Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

Motion Picture N e-\ A scene from " Garments of Truth," a Metro picture starring Gareth Hughes ''Mother O'Mine" Scoring Plays to Big Business When Shown Simultaneously in Four Big Cities "]V/f OTHER O' MINE." the ■L'-* Thomas H. Ince melo drama, hung up some new records for itself as a box office attraction last week with simultaneous runs in four large cities of the East and Central West. Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Washington and Pittsburgh gave the sensational Ince success the same enthusiastic reception that it received in New York, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco upon first presentation a few weeks ago in those cities. During the first week of its distribution through First National exchanges following transfer of the Ince productions, "Mother O' Mine" played Gift's Cincinnati as the opening attraction for the fall season ; the Alhambra at Indian apolis, Tom Moore's Rialto at Washington, and both the Regent and the Blackstone, Pittsburgh, Pa. It proved such a successful attraction at Gift's that it was early in the week, booked for a second seven days despite a previous booking for that week. The Cincinnati Times-Star says that it " is one of those productions that the public will not permit to come and go with only one week's showing, therefore McMahon and Jackson have billed it again. It played to capacity crowds and bids fair to run into record attendance again." " Mother o' Mine " is a fast-action melodrama, made by Thomas H. Ince with a cast including Lloyd Hughes, Betty Ross Clark, Joseph Kilgour, Claire McDowell and Bettv Blvthe. Variety of Subject Appeal Diversity of Ass'd. Exhib. Attractions Has Won Exhibitor's Favor John E. storey, sales man*^ ager of Associated Exhibitors, Inc., said last week that the policy of releasing the Playgoers Pictures features on the basis of three a month had been successfully launched, and that reports from his branch sales managers indicated that the diversity of these attractions is the basic reason for the popularity of the arrangement with the exhibitors. He further stated that it is the purpose of Associated to keep the nature of the Playgoers features totally different, so that in no individual month will there be three "westerns" or three "society dramas," but each one will have the elements of amusement value which arc attractive to various classes of patronage. "Starting with 'Home Keeping Hearts,' said Mr. Storcv. "Playgoers offered to the exhibitors a beautiful rural American drami reminiscent of the successful old stage productions of this class. Its reception has been very satisfactory, and wc are well pleased with the progress it has made to date. Then came 'The Family Closet,' basically a mystery story, built around the old saying that every family has a skeleton in its closet. This feature found a ready market because of its wonderful surprise ending. "Next in order we released J. P. McGowan in 'Discontented Wives,' a smashing good \^'estern feature with an appeal which reaches the heart of everyone. "So you see, that judging by these three alone, we have made good on our promise to keep the Playgoers releases different, and judging by the very nice increase in bookings of the Playgoers features on the basis of three a month, we are satisfied that the merit of our policy has been recognized by the exhibitors throughout the countrv." Has Genuine All Star Cae Players in " A Man's Home " QuaUfy as All Star Cast by Past Records T N a statement issued from the Selznick headquarters during the week, it is pointed out that the expression " all star cast " is very often not at all accurately descriptive of the players found in the picture. The expression as applied to the new Selznick production, ".\ Man's Home," is declared by the Selznick office to be absolutely justified. "Anyone with a knowledge of pictures " says the Selznick statement, " will be at once familiar with the names and work of the leaders in 'A Man's Home ' cast. " Harry Morey, who plays the Man — Vitagraph star of abundant achievement; since 1909 playing in ' The Golden Goal,' ' The Green God,' 'All Man,' 'The Man Who Won,' ' The Darkest Hour,' ' In Honor's Web ' and other photoplays. " Kathlyn Williams, who is the Wife — besides a stage career of importance, in which she played in ' Mrs. Dane's Defense,' ' When We Were Twenty-one ' and ' The Man of the Hour ' as leading woman, her screen career has been long and productions of roles that have made her greatly popular. Her appearances in MoroscoParamount, Artcraft and Paramount issues have made her name familiar and reputation enviable. " Faire Binney, who played Daughter — the screen first brou her into prominence when played in Maurice Tournei 'Sporting Life' and ' Woman,' Republic's ' The Blue Pearl.' Famous-Players ' Here Comes Bride,' and with John Barrymc " Matt Moore, who plays Daughter's Financee — A r t c r a Universal's 'Twenty Thousi Leagues Under the Sea,' Xeila ' Unpardonable Sin,' Reid's ' S hara ' and his appearances in ' R ular Fellow,' ' Getting Mary M ried ' and ' The Dark Star ' g but a brief index to his scr( work. " Grace Valentine, as the / ventures — In more recent seas( this actress has established hers as a ' screen heavy ' who has f equals in that specific line. Rola Bottomley, as the Confidence M — Just now this player is in ' leading role of ' Page Miss Veni a musical piece new this seaS' and his stage career encompas: many ' heavy ' roles. Marga Sedden, as the Mother, fills i niche that requires a sweet i mother in any storj' of domes life." Sees Wallingford" Succes President Smith, of Vitagraph, Enthused bv Chester Production r J PON his return from Canada ^ a few days ago, .Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, spent a good part of one day seeing pictures which had been completed in his absence. \^itagraph's production department has never been more active than at the present time. One of the most enjoyable hour and three-quarters spent by Mr. Smith diiring the past week was a period in one of his studio projection rooms when he saw George Randolph Chester's special production, " The Son of Wallingford." Immediately after seeing the final print of " The Son of Wallingford " last week, Mr. Smith sent the following telegram to everyone of Vitagraph's twenty-eight branch office managers. " I have just seen our newest a biggest special, ' The Son of We ingford ' and want to give you i opinion on it. I have seen tl p i c t u re repeatedly in varic lengths, but in its present form think it is one of the most enti taining pictures I have ever sei Your prints have been shipped, a you will have the same opini after you have had this picti screened. As s^on as your prii arrive, have one screened for yc entire force, not only salesmen, \ every single employe. You have picture to be proud of here. Y,, are getting more prints on ll ' special than on any previous Vii graph special, because the picture worth it." E. H. DuCASSE sole proprietor, "Indian Film Gazette" the "DuCasse Film Service" and several cinemas in India, who is contemplating a tour of America and Europe in the near future, will be glad to view and select films for exhibitors in India and Burma. MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORT AGENTS who are not acquainted with the requirements of the East, are hereby offered an opportunity of ascertaining and selling the class of films that India and Burma need. — Communications addressed to E. H. DuCASSE, 2, Marquis Street, Calcutta, India, will be treated confidentially RARE OPPORTUNITY FOR BUiERS AND SELLERS