Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

51S Motion Picture News TERRITORIAL SALES AND PURCHASES In the Independent Field STATE RIGHT AND EXPORT NEWS AND VIEWS Arrow Sells Big Special “ Ten Nights in a Barroom ” Sold for New England After Premiere Five Territories Sold on “School Days” FIVE of the biggest state right buyers in the country have purchased the latest Warner Brothers production, Gus Edwards’ “ School Days,” featuring Wesley Barry, it is announced. Louis Berman, of the Independent Film Corporation, Philadelphia, has taken over eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, southern New Jersey and Virginia. The First National Exchange, Pittsburgh, has purchased the exclusive territorial rights to eastern Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Skirboll Brothers, Cleveland, have acquired the state of Ohio. J. L. Friedman of the Celebrated Players Film Corp., Chicago, has purchased the rights to northern Illinois and Indiana, and E. G. Tunstall, of Minneapolis, has bought the rights to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. These five deals are said to be merely the forerunner of a number of other negotiations that are being consummated by Harry M. Warner. James L. McGee Resigns from Selig Forces One of the real pioneers of motion pictures in Los Angeles, James L. McGee, manager of the Selig studio and Zoo for many years, has resigned from all business activities to enjoy life at his Laughlin Park home. Mr. McGee has been with Col. William N. Selig for fourteen yeairs. He has never been connected with any other company. When that adventurous band of Selig pioneers invaded Los Angeles, March 23, 1909, to establish a studio at the corner of Eighth and Olive streets, “Jim” McGee was on the job. Weiss Bible Pictures to Run in Five Cities Louis Weiss, vice President of Artclass Pictures Corporation, announced this week that arrangements are now being completed for the presentation of the film production of the Old Testament in five key cities throughout the country simultaneously. Representatives of the organization are now in the cities in question negotiating for the leading legitimate theatre in each city. WE. SHALLENBERGER, • President of Arrow Film Corporation, announces that the super-production "Ten Nights in a Barroom,” produced by the Blazed Trail Productions, Inc., from the scenario of L. Case Russell, has been disposed of for New England to S. H. Bunce, well known exchange man, who will distribute through the Lightning Photoplay Corporation of New England. Dr. Shallenberger states that the highest price ever paid for a State Rights production, with one exception, was paid for "Ten Nights in a Barroom" by Mr. Bunce, the only other picture ever sold for more money in New England territory was “A Birth of a Nation,” and exchangemen and exhibitors who have been watching Arrow’s tryout of this production in Rhode Island predict that ‘‘Ten Nights in a Barroom” will prove as big a success and perhaps exceed in gross rentals. It will be recalled that when "Arrow" determined to ascertain box-office value of this attraction, they quietly slipped out to Providence and arranged to play the picture in three B. F. Keith’s theatres. — B. F. Keith’s Victory', Providence, R. I., B. F. Keith’s Bijou, Woonsocket, R I., B. F Keith’s Bijou, Pawtucket, R I. \ VERITABLE avalanche of inil. quiries is said to have descended upon the offices of the Export & Import Film Co., Inc., following their announcement of the placing of Col. Selig’s new animaljungle serial, “The Jungle Goddess,” upon the independent market. It is evidenced by the nature of these letters that Colonel Selig’s reputation has created an exhibitor demand for his product, so much so, states an official of the Export & Import Film Company, that many of the biggest exchangemen are already making arrangements to come to New York to view the serial. Colonel Selig’s previous serials, "Miracles of the Jungle” and "The Lost City',” are admitted to have set a high mark in animal chapterpictures. Their success is unquestioned, due mainly to the skill of Col. Selig in making jungle pictures. Building on the experience Nothing was said to the trade when Arrow’s exploitation representative went out and put the picture over with the result that it is now history. Every record held in each of the three houses was smashed by a wide margin. The word rapidly spread throughout New England with the result that exhibitors and exchangemen from all over New England territory flocked to Providence to see the actual demonstration of the tremendous box-office pulling power of this famous old drama. In the worst season of the year, the holiday' season, with the most unfavorable weather conditions, this picture held an unbroken line every day of its presentation at all three theatres. People stood in the wind and rain, in the snow and slush for hours at a time, seeking to gain admittance and even in the face of the strongest opposition that competing theatres could offer. Mr. Bunce, in the face of the strongest competition, closed a contract whereby he would secure the distribution rights for New England territory and he is now actively engaged in arranging for its presentation in Boston. Arrow states that one of the foremost of Boston’s out-of-town theatres has been secured for an indefinite run, starting early in January. gained with the aforementioned pictures, Colonel Selig, in cooperation with the Export & Import Film Company, last July began planning a new serial in which the new ideas which came to him after the other two animal-jungle serials had been completed were to be incorporated. Colonel Selig realized the shortcomings of serials in general and also noticed that serial audiences are becoming more discriminate. This is largely due to the fact that the better class serials are now booking in the higher class photoplay houses and that the first-run house using serials is no longer an uncommon occurrence. In making “The Jungle Goddess" all of these conditions were provided for. The censorship question was also carefully studied to eliminate the possibility of costly changes after the release. C. B. C. Will Offer New Comedy Series As its first acquisition for the new year, and because of the belief of the company officials that the coming year will see one of the biggest demands for good “short-stuff” ever recorded, the C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation announces that it has secured for distribution a new series of two-reel comedies. While no definite announcement is made yet of the exact nature of these comedies, it is hinted at that they will be in the nature of a big surprise and treat for the Independent Market — containing the names of at least two nationally known comic stars, and that each of these comedies will be of the highest type and funniest mirth-provoking calibre possible. Eight comedies on the series are now practically ready for release, and more definite announcements are held up only' pending the decision upon the general series name, and the preparation of “paper” and other accessories of distribution. Excellent Lithographs for Russell Picture An unusually' fine line of lithographs have been produced by the American Show Print Company for Russell Productions, Inc., for use in advertising the Russell classic, “ Shadows of Conscience.” The illustrations are taken from actual stills of the play and reflect the tone of the picture, giving the exhibitors and the public alike a chance to quickly grasp the style and character of this feature subject. There are six styles of lithographs, of which there is one 24shect, two 3-sheets, one 6-sheets and two 1 -sheets, done in five and six colors. The sale possibilities of the paper are evidenced from the fact that the Pioneer Corporation, as well as the Liberty' Theatre Corporation, of which George Levy is the head, have placed orders for thousand sheet lots of all style of the “ Shadows ” paper. Fourth Williams Picture Is Announced The fourth production of the Big Boy Williams Series, released by Aywon Film Corporation, is now ready for release. The title is “Across the Border.” It is said to be an absorbing, suspense sustaining story, the scene of whose action is laid at the point where the four states, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico meet. “Jungle Goddess” Interests Inquiries from Buyers Follow Initial Announcement of Release