Motion Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

M o t i o n Picture News 2642 Picture Cements Mexican Good Will Government Officials Sit With Producers and Offer Full Co-Operation THE cementing of good will between the Mexican Government, the American motion picture producing industry and American-Mexican trade in general, was marked at Los Angeles last Monday when representatives of the various factors concerned met to enlist the motion picture in the promotion of mutual interests. The meeting was brought about by Marshall Neilan and prompted by recent Government co-operation accorded him by Mexico in the production of " The Eternal Three," his next Goldwyn film. This marked the first time that an American producer was accorded such official co-operation. The conference was opened with the presentation by Marshall Neilan, of scenes taken in Mexico, to Mexican Consul Garza Leal, representing President Obregon. These pictures will become part of the Mexican President's official library and offer scenes never before photographed for an American photoplay, including the President's palace, the pyramids, the Cathedral in Mexico City and other historic landmarks. Presiding at the meeting was Hon. Harry Chandler, owner of the Los Angeles Times and leading American advocate of recognition of Mexico. " The motion picture, if rightly used, is more potent as a means of promoting amicable international relations tnan any other spoken or written influence," said Mr. Chandler. The Mexican Consul, after accepting the Neilan film in behalf of President Obregon, read a dispatch from the Chief Executive of the Southern Republic, in which the latter offered the full co-operation of the Mexican Government to American motion picture producers contemplating pictures that have to do with Mexico and Mexican life. A specific offer was made to Marshall Neilan involving the production of a giganticMexican play which was accepted by the producer with thanks. The story is said to compare with any of the big productions recently made by American film producers and is under consideration for early production by Neilan. Among the others present who expressed the Lasky Reveals Purchases of Story Material JUST before leaving for California Jesse L. Lasky made an announcement of recent purchases of literary material for production in Paramount pictures. " West of the Water Tower " has been acquired and the anonymous author will co-operate in the making of the picture. The character of the picture will require careful handling and in order to avoid conflict with censors Will Hays' office has been asked to confer with editors and his public relations committee on how best it should be developed. " Big Brother," by Rex Beach, will be directed by Allan Dwan at the Long Island studio. Vicente Blasco Ibanez has written "Argentine Love," his first original story for the screen and Paramount will produce it. Julian Street will assist with the adaptation of his novel. " Rita Coventry." William De Mille will direct. Cecil De Mille will produce " Triumph," by May Edginton. desire to co-operate were Thomas G. Patten, representing Will Hays, Dr. Jose A. Samaniego, leading Mexican citizen in Southern California and uncle of Ramon Navarro, and A. Lehr, vice-president and general manager of the Goldwyn studio. Tentative plans for closer co-operation between Mexico and American film producers with the viewpoint of bringing the two peoples together in better understanding via proper treatment on the screen, of Mexico, were laid out for further action. Business Above Pre-war Days, Says Ferrandini Business twenty per cent, better than before the war is the encouraging report of the outlook in the South brought to New York by Frank Ferrandini, president of the First National Amusement Co., of Richmond, Va., and First National Franchise holder in that territory. Mr. Ferrandini is now in New York as a member of the First National Rotating Committee. According td Mr. Ferrandini, the prosperous condition of the South at the present time was exceeded only in the bonanza days of the war when money was over plentiful. This spasmodic period passed and the period of business depression set in. And now, states Mr. Ferrandini, a healthy period of prosperity has returned which exceeded the normal level of ante-war days by fully twenty per cent. This level, believes Mr. Ferrandini, represents the legitimate growth of the public interest in motion pictures in the South. As a proof of his faith in the wide interest in motion pictures in Virginia, the First National Franchise holder announces that a new theatre, to be known as The National, is now under construction in Richmond. The National, which will be completed in time for an early Fall opening, will exhibit First National pictures for first runs in that city. Plans call for a seating capacity of 1,600 and every effort will be made to make the new house the most modern in the South. 'I'lie First National Amusement Company operates the Broadway theatre in Richmond, and six other houses in that territory. Griffith's " White Rose ' ' in Preview Showing D. W. Griffith's latest production, " The White Rose" had its first showing in any theatre ;il the Bellevue theatre, Upper Montclair, X. J., Tuesday evening, May 15, and was well received. Matinee and evening showings were also given the two following days. Those in the cast are, Mae Marsh, Carol Demster, Ivor Novello. Neil Hamilton, Lucille La Verne, Porter Strong, Jane Thomas, Kate I 'nice. Erville Alderson and Herbert Sutch. Denmark Increases Tax On Photographic Paper Denmark now assesses photographic paper at the rate of one crown per kilo, instead of the former rate of Kr. 0.70 per kilo, reports Assistant Trade Commissioner H. Sorenson, ( 'openhagen, Denmark. Scenes from "Broken Hearts of Broadway," an Irving Cummings production. Distinctive Buys Rights to (< Second Youth" Distinctive Pictures Corporation has purchased the screen rights to " Second Youth," a novel by Allan Updegraff, and will put it into immediate production. Alfred Lunt and Mimi Palmeri will play the leading roles. Albert Parker lias been engaged by Distinctive to direct the production. " Second Youth " will be fifth on the schedule of Distinctive specials to bei released through the Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan Corporation. It will follow immediately after the release of the spectacle, " The Green Goddess " which will be ready early in the fall. Pettijohn Guest of Boston Board of Trade C. C. Pettijohn, general counsel for Will Hays, was the guest of the Boston Film Board of Trade last week at a banquet tendered by that body at the Hotel Copley Plaza to him and his assistant, Lloyd Willis. Mr. Pettijohn came to Boston for the occasion. Nearly four score exchange men were on hand, and Fred C. Murphy, president of the Film Board of Trade, presided. Supporting Cast Chosen for Normand Film Ralph Graves plays opposite Mabel Normand in Mack Sennett's forthcoming comedy drama, " The Extra Girl," now well into production for release through Allied. Others of the supporting cast are George Nichols, Anna Hernandez, Vernon Dent and Charlotte Mineau. Lesser to Make "Peck's Bad Boy" Series SOL LESSER, president of Principal Pictures, has announced on the coast that it is his intention to film additional " Peck's Bad Boy " stories on an elaborate scale. This is the result of the success of the Jackie Coogan picture of the same name.