Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

April 21, 1923 1967 Trade Critics Praise "3 Jumps Ahead" " Three Jumps Ahead," the current Tom Mix release on the Fox Film Corporation schedule, was the subject of trade press commendation in recent issues. Following are a few of the excerpts' from the reviews of the Fox feature : Motion Picture News — " This western is far above the average. It gives Tom Mix the best opportunity he has had in many moons to distinguish himself in and out of saddle. Put this down as Mix's best." Moving Picture World — " Tom Mix gives his admirers the sort of entertainment they like in his new production. A spectacular thrill toward the end shows Mix on his horse, Tony, leaping over a chasm at a magnificent height just after his enemies have destroyed the bridge." Exhibitors' Tkade Review — " ' Three Jumps Ahead ' is going to make a hit. The story affords good excitement throughout and several first rate thrillers occur." Equity Originates Novel Idea Metro Production Runs i Close to Novel The Harry Garson production of " Cordelia the Magnificent " for Metro, is said to be vividly faithful to the novel by Leroy Scott, which ran serially in Hearst's International Magazine. It has been picturized as a Clara Kimball Young vehicle. George Archainbaud is the director. It was adapted for the screen by Frank Beresford and photographed by Charles Richardson. Joseph Wright is art director. The supporting cast includes Huntly Gordon, Carol Holloway, Lloyd Whitlock, Jacqueline Gadsdon, Lewis Dayton, Mary Jane rving, Katherine Murphy and Elinor Hancock. "Accidental Husband" Sold in Boston New England rights were sold this week on the Belasco production, "Her Accidental Husband," starring Miriam Cooper, Forrest Stanley and Mitchell Lewis, which the C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation is distributing. Sam Grand, head of Federated Film Exchange of Boston, made a special trip to New York for the purpose of seeing this feature screened and immediately completed negotiations to take over New England territorial rights for his company. He asked that prints and exploitation accessories be rushed to him at once so that he could arrange for the release in his territory at once. Co-operative Plan Exhibitors Who ANEW plan of co-operation was devised at the office of Equity Pictures Corporation during the past week and immediately adopted after a resume of its value and effect as far as the exhibitor, State Right exchangeman and Equity Pictures Corporation is concerned. Under this new arrangement, an exhibitor will be induced to exploit the Equity product with the chance of being reimbursed for every item of expense incurred in his publicity and exploitation. This new plan goes into effect immediately and covers all exploitation done on the latest Equity special, " Has the World Gone Mad?" and also on the next big Equity's release, " You Get What You Give," now in the making. For this purpose, Equity Pictures Corporation is setting aside the sum of Will Reimburse Exploit Features $100 for each and every week of this exploitation drive. The only obligation on the part of the exhibitor in this campaign is to put over the Equity product in some novel and appealing manner and submit a photograph of the stunt to the Equity home office. The effort, the ingenuity, the novelty of the idea, and the layout will then be carefully weighed by Louis Baum, Vice President of Equity Pictures Corporation, David A. O'Malley, Manager of Equity Pictures Corporation, and G. F. Myers, Director of Publicity for that concern, and the amount of reimbursement determined for the stunt. A check will then be sent off to the exhibitor covering the aproximate cost of his lobby display or his theatre dress-up, which ever it may be. Newspaper Editors See "Front Page Story" "A Front Page Story," Jess Robbins' comedy on newspaper life with Edward Horton in the leading role, was shown to the State Convention of Newspaper Editors of Kansas at Topeka. The editors voted it to be the most realistic newspaper story ever screened. Novel Diving Invention Used Diver Descends Without Connection With Surface in "Wonders of the Sea" IN " Wonders of the Sea," J. E. Williamson's newest undersea picture, now being distributed by Film Booking Offices, two divers are shown ready to descend to the bottom of the ocean. One is dressed in the regulation diving suit, which contains an air pipe and life line connection with the surface. The other wears a self-contained diving suit, consisting of metalled hat, weighted suit and heavily metalled shoes, but with no air pipe or life line connection with the surface. Both divers descend to the bottom of the ocean, where they investigate coral reefs, locate sunken vessels, have a battle with a deadly moray in which the divers come off victorious, and finally make a thrilling escape from a giant octopus just as it throws off its sacs of ink, which blacken the water much like a smoke