Motion Picture News (Mar-Jun 1920)

/ u 11 e 12 1920 4805 Exploit Short Subjects Urges C. C. Burr That exhibitors all over the country are passing up big opportunities by not properly exploiting their short subjects is the contention of C. C. Burr, president of Master Films, Inc., who are producing " Torchy " comedies. " A short subject," says Mr. Burr, "if it is properly exploited, will outdraw the average feature." " A few live exhibitors who have sensed the value of meritorious two-reelers," continues Mr. Burr, "have not been backward in exploiting them, with the result that they have more than made good at the box office. Hugo Reisenfeld has featured the Shackleton "Bottom of the World" pictures, first at his Rivoli and Rialto theatres in New York for two weeks and now at the Criterion, with splendid re. suits. The novelty and quality of the subject gave them general interest and word of mouth advertising which is life to the picture theatre. Wm. Fox Names June Releases "Wonder Man" Author Is Revealed Not until the picture was projected on the screen in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Astor in New York did it become known that the author of Georges Carpentier's first American starring vehicle, " The Wonder Man," was written by Dr. Daniel Carson Goodman. Robertson-Cole, producers of the mystery drama, kept the identity of the author a secret by pre-arrangement, with Dr. Goodman. It was agreed at the time Dr. Goodman entered into arrangements to write the script that the authorship should be kept secret until the first presentation of the picture. DRAMATIC offerings predominate in the schedule of releases listed by Fox Film Corporation for June." Along with the regular quota of Sunshine Comedy films and Mini and Jeff Animated Cartoons, William Fox, president of the company, has arranged to present five of his stars in as many features during June. Notable among these features is a new William Farnum picture, "The Joyous Troublemakers," the original story of which comes from the pen of Jackson Gregory. It is said to be a big picture with a big cast of celebrated players supporting the magnetic Mr. Farnum, and is, as usual, a directorial masterpiece of J. Gordon Edwards. "The Joyous Troublemakers" was adapted to films by Charles Kenyon, who has contributed in this respect toward several Farnum successes, and John Doyle, the Farnum photographer, again has developed some new angles, working with Mr. Edwards. The Tom Mix number on the Fox schedule is the first of the original stories written for this star by H. H. VauLoan, the noted short story writer who has come speedily to the fore as author of many successful screen entertainments. " Three Gold Coins " is the title. The cast supporting Tom Mix ranks with those found in all Mix pictures and includes Margaret Loomis as leading woman, Frank Whitson, Bert Hadley, Dick Rush, Margaret Cullington, Sylvia Jocelyn, Bonnie Hill, Sid Jordan, Walt Robins and Frank Weed. The adaptation is the work of Alvin ]. Neitz. ' Winifred Wcntovcr, IcndinR woman for " Buck " Jones in Fox features In "While Lies," the Gladys Brockwell vehicle which conies to the first run houses in J une, this star has a role in which she is called upon to demonstrate her histrionic ability as she has in no other Fox production for some time. The play is based on the novel by Charles Beade, and in it are many intensely heavy scenes between Miss Brockwell and her leading man, William Scott. " White Lies " was directed by l.'lw .ml I , I .eSainl from tin' scenario by Charles Wilson. In addition to the leading man, William Scott, Mr. Fox has given his emotional star able support consisting of [oscphine Croweh\ Evans kirk, Violet Schram, Charles K French, Howard Scott, and Luft Warrenton. The June release starring Willi. mi Russell is a screen version of Khlg well Cullum's story "Twins of Suffering 1 Ircek," one of the most successful of tins noted author' s works, In the picture with Russell are Louise Lovely, Leading woman; E, A. Warren, Hill Ryno, Henry J. I leherl and Joe Kay, The direction was by Scott Duulap and the photography by Civile l>e\ inna The second production of \ h ian Rich as a Fox star is titled "A Wot lil of Folly " and both story and scenario are by lane Grogafl. An unusual feature, al 1 this picture is the facl thai the cast includes but four persons in addition to Vivian Ui.1i, the star. These four are A. iron Edwards as lead ; Augustus Phillips, lonH known to theatregoers and followers