Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1194 Motion Picture News Fox Specials in Record Day and Date Runs The popular demand for exhibition of the current list of Fox special productions is exemplified by unprecedented day and date engagements which have been played and which are scheduled for the near future in many cities, according to announcements from Fox Film Corporation. Forty-seven Chicago the a tres with a total seating capacity of approximately 37,000 ran " Silver Wings." with Mary Carr, to record attendance during the week of Washington's birthday. This special, which was released late in 1922, has been greeted with a waxing enthusiasm in houses throughout the United States and all the foreign exchanges where Fox is represented. The Chicago bookings are the first of a series about to be inaugurated in various other key centers. The week of April 1st will see " The Town That Forgot God," another special released February 11th, in 23 Cleveland theatres. Both productions have had successful Broadway, New York, runs, " Silver Wings " having played all summer at the Apollo theatre and "The Town That Forgot God" having had three months at the Astor. Much Activity on Goldwyn Lot Eight Units In Operation Or Busy With Preparations For New Productions Ethel Shannon Signed by Schulberg After a careful survey of available feminine screen talent, B. P. Schulberg has announced the first of a number of contracts he expects to close securing the exclusive services of actresses to be featured in Preferred Pictures released by the Al. Lichtman Corporation. He has signed Ethel Shannon, the petite brunette who did splendid work in Gasnier's picture, " The Hero," and recentlv completed a part in Tom Forman's " The Girl Who Came Back." The long-term agreement giving Preferred Pictures exclusive control of Miss Shannon's screen work is the third step in the formation of a permanent stock company. Kenneth Harlan and Gaston Glass were Schulberg' s first acquisitions. THK topic of conversation that keeps cropping up wherever two or more exhibitors, or an exhibitor and any member of the Goldwyn staff, in New York, at the studios and in the exchanges get together, is the great activity now taking place at the Goldwyn studios. A telegram just received from James R. Grainger, now at the studios after a trip which has covered the majority of Goldwyn's branch exchanges, states that on c\ cry hand he found this expansion of activities by Goldwyn the big theme in picture circles everyv, here. " The consensus of exhibitor opinion is that Goldwyn is making faster strides than any other company in the industry," states the message. " ' The Christian ' has aroused their enthusiasm and I found them eager for information on ' Vanity Fair,' 'Mad Love,' 'Lost and Found,' ' The Eternal Three,' ' Red Lights,' 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles,' 'Greed' (' McTeague '), ' Three Wise Fools,' ' The Spoilers,' ' Ben-Hur ' and the new pictures which have not even been Ince Completes Deal For Cuba Negotiations were closed last week between the Thomas H. Ince Corporation and the Caribbean Film Company, whereby the latter will distribute five Ince pictures in Cuba and Porto Rico. The pictures, " Homespun Folks," " Hail the Woman," " The Cup of Life," " Mother o' Mine " and ' Lving Lips." The deal was negotiated by Chester E. Sawyer, vice president of the Caribbean Film Company. Humane Society Endorses "Just Tony" The Toronto Humane Society, through its manager, J. M. Wilson, delivered written appreciation to the Pantages theatre of that city for its exhibition of " Just Tony," the Fox production, which stars the famous Tony, Tom Mix's steed. placed in preparation yet." On his arrival at the Culver City studios Mr. Grainger found 800 persons on the payroll, with the biggest production schedule in the history of the company in operation. Eight units are either actually in operation or preparing feature pictures. These are the eight pictures for which work is now progressing : " The Eternal Three," Marshall Neilan's original scenario, which he is directing; " Greed," Erich von Stroheim's first Goldwyn picture, a film version of Frank Norris' " McTeague"; "Souls for Sale," Rupert Hughes' picture based upon his own novel of that title ; King Vidor's production of " Three Wise Fools," from Austin Strong's popular play; Hugo Ballin's production of Thackeray's " Vanity Fair," starring Mabel Ballin, which is now editor ; Jesse D. Hampton's new film version of Rex Beach's novel, " The Spoilers," directed bv Lambert Hillyer; "Red Lights" which Clarence Badger is directing, a film version of Edward Rose's mystery play, " The Rear Car " : and Elinor Glyn's " Six Days " which Charles Brabin will direct. "Passionate Friends" Sales Announced With the sale of " The Passionate Friends " the picturization of the famous H. G. Wells novel to Sam Zierler of Commonwealth Film Corp., Sam Grand, Federated Film Exchange of New England, C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation reports a rapid closing out of the