Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

c t 0 h e r 2 2, i c) 2 i 2163 Kellette Not to Direct Jack Johnson Picture John William Kellette, writer and director, announces that he will not make the five-reel comedy drama featuring Jack Johnson, the exheavywcight champion. Mr. Keli lette explains that the cancellation i of his contract was prompted by the I antagonism which, he says, was disI played toward Johnson during the I latter's recent tour of personal appearance in certain cities. Mr. Kellette has under consideration at the present time the production of a •it ate rights feature. Warren Announces Two Reel Novelty " A Bear, A Boy and a Dog," i the two-reel novelty released by the I F. B. Warren Corporation, is declared to be one of the most novel [ two-reelers of the fall season. The story of this two reel feature was written by Nell Shipman. Bert Van Tuylc, who so successI fully acted as co-director with Miss ' Shipman in "The Girl from God's Country," is responsible for the direction of "A Bear, .\ Bov and a Dog." First of Talmadge Revivals Is Announced Among the units that were promised for inclusion in "Forty from Selznick" this season were six Xorma and six Constance Talmadge revivals. With the release of "Scandal," set for September 20th, the distribution of these greatly popular features begins. "Scanda)" has Constance Talmadge as its Ist^r, with "Poppy" promised as the lead-off of the Norma features a month later. Eugene O'Brien Vehicle Released Oct. 20th The next release in which Selznick will present Eugene O'Brien will be " Clay Dollars," a Lewis Allen Browne story that is now in all Select exchanges ready for distribution as of October 20. However, many of the larger theatres throughout the country will show the new feature on pre-release before the designated date to start its circulation. F. Levere Winne in N. Y. F. Levere Winne, owner of the Star Theatre, Cherry Valley, N. Y., and also a representative of the .\Iaqua Company, of Schenectady, ne of the largest printing concerns m the Empire State, was a recent visitor to New York. Mr. Winne, in his capacity as sales promotion manager of the Maque Company, is estimating on several colored inserts and it is expected to have some of this company's displays shortly in the News. Chester Conklin Again in Sunshine Comedies Chester Conklin again has been engaged by Fox to play principal roles in Sunshine Comedies, filling the place left vacant by the promotion of Al St. John to stardom on the comedy screen. Scores Hit with Trade Critics IT has been the custom of producers to offer for publication in trade papers excerpts from daily papers of more or less importance when praise has been given to a screen |)roduction in which exhibitors are interested, but it remains for the publicity department of Selznick's Enterprises'to call attention to what the trade papers have said concerning the merits of " .\ Man's Home." Laurence Reid, in Motion PicTi RE Nkws, wrote as follows: " \ new type of home i)icture is presented in Selznick's " .\ .Man's Home," which carries such powerful, human strokes and realistic touches, and which builds with ever increasing suspense because of its rich array of dramatic clashes that it is entitled to a place among the exceptional features of the year. ' .\ Man's Home ' is a picture of in\ cntion and suggestion. Ralph Incc is to be commended for what he has wisely left out as much as for what he incorporated. He has appealed to one's intelligence. However, Edward J. Montague has given him a wonderfully compact scenario which carries all the surefire ingredients — all of which are given their proper emphasis." Monte W. Sohn, editor of Exhibitors' Trade Revieiv, had this to sa> as part of his review: " Here is "A Man's Home" Wins Unanimous Praise of Trade Press one of the best cast pictures of the year and a certain dollar winner for exhibitors. The plot is excellent and has lost nothing in the screen telling. It has perfect continuity and unfaltering suspense throughout its interesting six reels. A great measure of the success the picture is sure to ha\e will be due to the excellent choice of i)laycrs. Each fits happily into character." John Spargo, editor of Exhibitors' Herald for New York wrote this oi)inion : " Clean and bright, delightfully cast and <lirecte(I in a masterly manner, ' A Man's Home ' can almost be said to be in a class by itself. It has excellent exploitation angles and a cast that will draw them in and please by their clever performances." Arthur James, editor-in-chief of Moving Picture World, had this to say of " A Man's Home " : " In our return to big business we are gratified by such pr<jductions as 'A Man's Home " which Selznick caused to be specially produced from the dramatic structure budded by .\nna Steese Richards(jn and Tulnniiul Hreese. Plus its fine cast, which includes Grace Valentine, Katlilyn Williams and Faire Binney, together with Harry T. Morey, .Matt Moore and Roland Bottomley, it is astonishingly well scened, with that almosi)hcre of size and importance which make for longer runs and special prices-" Joseph Dannenberg, editor of /l u/'.v Daily, wrote this opinion: "Here's an unusual picture from Selznick. It should cause a lot of talk. It should secure a lot of newspaper space because it presents the sort of problem that is being faced in many homes in this country. Too much cannot be said of the manner in which Ralph Ince has held the tempo of this production. It is one of the pictures worth looking into. Better see this and don't give the other fellow a chance first." 