Motion Picture News (Aug-Oct 1920)

October 2 , 1920 2621 "Virgin of Paris" By Anthony Hope The six-reel feature " The Virgin of Paris " which will soon be leieased on the territorial plan by 'Harry R. Raver is an adaptation of Anthony Hope's most tamous book, which was printed in seventeen languages. W hile Mr. Hope is considered one of the greatest authors writing in the English language and many of his works have been translated into foreign tongues, none of his books reached the high record attained by " Sophia " upon which " The Virgin of Paris " is based. It is said that more than three million copies of this book had been sold. Those previous pictures which were made from Hope books have all proven big successes. Among them are numbered " The Prisoner of Zenda " and " Ruppert of Hentzau." The leading part of the picture, " The Virgin,"' is played by Diana Kareni, the famous Polish actress whose name figured in many Associated News dispatches during the regime of Paderewski. She is Poland's greatest actress and occupies as prominent place in her country a? do the Barrymores in America. Miss Karenski was given capable support by Walter Gordon, William Creswisk, Clara Denvil, Philip Ashley, Lewis J. Mortimer, Florence Temple, Marjorie Strickland, J. R. Phelps and Marie Paton. * 'Unfair Sex" Contains Varied Locale According to advance notices from Artclass Corporation's offices, their latest production, " The Unfair Sex," will hold several distinct bids for favor in the way of variety and contrasting themes. The story is a society drama, opening at college and devoting its first two and a half reels to some elaborate background. The beautiful Loft estate -at Rockville Center, Long Island, and the Glen Curtis place at Garden City, serves as setting for these episodes. The action next moves to Turkev and to picturesque and camera-rich interiors. Following is the African jungle portion of the tale, where the eighteen lions, the chimpanzee, and other animal members of the cast come into the plot. The Messrs. Weiss of Artclass Corporation own a large collection of acting animals and the entire lot is to be used in the present story. The cas,t is headed by Walter Miller, with Anne Luther. Dorothy Bernard, and Armand Cortez in the support. John Joseph Harvev is directing, and John K. Holbrook is supervising. Ben Blake is Manager of Levey Company Ben Blake has been appointed general manager of Harry Levey Productions, the company launched by HarryLevey for the making of eight feature dramatic photoplays a year. Mr. Blake has been an independent director for the past five years, and in his work he has directed some of the well-known stars of the screen. Harry Raver is offering to States rights buyers "The Virgin of Paris," adapted from Anthony Hope's great story, "Sophie" Seaboard Film Corp. Expanding THE Seaboard Film Corporation, of Washington, announced a change in their policy whereby they depart from their previous policy of distributing short subjects exclusively. Under the new arrangement, as announced by President Coleman and Secretary White of the Seaboard, a special department will be opened for the handling of features and serials. This is to be installed at once and will be supervised by Mr. H. Bobys, who until last week was connected with Pathe's Washington Exchange. He has been installed as serial and feature manager, and will devote his time exclusively to the handling of this new department. President Coleman announced that the Seaboard has been able to conclude a contract whereby they secure the exclusive distribution rights on " Thunderbolt Jack," the new Arrow release starring Jack Hoxie and featuring Marin Sais. This serial was produced by the Berwilla Film Corporation under the supervision of Ben Wilson and Joe Brandt. Release date for ''Thunderbolt Jack" has been set in the Washington territory as November 1st. Mr. Coleman also announced a list of high-class features with which to start their new department. Among these are " The Golden Trail," starring Jane Novak, " Bachelor Apartments," starring Georgia Hopkins, and " Before the White Man Came," a picture with an all Indian cast. In speaking of the new department, President Coleman said: "My experience as a distributor of short subjects in Washington and vicinity has shown me the necessity of supplying the exhibitor of this territory with high-class features and serials. I find that there is a strong demand among the independent exhibitors for productions of this nature. " In making careful search of the independent releasing organizations we were fortunate enough to secure a line of features and a serial, which we consider far superior to anything that is on the market. These are productions handled by the Arrow Film Corporation and include ' The Golden Trail,' a five reel dramatic production starring Jane Novak and Jack Livingston. This is a picture of the frozen north and is, in my estimation, one of the biggest productions of the year. It contains some of the most remarkable scenes I have ever seen portrayed in a motion picture, and I feel sure that it will prove a big money maker for the exhibitor. " 'Bachelor Apartments' is a five reel comedy starring Georgia Hopkins, a young woman of undoubted ability who shows much promise as a comedienne and who will undoubtedly be a big favorite with the fans. A most unusual picture entitled ' Before the White Man Came,' completes the list of features. This production is an authentic picturization of one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the American Indians. " To meet the serial requirements, we contracted with the Arrow for their newest and biggest serial, ' Thunderbolt Jack.' This serial stars the popular favorite, Jack Hoxie, who is supported by one of the most popular leading women in the serial business, Marin Sais." Second Warner Selig Serial * SECOND Warner Brothers /A animal serial, produced by Col. x William Selig, is assured for the independent market, according to an announcement recently issued at the Warner Brothers office in New York City. The contract, which was signed on Friday, September 17th, calls for a fifteen episode serial to be developed along the lines of latest Warner-Selig serial success, "The -Lost City." " We are going to make another success," said Mr. Warner in a recent interview, '' and one that will prove just .as,, popular with the motion picture public as was ' The Lost City.' We feel that with the experience and facilities of ■ Col. Selig, there can be little doubt but that we will put across a winner. As the contract was only signed recently, it is impossible for me to announce at this time the name of the star and other features which will be of interest to exhibitors. However, these facts will be given to the trade as soon as possible." "The Lost City" was the last serial made by Col. Selig and distributed by Warner Brothers. Juanita Hansen was starred in the production, which was an animal serial of the most lavish type. The action was laid in the jungle, and innumerable thrills were obtained by the master-producer, by means of many wild animals. The forthcoming serial will, it is said, fully equal its predecessor in the line of pction and thrills. It will be produced in California. " Exhibitors have come to believe in our judgment," said Mr. Warner; " there were many who made big money on ' The Lost City-,' and we feel that they are looking to us to produce another just as good. But we are not going to be satisfied with 'jus,t as good.' In our new serial we will draw on all our previous experience. It has been proved to the exhibitor, that the serial is not dead, and we have proven that the animal serials are the most popular of any type." It is expected that production of the serial will be started in the near future. It will be ready for thq market by next February. " For the state righter," concluded Mr. Warner, " who is looking for some reason to excuse himself for not buying ' The Lost City-.' we can offer him our forthcoming serial. We hope that there will be others besides those who profited by ' The Lost City ' who will handle our next."