Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

!628 Motion Picture Newt ADVANCE V I E IV S OF COMING ATTRACTIONS Live News From Producers WHAT THE MAKERS SAY ABOUT PICTURES Frank Mayo in a scene from " The Shark Master," a new Universal picture R-C Assembles Strong Cast Pauline Frederick in " The Lure of Jade " Supported by Stage Veterans Elmer Harris to Have Two Aids on Coast HIS work having grown to nearly double proportions during the past year due to the centralizing of five Realart stars at the Hollywood studio, Elmer Harris, supervising director, announces the appointment of Percy Heath and Dwight Cleveland as his direct assistants in the work of supervision and editing. Wells Hastings heads the newly organized title department. Percy Heath has been for some time a member of the Realart scenario staff. Formerly one of America's bestknown press agents he has also won considerable notice in the scenario field. Dwight Cleveland, the other assistant, is a newcomer. Not new to pictures, however, as he started continuity writing for Vitagraph nine years ago later being connected with the editorial departments of Universal, Jesse D. Hampton and Irvin Willat. "Flower of the North" Is Completed The film of " Flower of the North " has been completed to the last shot. The large cast which director David Smith led out into the woods and mountains of Northern Oregon has returned to Hollywood after several weeks absence from ci\ ilization. The result of their lalior, several thousand feet of film, has been shipped to the Vitagraph studios in Brooklyn, N. Y. There it will be developed in Vitagraph's own special laboratory. Henry B. Walthall and Pauline Starke head the all-star cast in this production. R-C Seeking Stories of a High Standard .\ccording to word from Eve Unsell, head of the R-C scenario department at Hollywood, stories adaptable for service as screen vehicles for the R-C stars and special productions arc now being sought. Only stories with a real idea and a wholesome character will be selected, declares Miss Unscll. " R-C does not want lurid sex dramas, crook stories or themes that have too strong a religious angle. We are working in close cooperation with the censorship board and wish to produce only the best entertainment,"' advises Miss Unsell. AN unusually strong cast will appear in support of Pauline Frederick in her next starring vehicle to be released by RobertsonCole. The title is " The Lure of Jade." Production work on this subject is now under way at R-C's Hollywood studios with Colin Campbell directing. The supporting cast includes Thomas Holding, Leon Barry, .'\rthur Rankin, Hardee Kirkland, Clarissa Swayne, and L. C. Shumway. Thomas Holding has a large following on the stage and screen, particularly the latter, on which he has been a prominent figure for some time. During his stage career of more than twenty years Mr. CLOSELY following First National's listing of "The Child Thou Gavest Me" for early release, Louis B. Mayer announces that the camera work on the second of the John M. Stahl productions, "The Song of Life," has been completed and that the picture is now being cut and titled under the supervision of the director. Considerable interest attaches to this new Louis B. Mayer-First National brand because of Mr. Stahl's production record in the past. Previous to joining the Mayer forces he made "Woman Under Oath," "Wives of Alen," "Women Men Forget" and other dramatic Holding appeared both in that country and Australia with such noted artists as the late Sir Herbert Tree, Sir Charles Hawtry, and George .A.lexander. It was as leading man for Maxine Elliott in " Deborah of Todds " that he was introduced to .'Vmerican audiences. Later he played opposite Billie Burke in " Love Watches." Leon Barry has been cast in the part of Stuart Beresford. He was born in Paris, France, educated at the conservatory of Paris and appeared with Sarah Bernhardt, who selected him as her leading man from among the most talented actors in France. Mr. Barry also played opposite Madame Rejane. offerings. After the great success of "The Woman in His House" and "Sowing the Wind" Mr. Maj-er made a new arrangement with the director by W'hich he would have a unit of his own operating independently to make special productions with all-star casts. "The Child Thou Gavest Me" is the first of this series, and if its triumphant career to date can be used as a precedent, the John M. Stahl productions are destined for a prominent place in the cinematic hall of fame. The picture has had two try-outs to date and the results have been more than satisfacton,'. Major Jack Allen Filmi Seen at the Rialto . f^, THE first release of the " series of Major Jack Allen's Wild Animal Pictures which are on the Pathe schedule, got away to a flying start the week of September 5th. The occasion was a pre-release showing of "Netting the Leopard" at the Rialto Theatre, New York City. Hugo Riesenfeld, managing director of the Rialto, secured a three weeks' prerelease on the subject. " Netting the Leopard " will be regularly released the week of September 25th. During the Rialto showing last week, the New York Evening Post paid special tribute to " Netting the Leopard," declaring it " the real feature of the Rialto program," states Pathe. Jeffrey on Lichtman's First National Staff George S. Jeffrey, who has held down the managership of the Boston Exchange of Associated Producers since Al Lichtman became General Manager, will remain on Mr. Lichtman's staff in the amalgamation with First National. Mr. Lichtman's retention of Mr. Jeffrei", in the amalgamation with First National, is in recognition of the latter's ability, not only to bring in business but to make friends for the company he represents. Prior to affiliating himself with .Associated Producers. Mr. Jeffrey was Canadian sales manager fori Paramount with headquarters at Toronto. Selznick Issue Minature Ad. Insert One of the first producers to announce his plans for the coming season to picture showmen was Lewis J. Selznick who caused to bt inserted in Motion Picture New: and other trade publications a Ifr page art supplement that attractec favorable attention and served a: an effective sales-talk for the Selz nick product. By using all of thi important trade papers Mr. Selz nick covered, in a national way, th< whole field of exhibition. These inserts were run durinj the month of August and to follow up the initial announcement Mr Selznick devised a unique plan. Tl>< insert was condensed from its orig inal size to a booklet measuring approximately, 5x6 inches, wit! a special envelope manufactured t< contain them. This miniature re plica of the "Forty from Selznidc is now being distributed. Two Stahl Pictures Ready " Child Thou Gavest Me " to Be Released; "Song of Life" is Edited