Motion Picture News (Jun-Aug 1920)

August 2 1, 1^20 1515 Pauline Frederick as she appears in Iris," her first picture for RobertsonCole release Public to View *'Life" in Mid -September William A. Brady's big picture "Life" is finished and has entered the cutting stage. Over 150,000 feet of negative was taken, it is stated. It is expected that the picture will be ready for a trade-showingthe last week in August, and its initial public showing may be expected about the middle of September. Mr. Brady has not decided as to the number of reels that the picture will be released in. Mr. Brady and Travers Vale are said to have taken full advantage of the wealth of picture values that the origin-al play "Life" contained. It is declared by the William A. Brady office that over 40,000 people are actually seen on the screen in the big scenes of the picture. No arrangements have as yet been made as to the method of distributing " Life." Lillian Amusement Co. Acquires New House The Lillian Amusement Company, operating the Washington and the Garden theatre's of Granite City, 111., have taken over the Rialto of that city. After improvements are affected, it wiil be opened on September 1st for the showing of feature pictures The Washington 'will run vaudeville acts booked by the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association Louis Landan, Jr., will manage the Washington and the Rialto. which, it is estimated, will have a combined seating capacity of nearly 3,000. Live News From The Producers BABE RUTH, the champion home-run hitter of the world and described as the "great personality of America," will begin on the final scenes of " Headin' Home " upon his arrival in New York on Monday. The response to the Kessel & Baumann announcement that this production would not only be a great attraction from the star point of view but a great production and a real American drama is said to have caused a rush from all sections of the United States not only for territory but for actual playing dates from exhibitors. From the offices of Kessel & Baumann the following statement was issued in regard to the forthcoming big special : " When the home run king of the Yankee team was shattering circuit records thereby arousing a high pitch of baseball enthusiasm with the fans of the country, with both large and small newspapers in the big cities and the small to.wns playing up each home run made by Ruth with seven column heads, both Mr. Kessel and Mr, Baumann were more -than positive that in acquiring this phenomenal baseball player, and starring him in a picture, they would be giving both to the exhibitor and the thcatregoing public an entertainment that would be a record-breaker so far as box office receipts were concerned. " Without any fanfare of trumpets the deal was quietly consummated, and before any news of the event had leaked out the mighty " Babe " between home runs started on wliat will rank as a great boxoffice bonanza. " The publicity that Ruth has received since his acquisition by the Yankees can and never wilt be duplicated by any other actor or actress in a decade. E m i 1 e Chau tard Returns to America Emilc Chautard, the eminent French director, returned to America via La France. Paramount Has Engaged French Designer Famous Players-La sk>' corporation announces that Paul Iribe, a leading French designer of gowns, jewelry, furniture and interior decorations, has been engaged to take care of the designing of settings and costumes for the Paramount pictures, and especially for George Fitzmaurice's special productions. Mr. Iribe will work in cooperation with Mr. Fitzmaurice and Robert M. Haas, head of the art and decoration department. "Headin' Home" Coming " Babe " Ruth's Picture Is Rousing Great Interest, Producers State William Farnum in " If I Were KinK," a current super-production on tilt William Fox program Richard Robertson with Independent Films RICHARD ROBERTSON has arrived from the West Coast to assume his duties as director of the exploitation, advertising and publicity department of Independent Films Association. Mr. Robertson is particularly well qualified for his new position as he has had experience in practically every angle of the industry, having been connected with such concerns as Universal Goldwyn and World, as salesman, exchange-manager and later as publicity and exploitation man. For some years his headquarters were in Kansas City but more recently he has been in Hollywood, and in both cities he won an enviable reputation for ability and initiative. Announces Releases for Illinois Territory Lcc Herz of Siloc aiiiujUTices ihc piirth.-isc of several new piclures for release in Illinois, including " Yniiiirs Desire," a five-rccI feaune, starring Joe IJenilctl, which Ik iiiircliaseil for tlic Forw.iid Film Disinl.iiiors and will release Ocli.hcr Isl, A serici, of iwonfy-six Topical Tips are lo lie releasetl weekly. Silec will also release a Jester Comedy special on September 1st and has hooked " Rliml Love " al Barliee's Loop theatre for Ihc week iif Augusl 22nil. of 'Freedom of Ireland" Release Sept. 14 B. Herbert Milligan, who hibt week was elected to the presidency Creation Film C'lmiiany, announces that " For T he I'VeedoiTi of Ireland " will be released on September 14 This five-reel fealure, which deals with the struggle of the Irish iieople lo form their own government, is from the story by Hal I^eed and is said to be a powerful photoplay.