Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1470 Motion Picture News "Brass" Has Premiere in Boston Warner Bros. Feature Opens Before Representative Gathering at Park Puts Harold Lloyd on Plane with Chaplin The Chicago Tribune's review of "Dr. Jack," signed by Mae Tinee, places Harold Lloyd on the summit of all achievement in screen comedy. Miss Tinee writes: "It is neat, snappy, fast appealing comedy in which Harold Lloyd leaps to a place on the platform with Charles Chaplin. He's been on the steps leading up to the platform for a long time. Now he's there, standing side by each, figuratively speaking, sipping from the same glass. "And, finally, in 'Dr. Jack' Harold Lloyd proves himself a supercomedian, in that he insistently appeals to the sympathies as well as the risibilities. He keeps you laughing at him, but rooting for him."' Praisejfor "All Brothers Were Valiant" " If you would forget for a brief and delightful hour all about taxes and how your mother-in-law acts, and about the grease-spot on the front of your new gown, and the ripped place you found in your new glove, and how the man next door practices his sliding trombone, just step inside the velvet curtains at Loew's State and allow yourself to slip under the spell of 'All the Brothers Were Valiant.' " This is the recommendation of the photoplay reviewer of the Los Angeles Times, after witnessing a presentation of the Metro production, " All the Brothers Were Valiant," an Irvin V. Willat production based on the celebrated sea story by Ben Ames Williams. Lon Chaney, Malcolm MacGregor and Billie Dove head a distinguished cast in this exciting photoplay. "Oliver Twist" Exploited in British Isles Cooperating with the British First National organization, the London Daily Sketch has offered a prize of 25 pounds sterling for the boy who looks most like Jackie Coogan as a means of publicizing "Oliver Twist" abroad. The winner will also get a free trip to London and will make a personal appearance wherever the picture is being shown. Several exhibitors have become interested in the idea and have added to the prize money, so that at last reports the sum had grown to over 160 pounds sterling. In addition Peter Astor, of the Astor productions declares that the boy selected can have a part in his new picture "Peter's Reform." This will give the lucky lad three or four weeks to act and play around London "Midnight Cabaret" Stars Larry Semon Larry Semon is at work upon a new comedy to be released by Vitagraph. It is called " The Midnight Cabaret " and it is said that for lavish production it exceeds anything Semon has attempted. There are scores of pretty girls, headed by Kathlyn Meyers, who plays opposite Larry in " The Barnyard." BEFORE a large and representative gathering of Boston officials and others interested in the problem of marriage and divorce, the Warner Brothers' classic of the screen, " Brass," adapted from the novel written by Charles G. Norris, was enthusiastically received and highly praised by the newspaper critics following its presentation at the Park theatre last week. The production will remain at the Park for an indefinite run. From present indications it is destined to break all previous records for attendance throughout its engagement. According to the Franklin Film Company of Boston, under whose auspices the film is being shown, thousands of people were turned away from the theatre long before the picture was scheduled to be screened. The Franklin Film Company wired the Warner offices as follows : " ' Brass ' opened at Park theatre for an indefinite run and thousands were turned away. Patrons showed their appreciation with deafening applause and newspapers were unanimous in their criticisms by pronouncing it a really masterful production." The Boston Globe said : " A large audience which overflowed the theatre attended the opening showing of the film and generously applauded at the end of the performance. Many notables were in the audience. The auditors showed UNIVERSAL will occupy a unique position in Los Angeles during the week of March 19th, when five Universal pictures will have their first runs simultaneously in the leading theatres of that city. The pictures will include three current Universal-Jewel productions and two Universal Attractions. The Kinema theatre will show "The Flirt," the Hobart Henley success adapted from Booth Tarkington's novel. This picture created a sensation in New York and since its premiere has swept the country, establishing box-office records from coast to coast. It will open in Los Angeles with an enviable record behind it. In the California theatre, there will be held the Los Angeles premiere of " Driven," the Charles Brabin picture of mountaineer life which recently created such a flood of commendation in New York. This picture was one of the choices of the Exceptional Photoplay Committee of the National Board of Review, and was accorded a special showing by that committee. It was made with a cast including Elinor Fair, Emily Fitzroy, Charles Mack, Burr