Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1384 Motion Picture News Grainger Optimistic Over Outlook Goldwyn Executive Sees Improvements In Exhibitor and Production Fields JAMES R. GRAINGER, of Goldwyn Pictures, is home from a teu weeks' trip to that firm's branch exchanges and to the studios in Culver City, Calif., brimming over with enthusiasm at the film outlook in general and as it applies to his firm in particular. •• The coming year is going to be one of the biggest years motion pictures have ever seen," said Mr. Grainger. " The exhibitors are making money and are eager to buy the biggest and best pictures the market affords. They are realizing as never before that the public is shopping for its amusement fare and that it is picking out the films which are unusual and big to patronize rather than the old-style five-reel program film. " I base my prediction of one of the biggest years in the history of the industry on the following facts: (1) The big feature pictures which the exhibitors are demanding and for which they are willing to pay adequate prices ; (2) the big demand for popular novels and plays to picturize; (3) the big demand for leading men and women by the various companies; (4) the increased physical equipment of various producing concerns; (5) in six days Goldwyn has signed 2,084 contracts for showings — with nearly one-sixth of film theatres of the country. " Goldwyn, for instance, is building two new stages on its lot at Culver City, bringing the total up to nine. Eight pictures were in production when I left the studio, with more in the preparatory stages. We will need these new stages for the program in view for the coming season. Eleven directors are now under contract, and they will practically all be making pictures at the same time. Other studios have been adding to their facilities. " The activities at the Goldwyn studios are marvelous. When I left on the return trip to New York the number of persons on the studio payroll was 1,200, an increase of 400 from a few weeks previous to that time. " I think the Rupert Hughes picture, ' Souls for Sale,' is going to be a knockout. It's big and it's clean and it's got a spectacular finish that will give patrons something to talk about. Goldwyn spent -$25,000 on the circus scene which is burned to the ground at the very end of the film. The big tent was soaked with kerosene and then set on fire. " Another spectacular stunt was used by King Vidor in making ' Three Wise Fools.' An armored car used by the convicts in escaping from prison, turned turtle, going at the rate of seventy miles an hour, with two persons inside it. Neither was hurt, but a big thrill for picture-goers resulted." Premiere for "Bella Donna" at Grauman 's Rialto " Bella Donna," Pola Negri's first American-made picture produced for Paramount release, was given its premier showing at Grauman's Rialto theatre, Los Angeles, on Tuesday of this week. Following the opening, Mr. Grauman wired the Paramount home office that premiere was the occasion of a record turn-out of crowds to view the picture. The production will have its New York premiere on April 8th at the Rivoli theatre. A screening of the picture on Wednesday morning at the home office brought forth enthusiastic expressions of commendation from the Paramount officials. Thomas H. Ince, who has renewed his contract with First National for the distribution of his future productions. Cosmopolitan Company to Film on Banff Location A company of Cosmopolitan players and technical men have left the Metropolis for Banff, where they will spend about six weeks on location in the vicinity of Lake Louise. Scenes will also be shot in and near Quebec and Montreal. The title of the new production will be " Snowblind " and will, according to the producers, embrace some thrilling and realistic episodes woven around life in the North woods, including an aeroplane dash over the ice and a mid-winter carnival. Liolen Barrymore and Seena Owen are to be featured. E. H. Griffith is the director. The supporting cast includes Gustave von Seyffertitz, Louis Wolheim, Paul Panzer and Walter Miller. Bayard Veiller adapted the v story for the screen. Jess Robbins Nearing Finish of ComedyDrama Jess Robbins is nearing completion of his new comedy-drama, " The Crash," in which Edward Horton will play the principal role, and which will be released by Vitagraph. Director Robbins wrote his own original story. The cast supporting Horton includes Barbara Bedford, Zasu Pitts, Tom Ricketts, Carl Stockdale, Tom Murray, James Kelly, Stanley Taylor, Dorothy Wook and Newton Hall. Sol Lesser Signs Blanche Sweet to Play Lead Blanche Sweet has signed up with Sol Lesser to play leading feminine roles in forthcoming productions of the Principal Pictures Corporation, of which Mr. Lesser is president. The first role will be that of Isabel in George M. Cohan's " The Meanest Man in the World." "Where the Pavement Ends," the Rex Ingram Production for Metro, co-stars Alice Terry and Ramon Navarro, who are seen in the above scenes "The Grail" with Dustin Farnum Completed " The Grail," George Scarborough's story for Dustin Farnum, has been completed at the Fox West Coast studios. It was directed by Colin Campbell. Charles Kenyon did the screen version.