Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2160 Motion Picture N e This special front Behind Masks" was used by Joe Bradt, manager of the Peoples theatre. Portland. Ore. Somerville Builds Another Atmospheric Lobby Front Manager Somerville, of the Isis theatre, Greensboro, N. C, former!} of the 14th Street theatre, New York, created a fine Chinese lobby on "Where Lights Are Low" last week, one of the most artistic and complete in detail ever shown in Greensboro. Chinese lanterns of all colors and shapes lined the front of the theatre, and inside the lobby, covering all the light globes and making a subdued efifect. A specially made, huge box-like lantern covered with yellow cheese-cloth was hung outside, with the name of the feature and Hayakawa traced in Chinese letters. Canvas covered the side walls on which were painted wistaria vines and garden scenes, with bright butterflies and flowers. Fresh, green turf along the floor added realism. The ticket-booth was transformed into a yellow canvas pagoda. Black dragons were painted on the front walls, and two Chinese flags hung outside. Weird music kept up the atmosphere inside. " Wordless Speech " for *'Too Much Speed" With a ' wordless speech" the Rotarians of Charlestown, Kentucky, introduced a "Too Much Speed" campaign. At the nof)n-day meeting of the Rotary Club, the president introduced one of the members, W. A. Abbott, who was to deliver a message without articulation. The man reached beneath the table and produced the now-familiar "Too Much Speed warning hand taken from the block Paramount one-sheet. The members were aw'are that an antispeed drive was being sponsored by the organization, and the dramatic introduction of the slogan and symbol was especially impressive. The newspapers had been following the "wordless speech" innovation closely and the incident received free publicity. One of the best tie-ups was with the Yellow Cab Company, the taxi monopoly of the town, which printed an ad with the warning hand. Norman Dixon, Paramount exploiteer from Cincinnati did it all this time. Franklin Extends Himsc for "Old Nest" "The Old Nest" played Shea's Hia drome, Buffalo, last week and for twgagement Managing Director Harol Franklin worked out one of his a; presentations. ^ xVrtificial trees to which had been wi artificial apple blossoms were attached the pillars of the marque. Real I: nests were placed in the branches. Ha ing from the sides of the marquee w pieces of boards on which was pair "The Old Nest." Trees, blossoms birds' nests continued into the lobby. The prologue which Manager Fran originated for the showing was unusu interesting. It opened with Lake's nov overture, "In a Bird Store," played by e Hippodrome orchestra, as the stage set jg showing the front of a bird store was \veiled. Manager Franklin arranged \ ' a local bird establishment for about I cages of all sizes inclosing various b from parrots down to canaries. When music in the theatre started the song? of the flock began to >ing. As the overture closed the stage dimmed and Whistler's painting "Motl r was unveiled as a soloist sang Dvor '1 "The Old Mother." ; The feature itself began as the last n ;s of the song died away. As an accon^; iment for the Buffalo presentation r Franklin secured the score recently during the showing at the New Capitol theatre. ' Paramount Exploitee Writes Prologue Numlii A. Mike Vogel, Paramount explo er for the Seattle exchange, was prodi rauthor of the Strand Theatre's prol ue for "Experience." Seattle, Wash. Acc ding to the accompanying photograph h characters w-ere, left to right, Tempta ■ Wealth, Love, Youth, Beauty Pleasure. The text drew liberally Hobart idea and w-as in the fashio a modernized morality play with a va ville punch. Musical Director Wine " fashioned the musical score and Mar t Wright of the theatre practically din < the presentation. Prologue number for "Experience " staged by the Strand theatre, Seattle, Wash.