Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2016 Motion Picture News Truex Comedies for Pathe Short Subject Program Enlarged; Three Two-Reelers Contracted For Dorothy Devore in " Saving Sister Susie," an Educational-Christie Comedy. (Photo by C. E. Day, Los Angeles) New Arliss Picture to Be Comedy Drama A new George Arliss photoplay is forthcoming, and not only will it be a new picture, but Mr. Arliss will be seen in a characterization new to most of his myriad of admirers. Announcement to this effect is made by Henry M. Hobart, president of Distinctive Productions, Inc., producers of " Disraeli," in which Mr. Arliss is starred. The forthcoming production is adapted from the story " Idle Hands," by Earl Derr Biggers, published in the Saturday Evening Post. Forrest Halse3% who wrote the scenario for " Disraeli," has finished the scenario for " Idle Hands," and Henry Kolker, under whose direction " Disraeli " was made, will again direct. Harmon Wright will continue as Mr. Kolker's assistant, and Harry A. Fischbeck will again be at the camera. Mr. Hobart is now completing the selection of the cast who will support Mr. Arliss. The cast will be announced later. Fox Specials in Demand in Scandanavia According to a report from Arthur G. Gregory, manager of Fox Film Corporation's general office for Scandinavia, at Amagertorv 29, Copenhagen, Denmark, the place recently became a Mecca for all the most prominent distributors in Sweden and Norway, as well as Denmark. The occasion was the screening by Mr. Gregory of " Checkers," " If I Were King " and other Fox special productions which have won popularity in various parts of Europe. Without exception, the communication to the New York office states, the distributors made bids for "Over the Hill," "Queen of Sheba " and " A Connecticut Yankee in King .Arthur's Court," anxiously inquiring as to when they might hope to obtain the films. THE scope of Pathe's activities in the field of short subjects is to be further enlarged, according to an announcement this week, informing the trade of the addition to its fall and winter release schedule of three ^two-reel comedies in which Ernest Truex is starred. The arrangements for distribution of the Truex comedies has just been completed between Pathe and the AyVeeBee Corporation, which produced thie series. Amede J. Van Beuren is president of the latter organization. Truex, who is one of the most popular comedians on the American stage, as attested by the great success of his current vehicle, "Six Cylinder Love," which is jamming the Sam H. Harris theatre every performance, is making a reappearance on the silver sheet. He successfully starred in a prior series of comedies, but was obliged to desert studio work because of his triumph on the stage. "The Bashful Lover," "Stick Around " and " Little, But Oh My," are the titles of the three Truex comedies. Within the next ten days, Pathe will be in a position to announce the releasing arrangements for this series, as well as for the two Har ris Dickson comedies, which recently were added to the Pathe schedule. Pathe now lays claim to the most complete line of comedy releases of any organization in the American market. In addition to the Harris Dickson and Ernest Truex mirth makers, Pathe each week releases a Hal Roach comedy, starring either " Snub " Pollard, or Eddie Boland; a reissue of Harold Lloyd's most successful single reelers, and one of a series of onereel comedies featuring Gaylord Lloyd, brother of Harold. Mr. Truex began his screen career with Mary Pickford in " The Good Little Devil," playing the role of Charles MacLance, which he originated in the Belasco stage production of this fairy play. His work in both the stage and screen versions of "The Good Little Devil " was second only to that of Miss Pickford. His screen productions include " Oh You Woman," in which this jovial star shared honors with Louise Huff ; " Come On In " and " Good Bye Bill," both with Shirley Mason. "Caprice" with Mary Pickford and the tworeel comedies, " The Night of the Dub " and " Too Good to be True," wherein he was starred. " After the show," also by Rita Weiman, is a William de Mille production and is scheduled for October 30. The story appeared in the Saturday Evening Post under the title, " The Stage Door," and was adapted by Hazel McDonald and Vianna Knowlton. Also released on the 30th is William D. Taylor's production, " Beyond," starring Ethel