The Film Daily (1921)

HE INDEPENDENT MARKET More *Negris Howells Sales Has Two for Independent Market — J. A. Levinson Two More The Howells Sales Co., Inc., has two Pola Negri pictures available for I In independent market. They are, "Vendetta" and "Intrigued The first was made in Corsica and the second is a story of Paris. D. P. Howells was instrumental in bringing "I'assion" and "Gypsy Blood" to America. With the release of these pictures the Howells Sales Co., Inc., has adopted a policy under which pictures will be offered to the independent buyer based entirely on their merits. The plan is to build a permanent states rights organization. They say they do not expect to make a fortune on each production which they handle, but merely a fair profit based on the actual cost of the picture to them. . In other words, if they are fortunate enough to obtain the rights to a big picture at a low price, they will in turn pass that low price on to the independent territorial buyer instead of putting a price on the production that is all the traffic will bear. J. A. Levinson of 1600 Broadway also has two Negri pictures which he is offering for sale. They are "Infatuation, or the Polish Dancer" and "The Governess." The first is in five reels and the second in six. Parker Buys Comedies (Special to WID'S DAILY) Dallas — Tom Parker announces the purchase of a series of Cissy Fitzgerald comedies. Wilson and Schlank Here Ben Wilson is in New York accompanied by Morris R. Schlank. He is in the East to make arrangements with Arrow for the coming year. Brownie Plans Series Work is being completed on "Saving Marjorie," a five reel farce starring Margery Wilson, and directed by John S. Lopez. This is the second of a series of comedy features with the same star and director, being produced by Brownie Comedies, Inc. Work on the third picture, "The Smile Factory," begins in about two weeks in the Estee Studios on 125th Street. A Thought Writes Cruickshank of the Screen Sketching Service, 145 W. 45th St.: "A suggestion — why don't some enterprising man in the motion picture field get together and organize an independent exchange for the marketing and releasing of animated cartoon products? "The animated cartoon has been a neglected possibility and its ramifications have never yet been adequately exploited. "The fat producer has done nothing to keep it on the program, while the exhibitor and the movie fan have continually howled for the pen-drawn picture. "There are high class artists who can make up this brand of stuff, also animation studios fully equipped for producing purposes. "Surely the time has arrived for a live exchange to handle this class of animated material. The animating cartoonist would then have a market place." Big Canadian Deal Pending (Special to WID'S DAILY) Chicago — American Film has sold Canadian rights on four productions to the Merger Film Co', of Montreal. This group includes "Eve in Exile," "The Valley of Tomorrow," "The Light Woman" and "The Hellion." President Mercier Imile and General Manager Alfred J. Dusseault negotiated the deal and announce plans are under way for the distribution of all American features for which there is at present no Canadian distributor. "Man and Woman" the First Owing to an unexpected delay in production of "The Amazing Lovers," "Man and Woman" will be the first release of the monthly offerings which Herman Jans will make in the independent field. Buys "Supreme Passion" A. W. Thornley of Hy-Art Prod., Dallas, has bought the rights to "The Supreme Passion" for Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. We Recognized the many splendid advertising angles in preparing the campaign for "Under Two Flags" for the R& R Sales Corporation. We believe that it will be considered one of the outstanding features on the independent market. "Advertising is half the battle" C. J. Ver Halen and Staff Advertising Engineers 844 Sixth Avenue, New York City Telephone Bryant 9223 ^Greene President Heads Newly Formed Pyramid Pictures, Inc. — Ray Smallwood Making the First •" Waller E. Greene, formerly \. president of Paramount, is thi dint of Pyramid Pictures, Inc. 'I announcement was made yesterday by Arthur X. Smallwood, president of Smallwood & Co., Inc., investment brokers of 150 W. 34th St., which concern is in charge of the financing of the new million dollar corporation. The first meeting of the board of directors was held on Saturday and the policy of the company was outlined. Greene was tendered the presidency. He accepted and after a short business trip will assume the active leadership of the concern. Executive offices have been opened at 150 \V 34th St. Burr Sells Franchise Charles C. Burr, president Affiliated Distributors, Inc.. has sold the Ohio and Kentucky franchise to Skirboll Brothers. It is understood that the Affiliated franchises include the rights not only for the three productions already announced, to wit: "Burn 'Em Up Barnes." "Lonely Heart" and "Sunshine Harbor," and a series of productions based upon the stories from the pen of a noted author of "North woods" romances, but the McManusDonahue pen and ink cartoons and the RoIIin Lester Dixon scenic poems. The First "Skipping the Pen" is the initial offering of the series of pen and ink cartoons by J. J. McManus and R. K Donahue, to be distributed by Affiliated. Stearns in Charge Outlook Photoplays, Inc., has started the filming of Sinclair Lewis' "Free Air," first published in (he Saturday Evening Post. Production will be in charge of Myron M. Stearns formerly scenario editor for D. W. Griffith. Harry O. Hoyt, who filmed "The Rider of the King Log." will direct. Stearns will have as assistants E. D. Ventorini and George de Richelavic. Exteriors will be made in Glacier National Park and al the automobile trail from St. Paul to Seattle. Brandt's Idea Joe Brandt declares that the sort of work Ben Amsterdam of Masterpiece, Harry Charnas of Standard and Joe Friedman of Celebrated are doing in the matter of exploitation is paving the way to real power for them and for others in the independent field. Buys Two Six Reelers Two six reel specials, titles not yet announced, have been purchased by Olympian Prod., Inc.. for distribution in the independent field. Warren W. Lewis, formerly with Selznick, is now advertising and publicity manager of Olympian.