Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 17, 192s 1267 Allied to Issue Two Mae Marsh Productions Announcement is made of the signing of contracts by Hiram Abrams, president of Allied Producers and Distributors Corporation, and Lee Arms, American representative of Graham Wilcox Productions, Ltd., of London, by which two Mae Marsh pictures made in England will be distributed by Allied Producers and Distributors. The two pictures are " Paddy-the-Next-Best-Thing," and "A Woman's Secret." Mae Marsh in "Paddy-the-Next-BestThing" will be released by Allied Producers and Distributors in the course of the next sixty days. It is now playing a season's run in the Scala theatre, London. Mae Marsh is at present engaged by D. W. Griffith in the production of his forthcoming photoplay, " The White Rose." Charles Wilcox, managing director of the British company, will return to England aboard the steamship Majestic on March 10th, Graham Wilcox Productions have in the course of production the screen version of " Chu Chin Chow," upon which work will begin in the very near future. " Chu Chin Chow " will be released in this countrv this fall. Wells Hawks Speaks at the A.M. P. A. Luncheon At this week's luncheon of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, Wells Hawks, general press representative for Sam H. Harris Company, addressed the members. In his speech. Wells indulged in a great many reminiscences, touching on many of the famous showmen and publicity, men of the last two decades. There were many guests at the luncheon, among them being Chungshu Kwei, of the Peacock Motion Picture Corporation, which is planning to develop motion picture exhibition in China, as told elsewhere in this issue. Randall White Engaged on Louis Mayer Staff Louis B. Mayer Productions, Inc., this week added to the personnel of their New York office Randall M. White, recently director of advertising and publicity for the Lewis J. Selznick enterprises. Mr. White concluded his association with the Selznick company Saturday, March 3rd, and assumed his new duties Monday, March 5th. With the Mayer company, Mr. White will be concerned chiefly with adv ertising and publicity. Late News Notes from the West Coast by Wire FRANK ORMSTON has been engaged as technical director for Frank Borzage productions. The Downing Process laboratory has been sold to the Chester Bennett Film Laboratory, Inc., which has taken possession. Richard Rowland and Sam Katz are expected in Los Angeles on Monday of next week F. M. Sanford has left for New York with a print of " Follow Me." Principal Pictures Corporation, according to Sol Lesser, will make its future productions at the United studios, instead of at the King Vidor studio which was recently purchased. Scenes from the Larry Semon comedy "The Barnyard," Vitagraph. Elinor Fair Leaves East for Universal City Elinor Fair, because of her work in " Driven," has been called to Universal City by Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Pictures Corporation. Miss Fair left New York for the Coast early this week, on short notice. Charles Jones Working on New Film "Snowdrift" Charles Jones has begun work on a new picture at the Fox West Coast studios. "Snowdrift," from the story by James B. Hendryx, and under the direction of Scott Dunlap. It t as to do with the excitement and drama of a gold mining camp. The cast for " Snowdrift " includes Irene Rich (as lead opposite Jones), G. Raymond Nye, Dorothy Manners, Lolo Encinos and Lee Shumway. New Publicity Director Is Named by Cosmopolitan Louis 0. Macloon has been appointed as publicity director of Cosmopolitan Pictures Corporation. Mr. Macloon comes to Cosmopolitan from the Oliver Moroseo Enterprises, where he directed the publicity and sales of both the stage and screen attractions and was formerly located in California in behalf of the Santa Fe Railroad and Union Pacific System. "The Brass Bottle" to Be Tourneur's Next Maurice Toumeur has selected " The Brass Bottle," by F. Anstey, for his second Associated First National release. Anstey is an English author. A dramatic version of " The Brass Bottle" had a long run in one of London's leading theatres. Tourneur's contract with Associated First National calls for four big featui-es during the year. Tourneur's contract was arranged by M. C. Levee of the United studios, and Levee will present the Tourneur productions through First National release. Principal Pictures Back at United Studios Principal Pictures Corporation will return to the United studios next week. This announcement comes from Sol Lesser, piesident of the producing organization, who further adds that a gigantic production program will be carried on from that center. The deal was closed between Principal Pictures and Joseph M. Schenck and M. C. Levee, president of United studios. Levee has just returned from a brief trip to New York. New administration buildings are being erected at United studios adjoining those of the Schenck organization and immediately these are ready Lesser and his associates will take possession. The first production to be made at United Studios under the Principal banner will be the screen adaptation of George M. Cohan's " The Meanest Man in the World," with Bert Lytell, Blanche Sweet, Bryant Washburn, Maryon Aye and other players of equal popularity. Madge Bellamy Renews Ince Contract Announcement is made from the Thomas H. Ince studios, Culver City, that Madge Bellamy has renewed her engagement for a period of three years. According to the terms of the agreement Miss Bellamy is to be starred in a series of feature pictures, including at least one big special a year to be personally directed by Thomas H. Ince. In addition to her latest successes, " Lorna Doone " and " The Hottentot," Miss Bellamy is starred in " Ten-Ton Love," which is to be released shortly. Two other releases to be made in the near future by "the Regal Pictures also star Miss Bellamy. Matt Moore in Title Role of "Captain Applejack " Louis B. Mayer has engaged Matt Moore to play the title role in " Captain Applejack," which has just been placed in work at the Mayer studios in Hollywood as a Fred Niblo production. He is leaving for the Pacific Coast within the next few days and on his way West plans to visit with the " Captain Applejack " company now on tour for the purpose of more thoroughly familiarizing himself with the part which he will play in the Mayer production. Goldwyn Signs Claude King for "Six Days" Role Claude King, the English actor who came to this country several years ago to act opposite Ethel Barrymore in " Declasse," has been engaged by Goldwyn Pictures Corporation to appear with Corinne Griffith in Eleanor Glyn's " Six Days," upon which Director Charles Brabin will soon begin work. Winifred Dunn Made Scenario Chief of Metro Winifred Dunn, twenty-four years old, has assumed the duties of scenario editor at the Metro studios. The appointment was announced by Joseph W. Engel, first vicepresident of Metro and general manager of that organization's West Coast studios.