Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

January J , 1922 423 T E R R I T 0 R I A L SALES AND PURGHASES Ii l tl ie Independent Field STATE RIGHT AND EXPORT NEWS AND VIEWS Banner Year for Equity Predicted by Baum U L OUIS” BAUM, Equity’s high pressure salesman, has just completed his monthly swing around the circuit, finishing up the sales negotiations begun at the home offices of Equity. In his review of the conditions as they exist now, and in his prediction for the coming season, Baum has this to say: “From all indications business is due for an extensive improvement, brought about by reason of the fact that surplus accumulations of sold contracts are rapidly being played up, which gives the independent distributor opportunities for further sales and naturally a like opportunity for the buying and releasing of new pictures. “Equity has never been in a better position in its history than now, in that the greatest portion of its sold contracts are being played up. As a result Equity is laying plans for a large amount of product for the coming season to meet the demand that the better era of business will naturally present. As I see it the field does not call for a volume of pictures, but rather fewer pictures and better pictures. “ In this connection a number of producing and releasing companies’ propositions are now being entertained, and although nothing has yet been decided, an announcement of great interest to the entire independent field may be forthcoming shortly. Equity will not proceed until it has definitely learned from exhibitors and exchanges just exactly what type of productions are preferred and just how big they should be.” Max Weiss to Return to_U. S. in February Max Weiss, at present abroad in the interests of Adventures of Tarzan Serial Sales Corporation, distributors of the serial starring Elmo Lincoln, is at present visiting the film centres of France and Germany. He recently left London, England, following the disposal of “Adventures of Tarzan” to Jury Imperial Pictures, Limited. He will return to this country the early part ■of February. 1922 an Independent Year L. L. Hiller Sees the State Right Picture Steadily Growing in Favor T UST around the corner lies tremendous prosperity for the Independent Exhibitor and his staunch friend, the State Right distributor. That is the belief of L. L. Hiller, the president of “His Nibs” Syndicate, Inc., the company especially formed to handle the distribution of Charles (Chic) Sale’s first motion picture, which was produced by the Exceptional Pictures Corporation. “I don’t feel that anyone will contradict the fact that the state righting of good pictures is growing in favor,” Mr. Hiller remarked. “Of course, at first the exhibitors wondered if they were really going to get good pictures, and they were naturally backward about showing too much enthusiasm. But the past year has been a big period of advancement for the Independent field. The exhibitor has realized in the past year that it is poor business judgment; and often means a great loss of money, when he books a picture a year before it is made, by signing on the dotted line that he will play everything sent to him. This is exactly what happened in too many cases, and the exhibitor discovered that he could not force poor pictures on his audiences. “Good clean pictures, pictures that are intelligently made, pictures that do not flaunt a star who cannot act, pictures that have comedy value or else are tensely emotional and dramatic — these are what the public is demanding today, and unless the public is satisfied, they stay at home. “Of course, the fly-by-night Independent exchange, and the fact that many state right pictures featured people who were notorious in the daily press, have proved a detriment in the past, but that day is over. The chorus girl who kills her lover is no longer sought as a motion picture star any more than she is in demand as a vaudeville headliner. “The whole mental calibre of the United States is advancing; the great public school systems are attending to that, and as the young people grow up they are thinking — and reading — deeper than the average of ten years ago. And they want more intelligent amusement. I sincerely believe that the Independents are the first to realize how vitally important it is that they should get that type of motion picture they are demanding. “Yes, there is no doubt about it, 1922 is going to be a big advancing year for the Independent field.” i 6 Sherlock Holmes” Stories Fifteen Subjects, to Be Exploited by Alexander Film, Are Ready THE fifteen Sir A. Conan Doyle “ Sherlock Holmes ” two-reel dramas, that the Alexander Film Corporation have secured for exploitation throughout the United States and Canada, are reported ready for circulation backed by a publicity equipment more extensive and elaborate than the firm has ever undertaken. The first time that the “ Sherlock Holmes” subjects have found their way to the screen, despite their world-wide sensational appeal and popularity, trade and public interest in their release in this country is said to be widespread and expectant. Wonder that the detective stories of the best detective story writer of them all had not long ago been gobbled up by enterprising producers is answered by the aversion that Sir A. Conan Doyle at first entertained toward the transfer of his material to the screen, and later to the very high price that the author’s publishers who know film values placed upon the release of the copyrights. The recent syndication of a brand new “ Sherlock Holmes ” group of stories in the varied publications of the Hearst newspaper and magazine interests, totalling millions of copies per month, is regarded as an important impetus to the anticipation with which photoplay managers and audiences now are said to be looking forward to the releases. The fifteen subjects are: “The Man With the Twisted Lip,” “ The Beryl Coronet,” “ The Resident Patient,” “ The Dying Detective,” “ The Devil’s Foot,” “ A Case of Identity,” “ A Scandal in Bohemia,” “ A Noble Bachelor,” “ The Yellow Face,” “ The Red Headed League,” “ The Copper Beeches,” “The Empty House,” “ The Tiger of San Pedro,” “The Priory School,” “The Solitary Cyclist.” Exploitation Material for Arrow Special Arrow film corporation announces that the Publicity Campaign Book on “ Ten Nights in a Barroom ” is ready and will reach exchanges, exhibitors and others interested forthwith. This book is as far as possible a radical departure of the ordinary type of Press Book inasmuch as it contains the cream of the exploitation experience gained at Providence, R. I., where the picture was subjected as to what is generally regarded as a try-out. The picture is to be presented at Reading, Pa., on January 9th, and thereafter at Chester, Pa., and many other cities in the territory. In this campaign W. J. Hagerty of the De Luxe Film Company is in charge, and he has a number of most elaborate plans in the exploitation of the picture in that territory Baby Ivy Ward will make a ten weks’ tour of the territory in the interest of the picture, and it is probable that John Lowell will also be present. Newspapers Interested in “Jungle Adventures” Few motion pictures have interested the newspapers of the country more than Martin Johnsons "Jungle Adventures,” which was photographed by Mr. Johnson in the wilds of British North Borneo, for the Exceptional Pictures Corporation, announces that companv. When “Jungle Adventures” was shown at the Capitol Theatre in New York City, it received lavish criticisms from the dramatic critics, and the trade papers were equally generous in their praise. Since then the newspapers and magazines throughout the country have been asking for data on Mr. Johnson and his unusual motion picture diary of his experiences with the wild animals of far-away Borneo. Within the past month no less than twentythree newspapers have carried half page stories of “ Jungle Adcventures,” and several of the magazines will carry special feature stories early in the year.