produced by Garrick : Pictures for First National is prac\ tically completed. There remain I about two days more of exteriors to I shoot. Will Nigh is directing. Pittsburgh House Opens Monday (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Pittsburgh — The new Diamond, in the downtown section, will be opened by the Western Penn. Amus. Co., July 14. Back on Coast (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angelas — Corinne Griffith has returned from New York. She will shortly begin work on "Wilderness". Newspaper Opinions "Abraham Lincoln" — 1st Nat'l Stanton, Philadelphia BULLETIN — Simply and effectively told, the story of "Abraham Lincoln," depicted on the screen at the Stanton Theater, is a picture no real movie fan should miss and which every patriotic American should see. Despite the familiarity of the story, it is exceptionally entertaining and is also informative, illuminative and inspiring. INQUIRER — The film production of "Abraham Lincoln," * * * is an achievement. Historically the picture is almost perfect — too perfect, but dramatically, it fails somewhat. NORTH AMERICAN— The details of the picture are true to all the history book tradition, even to the physical characterizing and awkward gestures. But real drama is lacking. The interest in the play centers chiefly about the authenticity of its details, rather than drama of its situation. PUBLIC LEDGER (Morning)— The best proof in the world that fact can be every bit as thrilling as fiction is to be found in the picturization of the life of Abraham Lincoln * * * PUBLIC LEDGER (Evening)—* ♦ * can bear comparison in many respects with some of the finest productions of the year. George A. Billings • * * has created a Lincoln who is human, kindly and rollicking without sacrificing a title of the grand dignity of the character. "Broadway After Dark" — Warners' Palace, Philadelphia BULLETIN— Excellent_ acting, of the suppressed force style, is contributed by Adolphe Menjou, about the best this capable player has yet contributed to the screen. He is the living embodiment of the well groomed and debonair man of wealth and fashion. NORTH AMERICAN—* * * the old Owen Davis melodrama, "Broadway After Dark," reaches the screen as a jazzy, modern comedy. And even some of the scenes that are meant to be serious are amusing, too. Altho the title means little, ♦ * ♦ the picture provides pretty good entertainment of its sort. * * * sort. * ♦ ♦ PUBLIC LEDGER (Morning)— It is surprising what an excellent picture Owen Davis ten-twent-thir' melodrama. "Broadway After Dark," makes, with the aid of good direction, an exceptionally fine cast and an undercurrent of "joshing" which the producers have wisely allowed to steal in. "Daughters of Today"— Selznick Capitol, Detroit FREE PRESS—* * * scenes which will make you gasp and wonder just what are the duties of the censor. There are other scenes which may bring a lump into the throat and a bit of mother love stuff that may have a sobering effect, but for the most part "Daughters of Today" is a typical screen revelation of the sports indulged in by the sons and daughters of tender years who seem to run wild. NEWS — If you are not yet fed up on necking parties, hip flasks, strip poker and all the other alleged wild orgies of the present generation of young 'uns, "Daughters of Today," * ♦ * will give you an acceptable hour of movie entertainment. "Daddies"— Warners' Ohio, Indianapolis NEWS — The film comedy is gently amusing. It does not amount to a great deal, but it will divert you. STAR — In its transference to the silent drama, it is called, "Daddies" has lost little and gained much. The details of the kiddies pranks and the introductory scenes are all so well and so realistically handled that it makes one of the most interesting screen productions that we have had recently. "The Fool's Awakening"— Metro-Goldwyn Colonial, Indianapolis NEWS — ^When the movies made an adap tation of it. « ♦ * they seemed to have lost by the wayside everything worth while in the book. The outcome is mediocre diversion, with one good thrill in it. "Hold Your Breath"— Prod. Dist. Corp. Fox, Philadelphia BULLETIN—* * • comedy, with Walter Hiers, Dorothy Devore and Tully Marshall, moves through its first scenes with dragging interest, but toward the latter half becomes riotously funny and keeps the audience laughing INQUIRER— "Hold Your Breath" has both laughs and thrilling situations. Dorothy Devore does a series of breath-taking acrobatic stunts and is the center of a number of amusing episodes. Walter Hiers plays opposite her and is a good comedy figure. The picture has the merit of a plot and a rather interesting one at that — * * * NORTH AMERICAN— Some of Harold Lloyd's pet laurels are forcibly wrested from him by an Amazonian specimen of the "deadlier sex." PUBLIC LEDGER (Morning)— Al Christie has gathered a cast of capable entertainers for his first venture into a longer production than the usual two-reel comedies which have made his signature well known. "Hold Your