1"*. S. Harrison's reports carried this indorsement: "Perfect pictures are very rare, indeed. When we come across one we all rub our eyes and pinch our elbows to make sure that we are not in a trance. ' A Man's Home ' is one such picture. It is peopled with real human beings who act just as real people would have acted in real life. Not one of their acts, not a single one of their thoughts transgresses the laws v\ logic. It is a picture that should have 100 per cent, appeal." Hodkinson November Releases BESIDES the many interesting features which will mark the celebration of Hodkinson .Month,— November, 1921,— it will also be made noteworthy by the release of three unusually interesting subjects, — two of them of feature length, the other a tworeelcr. On November 6th, " Jane Eyre " the fourth Hugo Ballin production for Hodkinson release will be published. "Jane Eyre" is the picturization of Charlotte Bronte's novel of the same name and in its making '■ Mabel Ballin," stales Hodkinson, in the title role leaves nothing to be desired, and far surpasses even the very splendid characterizations she gave the screeti in The Journey's End, East Lynnc and Pagan Love, while, Norman Trevor, who leads the supporting cast, will undfiiibtedly score as great a success as Fairfax Rochester as he did in Enter Madame the stage play which has been his vehicle during the past year. " The other feature which will reach the screen in November is The Light In The Clearing made from Ir\ing BaclicUer's masterful novel by the Dial Film Companj. T. Hayes Hunter, of Earthl)ound fame, yielded the megaphone for this production. "As regards the two-reel production, too much cannot 1)C said for it. It is the first of the Triart Productions to reach the screen. It has alread) scored a very great triumph both at the Rivoli and Rialto Theatre where Hugo Reisenfeld, The Managing Director of the two houses, exploited it with a most elaborate prologue. The Beggar Maid it is called and it tells a fascinating story in a new and unusual way. Mary Astor and Reginald Denny are the featured players and it was made imder the direction of Herbert Blache. It is the first of a series of twelve tworeel productions weaving a story behind tho famous paintings of all times. During the coming year, the Hodkinson organization will release twelve of these two-reelers, further details concerning which will be ann(nuiced at a later date. Allied Announces Its Releases ALLIED DISTRIBUTINC; CORPOR.VnON, through its offices at 729 7th Avenue, New York City, announces a rather diversified output for this season. The schedule made up of five-reel productions, a series of two-reel comedies, two-reel westerns, single reel novelties and a single-reel special, entitled ".A Day with the Giants." In formulating plans for the Allied, C. H. Rosenfeld, president, religiously adhered to selecting subjects for their box-office worth, and is optimistic in his statement that he has selected five winners of superior box office quality. His statement follows in full : " The comedy series consisting of at least twelve two-reelers will constitute the work of an unbeatable combination including .Alexander Alt, Helen Howell and Bobbie Burns. Neither of these stars need any introduction to the comedy field and the unlimited resources and excellent affiliations at their command should be sufficient assurance of slapstick comedies of superior quality and unlimited box office possibilities. They will be released one a month. "The two-reel westerns should prove a revehition to this licld in that they introduce some real genuine western material. The leading man, Mr. William K. Hackett was formerly a member of Marj''s .\nklc. The Bird of Paradise, and also earned an enviable reputation as a member of the Selig staff. Supported by Eunice Goodrich and a genuine western cast, each and every detail of these westerns are justly handled. Quite a unique attraction is offered in that the leading man's horse Rex, a prize winner of the southwest, wears the only Buffalo hide saddle ever seen in pictures, which was made at a cost of approximately five thousand dollars. " The series of single reel novelties are in every sense what their name implies. Outdoor and indoor sports of all descriptions are photographed with the usual camera as well as a sterospeed slow motion camera and each subject is worthy of a place on the program of every theatre. " .\ Day with the Giants' is a onereel timely special personally posed for by all the members of the 1921 New York National Base Ball Team. The subject is cleverly staged and all the most importan happenings of a day with a Charti pion Base Ball Team are registered with the usual camera arid also a sterospeed slow motion camera. The subject was produced by .^e Motion Picture Producing Co.' hy special permission of J. J'. McGraw."