domestic territory on this picture. With the announcement in last week's trade papers that George H. Davis, had selected C. B. C. Film Sales' Corporation to handle the distribution on this picture inquiries poured into the office from distributors and exhibitors all over the country. It is believed that the remaining unsold territory will be closed immediately. Mr. Brandt leaves New York Monday for an extended trip through the West in the interests of " The Passionate Friends " and it is expected that we will have some, important sales announcements to make next week. Sam Zierler will distribute " The Passionate Friends " in Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. Sam Grand will handle the picture exclusively in New England. Guy Bates Post Starts New One "Man From Ten Strike," Curwood Story, Enters Production At Ince Studios WORK will begin this week on the Guy Bates Post special to be made by E. deB. Newman and Robert T. Thornby of the Courtland Productions, and for Principal Pictures Corporation's release. The picture will be made at the Ince Studio, where Guy Bates Post will soon make his temporary professional abiding place. The story, " The Man From Ten Strike," as it will be seen on the screen, is a free adaptation and development of a short story by James Oliver Curwood. The adaptation and continuity are now finished and are the work of Fred Myton, whose skill at such kind of service is attested by many successful pictures, his latest work being a new adaptation of " The Spoilers." The role of the hero as presented by Mr. Post will reveal that distinguished American actor in a part said to be eminently suited to him. It will not be a costume role, but one essentially human, masculine and vigorous. When the story opens the hero, disillusioned and wronged in his early married life, appears on the scene of action a rugged, mature being animated by a single impulse. Mr. Post himself is enthusiastic over the possibilities afforded by this broad-gestured, tragic yet sympathetic character and the play, set as it is in the great out-of-doors, is precisely the kind in which the vigor and power of Robert Thornby's directorial art are revealed. As the first product of the Courtland productions in association with Sol Lesser and his organization, this big feature will be awaited eagerly not only by picture fans and admirers of Guy Bates Post, but by the trade in general. That no expense will be spared in the production of this picture is evidenced in the fact that the company will probably begin its work not at the Ince Studio but on location in the Yosemite Valley. Dinky Dean Kid Star, Says Chaplin Charlie Chaplin believes that the future of Dinky Dean in motion pictures is assured. If Charlie is as as good a prophet as he is a picture artist, there will soon be a new " kid " star on the picture firmament. Dinky's real name is Dean Franklin Reisner, and he is the lad who appears in Chaplin's latest First National Attraction, " The Pilgrim," and adds quite a " punch " to the picture — and to Chaplin's face as a matter of fact. He is four years old and is the son of " Chuck " Reisner, song writer, playwright and heavy in many of Chaplin's comedies. In fact Dinky was born while his dad was playing a " Dog's Life." Elaborate Press Sheet for "Luck" C. C. Burr offers an elaborate array of publicity, exploitation and advertising helps for the exhibitor for Johnny Hines' latest melo-comedy, " Luck." The press sheet contains a series of teaser cuts with two teaser campaigns outlined. Other material presented consists of descriptions of lobby displays, ballyhoos, " Lucky " day contests, newspaper tie-ups, a novelty cut-out puzzle stunt for the kiddies, suggestions for putting over a wishbone matinee and illustrations and descriptions of the specially constructed flashing window and lobby display showing the great mine scene from " Luck." One of the finest twenty four sheets ever turned out is available on " Luck." It shows Johnny Hines posing with dice, horseshoes, wishbones and four-leaf clovers, all forming the word " Luck." The two three sheets show snappy scenes from the picture, the two ones were specially designed and give a good idea of some of the humorous situations in this melocomedy. Producers SecurityiTto Release "The Beast" " The Beast," Thomas Dixon's new super production for which Producers Security has the releasing arrangements, is said to be the seventh straight success from this famous writer's pen. Madlyn Clare plays the leading feminine role, and Warner P. Richmen, well known stage and screen actor, handles the juvenile lead. In " The Beast " Mr. Dixon is said to outdo all his previous sensational successes. "Strongheart" Picture Sold in France " Strongheart," the Jane MurfinLaurence Trimble wonder dog, will soon be seen in France, French African Colonies, French African Protectorate, Belgium and Switzerland. The Societe des Etablissements Goumont have signed a contract with First National for the distribution rights in that territory of this popular dog in " Brawn of the North."