Motion Picture News (Aug-Oct 1920)

2618 Motion Picture News Gale Henry, now being starred by Special Pictures Corp., makes some comparisons Pre-View of Levey Film Freedom Ridge " of New Company " Uncle Sam of Is First Feature THE special pre-release invitation showing of "Uncle Sam ot Freedom Ridge." the Harry Levey Productions first Release, is scheduled to take place on September 26th, at the Selwyn theatre in New York City. The Harry Levey Productions is the second company formed by Mr. Levey within two months, the first being the Harry Levey Service Corporation, for the making of industrial-educational motion pictures, exclusively. Having launched that well on the way to success, Mr. Levey chartered his second company, whose program is the making of eight feature dramatic photoplays a year — these photoplays to be ''pictures with a purpose." Having started this company, Mr. Levey secured as his first picture the rights to "Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge,'' a story which, since it appeared in the June issue of the Atlantic Monthly, has been one of the most widely discussed stories' of the year. When Mr. Levey secured the screen rights of "Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge," the director, George A. Beranger, known as a member of D. W. Griffith's staff, and the cast, including George MacQuarrie, William S. Corbett, Paul Kelly, Helen Flint, Leslie Hunt, Sheridan Tansey and Eugene Keith, were actually signed up the same day — and that night actual work of production was begun at the studios in New York. The picture is an eight-reel feature, comprised of 550 scenes. Work went forward night and day — a basis of 21 actual working hours a day being established, with shifts and hours for each shift being clearlj' denned. Allowances was even made for weather conditions on the making of the exterior scenes. Ed . Hemmer Picture Titled " Birthright " First Feature of Hemmer Superior Productions <<T> IRTHRIGHT" is the title -D selected for the initial production of Hemmer Superior Productions, Inc., according to announcement made by Edward Hemmer, president. Its selection came after careful study of the picture, which runs five reels. The meaning conveyed is suited to the action, which tells a story of a young girl who, after many hardships and much adventure, eventually falls heir to her birthright. The various scenes have been worked out so that the contrasts created make the play one of unusual appeal. Among, the cast are such stars as Flora Finch, Sidney Mason, Henry Sedley, Bessie Stinson and many others. Maud Sylvester, inKcnue lead, made her debut in pictures with the Hemmer players and has interpreted skillfully the role in which she is cast. Margaret Beecher. grand-daughter of Henry Ward Beecher, is seen in an important part. Pete Raymond, veteran of the legitimate stage, fills a character role, while Milton Berlinger, eleven-year-old juvenile impersonater of Al Jolson, is featured in several big scenes. Although the release of the picture, some time ago, had been forecast for earl}' in September, certain changes were decided upon, and making the changes necessitated postponing the release date several weeks. Mr. Hemmer could not say definitely what the new release date would be, but he did say that it would probably be around the first of October. Elmer McGovern, film editor, is attending personally to the work of cutting and changing situations about. This task will be completed very shortly as changes yet to be made are few in number. Kelly Appoints Managers Wallace, Schmidt, and Bertschy Join World Motion Picture Co. FG. WALLACE, well known . theatrical and motion picture man, has been appointed Division Sales Manager for The World Motion Pictures Company, Inc., and leaves immediately for his territory, which includes Charlotte, Atlanta, New Orleans, Dallas, El Paso, Oklahoma City, Denver and other western points. On his trip Mr. Wallace will probably select branch managers, and will visit all the Associated Press newspapers in connection with the joint service of news illustrations and cooperative action between the newspapers and the exhibitor. A second appointment is that of K. G. Schmidt, who has been made District Supervisor by The World Motion Picture Company, Inc., and who leaves for his initial trip over his district, which will include the territories radiating from Chi cago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, De1 troit and Cleveland. On this trip, Mr. Schmidt will consider selections and appointments of Branch Managers, and will line up for the forces of The World Motion Pictures Company, Inc., the very best men in their communities. The third manager appointed by Mr. Kelly is R. A. Bertschy, -formerly field superintendent for Hallmark Pictures, and at one time special representative of The Vitagraph Company, who has been made Division Sales Manager. Mr. Bertschy will soon visit Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore. Washington, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, and on this trip will consider the selection and appointment of Branch Managers in the districts which he will cover. Cap ital Film Buys Series Acquires Cuneo in Five Reelers; Production Will Start at Once WD. RUSSELL, general man• ager of the Capital Film Company, has just returned to Chicago from the coast, and announces that he has purchased from Russell, Greiver & Russell a scries of five-reel productions starring Lester Cuneo. Work will begin immediately on the first picture. -Mr. Cuneo has had a varied experience on the legitimate stage and also in pictures that is said to fit him for a stellar position. He had eight years' stage experience in New York productions, and three years in Col. Selig's productions, including Western features with Kathlyn Williams. After completing his three years with Selig, he joined Marshall Farnum, brother of Dustin and W illiam, on the "101 Ranch" at Bliss. Oklahoma. From "101" he went with Essanay, leaving that company to go with Francis X. Bushman to Metro, later leaving Metro to join the Lockwood Company. Francclia Billington, who played the doctor's wife in "Blind Husbands," will play opposite Mr. Cuneo for Capital. Mr. Russell states that stories have been purchased that will give Mr. Cuneo the opportunity to produce pictures which Capital will guarantee to rank second to none. Arrow*? Serial a Sensation " Thunderbolt Jack " a Thriller of High Order; to Be Released Soon REPORTS from the Arrow Film Corporation indicate that their latest serial, . " Thunderbolt Jack," will prove a most sensational serial. This serial, which stars Jack Hoxie who is supported by Marin Sais, is said by Arrow to contain more sensational incidents and situations for terrific suspense than have ever been incorporated in a cinematographic production. "Thunderbolt Jack" is a -western serial and as both Jack Hoxie and Marin Sais are expert riders it was possible for the director, Francis Ford, to secure some of lite most sensational scenes possible to execute. For genuine daring and absolute nerve it is claimed that "Thunderbolt Jack" exceeds the wildest hope of the serial fan. " Thunderbolt Jack " is in fifteen episodes and it is stated that each . one carries the spectator in breathless suspense from one thrilling incident to another with' scarcely a fe*n??^LJ?1B,S!KS JSuffV.JPS « ,1 • J leading woman in Inunderbolt Jack, breathing Space. a nsvr A:row serial