Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1923)

69i M o t i o n Picture N c w 5 Garsson Is Planning Distribution To Complete Arrangements for " Broadway Broke" Within Week, Is Report Virginia Valli, in one of the many striking costumt»j she wears in Universal's, "A Lady of Quality." Elaborate Set for " Other Men's Daughters " A hotel lobby in "Other Men's Daughters,'' a lien W ilson production lor (jrand-Asher, is one oi the most elaborate that has been constructed at the Berwilla studio in a long time, it is said. By a peculiar process the scenic artists have given the pillars and walls an effect resembling closely green marble, whi.e the marbled floor and ornate furnishings give the set the appearence of a very expensive caravansery. In this picture appear Bryant W ashburn and Mabel Forrest in the leads, with Wheeler Oakman, Kathleen Kirkham, Martha Franklin and others are in important roles. The story is by Evelyn Campbell, who wrote "Mine to Keep" and "The Love Trap. " The adaptation is by Frank Sullivan. Ben Wilson is direct nc. " Nanook " Success Goes On In Second Year The booking activity of Pathe's "Xanook of the Xorth-' at the close of its first year showed no signs of falling off. while attendance records at all types of houses playing it showed an average increase, says Pathe. This applies to Great Britain as well as to the United States. In most other countries of Europe "Xanook" is an accepted screen masterpiece. The nature of its reception in the Orient is summarized in the published statement of Alexander Hague, upon whom virtually all exhibitors in India, Burmah and Ceylon rely for their American product, that : "'Xanook' holds the people fascinated." DISTRIBUTION arrangements for the latest Murray W. Garsson special production " Broadway Broke." will be announced within the next week, according to word emanating from the Garsson offices. The picture is an adaptation of Farl Derr Bigger's Saturday Evening Post story. Mary Carr will be seen in the leading role. Percy Marmont, who has risen to stardom during the past two years, was the second name to be added to the cast. Another who was added to the cast is Gladys Leslie, who has played star roles of many screen successes during the past fewyears. Miss Leslie played with Marmont in one of the most important roles of "If Winter Comes." Others who are seen in prominent roles in " Broadway Broke," arc Maclvn Arbuckle, Dore Davidson. Ma'cv Harlan. Billy Quirk, Albert Phillips. Henrietta Crosman, Sally Crute. Edward Earlc, Pierre Gendron and Leslie King The production was staged by J. Searle Daw ley, who has created several successful screen plays during the past few years. He staged some of Marguerite Clark's best productions, directed Mary Pickford in a number of screen successes, and has staged feature attractions starring such well known favorites as Billie Burke. Elsie Ferguson, H. B. Warner and others. In producing " Broadway Broke," Mr. Dawley was given unlimited time and resources with which to get the utmost results from the material he had to work with. More than five months was spent in actual production work and many months more have been spent in whipping the picture into shape, according to announcement from the Garsson offices. The appeal of the bright lights of Broadway, " The wickedest street in the world," and heralded in the Garsson advertising as " the gayest and saddest of all great streets," probably is the predominating feature of the attraction. The story deals with the romance of Broadway stage life, the tinseled glory of success behind the footlights and the short step from the heights of popularity to utter failure. A private showing of the picture was held recently and a number of prominent Eastern exhibitors were present. Every one of them, it is announced, volunteered to book the picture direct from the Garsson offices without waiting for the completion of distributing arrangements. Although in addition to these offers numerous other booking propositions have been received by Mr. Garsson, no engagements will be scheduled until arrangements for national distribution have been made. All offers for toreign rights to the attraction also have been refused pending the signing of distribution arrangements, it is announced. "Alice Adams" Named Among Best Associated Exhibitors, Feature Appraised Highly By Many Newspaper Critics JAMES DEAX. picture reviewer of the Xewspaper Enterprise Association, has compiled his list of "The twelve best pictures of the first half of the year," and the Associated Exhibitors feature. Florence Yidor in "Alice Adams," is among them. His other selections are: Harold Lloyd in "Safety Last," "The Covered Wagon," "By Lantern Light,'' "A Pleasant Journey," "Othello." "The Christian," "Grumpy," "Trailing Wild African Animals," "Enemies of Women," "The Famous Mrs. Fair," and "Penrod and Sam." "Alice Adams" continues to win the enthusiastic praise of reviewers in every part of the countrv. critics being particularly impressed by the picture's fidelity to Booth Tarkington's prize-winning novel, from which it was adapted. The Pittsburgh Press described it as "one of the most entertaining pictures that has been presented in Pittsburgh for some time," and added: "Florence Yidor fits into the role perfectly and becomes completely lost in the character." The San Francisco Call and Post said : " As it is now being presented as a photodrama, 'Alice Adams' is further testimony in proof that a novel need not suffer in its screen translation. Florence Yidor is at her best. The Lexington, Ky. Herald commented: "The service the screen does to art and literature has never been more strikinglydemonstrated. 'Alice Adams' gives Lexington one of the finest screen treats that has ever been enjoyed here." The Providence Evening Tribune said: "The faithfulness with which the adaptation of 'Alice Adams' is made for screen presentation is an earnest of the desire of the producers to give the public a worth-while study for their combined amusement and edification." The Salt Lake City Tribune remarked: "'Alice Adams,' a faithful screen rendition of Booth Tarkington's story, will not disappoint those who have read this best-seller. It grips because it is presented artistically' and intelligently." The Philadelphia Public Ledger said: "In the dance scenes of 'Alice Adams' was a picture of the 'wall flower' that was not exaggerated or overdone. 'Alice Adams' is a powerful studyin small-town discontent and pent-up desire. Florence Yidor seemed to us to realize the author's character perfectly." Marion Haslup, screen favorite selected by Charming Pollock for a role in " The Fool." "Green Goddess" to Have Elaborate Premiere The world's premiere of the Distinctive Pictures Corporation's production of "The Green Goddess" starring George Arliss, at the Sam H. Harris Theatre, New York, is to be invested with a splendor and magnificence which will be thoroughly in keeping with the lavish scale on which the story has been produced, according to Distinctive. Karl Breil, who wrote many of the musical scores for the D. W. Griffith openings, has been engaged by Arthur S. Friend to do likewise for "The Green Goddess." Clark Robinson, art director and stage designer, will be in charge of the decoration. The premiere danseuse for the engagement will be Olive Ann Alcorn, the California dancer who since her sensational work in the Illustrator's Show on the Century Roof has been so much in demand "The Green Goddess" will be released by Goldwyn Cosmopolitan on September 16. Premiere Arranged for " Where North Begins " With the arrival of the completed print of the first Warner Brothers picture, "Where the Xorth Begins," featuring Rin-Tin-Tin, the famous police dog hero, announcement was made by the Warners that the New England premiere of the feature will be held at the Modern and Beacon theatres, Boston, during the first week in August. In connection with the premiere W. D. Shapiro, of the Franklin Film Company, Boston, which handles the distrbution of the Warner features in the Xew England States, has engaged the dog to make personal appearances at the leading theatres in the territory. Jha exhibitor a/ho doesnt ^"'^ look out for the comfort rAH% of his patrons — J3ah/ Me's nothing p hut a DULCY