Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1266 Will Promote Pictures in China Peacock Corporation Backed by American and Chinese Capital Is Formed C5. KWEI, a Chinese newspaper man, announced at the weekly luncheon of * the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, that a new corporation backed by Chinese and American capital has been formed to show motion pictures throughout China. The new organization is called the Peacock Corporation, which has, Mr. Kwei declared, already purchased eighty pictures for showing in the Far East. Mr. Kwei pointed out that at the present time there were only about 100 picture theatres in all China, and sai 1 that the Peacock corporation of which he is now a member intended to build many more and hoped to have a big chain of houses. Of course the trouble has been that motion pictures have been shown in China with American and English titles," he told his auditors. " We intend to translate your titles into Chinese, which will not only make them entertaining for our countrymen in general but will have an educational force far greater than the newspapers. The Chinaman seldom reads the newspapers but he will see pictures; he will get instruction in his language and he will learn how others live through the highclass pictures now being issued. However, we must have action pictures to keep our audiences entertained. " We intend to train a native corps of about 1,000 in the handling of projection machines, and it is probable that before we have erected our theatres we will send out shows in wagons and in this manner pave the way for our theatres." In explaining further the work to be done bv the new Peacock Corporation, Mr. Kwei declared that the company hoped soon to undertake the making of big Chinese motion pictures for distribution in China. " We want China to know America better and we want America to really know the Chinese. The Chinese like Americans and we have every reason to believe Americans like us. We hope to broaden that good feeling while we are making our venture successful." Paul Gerson Pictures Corp. Reorganized on Coast The Paul Gerson Pictures Corporation of San Francisco has recently undergone a reorganization. The executive forces are now under the Leadership of well known San Francisco capitalists and business men headed by Mr. C. E. Reinhart, recently elected president and chairman of the board of directors. The company has purchased the Montague studios on Page street near Golden Gate Park. New stages, ollices and laboratory are under construction. The company's first feature production has just been finished and is now in the hands of the cutters. This is " The Cricket on the Hearth," Charles Dickens' story, featuring Josef Swickard and an all-star cast, produced under the direction of Lorimer Johnston, formerly of American Film Co. and Vitagraph. Orral Humphrey is also being starred in a series of two-reel comedy dramas written and titled by Peter B. Kyue. Mr. Humphrey assumes the role of Tiberius Tinker, made famous in stories running in the Saturday Evening Post. Craig Hutchinson, formerly with Mack Sennett and Chaplin, is directing this series. Geo. Scarborough Writes for Dustin Farnum George Scarborough, the dramatist, is the author of Dustin Farnum's latest picture to be started at the William Fox West Coast studios. It is called " The Grail," and the scenario is by the playwright, Charles Renyon. Peggy Shaw and Alma Bennett are members of the cast. Motion Picture N c zv s Viola Dana is the star of the Metro production, "Noise in Newboro," from which the above scenes are taken Fox Film Names Releases for Week of March 10 Fox Film Corporation announces a William Russell production, an Al St. John comedy, and a Sunshine funmaker as its list ot releases for the week of March 10th. " Good-Bye, Girls," from the story by George Foxall, will be the vehicle offered with William Russell in the starring role. The picture was directed by Jerome Storm, and Caimel Myers lias the feminine lead. March 11th is release day. " The Salesman " is the title of the two-reel special comedy featuring Al St. John. The Sunshine comedy release is called " The Fourflusher " and is scheduled for March 18th. Hearst Representatives in Albany for Theatre Site Representatives of William R. Hearst were in Albany the past week, seeking a site for a theatre. Albany may be included in a chain of film houses, which it is reported is being contemplated by the well known publisher. An unfinished theatre, which was to have housed Schubert vaudeville, but upon which work stopped following the tangled affairs of Max Spiegel, was looked over by the Hearst representatives. Principal Pictures Signs Bryant Washburn Bryant Washburn has been signed up by Principal Pictures Corporation to play a leading role in George M. Cohan's " The Meanest Man in the World." The cast, which will be under the direction of Eddie Cline, now includes Bert Lytell, Blanche Sweet, Bryant Washburn and Maryon Aye. A group of scenes from " Driven." a Charles Brabin production, distributed by Universal.