Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

1092 Motion Picture Ne; Republic Gets Waldorf Plays At Least Four Productions a Year, Costing Highly, Are to Be Turned Over This is Hugo Ballin, who contributed to Goldwyn pictures with his artistic skill and is now to direct Madge Kennedy Hugo Ballin to Direct Madge Kennedy Film fiugo Ballin will direct Madge Kennedy in the next production for this Goldwyn comedienne, and it is likely the picture will be done in the East, following the completion of " Partners of the Night " for Eminent Authors. Miss Kennedy has recently completed two productions, the first of which, " The Blooming Angel," directed by Victor Schertzinger, is scheduled for early release. As soon as a decision is reached as to the choice of the new story, Robert B. Mclntyre, in charge of Goldwyn productions in the East, will get his organization under way at the Oliver studios in East 48th street, which have been secured under lease from January 1. Mr. Ballin is already in New York for the production, it is stated. A DEAL has been consummated between the Republic Distributing Corporation, of which Lewis J. Selznick is advisory director, and Waldorf Photoplays, Ltd., whereby Republic is to release for a period of not less than two years all productions of the Waldorf Company. The agreements stipulate that there shall be not less than four productions each year. Waldorf is planning productions that will cost from $100,000 to $200,000 a subject and the distributing rights attained by Republic include the United States and Canada. The pictures will be directed by David G. Fischer, who is responsible for the big south sea production of "Where Bonds are Loosed." The first picture will be "Dad's Girl," a screen adaptation of the old play in which Jackie Saunders, who recently made a hit in " The Miracle of Love " will be starred. The second picture to be delivered has not been determined, but it will probably be the Saturday Evening Post story entitled " The Black Sheep." "The Rider of The King Log" is scheduled for the third release. As a novel it had a wide circulation. The fourth picture will be " Kismet," in which Otis Skinner appeared on the speaking stage and which won a big success in New York. Mr. Skinner will be seen in the screen version. In connection with " Kismet," it will be recalled that some time ago publicity was given in the trade press to a statement that a Mr. Mercanton had secured the rights to " Kismet." Republic has announced a desire to correct this impression, as "Kismet" is to be included in the Waldorf series. Drive Attends Film's Debut Extensive Newspaper Ads. and Other Aids to Launch The Cinema Murder " Theatrical Families Are Represented in Cast Four of the best known families in American theatrical history are said to be represented in the screen version of Augustus Thomas' play of American life, " The Copperhead," which is released January 25, as a Paramount Artcraft Super-Special. Lionel Barrymore in the stellar role is a grandson of John Drew and a brother of Ethel and John Barrymore. Doris Rankin has the part she created on the stage. Ma Shanks. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. McKee Rankin, who conducted many important productions in their theatre, called Jacobs' Third Avenue. In the part of Joey Shanks is Arthur Rankin, who is a son of Phylis Rankin, a sister of Doris Rankin. William P. Carleton, a son of William T. Carleton, the well known grand opera and comic opera singer, has the role ot Tom Hardy. <* I ' HE Cinema Murder,' the special motion picture production, which is to receive its New York premiere at the Rialto theatre on January 18, will be launched into public view on a wave of publicity and advertising such as few motion pictures have ever received," announces the International Film Service Company. It is further stated that full-page advertising smashes are being contracted for now to run in the New York American, the New York Evening Journal, the New York Sunday American, the New York Times, and the New York World. Lithographs in four colors from the one-sheet size to the twenty-four-sheet size will be plastered, it is said, all over the metropolitan district wherever empty space can be found. Special feature stories and articles written by prominent writers are reported to be another aid to exploitation that will be utilized to the full. Every possible avenue of publicity and exploitation will be taken advantage of to bring to the public the merits of this production, according to reports. Following its one week engagement at the Rialto theatre, which begins January 18, " The Cinema Murder " is scheduled to continue its Broadway run at B. S. Moss's Broadway theatre. After its run at Moss's Broadway, it will begin a tour of the entire B. S. Moss circuit of theatres. This blanket booking by B. S. Moss himself indicates, says International Film, that shrewd showman's opinion of this production not only as a box-office attraction but also as a patron-satisfier. Corinne Griffith's Next An O. Henry story, " The Memento," has been selected by Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph as the next Corinne Griffith feature. OIL FIELD SERVED BY PICTURES IN the days of the gold rush, when men of all types and characters stormed the territory of California and later of Alaska in search of the precious metal, history and tradition bear witness to the excesses that sprang up in the wake of the adventurers that flocked to those districts. Gambling, violence, murders and immorality held sway until the staying hand of the law secured a grip on the situation and established justice and order. In these later days, a new field of enterprise has opened up in the oil fields of the Southwest, which have attracted a great array of men of all kinds and stations in somewhat the same spirit of adventure that prompted the gold-hunters of California and the Klondike. But the picture of the invasion by these men of the oil fields, as drawn by a Pathe representative, bears no resemblance to that of the gold-rush. According to a report just issued by the Pathe Exchange, its representative, while touring the newly opened oil fields, found an " unusually large number of picture theatres, all of which were doing tremendous business. Exhibitors were paying high prices too, for their product. The oil men demand the best, and are willing to pay for it. " Instead of demanding the wild and wooly adventure pictures one might expect a hardy fortune hunter would crave, Pathe's representative found that photoplays with plenty of human and love interest, made the ideal attractions in the oil regions. For instance, the Pershing theatre, the pride of Burkbumett, one of the righest oil districts in the world, booked pictures of the following order: 'The A. B. C| of Love,' 'The Right to Lie,' 'The Prince and Betty,' ' Other Men's Shoes,' ' My Husband's Other Wife,' ' The Web of Deceit,' and ' Fighting Cressy.' " Director Ralph Ince, as he appears in most famous characterization of Abrah Lincoln. Mr. Ince is presented in t role in the first " Americanization " i ture to be released by L. J. Selznid Ralph Ince to Make Specials on Coast After completing his two-reel triotic feature, "The Land of Opj tunity," which Lewis J. Selznick making at the suggestion of Secret of the Interior Lane, Ralph Ince leave the Selznick Fort Lee studic go to Canada and the Coast where will make two feature specials, first has been announced as " The I Bringers." The other is " The Gr est of These," a five reel drama Lewis Allen Browne adapted to screen by Mr. Browne from a no "The Untold Half." "Desert Gold" Opens Strand with a Bang Jack Eaton, managing director the New York Strand, and Edw L. Hyman, head of the Broot MarkStrand, have fired their big g for the presentation of Zane Gn "Desert Gold" in the two big M theatres. Opening in New York, big Benjamin B. Hampton product released through the W. W. Hodl son Corporation, is said to have drj capacity business. In Brookl\-n wt the picture plays the following wi Mr. Hj-man is reported to have m the heaviest billboard and exploitat campaign that has yet been prepai since the opening of that house. Name of Beck Serial f Pathe Changed A change in the title of the Artl F. Beck serial co-starring Stu Holmes and Frances Mann, which to be released by Pathe, is announ this week by Pathe Exchange, 1 The title under which it has 1> known, " The Isle of Jewels," been changed to " Trailed by Thn Olive Thomas' New Oi " Jenny " has been chosen as title of the next picture on wh Olive Thomas will start work as sc as she has finished Glorious Yout which is now being completed at Selznick Fort Lee studios.