Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

1220 Motion Picture News ii U" L eases BVay House Scene from Constance Binney's latest starring vehicle for Realart, " Room and Board " Selznick Units Very Busy No Intermissions Between Productions for Tearle and O'Brien HA.VING declared thai " Forty from Selznick" shall mean nothing less than complete fulfillment of a promise to exhibitors, Lewis J. Selznick is making advance preparation for the completion, in ample time, of all productions he has lately catalogued in his trade paper announcement. W hilc Myron Selznick, Vice President in charge of production is away on a trans-continental trip with Sam E. Morris, vice president and general manager in charge of distribution, there is no cessation of studio for the present, Selznick attractions activities in Fort Lee, N. J., where, for the present Selznick attractions continue to be produced. Owen Moore soon begins on his Henrv A. Lehrman comedy ; Elaine Hammerstein is taking a fortnight's vacation previous to pitching into her future activities, while Conway Tearle and Eugene O'Brieu are busy with actual production. At least two companies arc always hnsy. On August 20 Conway Tearle finished "A Wide Open Town" (in which Faire Binney acted as his leading lady while giving all of the I)erformanccs required of her in "The Teaser" at the Playhouse, New York) and started, on Monday, August 22, another Ralph Ince |)roduction with only one Sunday's rest l)etween pictures. "The Referee," based on a story recently concluded in the Red Book, is the new Tearle picture which Ralph Ince is directing. As its title indicates the prize ring will contriljute a dominant element to the story. Eugene O'Brien, under direction of Robert Ellis, finished the production of "Chivalrous Charley" on Tuesday, August 23, and at once began under direction of Alan Crosiand, the screening of "A Prophet's Paradise." Elaine Hammerstein has her next work cut out for her in "Why Announce Your Marriage" ])roduction to begin as soon as Alan Crosland finishes the O'Brien picture and is at liberty to direct Miss Hammerstein. Clifton Announces Plans Elmer Clifton Starts Production of Story of New England Whalers THE plans of Elmer Clifton, the motion picture director for nine vears intimately associated with David W. Griffith, have reached the point of announcement. Mr. Clifton has started work upon a big film spectacle of the sea, revolving around the thrilling and adventurous career of the whaler. Mr. Clifton has been at work for several weeks at New Bedford, Mass., with a staff of technical aids, preparing for the super-feature. The cast, which, it is said, will include some of the biggest names m the cinema world, is already largely selected. Mr. Clifton chose New Bedford as the picturesque background for his production because that New England seaport was the home of the old time whaling industry. Mr. Clifton seems to be capturing his whaling romance just in time, for the number of whaling ships making New Bedford as a home port has dwindled from 126 to ten, the abundance of natural oil having gradually wiped out the industry. Mr. Clifton is chartering a high power schooner, which will be under the command of Captain James A. Tilton, a veteran whaler, and manned by a picked crew of eighteen, enough to outfit three whale boats. A diligent search for whales will be made and the schooner will sweep the Atlantic as far south as Cape Hatteras. Three cameramen will record the thrills of the first cry of " There she blows !"' the lowering of the whale boats, and the actual life and death combat with the leviathan of the deep. Central Theatre Universal's First **\JO WOMAN KNOWS," -L^ Tod Browning's UniversalJewel production of Edna Ferber's famous novel " Fanny Herself," is to have a Broadway run, beginning September 4th, in the Central theatre, Broadway and Forty-ninth street. The Universal Film Manufacturing Company has leased the Central thereby assuring Universal super-production of a Broadway presentation. Universal thus assures a Broadway run, not only for " No Woman Knows " but also for " Foolish Wives," the million-and-a-half-dollar von Stroheim production. It is expected that this picture will establish new records for picture success in New York. Until such time as " Foolish Wives " shall be ready for the screen, " No Woman Knows " will be the attraction at the Central. In taking over the Central, Universal announces a unique and to Be Used for Run Showings novel policy for the operation of that house. Besides being a Broadway first run house for Universal, the theatre also will be considered as a presentation example for all Universal exhibitors. Each picture that plays the Broadway house will be supplied with exploitation and a presentation arranged and prepared by experts of the Universal Exploitation Department, so devised that the same effects can be adapted to the uses of every exhibitor who books the pictures. The latest and most up-to-date moving picture theatre equipment is being installed in the Central and every possible move is being made to make the theatre a model of its kind. The pictures will be accompanied by appropriate orchestral and organ music, but there will be no attempt to feature the mosical part of the program. Fox's September Releases Pearl White in " Virgin Paradise " and " Connecticut Yankee " on List Fox FILM CORPORATION releases for September will consist of two more of the twelve big specials planned for launching on Broadway before going to exhibitors, two feature productions, two Twentieth Century pictures, one Clyde Cook special comedy, one Al St. John comedy, two Sunshine Comedies and four Mutt and Jeff animated cartoons. The first of the specials among the September releases is "A Virgin Paradise," written by Hiram Percy Maxim, the famous inventor, and directed by J. Searle Dawley. The leading role is played by Pearl White. The other special for September release is "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," him version of the Mark Twain comedy classic. "The Night Horsemen," starring Tom Mix, is a stirring tale of the West in which the wanderlust of the fast riding and hard fighting hero is dramatically set forth. The story is from Max Brand's novel "W'ild Geese," and is a sequel of the great Mix success "The Untamed." In "The Primal Law" Dustin Farnum is seen in the role of a most engaging character — a rancher, genial and kindly, but dangerous in a fight, especially where the interests of his little pal, Bobbie, are attacked. Bernard Burning directed the production. "What Love Will Do" is the title of a picture in which Edna Murphy and Johnnie Walker are co-starred. The story is by Jack Strumwasser. William K. Howard is the director Eileen Percy stars in "Little Miss Hawkshaw," a romantic picture drama with prologue, on original lines. Carl Harbaugh directed. Clyde Cook's special comedy for September is " The Toreador." The Al St. John comedy is " Small Town Stuff." " One Moment Please " and " The Book Agent " are the Sunshine comedies. Mutt and Jeff will be presented in the following: "The Stampede," "The Tons Sandwich,'" "Shadowed" and "Turkish Bath." Minter in^'Ann Annington" Gaston Glass, Fred Goodwins and Helen Durbar Appear in Support WHEN Edgar Jepson ^yrote his now famous novel, "Ann Annington," he probably didn't realize that it would score a hit as a stage play. But Lechmere Worrall dramatized the story under the title of ".\nn," and score a hit it did. Now Douglas Doty has again adapted it ; for Realart as a picture for Marv Miles Minter and for the third time the public will be able to enjoy this comedy. Dotv has preserved every chance for Miss Minter to display her piquant manner in this delightful picture. In it she essays the role of Ann Annington, a special writer for a society journal, and the fiancee of a wealthy idler. Joseph Henabery directed "Her Winning Way" and when it is shoA\-n that he also did "Don't Call Me Little Girl" and "Moonlight and Honeysuckle," theatre patrons will eagerly look for this. A cast composed of Gaston Glass, Fred Goodwins, Helen Dunbar, Grace Morse. John Elliott. Omar W'hitehead and Carrie Clark Ward make up the remainder of the fun-makers. Richard L. Johnston assisted Mr. Henabery and Faxon Dean did the photography, all under the supervision of Elmer Harris.