Motion Picture News (Feb-Apr 1921)

March 5, 1921 1819 Rothacker Plans Great Laboratory Chain W Fine Reports Received on "The.JStealers" Letters and wires continue to be received by Robertson-Cole telling of the success in all parts of the United States of "The Stealers," William Christie Cabanne's powerful human document. Since its trade showing at the Hotel Astor : several months ago, " The Stealers " has been playing in houses of all sizes and is declared to be giving universal satisfaction.' A. B. Cook, manager of the Istrione theatre, Jackson, Miss., has just written Robertson-Cole : " The results obtained from the exhibition of this picture were, very gratifying indeed. Matinees were well attended and the evening business was capacity." "No Business Slump in Mid-West," He Says ATTERSON R. ROTHACKER, president of the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Co., will be in Los Angeles the first week in March to make the preliminary plans for the opening of the second of a worldwide chain of film labratories. The new Rothacker laboratory at Melrose and Gower Streets will be equipped and ready for business early in April. Socially the formal opening will be a big event among Coast film folk, it is expected. Following the opening of the Coast plant, Mr. Rothacker will go to New York to complete plans for a third laboratory there. He sails for Europe on the Olympic June 25th to build a fourth laboratory in London. There is no business slump in Chicago and the Middle West, declared W. A. Aschmann, manager of the Pathe Branch office in the Windy City, while in New York on la business visit to the home-office. 21 Manager Aschmann not only declares that business is good, but that there is a general optimistic feeling for an added impetus to better business which cannot help but come through the construction of a number of new theatres. Special Stage Setting for Chester Scenic " Horseshoe and Bridal Veil," one of the Chester Screenics released through Educational, was made the subject for a special stage setting at the Broadway-Strand, Detroit, last week, when " The Legend of Niagara" was staged with a wonderful scenic setting in connection with the unusual views of the great falls contained in the single reel. Scenics released by Educational were also used at the Adams, Madison and Washington, the three other leading motion picture houses of Detroit, the same week. 1st Nat'l Signs Hope Hampton Hope Hampton A NUMBER of important announcements have been issued from the New York offices of the Hope Hampton Productions, Inc. Miss Hampton has signed a contract to appear in a pioduction for First National release. Her initial production will be based on "Stardust," written by Fannie Hurst. This story ran serially in the Cosmopolitan Magazine for ten months and is the first full-length novel from the pen of Miss Hurst. Hobart Henley will direct the picture. In addition to the contract just announced, it is also stated that plans are being made for the presentation of a number of "super-productions adapted from the stories of wellknown authors." The statement from the Hope Hampton office follows : "Every detail of production and distribution has been worked out with a view toward asembling not only a thoroughly competent, but notable list of executives to surround Miss Hampton and thereby assuring as near perfection in the finished product as can possibly be obtained. "Miss Hampton's career on the screen has been one of remarkable accomplishment covering a period of a little more than twelve months and during which time she has not only proved her right to stardom, but has endeared herself to thousands of film fans in this country and abroad. Among her more popular pictures are 'A Modern Salome,' a Leonce Perret Metro release, and 'The Bait,' a Maurice Tourneur special production distributed by Paramount. Following these successes she made one picture under the direction of Jack Gilbert, a former assistant to Maurice Tourneur. This was brought on from the National Exhibitors Exchanges and will shortly be released under the title of 'Love's Penalty.' "Hobart Henley is one of the best known directors of this present day and age and has a number of screen successes to his credit, chief among them being the 'Gay Old Dog' (Fathe) and the William Faversham productions for Selznick. His early days were spent under the rigid discipline of thr " Universal lot both as actor and director, later enlisting under the Goldwyn banner. 'Experience' and 'artist' can be applied to him will full meaning. "Anthony Paul Kellv's name is a by-word for adaptation, continuity and dramatic construction and his work in that connection would make an endless list. The novelized version of 'Stardust' has been given to him and lie has set him self to the task of creating what he believes will prove not only a screen triumph but a real sensation built along the lines that the public are today demanding in their motion picture entertainment. "The camera work and photography will be in the hands of Alfred Ortlieb, who has impressed his art into giving the screen some of its most magnificent effects. He was universally noted for his work on "The White Circle" and his latest production is 'The Black Panther's Cub,' a Chautard directed picture starring Florence Reed. "Henry Menessier will take charge of the technical direction assisted by his own staff of technicians and artisans. Fifteen years have lapsed since Menessier was making sets for the old Pathe company in Paris and there is perhaps no other man in the industry who has taken as active a part in productions or who has given more to the artistic development and general composition of sets in keeping with the atmosphere of the story than he. "John B. Hylan, who for a long period has been associated with the directorial staff of the Selnick oiganization will be assistant director and his varied experience as actor and writer prior to his directorial work should prove of invaluable aid to Mr. Henley. "Fannie Hurst, in speaking of the elaborate preparations being made for her brain-child's transference to the screen said in part, that 'Miss Hampton not only fits the role admirably, but has all the necessary qualifications to place her in the foremost rank of current day screen artistes.' Actual shooting of the scenes will commence shortly at the Paragon Studio in Fort Lee. Further details of release and distribution will be announced in the near future by the Associated First National Exhibitors Circuit." Units Busy at Universal City THE arrival at Universal City of Carl Laemmle, president, and R. H. Cochrane, vice-president, already has borne fruit in the way of increased production, declares a statement from Universal's home office. Twentyfour producing units are now reported to be making features at Universal, and the scenario department has just given out elaborate plans for the immediate future. Shortly after Priscilla Dean completes her current Jewel Production, " False Colors," she will begin work on her next feature, " The Conflict," probably under her present director, Stuart Paton. "The Conflict" is at present running serially in the Red Book, and is the work of Clarence Buddington Kelland. The screen adaptation is being made by George C. Hull. Rollin Sturgeon is now preparing to produce " Human Hearts," the famous drama by Hal Reid, with an all-star cast. This will be a Jewel feature, and Mark Robbins has been engaged to prepare the scenario. Harry Carey, who now is at work on " The Homeward Trail," already has been provided with his next production. It is called " Christmas Eve at Pilot Butte," and originally appeared in the Red Book from the pen of Courtney Ryley Cooper. C. J. Clawson is at work on the scenario, and Jack Ford will in all probability direct the production. When Edith Roberts finishes " The Opened Shutters," on which she is now at work under the direction of William Worthington, she will begin on another production written and directed by Norman Dawn. The story is called " The Evil Half," and its scenes aFe laid in the far North. Gladys Walton, who is approaching the final scenes of " Li'l Miss Merridew," the F. Hopkinson Smith story directed by Harry B. Harris, will next be seen in " The ManTamer," a story by John Barton Oxford, which recently appeared in a popular magazine. This is a cir cus story in which the Universal star will appear as a lion tamer who demonstrates that her power to control is not confined to the beasts of the jungle. A. P. Younger is now at work on the screen adaptation of the story. Eva Novak's next feature will be " The Black Cop," a story by Wadsworth Camp, which recently received much favorable comment when it appeared in Collier's Weekly. Harvey Gates is adapting this popular story for the screen. John Colton and Doris Schroeder are collaborating on an original story for Carmel Myers in which she will appear as soon as she has finished her current feature, " The Dangerous Moment." The story is called " The Heart of a Jewess," and it is predicted will prove the most powerful vehicle yet provided for this popular young star. Frank Mayo's feature to follow " The Magnificent Brute " is " The Truant," an original story by Mann Page and Izola Forrester.