Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1923)

January 2 7 , 1923 481 Gov. Edwards Endorses Hodkinson Special GOVERNOR EDWARD I. EDWARDS, of New Jersey, foe of the Blue Laws and leading advocate of liberal legislation, was the guest of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation at their New York offices recently, where he was entertained by a private showing of the Hodkinson super-special. " Down to the Sea in Ships." The Governor was accompanied by his secretary, Harry Foley. After the showing of the picture, an informal reception was held in the projection room. Among those present were the officials of the Hodkinson Corporation, the director and producer of the film drama, Elmer Clifton and Raymond McKee, who played the leading male role. The Governor was enthusiastic about the picture. He was particularly interested in the harpooning of the 90-ton whale. In complimenting Raymond McKee, he said that he was delighted to meet an actor who had the courage to undertake so dangerous and hazardous a role. He inquired for the other star in the picture, Miss Marguerite Courtot. When he learned from McKee that she had been operated on for appendicitis and was at present in St. Michael's Hospital. Newark, N. J., he instructed his secretary to send her a big box of flowers. Complete Circus for "Souls for Sale" Goldwyn pictures has built a complete circus on its lot at Culver City, Cal., for certain episodes in the new Rupert Hughes' picture, "Souls for Sale." A "big top" was bought from Barnum & Bailey and other equipment was either built or purchased. All of this circus equipment will go up in flames for the night scenes of " Souls for Sale." Author-Director Hughes is making his usual rapid progress upon the film. In the cast are Eleanor Boardman, Frank Mayo, Richard Dix, Lew Cody, Mae Busch and Barbara La Marr. Eric von Stroheim is in San Francisco completing the continuity for his first Goldwyn picture, "McTeague," from the Frank Norris novel. Strauss, 4 'Salome" Being Released Wiley Announces New Picture Version Ready For Independent Market Real Color for "The White Frontier" Allan Holubar, who is directing Dorothy Phillips in "The White Frontier," a First National release, is preparing to take a long jaunt to get real local color for this original story of the Canadian northwest by Jeffry Deprend. For only a few shots of Montreal the director will take his staff and part of his company to the big Canadian city. Holubar has made many of his scenes at Truckee, California, and will shoot more of the northwest locale in western Canada. The de ux fALCOLM STRAUSS SAiM LOME,'' an entirely new motion picture version of the immoral story, is now ready for release through the independent market, it is announced by George H. Wiley, Inc., which is handling the distribution. " Malcolm Strauss' Salome " is promised as a novel departure from other productions of the same subject, not only in acting and production, but in the fact that it uses a new and original story, based on the Bible story of Salome, which is at the same time spectacular and wholesome. Diana Allen, formerly a Ziegfeld Follies star and dancer, appropriately plays the role of Salome, whose dance of death and passion is probably the most famous in history. Vincent Coleman, popular leading man, and Christine Winthrop play other prominent parts, heading a distinguished cast of players. Malcolm Strauss, noted artist and delineator of beautiful women, personally supervised every detail of the production. Basing his production entirely on the Bible, Mr. Strauss shows Salome as an innocent young girl, unfortunately caught in the intrigue and plottings of an Oriental court. " The only thing that the Bible says on the subject of Salome," Mr. Strauss states, " is that on the birthday of Herod, the King, Salome danced for him, whereupon he asked her what she wanted, promising to grant any wish. Her mother, Herodias, made her ask for the head of John the Baptist, who had reviled her in the public square, and the King had to keep his promise and comply. Later, the Bible says, Salome went to Egypt." Apollo Exchange, Inc., has acquired the exhibition rights to the picture for Greater New York and Northern New Jersey; Imperial Pictures for Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, and Federated Film Exchange for Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia and Virginia. Strong Support Given Farnum Wanda Hawley and Tom Santschi in Picture Due for Release, January 28 WANDA HAWLEY and Tom Santschi, both of whom have been stars in their own right, appear in support of William Farnum in his most recent vehicle, "Brass Commandments," an adaptation of Charles Alden Seltzer's widely read novel, according to advice from the New York offices of Fox Film Corporation this week. The production is scheduled for release January 28th. In addition to the two aforementioned actors, the cast boasts the inclusion of Claire Adams, one of the screen's most prominent feminine leads, and such character portrayers as Charles Le Moyne, Joe Rickson, Lon Poff, Al Fremont, Joseph Gordon and Cap Anderson. The picture, which was adapted for the screen by Charles Kenyon, presents the Fox star in the sturdy western role for which he has become famous. Again Farnum is the outdoor westerner in quest of justice and willing to use his fists and firearms in its fulfillment. Lynn F. Reynolds, the director, has brought forth pictorially the qualities of the robust star, which has endeared him to his vast hosts of admirers, in a most convincing and acceptable fashion, and with the assistance of Cameraman Dan Jennings has given the production a scenic background whose beauty and grandeur is only equalled in photoplays devoted solely to the recording of nature itself, according to the Fox offices. The story is that of a prominent New York clubman who is called back to his ranch in the West to rid it of its parasitic outlawry in the shape of cattle rustlers. How he accomplishes this with the aid of his brass commandments, bullets, and wins the love of the winsome hotel clerk, is said to provide an excellent entertainment. College Dignitaries See times' Features " Burn 'Em Up, Barnes," and " Sure Fire Flint," the first two Johnny Hines' features were given a private showing last week in the library of the St. Louis University of St. Louis, Mo. There was a distinguished audience of professors and students of the college, members of the Board of Trustees, administrative officials as well as prominent local city officials and men from public life. The exhibition was given at the request of E. M. Ivancovitch, a member of the college teaching staff who is interested in the progress of American cinema art. The pictures came in for a good deal of favorable comment as was evident from a letter received by C. C. Burr, producer of the Johnny Hines' features. Will Exploit "Quincy Adams Sawyer" Bert Ennis, special exploitation man for Arthur H. Sawyer and Herbert Lubin, leaves for Chicago this week, where " Quincy Adams Sawyer," the all star Metro-L. S. special will begin an engagement at the beautiful Chicago Theatre on Monday, January 29th. Ennis will devote ten days of intensive exploitation to the picture, prior to the opening. Preliminary tie-ups have already been made with the Yellow Taxicab Company of Chicago and T. B. Harms, well known music publisher. Bryant Washburn Signs for "Temptation" BRYANT WASHBURN has been signed up to play a leading role in "Temptation," third on the C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation series of six features. Mr. Washburn, it is announced, was selected some time ago by the C. B. C. officials, and by Director Edward J. Le Saint, as being excellently suited to the role outlined in the story and continuity. It is announced that an entire cast for "Temptation" is tentatively lined up, including, like "Only A Shopgirl," an all-star array. "We aim to make each picture better than the last," says Producer Harry Cohn — "and the cast of 'Temptation,' when it is finally announced, will be even stronger than the one in 'Only A Shopgirl.' " Clift Is Planning Big London Pictures According to the London Times, Denison Clift, former Lasky scenarist and Fox director, has achieved the premier position as director of British pictures. " A Bill of Divorcement," starring Constance Binney, to be shown in American cinemas early this year, is rated as the best British picture of the year. " This Freedom," the A. S. M. Hutchinson novel, has just been completed in London, and will be ready in March. Mr. Clift is now directing " Out to Win," founded on the London stage success, and upon its completion he will produce his own version of the " Mary Queen of Scots " story, using the great castles of England and Scotland as backgrounds, and with Fay Compton as the ill-fated Queen. cue Jurying about poms? mate them pi* yoaf