Clayton. Henry Arthur Jones, the famous English playwright, is the author, and Julia Crawford Ivers wrote the scenario. Charles Meredith is Miss Qayton's leading man. Paramount October Films Six Features on List; Two of Them Based on Stories by Rita Weiman UPON Rita Weiman, popular author falls the distinction of having two of her stories in picture form included in the list of six feature productions scheduled for release by Paramount during the month of October. " Footlights," the first of Miss Weiman's stories on the schedule is released October 2. It was adapted by Josephine Lovett and directed by John S. Robertson. The same day marks the release of " Cappy Ricks," starring Thomas Meighan. This is an adaptation by Albert Shelby LeVino and Waldemar Young of the stories by Peter B. Kyne. Tom Forman directed. George Melford's production of E. Phillips Oppenheim's story, " The Great Impersonation," is scheduled for October 9. Monte M. Katterjohn, wrote the scenario and James Kirkwood is featured in a dual role. Ann Forrest plays opposite Mr. Kirkwood, while Winter Hall, Truly Shattuck, Fontaine LaRue, .\llan Hale and Bertram Johns are prominent in the support. October 23 is the date of release of George Fitzmaurice's j-pectacular production, " Experience," which Waldemar Young adapted from the play by George V. Hobart. Richard Barthelmess is featured in the role of Youth and Marjorie Daw as Love. The list of players includes among others John Miltern, E. J. Ratcliffe, Betty Carpenter, Lilyan Tashman, Nita Naldi, Joseph Smile}', Jed Prouty, Sybil Carmen, Robert Schable and Leslie King. "Handcuffs or Kisses" at Broadway House For three days during the past week Elaine Hammerstein, i n "Handcuffs or Kisses," was the screen attraction at the new palatial Loew's State in New York. In this picture Robert Ellis, a Selznick director, played opposite Miss Hammerstein in unfolding the interesting details of the plot. "Handcuffs or Kisses" is first of the new Hammerstein series of six features for the ensuing season. "The Way of a Maid," second attraction in the series, has passed from the laboratory in completed form. William P. S. Earle directed this one. In "The Way of a Maid" the lead is played by Niles Welch who lately signed a long term contract as a Selznick leading man with prospects of appearances with Miss Hammerstein in most of this season's new pictures. Ruth Dwyer, who has been engaged for the production now under way at Sydney, Nova Scotia. (Photograph by Muriella, New York) Novel Stunts to Exploit "The Speed Girl" Realart's pressbook on the latest Bebe Daniels picture, " The Speed Girl," offers exhibitors many suggestions for effective exploitation. The role of the speed girl is particularly appropriate for Miss Daniels, as previous pictures will attest, says Realart, and in this production she never lets up for a moment. Bebe Daniels uses various means of locomotion throughout the action of the story, including horse, airplane and motor car and it is from this element of speed that the picture derives its name. As an introductory stunt, Realart suggests a " speed " parade. At the head of it a tumble-down btis, drawn by an old nag, wherein plays a comedy band. Following, a longlegged youth on a kiddie car, a man in a wheelbarrow, another on an old-fashioned high-wheel bicycle, a perambulator, a tricjxle, a go-cart; in fact any number of vehicles, the more grotesque the better. Keep Three Scenarios Ahead of Production According to a system recently • inaugurated at the Hallroom Bojrs Comedies studio, three completed scenarios ahead of production schedule are always on hand. This new method is, he declares, preferable for several reasons, one of the chief ones being that the title and a working idea of what the story is to be may be sent East to the New York offices well in advance of the picture, so that exploitation and publicity may be planned ahead of time. Vitagraph Serial Star a Thrill Maker Bearing evidence of her battle with a black bear near the close of the seventh episode of "Breaking Through," Carmel !Myers has returned to Vitagraph's Hollwood studio for some special interiors. Except for the ver>^ opening episodes planting the characters and the plot, this new Vitagraph serial has been exceptionally free from interior scenes. Vitagraph's new serial is pleasing exhibitors, judging from the reports received on the early episodes which are now running. I