Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

April 7 ; r p 2 3 1663 Universal Announces Eight Super-Serials Entire Year's Output Scheduled For Re-organized and Enlarged Department THE Universal serial department has just undergone the biggest reorganization in its history, and, as a result, Universal now has in work its entire program of 1923-1924 chapter pictures. With the acquisition of a group of new serial stars, new serial writers and a greatly enlarged studio force, Universal now asserts it is prepared to make a series of chapter pictures far better than anything ever before attempted in the industry. Eight are scheduled during the coming year. When Carl Laemmle, president of Universal Pictures Corporation, went to Los Angeles several months ago, his first efforts were directed towards the reorganization of the serial department. Fred McConnell, serial manager for Universal, had preceded his chief to the coast, and had laid the preliminary plans for bigger serials. Since Laemmle reached the coast, hardly a week passed without some striking improvement in serial production at Universal City. Planned are two historical serials, two stunt articles, three western serials and one South Sea Island serial of novel treatment. Universal's new serial stars are outstanding in their reputation and popularity. They are William Duncan and Edith Johnson, his wife, who is his leading woman; Ered Thomson, the " Fighting Parson," who also is famous for his record as a world's champion all-around athlete; Ann Little, long a, serial and feature favorite; Jack Mower, leading man and circus stuntster; Eileen Sedgwick, the heroine of a score of popular Universal serials; Al Wilson, the aeroplane stuntster in the United States. Four of the forthcoming serials will be in fifteen chapters of two reels each, and the other four will be in twelve chapters each. Universal has found by long experiment that both the exhibitor and the public like medium length serials better than the longer or 18episode types. The Universal Serial Department has been greatly increased. There now are ten scenario experts busy. The directorial and technical staffs have been vastly augmented, and McConnell has received free rein in assembling the strongest possible casts for the forthcoming chapter pictures. The first chapter picture to be ready under the new plan is called " The Eagle's Talons," and is an adventure and stunt serial. The picture is scheduled for release April 30th. Fred Thomson and Ann Little are the co-stars, supported by a strong cast, the most important of which is Al. Wilson, champion stunt fiver. It is being directed by Duke Worne. The cast includes such popular players as Joseph Girard, Edward Cecil, Edith Stayart, Al J. Smith, George Magrill and Joe Bonomo. The second on the schedule is a historical serial based on the romantic and adventursome life of Daniel Boone. The working title of this picture is " Daniel Boone." Jack Mower and Eileen Sedgwick will co-star in it. The role of Daniel Boone has not yet been filled. Mower plays that of one of Boone's proteges. Miss Sedgwick has the role of Boone's daughter. Among others in the cast of this serial will be Duke Lee. " Daniel Boone " will be in 15 chapters and will be released June 4th. Scenes from " Grumpy " starring Theodore Roberts — Famous Players-Lasky production. Jay Marchant and Frank Messenger will direct this serial together. William Duncan, who is now completing his contract with Vitagraph, will be ready to start on his first Universal chapter picture in a few weeks. His first will be " The Steel Rail," based on the construction of a railroad in the west. Duncan will direct his own picture. This serial will be in twelve chapters. It is to be released August 6th. The fourth serial release will be " The Last Submarine," a twelve-chapter serial costarring Fred Thomson and Ann Little. It will be placed in the hands of exhibitors September 10th. It is a thrill story from the pen of Edward Moffat, and concerns the struggle to outwit a master criminal who possesses a marvelous submarine — the last of its kind in existence, after this type of craft has supposedly been banned by the nations of the world. The fifth chapter picture scheduled for production which now is being adapted for the screen is " By Right of Conquest," from G. A. Henty's novel of the conquest of Central America. It tells an exciting story of the early Spanish conquests and their effect upon civilization of the United States. Jack Mower and Eileen Sedgwick will be co-starred in this picture, which probably will be directed by Eddie Laemmle. Next on Universal's serial schedule will be " The Fast Express," a second vehicle for William Duncan. It is scheduled for release November 26th. This serial will be in fifteen chapters. A third Fred Thomson-Ann Little serial is ne:t on the Universal schedule. It is called li Beasts of Paradise," and will be laid in the South Seas. It was written by Ewart Adamson. This serial will be in twelve chapters and will be released January 28th, 1924. The eighth serial scheduled is a western type of hard-riding, thrill-a-minute action, in which Jack Mower will be starred, probably with Miss Sedgwick. The working title is " Hidden Gold." It is said to be an adventure story of the mine fields of the west. It will be released March 3rd, 1924. Goldwyn OpensUpFive New Exchange Offices Goldwyn Distributing Corporation has added five new branch exchanges to its list so that now it has offices in twenty-seven cities instead of twenty -two as in past years. In connection with this expansion there has been a good deal of changing in the management personnel, a number of men having been transferred to other branches and several head salesmen having been promoted to the management of other exchanges. Harry W. Starrett is now resident manager of the Atlanta office to which he was promoted from the Cleveland exchange. Managers of the five newly created exchanges are: W. W. Willman, Indianapolis ; Samuel Shurman, Milwaukee; Walter Etris, Portland, Ore.; A. Interrante," New Haven, Conn.; and Charles Walder, Albany, N. Y. J. R. Levee Special Representative for Arrow J. R. Levee, former exchange manager, has been appointed special representative for Arrow Film Corporation, by President W. E. Shallenberger. Mr. Levee's experience as an executive in the motion-picture business dates back for a period of nearly six years. He was initiated into the business as branch manager for World and held important positions with Triangle and as division manager for United Pictures. Mr. Levee was also a home office executive for Famous Players over an extended period. Mr. Levee's duties with Arrow will necessitate his continual traveling, as he will cover practically all the key centres in the Eastern and Southern states. He left for an extended trip last week. "Divorce" Is Completed by Jane Novak Jane Novak has finished " Divorce " for Film Booking Offices of America. It reveals Miss Novak in a role totally unlike any she has offered in the past. It is a society drama, said to be of lavish setting and powerful plot. " Divorce " was directed by Chester Bennett. Miss Novak's leading man in this new production is John Bowers.