Mcintosh and others. As the result of her excellent work as the lovable mountain girl in " Driven," Miss Fair is now on her way to their appreciation in no unmeas: urcd way and the film was worthy of all the applause it received. Julien Josephson has made a splendid motion picture. The idea of the book, with its analytical and biting attack on marriage as it is today, in contrast to the less exciting but infinitely more permanent marriage of our forefathers was skilfully embodied into the film. There is an excellent cast." The Boston Telegram said: "If honest applause is any criterion of the true worth of a photoplay, 'Brass' ranks among the greatest of American screen productions. The reception accorded this remarkable picture by the audience of first nighters will long be remembered by those who heard it." The Herald said: "It is an effective and interesting picture. It presents many problems of married life. The cast on the whole is excellent. Monte Blue as Philip does some finished work." Boston Traveler said : " ' Brass ' is an interesting picture and somewhat off the beaten path that pictures tread too often. There is some fine acting. Monte Blue plays Philip and is enabled to make him a much pleasanter character than in the book. He is at all times novel. Marie Prevost does well with Mar.iorie, both as the pleasure loving, irresponsible, spoiled child and as the remorseful woman." Universal City to take important roles in Universal productions. " The Flame of Life," Priscilla Dean's latest Universal-Jewel picture, which also is a Hobart Henley production, will have its Los Angeles premiere in the Symphony theatre. Miss Dean has an exceptionally large following in Los Angeles, and the showing of her releases invariably means box office records there. " The Flame of Life " reaches Los Angeles after showing in several of the country's key cities, where it has met with unusual praise. All critics unite in acclaiming it as the best work of the emotional Universal star. At Grauman's theatre, there will be shown " The Ghost Patrol," a heart appeal picture with an allstar cast including such popular players as Ralph Graves, Bessie Love, George B. Williams, and George Nichols. The last named has a sympathetic role, similar to his role in " The Flirt." " The Ghost Patrol " is a Sinclair Lewis story. The other Universal Attraction will be shown at Pantages theatre. It is " The Flaming Hour," and is a stirring romantic comedy starring Frank Mayo, supported by Helen Ferguson and Charles Clary. National Board Selects "Are You A Failure?" H \ RE YOU A FAILA URE?" Tom Porman's production for Preferred Pictures, appears on the latest list issued by the National Board of Review as a picture suitable not only for the family group, but especially for young people. The story for this comedy is by Larry Evans, and the cast the picture features includes Lloyd Hughes, Madge Bellamy and Tom Santschi. It is the March release presented by B. P. Schulberg through the Al Lichtman Corp. Campaign in New York for "Temptation" What is declared to be one of the biggest exploitation campaigns launched in the city will be undertaken by the Apollo exchange in connection with their release of C. B. C's " Temptation." This announcement was forthcoming this week from Bobby North of that organization, who says that all the forces in his exchange are at present concentrating in putting over this feature in a big way. The first gun in Mr. North's plan will take the form of a big twentyfour sheet campaign on this feature. He has just completed arrangements for the taking over of many twenty-four sheet stands in Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, it is stated, and these will be placarded. Pilgrim's Descendants Assisting Chas. Ray Actual descendants of the Pilgrims who crossed in the Mayflower in 1620 are taking a deep interest in Charles Ray's production of " The Courtship of Myles Standish.' Besides receiving letters of congratulation and approval from hundreds of men and women who trace their relationship back to the valorous pioneers, Mr. Ray has had helpful co-operation from various chapters of several national organizations. Such societies as the Alden Kindred, the Mayflower Descendants, and the Sons and Daughters of the .American Revolution, through prominent members, and, in some cases, the organizations themselves are manifesting a deep interest, and have supplied data which the star has found of great assistance in constructing the historical features of the drama. Broadway Presentation for "Third Alarm" Charles B. McDonald, manager of the B. S. Moss Broadway theatre, recently closed one of the most successful weeks in the history of his theatre with " The Third Alarm." an Emory Johnson production released through Film Booking Offices of America. Mr. McDonald lived up to his reputation as a showman by providing an excellent atmospheric lobby for the picture and staging a unique prologue. Five First-Runs in L.A. for "U" Three Jewel and Two Universal Attractions Billed for March 19 Week