of Stock in various parts of the country, P. M. McCuI lOUgll, and Daisy Robinson. Among the short subjects scheduled for June, Fox offers four rapidfire Sunshine Comedies— " Monkey Business," " < >h, What a Knighl ' ' " Mary's Little Lobster,' and " His Musical Sneeze.' The Hud Fisher contributions for the month, in Animated Cartoons costarnng the funny fellows, Mull and Jeff, indude tour breezy black-and-white!., They are "The Toy Makers, The Tango 1 lancers," " ( »nc Round Jeff and "A Trip to Mars." D. Clarke on Screen in Two Broadway Houses The season's record for Broadway appearances in pictures is being claimed for Downing Clarke, former actor manager under the Belasco banner. Mr. Clarke is having the distinction of making appearance via the screen in two different Broadway shows for two successive weeks. In " The Wonder Man," the Georges Carpentier production being showing in the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Astor, Mr. Clarke plays the role of Judge Robert E. Stoner, and at the Strand theatre, Mr. Clarke appeared on " The Man Who Lost Himself." Forms A New Releasing Policy Nelson and J. F. Polanp Join Ince Forces Jack Nelson, who joined the Thomas H. Ince forces several months ago as director of ,the Douglas MacLean company, has been placed under a long-term contract to continue the direction of MacLean in his new role of a star in his own right. Joseph Franklin Poland, for the past six months a member of the Ince scenario department, also has affixed his signature to a contract which calls for his exclusive services for a long period of time. EDUCATIONAL Films Corporation announces that hereafter it will pursue a policy of issuing one and two reel " specials " in scenic, tropical and scientific subjects without reference to series. This plan has been determined upon as the result of the immense number of inquiries received for " Modern Centaurs" and "The'Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes" in advance of their release. " We believe that the five years' success of Educational," says a statement from that company, has fully proven the place that the short subject deserves on the program. We feel that we have convinced the exhibitor that the question of length should not be the chief one considered, but quality, and we feel very sure that when they are furnished with exceptional product in short subjects they will give these the attention that they deserve. " At the Criterion Theatre " The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes' was featured in the electric signs and in the newspaper advertising where it was called ' Alaska's eighth wonder of the world.' The slogan was fully justified by these remarkable pictures made by the expedition sent to the Mount Educational to Issue " Specials " Outside of Series Katmai region by the National Geographic Society. Similarly, ' Modern Centaurs ' was strongly billed by the Strand during its showing last week and the hearty applause with which it was greeted by audiences was a tribute to ils entertainment value. "The reviews given both these pictures by the motion picture trade papers and the New York dailies were unusual, and they have resulted in scores of inquiries coming from exhibitors in all parts of the country. Educational believes that it is a healthy sign when exhibitors pay this unusual amount of attention to a short subject. It shows that they are interested in their whole bill and that they are getting further and further away from the circus method of advertising a single attraction and selecting the remainder of their offerings at random. "We intend to make a real specialty of these specials. We will not atlempl a regular schedule because we will offer one only when there is something really special to offer." "Sex" Is Novelized for Newspapers More than 800 newspaper editors throughout the country arc now in receipt of a seven chapter novelization of " Sex," Louise Glaum s most recent 1. Parker Read production. Such publications as the Augusta Herald, the Syracuse Post Standard and the Boston Post will run the storv according to an announcement from the company. It is expected to be a great aid to the exhibitor in the exploitation ol ■' Sex." Exhibitors See Latest Ince Production A private showing of Thomas H. luce's latest special production. " Homespun Folks," delighted several prominent exhibitors who were the guests of Producer Ince this week. Among those present were Sid Graumau, Otto Lyttle and Koscoe Del Rose.