Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

2036 Motion Picture News Jail Looms for Breach of Ohio Censor Laws The bill of Representative J. H. T. Gordon, ivhich would have removed the jail sentence penalty for the violation of Ohio's motion picture censorship laws, and, which would have increased the fines imposed for such infractions, has been vetoed by Governor Vic Donahey of Ohio. Those who supported the bill when passed in the legislature declared it necessary because under the present law convictions were few, due to the jail sentence clause, while objection was raised on the ground that the bill will permit imposition of fines without jury trial. The Governor of Ohio declared that while increased fines were provided, ranging from $25 to $300 for the first offenses, and from $300 to $500 for subsequent offenses, he regarded the new proposal as making the restrictions less stringent than under the former statute. Waldemar Young Is Elected Writers ' Guild Head Waldemar Young was elected president of the Screen Writers' Guild of the Authors' League of America at the annual election at the Writers' Club recently. Elmer Hams was named vice-president ; Richard Willis, treasurer; and Arthur F. Statter, secretary. The foregoing with the following constitute the board of directors: Milton Schwartz, Jack Cunningham, June Mathis. Percy Heath, Grant Carpenter, Charles Kenyon and Frank E. Woods. Members of the council board elected for three years include Mary O'Conner, Frances Marion. Elmer Rice, Eugene W. Prisby, Harry Carr. Ralph Block, Rupert Hughes, Lionel Belmore, and Montague Glass. Universal Buys W. Somerset Maugham 's " Magician ' 9 Universal announces the purchase of screen rights for W. Somerset Maugham's popular novel "The Magician," The plot concerns a young doctor who saves the life of a brilliant and beautiful woman through a miraculous operation. They fall in love but their romance is interrupted by the sinister machinations of a hypnotist. Universal plans to make an all-star Jewel production from this story. Maugham will be called into consultation in its adaptation to the screen. Goodman Secures Stars for Feature Daniel Carson Goodman announces he has signed three stars for his next production for Equity Pictures Corporation. They are Mary, Carr. Mildred Harris and Charles Emmeti Mack. He contemplates engaging six other luminaries as the production progresses. The services of Charles Emmet Mack were secured through the consent of D. W. Griffith. F. B. O. Will Distribute AntiDope Picture THE Ince anti-dope picture starring Dorothy Davenport Reid and supported by James Kirkwood, titled " Human Wreckage," will be distributed by F. B. O., according to plans just consummated by P. A. Powers and Mr. Ince. MOTION PICTURE NEWS William A. Johnston, Pres. & Editor E. Kendall Gillett, Treasurer J. S. Dickerson, Managing Editor Fred. J. Beecroft, Adv. Mgr. Published on Friday every week by MOTION PICTURE NEWS, Inc., 7*9 Seventh Ave., New York, N. 7. 'Phone 9360 Bryant Chicago Representative, L. H. Mason, 752 South Wabash Avenue ; 'Phone Harrison 7667. Los Angeles Representative, J. C. Jessen, Room 616 Security Building, Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Cal. ; 'Phone Hollywood 3568. Subscription $3 a year, postpaid, in United States, Mexico. Hawaii Porto Rico and Philippine Islands. Canada, $5. Foreign, $10. N. B. — No agent is authorized to take subscriptions for Motion Picture News at less than these rates. Have the agent who takes your subscription show his credentials and coupon book. Western Union registered cable address is " Picknews," New York. Copyright, 1923, by Motion Picture News, Inc. Seastrom Names Mae Busch for Leading Role Mae Busch has been selected by Victor Seastrom, to play Mollie, one of the three leading roles in Mr. Seastrom"s pieturization of Sir Hall Caine's novel, " The Master of Man." This will be Mr. Seastronrs first American production under his contract with Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. The Swedish director has been at the Goldwyn studios for the past four or five weeks, reading manuscripts, novels and plays and seeing various screen players. Mr. Seastrom, Vice-President Abraham Lehr and Casting Director Eobert B. Mclntyre are now interviewing players for the other leading roles in the Hall Caihe story. Paul Bern, formerly Goldwyn's editor-inchief, is making rapid progress in the preparation of the continuity. Robft Mantell in Richelieu Role for Cosmopolitan Robert Mantell has been engaged by the Cosmopolitan Corporation to play the role of Cardinal Richelieu in u Under the Red Robe," in place of Tyrone Powers, who was originally announced for the part. '* Under the Red Robe," a pieturization of Stanley Weyman's famous story of the same name, is now in production at the Tilford studio on West Forty-fourth street. John Charles Thomas and Alma Rubens are featured. Alan Crosland is directing from the scenario of Bayard Veiller. Stahl Engages Marie Prevost and Roht. Ellis Marie Prevost and Robert Ellis have been engaged by John M. Stahl for leading roles in his newest Louis B. Mayer production for First National release. This news, just received from the Coast, is accompanied by the announcement that the actual filming of the picture will be started this week. Cincinnati Lyric Sold to Group Interests The theatrical pool combining the Keith interests and those of John Harris, of Pittsburgh, and I. Libson, of Cincinnati, has completed a deal for the purchase of the Lyric theatre building in Cincinnati. Ben L. Heidingsfeld, Cincinnati attorney, on his return from New York after holding conferences with E. F. Albee, president of the B. F. Keith circuit, announced that the property has been taken over in his name. The future policy of both the theatre and the office building has not yet been decided upon, Mr. Heidingsfeld said. The theatre, which has been in litigation for some time, is being operated temporarily by I. Libson as a moving picture house. Although the purchase price could not be learned, it is said to be in the neighborhood of $1,000,000. "The Bright Shawl" Will Open at N. Y. Strand " The Bright Shawl," a John S. Robertson production starring Richard Barthelmess and presented by Inspiration Pictures, will have its Metropolitan premiere at the Strand theatre on Broadway on Sunday, April 22, according to an announcement from First National, which is distributing the picture. Joseph Hergesheimer, author of " Tol'able David," is responsible for " The Bright Shawl." Edmund Goulding adapted the story to the screen, and John S. Robertson, director of " Sentimental Tommy " and " Tess of the Storm Country," was behind the megaphone. In the leading feminine role is seen Dorothv Gish. Sword and Archery Instruction for Screen Players. A fencing gallery as well as an archery field has been added to the equipment of the Thomas H. Ince studios to accommodate the Associated Authors company which is filming "Richard, the Lion Hearted," a screen adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's classic, " The Talisman," for release through Allied Producers and Distributors Corporation. An expert has been engaged to train members of the company in swordsmanship, while a small army of extras are learning to handle cross-bows for the spectacular scenes of the fight staged at Joppa, Palestine, by the Crusaders and the Saracen infidels. "Master of Woman" New Releasing Title " The Master of Woman " has been selected by Louis B. Mayer as the releasing title for Reginald Barkers new picture for Metro, now being produced under the book name of " The Law Bringers." Written by G. B. Lancaster, the novel was prepared in scenario form by Monte M. Katterjorn. Vera James in Supporting Cast of Wm. Desmond Vera James has been cast in a role supporting William Desmond in ''McGuire of the Big Snows," which Richard Stanton is directing. It is a secondary feminine role; Louise Lorraine plays the lead opposite Desmond.