Motion Picture News (July-Aug 1921)

762 Motion Picture News Quality to Bring Response S. R. Kent Says Fall Business Will Respond Only to " Quality " Films 55 «t'TvHE motion picture business A is not going to rebound from its present depression like a rubber ball. It is going to respond, however, to the kind of pictures given the public this fall, and it is nothing but super-quality productions that will enable the box-offices of the country to register a story of profits in the face of general conditions which may continue for some time to be unsatisfactory." In the furnishing of such pictures by producers during the next few months lies the surest hope of a strong revival in the industry, in the opinion of S. R. Kent, Famous Players-Lasky's General Manager of Distribution, who has just returned from a business trip of nearly a month which took him all the way to Los Angeles. " There is nothing so necessary at the present time as confidence," said Mr. Kent. "The pessimists, the yellow-streakers, are going to be eliminated during the coming year, without any question. This business cannot carry as many quitters as I have seen in all branches of the business during the past few months. In spite of the present depression, this industry today stands heads and shoulders — as far as condition is concerned — above any other national industry of any consequence that I know of, and there is no other industry so fortunately situated to reap the benefits that will accrue through a sane deflation and sane re-organization in the business world. " I find that the public is more critical than it has ever been before regarding the quality of its picture entertainment. It continues to shop for value in its pictures as it is shopping for value in every other line of merchandise for which it is spending its money. It does not object, even today, to paying the fullest price for the picture that gives real entertainment and real value." "The Idle Class" Ready Soon T^%s£rig!r£ change managers was brought to a This scene is from " Pilgrims of the Night," a Frothingham production for Associated Producers release Educational Closes Meeting Managers Express Full Confidence Chief at Chicago Convention in Chaplin's Sixth Subject for First National Shows Star in Dual Role tt^pHE IDLE CLASS," a trav i esty on the weaknesses of the wealthy, will be Charles Chaplin's next contribution to the gayety of the nations. After five months' work the picture has reached the editing and cutting stage, and will soon be read}' for release through Associated First National Pictures, Inc. This is his sixth production for First National. The picture was originally titled " Vanity Fair," but because there was another of the same name, Chaplin selected " The Idle Class " as the permanent title. " The Idle Class " is described to be a departure from anything Chaplin has ever done before. While it is a short length production it is declared by those associated with Chaplin that it will meet with the approval of the amusement loving public just as much as did the star's feature play, " The Kid." Among the outstanding features of " The Idle Class " is the presentation by the comedian of himself in a dual role, something he has never before attempted. Not alone is Chaplin seen as the beloved tramp, but he also offers himself as an up-to-date swell. " The Idle Class " is, as have been all of this star's productions, an original story written by Chaplin. The film was likewise produced under the comedian's personal direction and he is now devoting his efforts to the cutting and assembling. Edna Purviance, the leading woman of the Chaplin organization, is reported to have the biggest part of her entire screen career in " The Idle Class." With the presentation of " The Idle Class " comes the return of Mack Swain as the chief foil for Chaplin. Swain is a giant in size, standing six feet and three inches in height and boasting of a weight in the neighborhood of 360 pounds. The balance of the supporting company is made up of players who have long been identified with Chaplin. Among those who stand out prominently are Henry Bergman, John Rand, Allan Garcia, Loyal Underwood and Lillian Parker, the last mentioned having been placed under contract by Chaplin following her excellent work in " The Kid " as the " heavenly vamp." The photography was in charge of Rollie Totheroh, head of the cinematographic department, and lack Wilson. close on Wednesday evening of last week with a grand banquet. Fifty persons attended the dinner, which was held in the Congress Hotel, in Chicago. They included E. W. Hammons, president of Educational, four members of the headquarters stafl from New York, the branch managers and several producers, among whom were Al and Charles Christie, and C. C. Burr. Henry Ginsberg, domestic sales manager, presided as toastmaster. Mr. Hammons addressed the gathering, basing his remarks on his faith in the organization and their faith in the industry. Then Mr. Ginsberg called upon I. M. Schwartz, manager of the Chicago branch exchange, and resident host to the convention. Mr. Schwartz spoke feelingly of the confidence " the boys " had in Mr. Hammons and of their loyalty to the branch of the industry espoused by Mr. Hammons — specialization in short subjects. At the close of his talk Mr. Schwartz presented Mr. Hammons with a beautiful desk set as a token of the esteem of the members of the organization. Mr. Hammons, deeply moved by this expression of regard, arose and briefly thanked the assemblage for their token of esteem and confidence. The branch managers also presented Mr. Ginsberg with a black leather brief case and presented Carl Anderson with a gold mounted fountain pen. A theatre party was held at the Tivoli theatre for the convention delegates Tuesday evening. Following the dinner Wednesday evening, the men departed on night trains for their homes. Ingram to Film Stage Play Will Produce " Turn to the Right " for Release by Metro Pictures Rex Ingram returned to the Metro studios in Hollywood this week from the east and will begin immediately plans for the motion picture production of "Turn to the Right," the great stage success by Winchell Smith and Jack Hazzard. Metro purchased a half interest in "Turn to the Right" from John Golden, producer of the spoken play. Arrangements were made with Mr. Ingram to do the Golden success during his recent visit to New York to attend the presentation and what proved to be the clean-cut triumph of his newest film play, "The Conquering Power," which is Balzac's "Eugenie Grandet," in celluloid. At the time of his departure for the West coast, Mr. Ingram"s plans had not crystallized to the extent of announcing a probable cast It is understood, however, that Alice Terry, leading woman in "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and "The Conquering Power," will have the principal feminine role in "Turn to the Right." The picture will be made entirely in California and not partly in the East. A SEPTEMBER SUGGESTION TO EXHIBITORS DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE SAY IT WITH HODKINSON PICTURES