Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

September i p ^ i 1225 A. Beyfuss Announces Release Left — Martin Johnson and Mrs. Johnson in front of their Borneo home during the filming of " Jungle Adventures " released by Exceptional Pictures Corp. Center — Charles (Chic) Sales, star of Exceptional Pictures Corporation productions. Right — A scene from "Jungle Adventures," Martin Johnson's new picture of life in Borneo Paramount Specials in Record Openings Sunday proved a record-breaking day for Paramount special productions in Chicago, where Cecil B. DeMille's " The Affairs of Anatol " opened at Ascher Bros, new Roosevelt Theatre, and " The Golem " at Orchestra Hall. So great was the success scored by the twelve-star DeMille production at the Roosevelt that it prompted Max Asher to send the following wire to the home-office of Paramount : " Heartiest congratulations and thanks for DeMille's wonderful picture, ' The Affairs of Aanatol.' Sunday opening at Roosevelt theatre exceeded all our expectations as theatre and lobby were crowded all day and evening. Consider this the greatest box-ofifice attraction ever produced and cannot say too much in praise of it." Following the opening of "The Golem" at Orchestra Hall, Alanager Voegeli sent the following telegram : " ' The Golem ' opened Sunday at Orchestra Hall to the biggest day this year. Exceeded only by ' Humoresque ' last year. Indications point to a record run for this picture as crowds stood in line up to the last show." Both productions are booked for indefinite engagements. IN a recent interview Alexander Beyfuss stated, in connection with his new enterprise, "Exceptional is preparing to announce, not what it intends to do, but what it has already done." That he meant this in every sense of the word is fully borne out by the statement now issued by the Exceptional Pictures Corporation from its headquarters at 1540 Broadway, New York City, which follows closely upon the recent announcement of the election of Mr. Beyfuss as Vice President and general manager of the organization. Information is given out that two features are already completed, the first of which Martin Johnson's "Jungle Adventures" is scheduled for release in October. But what is even as important as the announcement of finished product is the fact that Martin Johnson's "Jungle Adventures" is booked for a pre-release showing at the Capitol Theatre, New York, where it will be the stellar attraction for the week commencing September 11th. It will be recalled that Martin Johnson's "Jungle Adventures" was QUALITY VAUDEVILLE AND SOLOISTS FOR MOTION PICTURE AND VAUDEVILLE THEATRES THE FALLY MABKUS TANDARD VAUDEVILL AGENCY BRYANT 4103 1547 BROADWAY NEW YORK CITY " Jungle Adventures " Scheduled for October the feature which the Motion Picture Commission of New York State accorded the distinction of reviewing as their first official act, was in itself demonstrated that this new organization is clearly alive to every opportunity and prepared to avail itself of them. The second feature announced as already completed is said to be a distinct novelty in the making of motion pictures and stars Charles "Chic" Sale, one of the youngest and foremost character actors on the American stage today, in his first effort before the camera. The title of this production is being withheld for the time being although it is stated that Mr. Sale plays seven distinct characters during the unfolding of the pictures, at no time using a double exposure with any two of the characters. This unique offering will also have a pre-release showing in one of New York's big theatres, definite announcement of which is expected to be made within the next few weeks. The production is scheduled for general release in November. In making this statement Mr. Beyfuss said : "It will be conceded that Exceptional Pictures Corporation has started auspiciously; it has delivered, in so doing, what it promised to do, because, instead of announcing the aims, desires and policies of what it intended to accomplish Exceptional very quietly did things, so that this statement becomes a question of facts and actual accomplishments. "Two pictures are completed and read}' for the market : the first Martin Johnson "Jungle Adventures" is to play at the world's largest theater, the Capitol; soon we will announce a similar accom plishment for the Chic Sale production. "All this was done on merit alone, without even the aid of distribution affiliations. And, furthermore, no definite distributing arrangements are to be made until the productions have proven themselves real, exceptional box-office attractions. We are certain they will demonstrate their value before the public, just as certain as we were when their making was carefully planned that the first-run theatres would accept them as product of the calibre they require." Ray Popular with Army and Navy Audiences " What type of pictures do Uncle Sam's soldiers and sailors like best? Pictures that show life as it is really lived, that are virile, human, 'homey;' with a touch of adventure if it be not exaggerated ; of mystery if the situations presented are logical ; or comedy if the element of the ridiculous is not overdrawn. What is live, wholesome, probable, by its very nature carries an appeal to the healthy masculine man." This conclusion has been reached by John C. Ragland, vice-president and general manager of Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation, after sifting a mass of information which he has been collecting recently. Mr. Ragland was assisted too, in arriving at this conclusion by the heavy and growing demands for Ray features for army and navy programs. Besides West Point, where the Ray pictures are ever popular, there have been repeated showings of this star's films in recent months, according to the Kane general manager, at Fort Crook, Neb. ; Camp Eustis, Va. ; Camp Meade, Md. ; Fort Monroe, Va. ; Fort Plattsburg, Va. ; Fort Logan, Colo. ; Camp Knox, Ky. ; Fort Mc.A.rthur, Cal. ; and Camp Dix, N. J.