screen — a method of defense, a subtitle states, that the octopus uses to conceal himself and outwit his prey. Both divers undergo the same perils, both struggle against the strong undersea currents, which causes them to walk at an angle of almost forty-five degrees, and both reach the surface equally easily, though one is at all times in ready touch with the surface, where he could signal for help in case of danger, while the other has no surface connections whatever. The " Self Contained Apparatus and Suit " is the novel invention representing the great improvement which has been made in divers' outfits. With this outfit, first used in London in 1880 to repair the flooded Severn, the diver is enabled to go below the water's surface without the customary air pipe and life line. The diver breathes into a tube held in his mouth connected with a tank inside his suit containing a chemical known as oxylithe. The moisture of his breath causes the oxylithe to give off the oxygen necessary to sustain life. , Reviewers All Strong for 4 'Luck" Latest Johnny Hi Commended by Trad JiOHNNY HINES' latest tneloi comedy, " Luck." sponsored by C. C. Burr, met with the approval of the critics, both of the trade publications and the daily newspapers. Writing in Exhibitor's Herald, Ray Murray says : " Hines rings the bell again with a bang-up comedy. He puts this one over, as_ usual, with his personality, his invididuality and his originality. It is chockful of good humor and laughable incidents." Roger Ferri in Moving Picture World enthuses as follows: "If you want a comedy melodrama replete with a series, of sure-fire dramatic climaxes, clean, wholesome, nes Melocomedy Is e and Daily Papers humorous original gags, plus a cast of players that work at a pace consistent with which the story is unfolded, land on C. C. Burr's ' Luck,' starring Johnny Hines." In the Morning Telegraph, Sydney R. Smith wrote: "The latest vehicle for exploiting the personality of Johnny Hines gives him congenial opportunities for the display of his' abilities as a light comedian." George Blaisdell of Exhibitor's Trade Review says : " A lively subject, one that should average well and also give satisfaction." Laurence Reid in Motion Picture News says : " Will satisfy nine out of ten patrons who see it. It is a bright little piece and worthy of patronage." Leah Baird Welcomed by Texas Governor Leah Baird has been the guest of honor at a large number of social functions, many of them of an official nature, in Texas during the last two weeks. The round of entertainments began April 3, when the popular player, accompanied by her husband and producing manager, Arthur F. Beck, and a party of screen friends from Hollywood, arrived in Houston. She was received by Mayor Holcombe and a committee of leading citizens, escorted to William Politzer's Iris theatre, and there, in an official ceremony, was presented with the keys of the city. " Is Divorce a Failure?" the current Associated Exhibitors release which is the first of the Leah Baird 1923 specials had its first Texas shoeing in Houston, under the auspices of the Houston Woman's Club. According to information received at Associated's home offices in New York, the opening performance was attended by 8,500 persons, despite a driving all-day rain. Belasco Approves "Gold Diggers" Scenario The Warner Brothers scenario department at the Coast studios has completed the adaptations of a number of novels and stage plays to be produced by the Warners during the coming season, according to Harry M. Warner. Mr. Warner announced that Grant Carpenter's adaptation of David Belasco's stage play, " The Gold Diggers'," has been approved by the theatrical producer, and that the cast for thi» production is being chosen by his brothers, Sam and Jack Warner. Julien Josephson has completed the picturization of " Little Johnny Jones," the George M. Cohan stage play which will star Johnny Hines through an arrangement by the Warners with C. C. Burr. Foresters Ask Aid for "Ninety and Nine" The State Forester of California, M. B. Pratt, following the lead of Minnesota, Pennsylvania and other states where danger of forest fires is a constant menace, has sent to the editors of all newspapers in California a personal letter asking them to give all assistance to the showing of "The Ninety and Nine" in their cities. State Forester Pratt calls attention to the fact that the week of April 22 to 28 has been proclaimed as "Fire Prevention Week" by President ^Harding. "The Ninety and Nine" teaches a great lesson against fire carelessness. "The DestroyingAngel' ' Print in N. Y. The first print of "The Destroying Angel," the second of the 1923 specials featuring Leah Baird, arrived in New York a few davs ago and officials of Associated Exhibitors had a preview of the picture. This feature is perhaps the most ambitious Miss Baird has done, and, in the judgment of the Associated executives, is certain to enhance greatly the popularity of this player.