Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1920)

2148 First National Chief Heads Committee of Ad Men Robert H. Lieber, president of First National Exhibitors' Circuit, and one of the owners of the Circle theatre in Indianapolis, is chairman of a committee appointed by the 1920 convention board of the Advertising Club of Indianapolis, to arrange for the co-operation of the motion picture theatres of the city with the board in " selling" Indianapolis to the world. The other members of the committee are: S. Barrett McCormick, managing director of the Circle theatre; Charles Olson, of the Central Amusement Company, which operates the Isis, Alhambra and Lyric theatres, and Edward G. Sourbier, owner of the Palms and Keystone theatres. The "selling" campaign will lead up to the convention of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World, which will be held in Indianapolis, June 6 and 10. " Fires of Love " Fast Nearing Finish D. W. Griffith's second attraction to be distributed by First National Exhibitors' Circuit, will be entitled "Fires of Love," and will be released in March. The greater portion of this production was screened on the Island of New Providence in the Bahama Islands, and it was during the cruise to this location that the entire Griffith party was swept into the gale that foi nineteen hours threatened to play havoc with the entire party. Clarine Seymour has the role of her career in this production, and among others who have prominent parts are Richard Barthelmess, Creighton Hales, Anders Randolph, Kate Bruce, Porter Strong, Herbert Sutch, Florence Short, Walter James, Thomas Carr, Adolphe Lestina and Ben Grauer. Though not finally completed, " Fires of Love " is fast approaching the " finishing touches." Release of " $30,000 " Is Set for February 29 The W. W. Hodkinson Corporation announces for February 29th release J. Warren Kerrigan's fifth in his series of Robert Brunton productions, "$30, COO," said to be a gripping, fast-moving adventure story of New York society life by H. B. Daniel, author of some popular novels including "Timber McKee," "What's Money?" and "Snobs." Others in the cast are Fritzi Brunette, Nancy Chase, Joseph J. Dowling, Thomas Guise, Arthur Millette and Carl Stockdale. Director Ernest C. Warde directed "$30,000." Salisbury Field Joins Cecil De Mille Staff Salisbury Field, author and playright, recently joined the literary staff of Cecil B. De Alille and is now at .work at the Lasky studio. His advent at the West Coast studio of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation marks his debut in the realm of the silent drama and his temporary desertion of the stage and magazine field. A scene from The Return of Tarzan," a Numa Picture Corp. production featuring Citne Pollard Pollar Talks About "Tarzan" Relates Some " Humorous " Experiences He Had with Members of Animal Cast GENE POLLAR, back in New York after five weeks of strenuous screen combats for Numa Pictures Corporation's production of "The Return of Tarzan," brings with him three vivid memories of his first acquaintance with animal actors in pictures. Up in the offices of Numa Pictures Corporation, Air. Pollat related his experiences, in part : — "It's a great life! Take Charley, the elephant, for instance. The trainer coached me as to how to get on the big boy's back — a running jump onto his trunk and zip! — he would do the rest. Just toss me up, secure and contented, onto his back. Following instructions. I ran a bit, landed on his trunk and was swayed into the air, but, instead of landing on his back, I landed on my own. Three unsuccessful attempts I made. Finally, I was ignominiously forced to be boosted, pushed and pulled up ; the camera started grinding, and I assumed by celluloid air of the jungle man." "One day, Joe Martin, the almost human monkey who seeined to understand by Harlem English better than some of the native Californians, was doing scenes with me. We were jumping, where the jumping was good, from bough to bough. I made a leap, and as my weight relieved it, a bough snapped back and hit Joe in the face. He thought I had done it on purpose, started a jibbering, and the first thing I knew he was after me and on my back, ready for fight. It took some effort to pull him off, and it took triple the amount of effort and all of the pastry included in my lunch-box. to put him in friendly humor with me again." Serials Gaining in Favor" Republic Asserts Chapter-Picture Is FURTHER indications that serial productions are becoming as widely popular and as much in demand in America as in foreign countries is evidenced in the news that is current this week to the effect that Republic Distributing Corporation is considering the release to exhibitors of some of the best serial features obtainable. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the recent announcement from the offices of Selznick Pictures that Lewis J. Selznick has made all arrangements to produce serials which are expected to set a new high mark for this class of production, and that Albert Payson Terhune has been engaged to write the first one. When seen in regard to the serials for Republic, Mr. Busch, president of the distributing corporation, said : " Yes, Republic in its rapid progress is Popularity of the Becoming Greater laying plans to include serial productions. We have received countless communications from representative exhibitors throughout the countr\who, pleased with our productions, ask if they can expect any serials. The serial as it is produced to-day is a big improvement over those made as recently as two years ago I believe there is still room for improvement, and Republic will endeavor to supply exhibitors with serials that surpass any made thus far." Mr. Busch further declared that short subjects, as released by Republic, are making steady strides forward in the favor of both exhibitor and puWic. The Charlie Chaplin reissues, twelve in number, are reported as booking so steadily that all prints are working regularly. nil 4n Motion Picture fv "Pollyanna" Bring; Return Bookings The popularity of " Polly; Mary Pickford's first productio United Artists is best exemplifie cording to a statement of I .\rtists, in the fact that it ha only broken box-office records in sections of the country, but that has arrived already in the home of the corporation numerous re for extended runs and repeat-bo( on the production, from exhi who have made exceptionally su ful engagements out of the pictu Will D. Harris of the Grand atre, Columbus, Ohio, is cxcee enthusiastic over the two week gagement of " Pollyanna," whic! successful despite the incli weather, he says. At the cone of it, he wired United Artists t effect: " Closed Mary Pickford in ' anna ' last night after wonderft weeks of good business. Sen r contracts for her next productio c also contracts for return cngag of 'Pollyanna' to be shown wh{§bsun shines." I* Frohman Serial Basec n Unusual Story [ The story, unfolded in the Frohman serial, revolves aroum discovery of a new force knov "The Invisible Raj%" which is d: ered by a mineralogist ; the form' this hidden power becomes lost ; forthwith made the object of a of scientists, who seek to emplo "Ray" for a world-wide cri scheme. While the serial contains all tl sential elements of love and my the basic plot of the story itself a greater opportunity for sensa escapades, dare-devil stunts and i fying action than serials found( more mystery without the incenti what might be called "Fiction-! The "Invincible Ray" will be com; in about three weeks, and it is interest that the public and the generally look forward, it is s lo the release of the subject i:i to see what new hnes have bee veloped by the Frohman Amus> Corporation in serial production. c Universal Educaticfa Reels Due Feb. 231 Commercial geography and zc are to be the first class-room of the Appleton-Universal Educa | Series, according to an announc just made by Harry Levey. G' Manager, Division of Education Universal Film Alanufacturing pam\ Two reels on each of thes jects are to be given pre-release ings at the Convention of the Na Education Association, at Clev| Ohio, beginning February 23rd. s.R.a 1 1