Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

1096 Motion Astor Buys "U-35" Print To Use It for Private Showing; Territory Selling Fast on U-Boat Film VINCENT ASTOR attended the Capitol theatre, New York, and sa>y ■■ The Log of the U-35," showing there the week of January 5. It is said that he was so impressed with the picture that he purchased a positive print of it from the C. B. Price Co., Inc., for private showing in his own home. " It possesses special charm to Mr. Astor," says the C. B. Price Company, " on account of his services as lieutenant-commander in the United States Navy, during the world war, on the submarine chaser Noma, his own private yacht, which he loaned to the United States Government. It is thought that the U-35 had fired on the Noma. The Noma at the time was patrolling the Pennyarch district of the ocean and for that reason the unknown commander of the mysterious on submarine was nicknamed " Pennyarch Pete." Seaplanes were sent from the Noma in search of the invader and depth bombs were dropped over the place she was last seen, in an effort to destroy it." The C. B. Price Co., Inc., announces that it has sold state rights for " The Log of the U-35 " to the following concerns : Arrow Film Co. of St. Louis, for eastern Missouri and southern Illinois; Crescent Film Co. of Kansas City, for western Missouri and Kansas; Alexander Film Corporation, 130 West 46th street. New York City, up to Albany and northern New Jersey; Equity Pictures Co., San Francisco, for California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii ; Metro Pictures, Philadelphia, for eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Industry Booming in Canada M. H. Hoffman from Trip Reports MH. HOFFMAN, general man• ager of the Pioneer, after an extensive tour of Canada, is now back at the New York headquarters. Mr. Hoffman's trip was confined to a close study of conditions in the eastern section of the Dominion. In speaking of his observations of conditions over the border, Mr. Hoffman said: "Don't let any Yankee think for a moment that the American habit of indomitable push and wide energy is confined to the States. of Pioneer Back Progressive Spirit " One has only to talk to the leading Canadians to be convinced that the Dominion is electrified with boundless possibilities. The next few years will see Canada one of the most progressive countries in the world. " This spirit is particularly evident in film circles. The film business is going ahead by leaps and bounds, large theatres are being constructed, and if the plans of the Canadian contributors are only half realized we may look for results that will be second to none. " I had heard that Canada was on the forward march, but not until I went there did I realize the great extent of this progressive movement. I came away with memories of many a delightful chat with unknown friends whom I met on the street, in hotels and on the trains. The man in the street as well as those in high authority all seem inspired with this grim determination to secure for Canada a 'Place in the Sun.' A new version of the famous classic is to be found in Arrow's newest Hank Man comedy, " Romeo and Juliet " ''State-Right Field Growing Manheimer Says That the Independent Market Is Getting a Rapid Expansion MR. E. S. MANHEIMER, General Manager, Schomer-Ross Productions, Inc., waxes enthusiastic over the reported rapidity of the sales of state rights on " The Sacred Flame." " Seems as though the independent exchanges and state rights buyer are growing faster than any other branch of the industry," says Mr. Manheimer. " At least, so I am led to believe from the number of inquiries we have received on ' The Sacred Flame,' starring Emily Stevens. I thought that I knew the majority of state rights buyers and independent exchange men, having spent the last twelve years in this particular branch of the film business, but the number of independents are doubling and tripling, to me a healthy indication, disputing entirely the idea that the film business is in the hands of a dozen powerful producers. " ' The Sacred Flame,' with M Stevens, offers a splendid vehicle 1 this popular star. It is distinctly American story dealing with American characters. People wa human stories dealing with hum beings as they live and work. Tt | ' The Sacred Flame ' contains all t red-blooded elements of human i terest is proven by the splendid cri cisms of the hardened critics in ai out of the film industry." Mr. Manheimer makes his offic at 126 West 46th Street, New Yor and wishes to say to the trade that i elaborate advertising and publici campaign book is now in the printer hands, which will contain an unusua ly elaborate series of newspaper di play ads, pubhcitj material and hel] ful suggestions for exhibitors. Triple Role in Monopol Filn Statement Made on " Crimson Shoals " Gives Story of Triple Picture Role First view of the new serial, " The Mystery Mind," produced by Arthur B. Reeve and John W. Gray, with Pauline, Paul Panzer, and other well known players in the cast THE Monopol Pictures Company has issued the following statement with regards to its feature attraction, " Crimson Shoals," now for sale on the' independent market : " ' Crimson Shoals,' a feature offering that combines a dramatic story with what is claimed to be the first successful example of a consistent triple characterization running throughout a story, is one of Monopol Pictures Company's big novelties on the market just now. ■' The story is a tale of feud between father, son and grandson, the two former being unaware of the identity of the third. Its action takes place on an uncharted island, somewhere in a locality where vast wealths of coral are found and where nature is said to have presented a background for th story at once dramatic and beautifi in its ruggedness. There is a stron romantic theme running current wit the action, and the ever-present nov elty of one actor seen repeatedly i: three characterizations at the sam time in the same scene. "Monopol Pictures Company ar carrying on an exhaustive campaigi with the feature, and meeting will healthy response in the way of terri torial bids. The picture has big nov elty as its first recommendation added to this is an excellent cast an( a snappy melodramatic storj'. Som< of the photography, too, notably th« great stretches of sea-swept sand anc rock, has occasioned favorable com ment."