Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

■tober 13, I g 3 I 2019 Prologue for Pola Negri Film rVoody Back From Coast [Lauds Realart Films JS. WOODY, general • manager of Realart Pictures Corporation, just returned to the East from the Coast, speaks enthusiastically of Bebe Daniels's and May McAvoy's new productions for Realart. In a telegram received at the Realart home ofifice in advance of his return., Mr. Woody said: "Reviewed 'Speed Girl' yesterday and 'Morals' today. Former eclipses all other Daniels pictures and latter is a McAvoy triumph." "The Speed Girl" is the next Bebe Daniels feature, sccnarized from an original story by Elmer Harris, and was directed by Major Maurice Campbell. " Morals," starring May McAvoy, is an idaptation of "The Morals of Marcus Ordeyne, ' which was written by Edward Locke, the loted author. This book was jne of Locke's most popular lovels, its sales necessitating he printing of several issues. ' Morals " was directed by William D. Taylor. Queenie" with ShirMason Set for Oct. 'hirley Mason is said to have an isually excellent vehicle in 'ueenie," an early October re•e by Fox. The stor>-, by WilFinley Fauley, was adapted for "screen by Dorothy Yost with ial regard for the Fox star, ard M. Mitchell directed the . iuction at the Fox West Coast ' lies. he various changes of condi' and of mood in the life of nie provide Miss Mason with ally good opportunities for splay of her versatility and her faculty of making almost any of garb appear distinctive and ' irning. le star is supported by George ^ ara, Wilson Hummel, Aggie ' ring, Lydia Titus, Adolph Men "iiid Clarissa Selwynne. Special Prizma Subject Prepared by First National CONVINCED that in " Oiu Arabian Night," with Negri and Ernst Lubitsch, its producer, in the principal roles, it nas a sensational novelty. Associated First National has gone in lor novelty advertising and exploitation material to put the production across with the public. Besides a lull line of posters, including a twenty-four, six, two, threes and two ones, the company is putting out two styles of lobby displa)-, one in four colors, the other lu two colors, and a special art one sheet in seven colors. The most novel unit and the one on which more money was spent than is usual for material intended for free use of exhibitors is a "Prizma Prologue," a story of Oriental Wardrobe entitled, " The Harem Bride's Trousseau." This is a new angle in advance exploitation for a production and probably the forerunner of a changing style in screen publicity for attractions. " The Harem Bride's Trousseau," according to information from a private source, cost First National more than a thousand dollars for material and making of costumes, the former including radiant silks, satins, cloth of silver, crepes, veilings and beaded work. The prologue, which is intended to be shown on the screens of theatres two weeks before the opening date of " One Arabian Night," gives an advance idea of the costumes that are worn by Pola Negri and the other women in the Lubitsch production. Miss Evelyn Napier, a New York model, posed for the Pri/.ma prologue, the picture being directed by Kendall Evans, the fa A scene from the special Prizma Prologue picture prepared by First National {or its Pola Negri attraction, " One Arabian Night " mous Los Angeles photographer who recently has turned to specialization in art stills and portraits. Special sets were built for the occasion. Half a dozen different costumes, including the " bridal," " state," " Robe Nuptial " and " Robe du Nuit," are worn in the picture, and .til are done in the rich Prizma process colors. The original intention of First National in making the Prizma feature, which is 370 feet long, was to have it shown a fortnight in advance of opening date for " One Arabian Night," to be followed the next week with a trailer made up of scenes from the production. But the Prizma " interest-reel " turned out such a thing of beauty the suggestion is now offered that exhibitors, by a slight change in titles, may use it as part of an acted or singing prologue, immediately preceding the start of the big feature, because the richness of the colors in the costumes gives to the main story an added atmospheric value. First National announces that prints of the Prizma Prologue will be available in all exchanges within the next two weeks, so that first run theatres booking the Negri-Lubitsch production for the immediate future may get the novelty in plenty of time to introduce the coming feature to their audiences. Zierler Buys Hines Feature FOLLOWING closely upon the decision of Charles C. Burr, president of Affiliated Distributors, Inc., and the sponsors of " Burn 'Em Up, Barnes," the whirlwind romantic comedy in which Johnny Hines amusingly frolics through his initial feature production, to distribute this offering in the independent market, comes the announcement of concrete achievement on the part of Afiiliated's sales force. It is reported that the week's activities on the part of this division of Affiliated Distributors, Inc., have resulted in the successful negotiation of a contract with Sam Zierler, President of the Commonwealth Pictures Corporation of New York City, whereby that organization acquires " Burn 'Em Up, Barnes," for a territory aggregating 17 per cent of the entire country and including Greater New York, New York State and Northern New Jersey. Further, Mr. Zierler is insured by contractual clauses the entire series of Johnny Hines features for the ensuing season. In commenting on this transaction, characterized as being one of the most important independent film deals of the season, Mr. Zierler said : " I am particularly gratified with the acquisition of Affiliated Distributors series of Johnny Hines feature productions, the first of which, " Burn 'Em Up, Barnes," is a model of clean, wholesome, thoroughly enjoyable entertainment that will go far in establishing Johnny Hines as a star of the same magnitude in feature offerings as he has long been in short subjects." " Immediately after the screening of 'Burn 'Em Up, Barnes,' I made the statement, without the fear of successful contradiction and which I now repeat that, in my judgment, 'Burn Em Up, Barnes,' is the finest photographed, fastest moving and mast entertaining independent production I have ever seen. So fast is the action and so absorbing is the story in its unfoldment that I was unable to correctly estimate its footage. It seemed all too short. It is my intention to devise, in conjunction with the producer, a most ambitious exploitation compaign for 'Burn 'Em Up, Barnes,' and this plan will be skilfully executed by a special force of field representatives." Bevond the brief confirmation of the disposal of the territorial rights to Mr. Zierler, Charles C. Burr, the producer, made no other comment save that he was mightily pleased with the entire arrangement. Hampton Vehicle Opens Tlieatre " Star Dust," Hope Hampton's latest starring vehicle for Associated First National, has been selected as the opening attraction for Col. Fred Levy's new Louisville theatre, the week of October 9. This will mark the initial public presentation of " Star Dust," an event in itself, but additional interest for Louisville is the announcement that the star. Miss Hampton, will appear in person at the opening. " Miss Hampton is a big favorite all through the South," said Col. Levy, " and I could not have secured a more popular star for our opening feature, added to this the appearance of Miss Hampton in person and I'll venture the prediction that Fourth street will assume a Broadway air during the inaugural festivities."