Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1196 M o don Picture News Failure," R elease Interest in the release, March 18th of the Associated Exhibitors six-part feature, " Is Divorce A Failure?" the first of the Leah Baird 1923 specials, has been intensified by the agitation for and against Senator Arthur Capper's bill for a federal marriage and divorce law. The measure, now before Congress, has received the endorsement of influential women's clubs and other organizations, and the discussion is filling many columns of newspaper space. In view of the popular interest in a project to make conditions of marriage and grounds for divorce uniform, the date set for the release of the Leah Baird photoplay, in which the divorce question forms the basis of the plot, is regarded as peculiarly timely. But there are said to be nearly half a dozen other angles to the picture, any one of which, developed in real life, would be handled under scereheads in every newspaper. "Wonders of Sea" on F.B.O. List J PULLING POWER STORY? AND THEN SOME. DIRECTOR? TOM MILLS. CAST? PICKED TO ORDER. CLEAN COMEDY? PLENTY. HEART INTEREST? YES. WATCH THIS SPACE. IF IMPATIENT DROP US A LINE AND GET THE DOPE IN ADVANCE. JUST A TIP. DON'T LET THIS NEW SERIES MAKE YOU OVERLOOK COMPARABLES CHOICE PRODUCTIONS, INC. 6044 SUNSET BOULEVARD LOS ANGELES, CALIF. . E. Williams* Under-Water Picture Favorably Received by N. Y. Critics WONDERS OF THE SEA," J. E. Williamson's underwater photoplay, is now on the F. B. O. release schedule. This picture on the occasion of its presentation at the Rivoli and Rialto theatres, New York, won a favorable reception on the part of the Metropolitan critics. Among the comments made by the newspaper reviewers were the following: Evening Mail — " This sample of underwater photography is a marvelous piece of work, as thrilling as the most sensational melodrama and as beautiful as a visioned fairyland." Evening Telegram — " ' Wonders of the Sea,' which has been shown for a week at the Rialto with remarkable appreciation, is a gripping story of adventure among the denizons of the deep." Evening Mail — " The best picture this week at the Rivoli is ' Wonders of the Sea,' which last week held forth at the Rialto. For the matter of that, ' Wonders of the Sea' would be just about the best picture in any film program in which it held a place." The Times — " One of the most unusual and peculiarly fascinating motion pictures Broadway has ever seen." Tribune — " ' Wonders of the Sea,' made by J. E. Williamson, has been added to the feature at the Rialto, but it seems that the deep-sea picture ought to be feature enough all by itself on any program." The trade paper critics were also favorable in their reception. The Exhibitors Herald called the picture " a remarkably interesting film depicting the wonders of the deep, with much beautiful photography and many thrilling dramatic moments. It is 4,500 feet in length and worth playing as a feature. . . . All in all, ' Wonders of the Sea ' is a splendid achievement for the camera." Harrison's Reports stated that the new F. B. O. release was "actually a treat, and the kind of a treat that makes picturegoers." The Moving Picture World called it an attractive offering on any production and they advised that it was good for any house anywhere. Mr. Williamson is in receipt of many inquiries from exhibitors throughout the country who were influenced by the above reviews, and who have been eagerly awaiting the announcement of the picture's release. Paramount Campaign for Great Britain A national advertising campaign for Paramount Pictures designed to reach the exhibitors and public of Great Britain has been launched by the Famous-Lasky Film Service, Ltd., Paramount distributors in the United Kingdom, of which John Cecil Graham is managing director. This campaign has been patterned along the lines of the national advertising campagn conducted in this country by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and, according to advices received by E. E. Shauer, director of the company's foreign department, has been eminently successful. Approximately one hundred newspapers, divided into three groups in accordance with their size, are being used in this advertising campaign, the first of its kind to be launched in Great Britain. Another country which has made excellent progress in a national Paramount trade mark advertising campaign is Australia, which has been using the leading newspapers in the larger cities for several years. Wife In Name Only" Due Soon Once Popular Stage Play From Bertha M. Clay Novel Is Nearing Completion ABOUT twenty years ago, a certain manager of a theatrical stock company in Kansas City came to the conclusion that if he could advertise his shows with glaring lithographic posters, he would increase attendance regardless of the kind of shows he put on. Consequently, he collected the most glaring posters he could lay his hands on, and hired a little girl, just graduated from school, named Adeline Leitzbach, to write " plays " to fit these posters. It was at this time that the novels of Bertha M. Clay were at the height of their popularity, and Miss Leitzbach got permission from the publishers to " dramatize " one of them. She succeeded in tailoring "Wife In Name Only" to enable her employer to use the posters that " glared " the most. The play was produced and presented, and the posters, the manager claimed, " packed 'em in to S. R. O." To-day, at the studios of the Pyramid Pictures, Inc., in Astoria, L. I., under the direction of George Terwilliger, and with a cast of noted screen luminaries including Mary Thurman, Edmund Lowe, Florence Dixon, William H. Tooker, Arthur Hausman, Edna May Spooner and others, this same Adeline Leitzbach's dramatization of Bertha M. Clay's novel, "Wife In Name Only," is being made into a photoplay which the producers expect will be one of the outstanding cinema successes of 1923. Also, Miss Leitzbach's newest play, " Old Man Smith," is now in rehearsal at the Frazee theatre, and will shortly be presented on Broadway, featuring Tom Wise. Alfred Lunt Heads "The Ragged Edge"* Cast Alfred Lunt, the handsome new star from the legitimate stage, evidently is in earnest about pictures. Having just completed work in " Backbone," which had its first private showing at the Mark Strand theatre, New York, on February 20, he is now dashing off to tropical climes for the filming of " The Ragged Edge " in which he also has the lead. Both of these pictures are for the Distinctive Pictures Corporation and will head a list of about twelve features for the year. " Backbone " is Lunt's first appearance on the screen, he having broken into the films at precisely the same time as Glenn Hunter, with whom he appeared in the Broadway success, "Clarence." Lunt likes the work so well he started on " The Ragged Edge " at the Distinctive Studios with only a few days rest after the completion of " Backbone." Harmon Weight is directing the new picture. The interiors for " The Ragged Edge," which is based on Harold McGrath's novel of the same name, have been filmed at the studios in the Bronx, New York, and the exteriors will be shot off Miami, Fla. Howard Estabrook, assistant production manager for Distinctive, has made two trips to that city to make arrangements for locations. Release "Shooting of Dan McGrew " in Fall It has been definitely decided by Arthur H. Sawyer and Herbert Lubin of S L Pictures, that their special production for Fall release will be "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." Due to the time which will be given the making of this picture and the desire of Arthur H. Sawyer to gather a superlative cast for the various principal roles, the production will not be started next month, as originally scheduled, the time being consumed by Mr. Sawyer in perfecting his plans for making this one of the most important offerings of the year. " The Shooting of Dan McGrew " will present among other stellar players, Willard Mack, Lon Chaney and Barbara La Marr. Several weeks of preparatory work has already been done by the S L organization prior to the preparation of the continuity. Screening of "Brass" Brings Bookings FOLLOWING the screening of the Warner Brothers classic of the screen, " Brass," a Harry Rapf production directed by Sidney Franklin, before a representative audience of New England exhibitors, the management of the Park Theatre, Boston, booked the picture for an indefinite engagement, according to report, and it will be shown at that theatre beginning March 5. The Strand Theatre, New York, has booked the picture for the week beginning March 11. For this showing the Warner staff has devised a number of exploitation stunts which are calculated to arouse further interest in the production.