Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

1940 Motion Picture News Titan Attractions Give Out Statement Titan Attractions, Inc., with temporary executive offices at 145 West Forty-fifth street, has, at its recent meeting, elected the following officers : George K. Rolands, president and director general; B. A. Curley, vicepresident ; Nat Nathanson, general manager and treasurer; H. J Patenall, secretary. . It is the intention of the Titan Attractions, Inc., to produce a series of 25 two-reel comedies a year with an all-star comedy cast. The players are being selected, and as soon as satisfactory arrangements are made as to its complete organization, the companj' will leave for Florida. Mr. Rolands has prepared several stories of dramatic value for five-reel productions, and arrangements are being made in the careful selection of a star well known in the legitimate and motion picture field who will play the leading part in the first picture selected by Director Rolands. It is the purpose of the Titan Attractions, Inc., to distribute their productions on the state rights plan. International No. 5 Has Some Good " Shots " The International News reel No. 5, released through Universal, contains an Alpine avalanche scene which is said to make an interesting view. Edwin D. Meredith is shown taking oath of office as secretary of agriculture. Former Secretary of Agriculture Houston assumes the office of secretary of the treasury, while the resigning encumbent of the latter office goes to the senate. Picturesque views of St. Augustine, Fla., are also included among the other " shots." The Deadlier Sex for March 28 Set It has been definitely announced by Paul Brunei, vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., that the Pathe Extra Special, " The Deadlier Sex," from the Jesse D. Hampton studios and starring Blanche Sweet, will be released on March 28. Pioneer Plans Spring Drive Contemplates Meetings of Exhibitors at Exchange Points for Collaboration T TNDER the direction of General ^ Manager M. H. Hoffman, the forces of the Pioneer's home and branch offices are being marshalled into line preparatory to an extensive campaign to bring the exhibitors into closer touch with the service which the Pioneer can offer them. Another feature of the campaign will be meetings which it is planned to hold at the various Pioneer exchange centres. At tTiese meetings the local exhibitors will be invited to express without reservation their views and opinions as to the ways and means to be pursued to make the Pioneer a powerful force behind the exhibitor, without impairing the independence or freedom of action of the individual theatre operator. Special service departments will be instituted to work along with the exhibitor either by actual collaboration or by device. In several parts of the country this plan has been tested and found to be of the utmost value, and under the new arrangements its sphere of operations will be greatly increased. It is expected that in the majority of these meetings Mr. Hoffman will be present and will address the gathering. According to Mr. Hoffman there will be no strings attached to this service, it will be gratuitous ; the only purpose of the Pioneer being to learn at firsi hand the kind of pictures that ought to be made and the kind of service rendered so that the exhibitor will be able to increase his profits, and become a real factor in the ma'.ter of service to his patrons. Opens Non-Theatrical Dept. Universal Plans to Supply Service to NonTheatrical Organizations in United States THE Universal Film Manufacturing Company announced yesterday the establishment of a non-theatrical motion picture division to supply a complete service covering every part of the United States. The division is under the supervision of Harry Levey, general manager of the industrial and educational department. While performing a distinct service, the non-theatrical division from the outset will utilize every facility of the Universal organization, which includes more than fifty fully equipped exchanges in stategic centres and as many more which are prepared to distribute direct to non-theatrical film users. Executive offices for the non-theatrical business of the Universal have been established on the eighth floor of the Mecca Building. 1600 Broadwav, and within a short time, itis expected, Mr. Levey will announce the appointment of an executive to take immediate charge of the work. "Mr. Laemmle and the other officials of the Universal have had in mind for more than a year the idea of establishing a non-theatrical division," said Mr. Levej', "and now I have the pleasure of announcing that the step has been taken. "In my office there is an accumulation of thousands of letters that bear witness to the American need for the scientific distribution of motion pictures to associations, schools, churches, granges, Y. M. C. A.'s, Y. W. C. A.'s, Y. M. H. A.'s, meeting places where people congregate for social purposes — thousands and tens of thousands of such organizations scattered throughout the land." Fairbank's Next Under Way Greater Part of Action to Take Place in West ; New Leading Woman for " Doug " Marguerite Clark, star of Paramount-Artcraft features in one of her latest poses DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS has resumed his activities before the camera following a rest of eight weeks during which time the story for his third United Artists production has been in preparation. While the title has not been announced for the athletic star's next "Big Four" picture, it is known to be an original story by Fairbanks, the screen version of which has been prepared by Tom Geraghty, editor of productions. The greater part of the action takes place in the West, with a very generous share of the story dealing with outdoor scenes, thereby affording the siar tremendous scope for a lot of new stunts which have been cleverly worked out. Many new faces will be seen in support of the star. A new leading woman, drawn from the legitimate stage and declared to be a "find," has been added to the Fairbanks organization. Frank Campeau has an excellent part, giving him an exceptional opportunity for his particular character of "villainy." Victor Fleming, who made his initial bow as a director in "When the Clouds Roll By," will shoulder the same responsibilities again, with Ted Reed assisting. William McGann and Harry Thorpe, who were responsible for the excellent photography in the last Fairbanks offering, will again do the camera work. , Few scenes will be filmed at the Fairbanks studios in Los Angeles. The story is of a character requiring considerable location work, much of which will take the entire company to Arizona and the East. Robert Fairbanks, manager of productions, under whose supervision the little community which was destroyed by flood in "When the Clouds Roll By" was built, is already engaged in the construction of the necessary accommodations to house the company in .\rizona. United Picture Theatres of America is releasing " Women Men Forget," atarnng Mollie King United Reports Heavy Demand on Feature A report from the offices of th< United Picture Theatres gives a glowing account of the way in which th< bookings for "The Corsican Brothers' are mounting up. "Reports froir United branch managers all over the countrj' indicate that bookings wil greatly exceed the expectations o: United officials," announces the state ment. " 'The Corsican Brothers' wil hang up a high-water mark in recon bookings. "Beginning February 22, when 'Th. Corsican Brothers' is to be released many exhibitors are planning to pla; the feature for two and three times a many days as they do the usual five reel feature. The picture has in maninstances been given heavy advanc advertising, campaigns in many citie having been in force for a week or mor past, and there is every indication tha United's picturization of Dumas' fa mous story of the twin brothers wi] gladden the heart of many an exhibito by adding many dollars to his bank ac count." Literary Film Service Bureau Opened Henry MacMahon, of 321 We< Fifty-fifth street, has established scenario and title-editing department o his literary bureau in the general sen ice of the industrj^ Authors and pla) Wrights are to dispose of their wor through this agency. There is a con petent staflF to take charge of origin: research work for producers, theprei aration of stories and the making c continuities and titles. Thomas Ince Buys Thre Popular Stories Word comes from Thomas H. In that three ne\\ stories — representii the best and most popular works • three prominent authors — have be^ purchased as screen vehicles for l Ince stars. "The Counterfeit," by 1 B. Daniel ; "The Incubus," by Ma jorie Benton Cooke, and "An Adve turous Day," by Stella W>nne Herrc are the stories purchased by Mr. In and scheduled for production at ■ early date.