Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 3 , 19 2 3 1075 Arrow Completes Deal For Northern N. Y. W. E. Shallenberger, president of Arrow Film Corporation, announces the consummation of negotiations with I. E. Chadwick, of Merit Film Corporation, whereby that organization acquired a large number of the Arrow productions for distribution in the upper part of New York State. The productions included in this deal are " Nan of the North," a Ben Wilson serial starring Ann Little; "The Fighting Skipper," a Forday serial starring Peggy O'Day with Jack Perrin and Francis Ford, who is also the producer and director of the serial ; " The Deceiver," a story of the Far North with Carol Halloway ; " Headin' North," a Western starring Pete Morrison ; " The Stranger in Canyon Valley," a Western starring Edyth Sterling; four Neva Gerber productions produced by Ben Wilson ; " Chain Lightning," a story of the race track, starring Ann Little; •' High Speed Lee," a drama of the Long Island smart set, produced by Atlantic Features, starring Reed Howes; "One Eighth Apache," " Back to Yellow Jacket," and " A Motion to Adjourn," three Peter B. Kyne productions, starring Roy Stewart and produced by Ben Wilson ; " Man and Wife," an F. & M. production directed by John L. McCutcheon, with an all-star cast including Robert Elliott, Norma Shearer, Maurice Costello, Gladys Leslie; "Night Life in Hollywood," an A. B. Maecher production, and "The Innocent Cheat," a Ben Wilson production. Weber-North Special Progresses Director Nigh Engages 800 People for Scene in Independent Production Goldstone at Work on New Production Phil Goldstone announces he is starting production on a Richard Talmadge picture, the work title being Mind Over Matter," from the original story by J. Natteford. This will be the third release of the new Richard Talmadge series. At the completion of the second series of the Talmadge series Goldstone announces that Richard Talmadge will appear in big spectacular productions. A CABARET and dance scene crowded with 800 dancers and diners was shot this week at the Metro studios, where Will Nigh, independent director, is staging his second production for L. Lawrence Weber & Bobby North. The scene is an example of the proportions on which Nigh's forthcoming special is being built. Mob scenes of that many people have been known in pictures before, but not in independent annals, it is claimed. The huge scale on which the second Weber North Nigh vehicle is mounted is the result of the producers' belief in doing nothing by halves. Current opinion among exhibitors of the country indicate that Will Nigh is on the right track in making luxurious settings one of the features of his output. Progress on the feature is going on full blast. The picture is half done. Speed, however, is not being attained at the sacrifice of thoroughness. Director Nigh had plotted and planned every minute of FRIENDS H.G.WELLS GREAT LITERARY SENSATION A BOX OFFICE KNOCKOUT actual shooting one month before work was actually begun. An enlarged staff of assistants was engaged, with Ben Behrens acting as first-mate to the crew. Particular satisfaction is reported with the work of Tom Moore and Ann Forrest, who play the leads in the picture. Moore is displaying his veteran ease before the calcium-light, and Ann Forrest, whose career is being watched by exhibitors and the public from coast to coast, is going through her paces like a star to the manor born, it is said. In addition to the dance scene above mentioned, there is a gorgeous interior of a modiste's shop, where much of the action takes place. This set, done in faithful detail, is elaborately decorated and outfitted by an expert in the line. The art-work represented in this set alone took more than a week to complete, and the space occupied was three-fourths of the floor of the studio. De Mille May Go To Palestine Paramount Considering Mission for Big Scenes in "Ten Commandments*' /^ECIL B. DeMILLE will prob y~i ably go to Palestine with a| company of Paramount players to film some of the more important scenes of the " Ten Commandments," it was announced today by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, in charge of production. Al Kaufman, who has recently been in charge of the company's European production, left New York yesterday for Los Angeles to confer with Mr. DeMille about the arrangements for the longest location trip in the history of motion pictures, half way 'round the world from Los Angeles to the Holy Land. Miss Jeanie Macpherson, who Los Angeles, after spending a month in the east at work on the script for the dramatic story of the " Ten Commandments." Already on the way to the Holy Land is Mrs. Florence Meehan, whom Mr. DeMille dispatched to the Biblical country for authentic data for use in the production. Mrs. Meehan is a much-traveled authority on ancient peoples and customs, who will explore India, Java, Thibet and Baluchistan before proceeding to Palestine, where she will be joined by the DeMille company. Mr. Kaufman, on account of familiarity with foreign production conditions, will accompany Mr. De has written all of Mr. DeMille's jMille on this photoplay conquest of recent continuities, is on her way to ™the Holy Land. Equity Completes Foreign Deal South American Rights Are Disposed of on "Has the World Gone Mad?" WORD comes from the office of Equity Pictures Corpora Washington Dignitaries See Doug's Latest Douglas Fairbanks' photoplay version of the chivalry and adventures of Robin Hood as portrayed in his " Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood," a United Artists release, and which opened recently in Washington, D. C., at the Columbia theatre, is exerting its magnetic influence upon the official life of the national capital, according to word just received by the star-producer from Frances Parkinson Keyes, noted magazine writer, and the wife of Senator Keyes, of New Hampshire. It is quite likely, according to Mrs. Keyes, that most everybody of official consequence in big political circles will try to learn something of diplomacy and statesmanship from the dashing exponent of taking from the rich to give to the poor, as depicted by Mr. Fairbanks. Among the first of the nation's official family to attend a showing of the picture was Mrs. Coolidge, wife of the Vice-President, who was a guest at a theatre party given by Mrs. Keyes. tion that the first foreign deal had been consummated on their new Special production, " Has the World Gone Mad?" By the closing of this contract, Equity has disposed of practically the entire South American market — the only part left open being the northern strip of small countries, including Colombia, Venezuela and the Guianas. The contract was closed between Louis Baum, vice-president of Equity Pictures Corporation, and Jacob Glucksman after a screening in the Equity projection room. The territories covered by this deal comprise the countries of Argen tine, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Bolvia and Ecuador. Mr. Glucksman expressed his absolute confidence in the success of the picture in each of the above countries, due to the fact that the production not alone deals with the trouble and eccentricities of American life, but is applicable to the society life of any country in the world today. "The picture," said Mr. Glucksman, "is all that Equity and the trade papers have held it to be and I am glad to obtain it for my territory. I also purchased Equity's last success, 'What's Wrong With the Women,' and I can safely asy that in my opinion, ' Has the World Gone M^ad?" will make money. "Pilgrim" PrintsJMeet Big Demand The demand for Chaplin's new picture, " The Pilgrim," is said to be so widespread that Associated First National has ordered 200 prints of the picture which goes into The Strand, New York, Feb. 25, for a two weeks' run. It is expected that the number of prints on this picture will reach 225, which will be a record over even the number ordered on " The Kid." First National branch offices report many bookings already and the demand is for early dates, which may bring a First National record for day and date showings. She gave up everything to go with the Abysmal Brute — Why? FAHOUS DRAMATIC STORY BRUTE' REGINALD DENNY A HOB ART HENLEY PRO0UCTI0N UNIVERSALJ EVEL