Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

January 24, i g 2 o 1101 Protests Bill Against " Thrill " Pictures Senator Gore of Oklahoma is reported to have introduced a bill to prohibit Interstate transportation of blood and thunder" films or "stills". Arthur B. Kecve, vice-president of the Supreme Pictures, Inc., takes issue with the senator in a lengthy statement from which the following pertinent remarks have been taken : "Why not assail the daily newspapers ihat print thrilling stories of sensational murders, robberies and deeds of heroism as well as crime?" Mr. Reeve protests indignantly. "Why not forbid the reading of all history, which is filled with thrills?" "Gore's bill would do away with \f other Goose, with all fairy tales and onds, ail folk songs; all are thrills >\ I itten to stir human nature from the baby to the bearded warrior." Under the principle involved in Senator Gore's proposed bill, says Mr. Reeve: "Our heroes would go down through the coming ages unhonored and unsung, for their stories are 'thrillers" of the most pronounced ' blood and thunder " type." Lesser Organization Exploiting " Sky-Eye " The Sol Lesser organization is now under way on a national exploitation :ampaign for "Sky-Eye," the six reel aero feature which is being released on state right basis. The territories which Mr. Lesser controls personally, namely Ohio, Seattle, California, Nevada, Arizona, and Greater New York, have also made preparations for local exploitation, and many bookings are reported for this feature. Irving Lesser is now on his way from the coast to make special showings in Chicago, where it is stated he will receive the co-operation of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation. National Film Corp. Is Wholly Independent " There has been much confusion, especially recently, resulting from similarity in the name of the National Film Corporation of America and other producing and releasing firms," states Capt. Harry M. Rubey, president of National Film Corporation of America, ■' so I think that it is best for all concerned that I reiterate that the National Film Corporation of America has never been, and never will be, allied with any other concern. We are independent producers and intend so to remain." Alexander Film Corp. Gets " U 35 " Film According to a report from the .'Mexander Film Corporation, contracts were closed today between the C. B. Price Company and the Alexander Film Corporation for the Log of the "U 35," now playing at the Capitol Theatre, New York City. The latter corporation will handle the distribution of this two-reel picture in New York and northern Jersey. This is the initial release of the Alexander Company, which takes over the fourth floor 3f the Leavitt building on February 1st, it is stated. The appeal of " Empty Arms," in which Gail Kane is being star red and to be placed on the market in the near future, may be judged by this cut. It is a heart-interest story of unusual worth according to those who have seen the picture "Empty Arms" Ready for Market ^^|—«MPTY ARMS," the Lester Park-Edward Whiteside pro' ^ duction, just completed at the Thanhouser Studios at New Rochelle, was this week voted a sensation by a number of magazine and newspaper editors who saw it privately projected. The basic theme of the photoplay is the glorification of Motherhood. The story is from the pen of WillardKing Bradley, well-known contributor to nationally-circulated periodicals, who has to his credit scores of successful screen stories, included among which are a number of the early Biograph pictures. Bradley also wrote the continuity of "Empty Arms" and assisted in its production. "In 'Empty Arms,' " Mr. Park says, "I am confident we have one of the pictures of 1920 — a picture, I'm certain, which will not be forgotten once the screen goes black after the final fadeout. "I attribute the indubitable merit possessed by 'Empty Arms' to the fact that it was so carefully planned out and not rushed haphazardly into production, as so frequently is the case nowadays in certain studios where such annoying things as release-dates must be lived up to. "It was early in July of last year when Willard King Bradley, the author of 'Empty Arms,' brought me the story. After reading it, I perceived at once that it contained splendid possibilities. "After purchasing the story and engaging its author to write the con tinuity, I began to look about for a woman star, one who was possessed of both beauty and genuine acting ability. "Somebody suggested Gail Kane, and immediately I realized that she was the one star who could do justice to the part. I communicated with her personal representative who informed me that Miss Kane was touring the larger cities with the A. H. Woods success, 'The Woman in Room 13.' "Deciding to have Miss Kane at any cost, I personally called on her in Baltimore, where she was playing a oneweek engagement. My business necessitated three visits, but I finally succeeded in persuading her to affix her signature to a contract I had brought with me. Park-Whiteside Picture Made with Painstaking Care to Detail "Thurston Hall, who is scoring a pronounced personal hit as the star in 'Civilian Clothes,' the current success at the Morosco Theatre, appears opposite Miss Kane in 'Empty Arms.' He portrays the exacting role of Bruce Gordon, a wealthy clubman whose love for Diane Summers is so great that he thrusts aside his desires for a home and all that it means in order to satisfy her Nature-defying whims, marrying her with the understanding that they are to be nothing more than mere friends. "The 'heavy' role in 'Empty Arms' has fallen to J. Herbert Frank, whose work opposite Mary Pickford, Norma Talmadge, Alice Brady, Constance Talmadge and Mabel Normand. "The camera work was handled by Harry Keepers and George Benoit, who have produced a negative of unusual clarity and brilliance." No announcement as to how ''Empty Arms" will be handled has as yet been made by either Mr. Park or Mr. Whiteside. Marie Provost the Mack Sennett comedienne who appears in the latest Sennett-Paramount comedy "The Speakeasy"