Associated First National Franchise (1921)

February I, I 9 2 I First National Franchise 9 Production iVofes Belie Reports of Slump "VIEWS of the production by Marshall Neilan of a mammoth film in which more than 2.000 persons appear and which has been going on quietly for the past four months has finally been given out by the director. Although no knowledge of this production has been had in trade circles during this time, work on the film has been in progress simultaneously with the picturization of "Dinty" and "Not A Drum Was Heard." The film presents a visualization of Randall Parish's "Bob Hampton of Placer," and the story is laid in Montana and Wyoming in 1876 after the close of the Civil War, when the Indian uprisings startled the country. One of the great dramatic features of the picture is a presentation of the last stand of General Custer. The cast includes James Kirkwood, Wesley Barry, Marjorie Daw, Pat O'Malley, Noah Beery and Tom Gallery. Marion Fairfax prepared the scenario. The motion picture world is watching with marked interest the activities of the Cathrine Curtis Corporation, the one producing concern in the United States, if not in the world, which has a woman at its head. That Cathrine Curtis, president of the corporation, is out to do big things in a big way is made evident from what she has already accomplished. Her first picture, just completed, and soon to be released by Associated First National, is an adaptation from Ralph Connor's popular novel, "The Sky Pilot." She selected King Vidpr to direct this picture, and she has seen to it that an all-star cast interpret the story. John Bowers is in the title role, while Dainty Colleen Moore plays the feminine lead. Others in the cast are James. Corrigan, Donald McDonald, Harry Todd, Kathleen Kirkham and David Butler. Many of the scenes were taken in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in the very locations depicted by the author. Four malemute dog teams, a double team of Alaskan reindeer and some polar bears will be used by Director David M. Hartford for his next production for Associated First National release, James Oliver Curwood's story of the Far North, "The Golden Snare." Wesley Barry foresakes his newspapers and ragged cap of "Dinty" for the hair chaps and six-shooters in Marshall Neilan's new production, "Bob Hampton of Placer," a spectacular version of Randall Parish's book of that title. * * * Marguerite Clark, who has completed "Scrambled Wives," her first picture to be released through Associated First National Pictures, Inc., is now spending the winter with her husband in New Orleans. Among the recent screenings at the home office were "The Kid" and "Jim, the Penman." In the editor's opinion, both of these are remarkable productions. One is a comedy sensation and the Bennett-Barrymore attraction is an excellent drama. To secure realistic shots of wild boars in their native haunts, Edwin Carewe, director, sent his assistant, Wallace Fox, and two cameramen to Santa Rosa Island, off the coast of Southern California. The picture is Anita Stewart's newest Louis B. Mayer attraction, "The Tornado," which title ma be changed. Newest Photograph I', J ■ : . I I I ■" Marguerite Clark, star of "Scrambled Wivesv iiiiiriiiiiiimMiiiiimiiiimMiiimmiiiimiinimiiiiimi 111 itirr tt iHIIIIIIIIIIMlllHMinillllllltllllllllll About Our Attractions "A HUMAN STORY" "The Jack-knife Man." It is a picture that actually visualizes drama itself in the finer higher method without dulling its entertainment value. When the screen is capable of acting the medium for so sweet and human a story as this, its permanence is assured. Los Angeles Record. " EXHIBITOR SATS IT'S GOOD " "Go And Get It." Allow me the pleasure to congratulate First National on Marshall Neilan's "Go and Get It." This is without a doubt the most interesting picture I have shown in my ten years experience in the business. There is not a minute of time wasted in the entire picture. Newspaper editorialized on it. J. A. Estridge, Gastonian Theatre, Gastonia, N. C. " CAN'T MISS IT " "Passion." — No one in Atlantic City can afford to miss this remarkable picture of his own will, especially so when it can be seen at such comparatively small cost. It is one of the cinema triumphs of the year. Atlantic City Gazette. "LAUGHS IN BUNCHES" "Twin Beds." We laughed so long and so often at Twin Beds on the stage that we didn't suppose there was a chuckle left in us for this brilliant little farce, but that's because we hadn't seen what Carter de Haven and his clever players could do with it. Los Angeles Times. Exhibitors Can Own Their Own Fan Magazine MOTION Picture Post, Inc., the President of which is William B. Curtis, has announced the launching of a new publication which they offer to First National exhibitors for use locally as a means of building up business and at the same time derive profit from the advertising spaces sold to local merchants. The publication called "Motion Picture Post" is to be devoted, insofar as text matter is concerned, to First National Pictures and stars, and will be used exclusively in houses showing First National attractions. The magazine, the front cover of which is reproduced on page 2 of this issue of "Franchise" is to be about the size of the Literary Digest, with the cover of coated paper and the body in book paper. The text section is to be carefully written, so as to carry a selling message to the public, thereby making the advertising spaces, 28 in number, valuable to the local merchant. The cover is to be printed in two colors, with the name or trade mark of the local theatre prominently displayed at the bottom of the page. In brief, the object is to give the First National exhibitor a house booklet with which he can call attention to his theatre, and his stars, while at the same time bringing in revenue from the advertising. Motion Picture Post has announced that the cost of this magazine to exhibitors will be $75 per thousand, monthly, the booklet being issued once a month at the beginning and semi-monthly later on. Exhibitors will pay $130 for two thousand; $170 for three thousand; $205 for four thousand and $245 for five thousand. Additional thousands above five will be $40 each. Motion Picture Post figures that exhibitors can easily sell each of the 28 advertising spaces at $5-00 an issue, which would yield $140 in returns, or $65 more than the booklet costs them, based on one thousand copies. If more than one thousand copies are used, advertising rates would be higher in proportion, therefore the returns larger. Some exhibitors may desire to sell the booklet for 5 cents per copy instead of giving them out, thereby bringing in about $50 per thousand copies. Of course, the rate charged for advertising spaces is in the exhibitor's hands. He can charge whatever rate he thinks is best or he can use the advertising spaces for himself In any event, the fact remains that Motion Picture Post, Inc., intends to supply him with a booklet which should greatly help his theatre and his box office. Motion Picture Post estimates that for each one thousand copies there will be five thousand readers. It is intended, within a few days, to mail a specimen c-~"" of Motion Picture Post, with complete detailed instructions as to how it is to be handled, with order blanks, etc., to Firts National exhibitors. "PAPER WRITES EDITORIAL" "Go and Get It." It is out of the ordinary for ed itorial comment to be made about a moving picture show, but in this case we can't refrain from telling the public that if they want to see a real thriller, a story that throbs with life and danger and love, a story that depicts the great newspaper game as it is played by a born newspaper man, go to the Gastonian tonight and see "Go and Get It." It is a remarkable story. Gastonia Daily Gazette. The Opperman Policy Hal Opperman, of the Crescent Theatre. Pontiac, 111., says: "I have found success in a lobby constructed along simple, dignified lines, with a lobby display that is artistic and gives an air of quiet restraint in the arrangement of its stills rather than a circussy arrav of 24-shects luridly pasted up. In my city, also, the public likes to see the manager in (he lobby. I find that greeting my 'repeats' brings them back with their friends, and this is an investment that has paid me well. It makes business steady."