Breath," * * * is a breezy little picture, played for all it is worth * * * PUBLIC LEDGER (Evening)— It is a good picture because it combines comedy with pathos in a rich blend * * • because it creates real tugs at the heart-strings and then gives you cause for hilarity as an antidote. "Miami" — Prod. Dist. Corp. Century, Baltimore AMERICAN— The result is not unentertaining. The adventures of the hero, the heroine and the villain won't bear even the most casual analysis, but if you overlook the foolish premise on which the narrative is built, it is quite good enough for a casual summer night's entertainment. Thanks DAILY POST—* •♦ the scenery, natural and female, is excellent and the photography and lighting better fhan usual. EVENING SUN— production • * * leans heavily for support on palm trees, sunsets and Miss Compson's bathing suits, filled, of course, with the fair owner. Rialto, Omaha WORLD-HERALD— » * * shot amid the royal palms, giant cocoanut trees, coral ledges and deep green waters of this tropical paradise. Its setting, including the natural background, the yachts and the interior and exterior scenes of the mansion, is very beautiful. "The Marriage Cheat" Wisconsin, Milwaukee SENTINEL— Although the story has an ardent love motif, there is nothing coarse or sensual about it — the artistic hand of John Griffith Wray again. Percy Marmont gives one of his finely shaded performances * * * Leatrice Joy is fine * * * while Adolphe Menjou is excellent * • * Laska Winter makes her debut and creates an impression ♦ * * Capitol, Montreal GAZETTE — ^Scenically and episodically, there are innumerable touches of Stevenson and Jack London, dramatically there is a dash of "Rain" while atmospherically there are a succession of tropic deluges. "The Perfect Flapper"1st Nat'l Metropolitan, Washington HERALD—* * * climacteric touch that gives the picture dramatic substance as well as delightful humor. TIMES — * * * the photoplay lives up to its name. The film moves fast, and serves to prove that little Miss Moore has perfected her knowledge and practice of comedy during the past year. You will never know Colleen's best until you see "the Perfect Flapper." "The Next Comer"— F. P.-L. Strand, Omaha WORLD-HERALD— Dorothy Mackail is seen as the wife, a role that is somewhat different from those in which she has heretofore appeared. She is most convincing and quite fascinating enough to arouse the interest of almost any man. Block Booking Fight (Continued from Page 1) hands and prevents playing meritorious pictures late in the season. Action on this practice has been a long time coming. For the past three years, the letter states, the organization has literally been filled with protests against block booking, adding that the system, abolished through the efforts of organization, is to be reinstated this coming season by distributors, and goes on to say: "They are going to try and sell you the block booking idea by many insiduous ways. They will tell you that there is a shortage of pictures, that you'd better buy in block or remain out in the cold. That's the bunk. You are the buyer, and as such, determine selling policies. If you refuse to buy under a certain system, you can bet your last dollar the system will be changed, and changed quick ly." Exhibitor support of independent producers and distributors, is urgently requested by Steffes, contending that the time has come when every theater owner must support the independents, who will be eliminated shortly, if such support is not forthcoming. It is pointed out that there will be about 550 pictures this season, showing the improbability of a shortage. It declares brand names mean nothing to the public, inasmuch as one poor picture will offset the prestige of a number of good ones. Michigan Active, Too (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Detroit — H. M. Richey is warning members of "the cat in the bag" method of selling. The Michigan unit has launched an attack on the block booking practice, too. Peeved at NonSupport (Special to THE FILM DAILY) San Francisco — A request was made a few days ago for a donation to help defray the expenses of entertaining the British War Fleet, due to pay San Francisco a visit. The Allied Amusement Industries sent letters to theater owners. Only one check was received and that from Allied. The funds are being raised by leading business men. Rose Transferred to Omaha (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Omaha — R. D. Thomson has resigned as manager of the Paramount exchange and has been succeeded by C. F. Rose, transferred from Famous-Lasky Film Service, Ltd., of Canada. William Kelly, former salesman in Calgary, has succeeded Rose. Renee Adoree in Los Angeles (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Hollywood — Renee Adoree has returned, following a four months' absence, during which she appeared in "The Bandolero" in Spain. F. B. O. Trade Show Monday F. B. O. will give a trade showing of "Fools in the Dark," at Loew's New York Roof on Monday at 2:30.