Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1923)

920 M o t i o n Picture N c W S " Drums of Jeopardy " to Be Started Soon WITH the completion of the adaptation of " The Drums of Jeopardy," HarolQ McGrath's story of adventure and mystery, everything is ready tor th» shooting of the picture which will serve as Elaine Hammerstein's second vehicle for Truart Film Corporation. Edward Dillon, Miss Hammerstein's director, has left for Los Angeles, where the picture will be shot and is assembling the cast to support her. The story was adapted for the screen by Arthur Hoerl, who is in charge of the Eastern branch of the Truart scenario department. Campaign for "If Winter Comes" Great Exploitation Promoted In N. Y. For Coming Opening at Times Square Specializes in Costumes For Stars The wardrobe of the Charles Frohman estate, including 11,000 costumes, is the nucleus of the investure of the Brooks Costume Rental Co., which has the Brooks Uniform Co. and Brooks-Mahieu Costume Co. as associated organizations. The concern specializes in all kinds of costumes for pictures, including importations of foreign armor and accessories. Gowns of exclusive design arc furnished by the made-to-order department, which has recently entered the film fi.eld. The company has supplied costumes for a number of screen players, among them Hope Hampton, Harrv T. Morey and Corinnc Griffith. One of the most elaborate and formidable exploitation and advertising campaigns that ever attended the opening of a motion picture in New York City characterizes the efforts of Fox Film Corporation for the opening of " If Winter Comes," the screen version of A. S. M. Hutchinson's famous novel, at the Times Square theatre on Monday, September 3rd. The big metropolitan campaign was designed with the distinct mission of so constructing it as to make every element adaptable for use in communities throughout the nation, regardless of size or limitations. In addition a 20-page press l>ook, replete with every type of newspaper story and a 24-page exhibitor's service folio have been prepared to assist the showman in "putting over" the picture. In New York every available billboard has been plastered with tin large court-room scene in 24-sheet. Hardly a single street in the great city has been overlooked in the publicizing from the boards. Along the Great White Way " If Winter Comes" looms majestically in its multi-colored appearance United Artists Releases Given Approval Of the twenty-one films chosen out of 147 pictures examined in the last year by the Better Films committee of the Parent Teachers' Association as suitable for general family viewing three are releases from United Artists. They are " Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood," "The Man Who Played God." featuring George Arliss, and Mack Sennett's " Suzanna," with Mabel Norman as the star. Of the twenty-six chosen from the 147 examined as suitable for theatre-goers of high school age, Mary Pickford's new production of " Tess of the Storm Country," and Charles Ray's, " The Girl I Loved," were selected, according to the last issue of Visual Education, official organ of the Society for Visual Education. Inc. from the roofs of the sky-scrapers. These posters cover not only the metropolitan district but every small and large town within a radius of fifty miles from Broadway. Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Elizabeth, Paterson, Trenton, Hartford, Bridgeport and Stamford are a few of the cities which are postered with the announcement of the coming engagement of "If Winter Comes " on the New York rialto. Newspapers throughout this entire district are carrying daily news stories and advertising displays covering the advent of the A. S. M. Hutchinson novel-adaptation to Broads a> Fox Film Corporation has effected a tie-up with the newspaper syndicates which distributed to newspapers throughout the country the famous book in serial form. By this means additional publicity will be provided the feature special in every city where the daily ffress carries the syndicated story. Another feature of the campaign in the East is the covering of thousands of store windows in all the localities mentioned with large lobbv cards and one-sheets. " Alice Adams " Pleases Reviewers Booth Tarkington Story and Florence Vidor Praised By Detroit Critics a A LICE ADAMS," the Booth Tarkington work picturized by Associated Exhibitors w ith Florence Vidor in the Stellar role, made a tremendous impression last week at the Capitol of Detroit. Seldom are the newspapers as outspoken in praise of a current screen attraction as were the Dertoit reviewers. The Detroit News said: "Capitol patrons are permitted to gaze upon a sterling example of how a good story may be transferred to the screen without ruthlessly distorting its contents. To say that Rowland V. Lee, who directed 'Alice Adams,' has treated it very well, would be putting it mildA. He has accomplished a document in human interest which should stand forever to his credit. Somehow the producers have refrained from the temptation to write in a mob scene of a shipvv reck and have held true to the thread of Tarkington's plot. Careful and sincere direction, plus brilliant acting by the entire cast have made Alice, her parents and her brother stand out as living figures." C.B.C. Completes Deal In Wisconsin Sales are being closed on the new series of C. B. C.-Columbia Pictures. Wisconsin territory wras closed this week with the Celebrated Players Film Corporation of Wisconsin whereby that company will handle the four Columbia Pictures. " Yesterday's Wife," "The Marriage Market." " Discontented Husbands," and " Traffic in Hearts " in that territorv. Warner Features Named With Month's Best THE National Board of Review in their Photoplay Guide issued by the National Committee for Better Films have selected in the group of especially good pictures for the month of July the two Warner features, " Little Johnny Jones " and " Where the North Begins." " Little Johnny Jones," starring Johnny Hines, was adapted from one of George M. Cohan's most celebrated musical plays. " Where the North Begins," stars Rin-Tin-Tin, the famous police dog hero. Paper Aids With Metro Animal Picture "The Omaha Bee" and the Moon theatre of that city co-operated on a successful tie-up last week in connection with the engagement at the Moon theatre of Metro's current picture, Mr. and Mrs. Martin John's "Trailing African Wild Animals." For the entire week preceding the showing, the "Bec'printed each day a photograph of one of the animals shown in Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's picture. To each boy and girl between the ages of S and 16 who cut the picture from the paper and sent it into the editorial offices with an attempt at identification a free ticket to "Trailing African Wild Animals" was given. Prizes of $10, $5, $3 and $2 were given to those children who identified the animals correctly. Another Broadway Run for " Rupert of Hentzau " David K. Blyth, director of sales for Selznick Distributing Corporation, announces another Broadway run for "Rupert of Hentzau" at the Broadway theatre, for the week starting August 20, negotiations having been closed with Arthur C. White this week. " The booking of a production for the Broadway after its having had a two weeks' previous showing on the Great White Way, is a radical departure from the policy of the theatre," says Mr. White, " therefore it must be an exceptionally good picture that causes us to change our policy." Buster Keaton is shown in a number of scenes from his latest production for Metro, " The Three Ages." Burr Finishes Constance Binney Feature C. C. Burr has completed the production of his first Constance Binney starring feature for distribution through Associated Exhibitors, at the Burr Glendale studio. Kenneth Webb directed the picture which is now in the cutting room in preparation for early fall release. Mann Page wrote the story and Gerald C. Duffy supplied the continuity. Richard Thorpe is leading man. Mary Carr and Edmund Breeze play the screen parents of Miss Binney and William N. Baileyis the villain. Edna May Oliver, who makes her screen debut in this picture, supplies a comedy vein and Russell Griffin is seen to advantage.