Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

426 Motion Picture News Jimmie Adams, who is soon to make his debut as one of the Hallroom boys combination in this comedy series Smith and Adams in New Hallroom The first of the Hallroom Boys Comedies in which Jimmie Adams appears arrived in New York this week from the West Coast producing centre, for release through Federated Film Exchanges of America, Inc. “ Nobody’s Baby ” has been decided upon as the releasing title, is the first of a series of special comedies that have been prepared for the purpose of permitting Sid Smith and Jimmie Adams, who are respectively Percy and Ferdie, an opportunity to display to the fullest advantage their comedy team work. The story of the new comedy revolves around a lost baby, for the finding of whom a large reward is offered — a reward which the Hallroom Boys set out to secure. During the course of the action they attempt to return twelve different youngsters to the advertisers of the reward. Interesting announcement comes from the producing centres that, beginning with this first comedy, in which Jimmie Adams appears, the Hallroom Boys will be seen henceforth in the habiliments that made them famous. Liberty Theatre Corp. Buys Russell Picture In referring to the buyer of the rights to the Russell production “ Shadows of Conscience ” in the States of Kansas, Southern Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico, as reported in the issue of this paper dated December 24th, the name, Supreme Photoplay Corporation was used incorrectly as the purchaser. The name of the company to whom the rights were sold is the Liberty Theatre Corporation of 1712 Broadway, Denver, Colo., of which George Levy, the well known West Coast exchange operator, is president and manager. ‘‘School Days” Exploitation “ Advertise With Music ” Is Slogan; Gus Edwards’ Songs Always Popular WHAT is declared to be one of of the greatest publicity and exploitation stunts ever devised is about to be launched by the publicity department of Warner Brothers with Gus Edwards’ “ School Days,” featuring Wesley Barry. In order to inbed the idea firmly in the minds of the exhibitors who will play the picture, and incidentally to furnish them with advance exploitation material, the Warner Brothers have adopted the following slogan for “ School Days,” viz : “ Advertise with Music.” The musical feature of the production is based on the fact that the Gus Edwards melodies, which are universally known, play a big part in the picture. With the slogan “ Advertise with Music ” coupled with the production, containing as it does a title that has adorned the front cover of a musical sheet for years, and which has been sung throughout the breath and scope of America, the enterprising showman is declared to have an unbeatable combination while showing the picture. The innovation of the publicity and exploitation stunt in conjunction with “ School Days ” will be started at the exchange offices of the Warner organization. A phonograph, the horn of which will protrude out of one of the big windows on the exchange floor, will play the Gus Edwards melody, " School Days,” all day long. Also, permission is being secured for the installation on the roof of the Leavitt Building of a Magna-Vox, or what is more commonly known as an ‘ amplifier ” which, when connected by wire with the long chain of music stores and commercial shops throughout the city, will play the school day song so that every passerby will hear it. Other innovations are said to be in the process of materialization by the Warner publicity department, as “ School Days ” contains tremendous possibilities for publicity and exploitation. The “ Advertise with Music” slogan will be svononymous with the picture wherever it is being shown. Peters Joins Affiliated C. C. Burr Signs Cameraman for Future Independent Pictures George peters, one of the best known camera men in the motion picture profession, and who has filmed more stars than any other man in his line, has been engaged by Charles C. Burr, president of the Affiliated Distributors, Inc., to film all feature productions that will be put out by that corporation. In securing Mr. Peters, Mr. Burr feels that he has secured the services of one of the very best men obtainable and his presence will greatly add to the prestige of his organization. Mr. Peters was born and educated in Chicago. From boyhood he was always interested in photography, and at *one time had ambitions to become a painter. After leaving school he became a member of the photographic section of the Chicago Tribune, during which time he photographed many of the Windy City’s most fashion able set. His work became known in all parts of the middle west, and he was affered numerous positions by other leading publications. One of his hobbies was to photograph paintings by well known masters. In this line of endeavor he became a favorite in art circles. In 1910 he was approached by a well known picture producer, who induced him to sever his connections with the Chicago Tribune and go with Selig, then the leading photoplay man of the day. In those days he photographed many well known picture people and his name soon spread in photoplay circles. Later he went with Thomas Ince, World Film, Metro, Selznick and Goldwyn. Among the well known stars he has photographed have been Lillian Gish, Tom Moore, Owen Moore, Elsie Janis, Fred Mace and a host of others. “Prodigal Judge” Complete Vitagraph’s Special, Featuring Jeane Paige, is «<npHE PRODIGAL JUDGE,” A Vitagraph’s super-feature adapted from the novel by Vaughan Kester, has been completed. Jean Paige, who is featured in the production, and several of the principals recently returned from Savannah where the final exteriors were filmed and since then Director Edward Jose has made the few remaining interiors at the Brooklyn studios. The final editing and titling has been done and the technical force is now working full speed preparing prints for the release of the picture which will come early in the new year. “The Prodigal Judge” will be presented as an Edward Jose production. Now Finished In “ The Prodigal Judge ” Vitagraph believes it has one of the greatest productions in its long career. Those who have seen the picture at a private showing at the executive offices at 469 Fifth avenue, New York City, are agreed that it is a masterpiece. Scenically it is a feast for the eye. With the action laid in Tennessee in 1835, there were splendid opportunities for costuming. The Southern scenery, with its moss-covered trees, its broad stretches of the slow moving Mississippi River and great vistas of plantations afford colorful and picturesque backgrounds for the story. Non-Dramatic Picture Listed as Distinctive The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures strengthens its aid to the industry by securing as much publicity as possible for all pictures it considers to be of exceptional merit. It sends its news direct to the motion picture theatre patrons, thus creating a demand for pictures it deems of value to the public. In one of its recent stories sent to the newspapers, it says : “ For the first time in the history of the publication of ‘ Exceptional Photoplays,’ the critical bulletin of the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, a film production lacking the dramatic elements of personal conflict has been reviewed in the Bulletin. “ The film to attract this unique distinction in the final issue of the year of the magazine, is ‘ The Four Seasons,’ by Raymond L. Ditmars, produced under the direction of Charles Urban and released by Kineto, and as is suggested in the title, deals with the various aspects of nature through the cycle of the year. And yet, although it lacks all the plot and character elements which are typical of the American Photoplay, it is nevertheless, according to the review, real thrilling drama.” Fine Posters'! Provided by McGovern and Egler McGovern and Egler, distributors of the new series of twenty-six tworeel westerns, featuring Shorty Hamilton, announce that they have provided a striking set of posters to be used in connection with the showing of the pictures. There is one one-sheet and one three-sheet to be distributed with each release, besides a stock one and a stock six-sheet to run throughout the series until exhausted, then a new style one and a new style six-sheet will be made, and used as stock paper, and when they are used up, another style will be put in use. Grace Davidson Picture at Loew’s New York Arrow was on Broadway during Christmas week as a special engagement for her many admirers to see her in “ Love, Hate and a Woman.” Miss Grace Davison was starred at New York Loew’s Theatre on Tuesday, December 27.