Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

1094 Motion Picture \ e Claire Whitney, who is appearing in the Jose production, " Mothers of Men," released by the Republic Distributing Corp. Republic Will Distribute "Mothers of Men" • •'^Mothers Of Men", a special production m&de by Films Special, Inc., and directed by Edward Jose, is announced for early release by the Republic Distribilting Corporation of which Lewis J. ■ Selznick fs'-advisory director and Briton N.' Busch, president. This is, peiliaVs, th^' biggest production announced 1>\ Republic since it released '1\ htn fttafcat W ent Dry". ■ 'The stars are Claire \\'hitne\, Limisden Hare' and Martha Mansfield and the screfe'n •version was adapted from the story written by William llenry Warner and DeW ilte Kaplan. "The Lc)ve Expert" for Constance Talmadge . .;Joseph M. Sphenck is reportetl to have purchased an original story b\John Emerson and Anita Loos, "The Love Expert", for Constance Talpiadge' fifth First National. This story will, be directed by Da\ id Kirkland, and the exteriors will be made at Palm Beach, Fla.,^ where Constance will spend the^ month of Februarj'. This picture wllL follow the release of "In Search Of A Sinner", which is now completed and is expected to have its initial showing in Xew York some time in March. '^The Gay Old Dog" Still Winning Applaudits "The Gay Old Dog", Hobart Henley's first great production for Pathe distribution, adapted for the screen by Mrs. Sidne}' Drew from the story by Edna Ferber, is said to be still v\inning the plaudits of exhibitors and critics throughout the country. One of the highest tributes comes from the critic of the Indianapolis Star, who expresses the opinion that, "Extraordinary is the only word that comes near covering the ground in describing 'The Gav Old Dog.' " Republic Opens Office •It was announced this week that the New Orleans office of the Republic Distributing Corporation will be reot)ened February 1, with J. F. Flaherty irr charge. The office in Omaha will also be red'pened about the same time, it ifi maiicknown, with J. H. Hill in Selznick To Make a Serial Albert Payson Terhune Is Author; Another Step in Planned Expansion ndication that the pro serial production field. For the past several weeks exhibitors have noticed daily that the Selznick forces were getting into a stride for the new year which promises to eclipse the pace in picture making that has been set in the past. The serial announcement is but another link in the strong chain being forged. It will be attempted, according to Mr. Selznick, to raise the standard ui' serial motion pictures higher than u has yet been. The fact that Alberi announcement. Mr. Selznick accented payson Terhune will write the first oru the fact, however, that in its first serial Jjeaj-s this declaration out prJduction. as in all its other motion j^,^,,,^/ ^:]y,,\^.^, ^^^^ .h^,,,, di iiicture activities, greatest care would , c i ^ • i , ,' " , . , rect the Select serial, lie taken to make the picture exacth , , , , , r ■ v^bat exhibitors want, which is another Although no definite announcemcni uav of saving that it will also be what '^^'^ '"''^l^ regarding the actual the general public -wants. It is deemed producmg ol the serial, it is probable especially significant that the Selznick that it will l)e made at the Eastern organization lias decided, to enter the studios of Selznick. FURT.HER diicing activities of Selznick Enterprises are to include all classes of films ihat have proven money makers for the exhibitors of the country was evidenced this week in the announcement liiat Albert Payson Terhune has been engaged to write the first serial to be produced the Selznick organization. This bit of interesting news to exhil)itors and the public came from Myron Selznick, who reserved the name and theme of the serial for a later Supporting Cast for Leonard Frank Hall Announces Names of Cast to Support Champion in New Serial FRANK G. HALL, President, Hall the best known villian-typcs working mark Pictures Corporation, Wally before the camera today. He has sup\ an, Snpcr\ ising Director, and J. Gor ported such well-known stars as Clara don Cooper, Director for the Benny Kimball Young, Theda Bara, Norma Leonard serial, work on which com Talmadge and Bertha Kalich. menced this week at Hallmark's 38th Alarie Sbotwell is known both on the Street Studio, announce the following stage and screen for her dramatic imha\ e been ei'igaged for the principal personations. Her last work was seen supporting roles opposite the light in Hallmark's Famous Directors' picweight champion in his Hallmark ture, " Chains of Evidence.'' In this serial, "The Evil liye," the screen ver production Miss Shotwell was cosion of an original story by Roy L. starred with Edmond Breeze and Anna McCardell : Ruth Dwyer, leading Lehr. woman; Stuart Holmes, heavy; Marie Bernard Randall, who has the Shotwell, Grand de Dame; Bernard " dopey Benny " part, has recently cornRandall, the ■' Dopey Benny " part, and pleted a 6-reel special, in which he por Mme. Marstino, female heavy. irays the heavv role onnositc Margaret Miss Dwyer. Leonard's leadiiij Marsh in a Harry Grossman produc woman, is a blonde ingenue type and tion, recently taken over for distribu was last seen as ingenue lead in the tion by Mr. Hall. Mme. Marstino, who fifteen episode serial, " The Ltirking has the female heavy part, will be Peril," co-starring Anne Luther and remembered for her work in Wm. George Larkin. Fox's production of Charles Dicken's Stuart Holmes is probably one of " Tale of Two Cities." Thomas H. Ince, who has been electe an honorary fire chief of the Pacific Coas in recognition of his work for the fire prt vention campaign recently conducted o the West Coast Denison Clift Finishc " The Last Straw," Fox " The Last Straw " is announced completed at the William Fox studic in Hollywood. Mr. Denison Clift heralded as the director of this, Bug Jones' first picture under the Fo Banner, scheduled for February n lease. The picture now is in cours of cutting and titling. To this pro ^ duction. his first official directoria etfort, Clift is said by Fox officials t have given " many unique persona, touches and a wealth of geniiiii'. novelties." Universal Film Awards Publicity Prizes The publicity prizes incidental to th; $6,000 Universal Holiday Season contest, have just been announced. Wher Universal staged the big money contest an extra sum was set aside to be awarded for the best publicity worki done among the various exchanges. The first prize of $50 has been awarded to T. A. Daly of the Charlotte, N. C, office. Second prize of $25 was captured by Dean Collins of the Portland, Oregon, exchange. Mr. Fugle, of the St. Louis. Ben \\ estland, of the San Francisco, and George De Kruif of the Chicago offices received honorable mention. Clara Kimball Young as she appears in her new picture, " The Forbidden Woman,' soon to be released by Equity Pictures Gladys Brockwell Starts First of New Series Gladys Brockwell has started work on her thirty-first feature for Fox Film Corporation. It is called " The ^Mother of His Children " and is the first of a series of six stories which Barbara LeMarr Deely will write, it is said, for Miss Brockwell. Edward J. LeSaint is directing Miss BrocJcwell in this feature. William Scott again is leading man with the star, this being the twelfth picture he has made with Miss Brockwell. Frank Leigh, Nigel de Brullierre, and two small children, Jean Eaton, aged three, and Nancy Caswell, six, round out the cast of "The Mother of His Children." " There is a taste of the Occident and a taste of the Orient in this drama, which is universal in its appeal,' announces a report from the Fox offices.