Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

January 14, 1922 533 To Film “When Knighthood Was in Flower” UTTT HEN KNIGHTYV HOOD WAS IN 1 ? FLOWER,” one of the most widely read novels in the English language, and, when put into a play, one of the most popular ever produced, will be made into a film, starring Marion Davies, of Cosmopolitan Productions. Work will begin on the new picture at the Jackson Avenue studios in a short time. Announcement of the screening of this superb story by Charles Major will be of great interest to both the lovers of history and literature as the love story of Mary Tudor, the fascinating sister of King Henry the Eighth, and Charles Brandon is one of the world’s greatest romances. Robert G. Vignola will be the director. Syndicated Serial Publicizes ‘‘Man’s Home” When the publicity department of the Selznick organization was preparing exploitation aids for “ A Man’s Home ” an unusual experiment was tried in the preparation of a serial story, written by Anna Steese Richardson, co-author of the play on which the screen drama was founded. The serial was cast in mat form and offered in four installments to 300 daily papers scattered through every state in the Union. The “ Man’s Home ” serial was declared to be as well written and as engaging as any of the stories that are regularly syndicated to dailies, and when editors read the advance proofs acceptances were immediately forthcoming. The Selznick publicity department declared that nearly one-third of the paper to which the serial was offered accepted the proposition, the Cleveland Daily News being the first paper to print the novelization. Pollard Completes His 100th Production December 15th was a day of special import at the Hal Roach Studios, Culver City, Cal. The reason : “ Snub ” Pollard on that date completed his one hundredth comedy for release by Pathe. There was no time off for jubilation, however. The star’s method of signalizing the event was to start without delay his one hundredth and first comedy production. Earle Williams Starts on New Production Earle Williams has begun a new Vitagraph production at the Hollywood studios under the direction of Edward Jose who has gone to the West Coast expressly for that purpose. It is called ‘‘The Man from Downing Street,” and was written especially for the Vitagraph star by Clyde Westover, Lottie Horner and Florine Williams. In “The Man From Downing Street,” Mr. Williams plays the role of an East Indian prince. “Back Pay” Release Jan. 8 Cosmopolitan’s Fannie Hurst Picture is Scheduled by Paramount THE Cosmopolitan production, “ Back Pay,” by Fannie Hurst, author of “ Humoresque,” is the feature scheduled for release by Paramount January 8. For this production, the justly celebrated “ Humoresque ” trio again collaborated, for not only is the picture an adaptation of a Fannie Hurst story but Frances Marion wrote the scenario and Franke Borzage directed. Chester Lyons was responsible for the photography. Seena Owen has the leading role. In “ The Woman God Changed ” Miss Owen portrayed a woman who from the start was bad and who gradually came, through hard experience, to see the light of righteousness and clean living. In “Back Pay” she is first seen as an unsophisticated country girl. Later she is plunged into the vortex of New York’s wildest life, but is finally redeemed through her love for her country sweetheart. Playing opposite Miss Owen is Matt Moore, well remembered for his work in “ Straight is the Way ” and “ The Passionate Pilgrim.” He plays the plain, straightforward country boy who loves Hester, the heroine. Outdoor scenes of rare beauty are said to be a notable feature of the picture. For the rural scenes Director Borzage took the company to the Delaware Water Gap in Pennsylvania, one of the scenic wonders of America, and the gorgeous mountains, the peaceful river and lakes that abound in that region are said to form wonderful backgrounds. J. Barney Sherry, Ethel Duray, Charles Craig and Jerry Sinclair have the prominent supporting roles. Fox Distribution in Orient Middle East Films, Ltd., to Distribute William Fox Product FOX productions will be distributed throughout the entire Orient, with the exception of Japan, by the Middle East Films, Ltd., is an announcement made early this week by Fox Film Corporation. Negotiations with the Oriental distributing agency were consummated through Joseph Fisher, an official of the concern, and the arrangements will open an avenue whereby millions of fans will be enabled to witness Fox pictures. The importance of this announcement is realized only when it is understood that distribution of films in the Orient has been greatly limited, due to many conflicting forces. By the agreement with the Middle East Films, Ltd., hundreds of theatres in China, the Malay Peninsula, Manchuria and other countries will be in a position to contract for Fox production. According to Fisher, William Farnurn and Tom Mix, the celebrated Fox stars, are the most popular screen artists with the inhabitants of those remote portions of the world. Picture patrons there are especially fond of speedy action. Censorship is more strict in the Orient than it is here, states Mr. Fisher. It is almost impossible to get a serial approved, for instance. Mr. Fisher tells us, however, that he has found the censors ready and willing to co-operate in most every case and that the officials of his company are working with them in harmony. In the Dutch Indies the censor boards are made up of citizens of standing who volunteer for the work, but have absolute authority. But in the British possessions the official censor is appointed by the Government. Lloyd Comedy Well Liked New York Critics in High Praise; Heads Symphony n\ SAILOR MADE MAN,” ri Harold Lloyd’s latest comedy vehicle for Associated Exhibitors, received special and favorable notice from the critics of the New York dailies during its showing on the Christmas week program of the Capitol Theatre, New York City. Advance information from various other territories throughout the country report the same cordial reception for the new Lloyd subject. The Symphony Theatre, Los Angeles, has given the comedy the leading position on a short-subject bill similar to the one which this house recently conducted with Lloyd’s “ Never Weaken” in the .featured position. Exhibitors booking “ A Sailor Short-Subject Bill Made Man ” are going in strong for the exploitation of this subject. The Marcus Loew organization, for example, ordered 30,000 of the novelty sailor-hats for use in their theatres of Greater New York. This hat is cut out from a flat sheet of cardboard, and joined at the side and top. On the up-turned brim is printed HAROLD LLOYD IN “A SAILOR MADE MAN,” with space left for the theatre’s own imprint. In commenting upon the Christmas week program of the Capitol Theatre, New York newspapers lay particular emphasis upon the Harold Lloyd feature, “ A Sailor-Made Man.” Bd. of Review Endorses Five Fox Pictures; FIVE FOX productions are in the list of fortyseven motion pictures which the National Committee of the National Board of Review considers, from the viewpoint of entertainment, to be the “ finest year’s group since photodrama was created.” This fact appears in a special December bulletin. The Fox pictures are “ Over the Hill ” and “ A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur’s Court,” the two super-productions which have enjoyed extended runs on Broadway, New York City, and the first of which ran there for a solid year; “Sky High,” starring Tom Mix, and to be released in January; “Jackie,” with Shirley Mason, and “ Trailin’,” Tom Mix’s current release. Viola Dana Unit Films Lumber Camp^ Scenes Viola Dana will endure the doubtful comforts of a rough lumber camp for her new Metro picture, “ Daphne’s Disposition,” now being produced at the company’s studios in Hollywood. For this Harry Beaumont production, the entire unit of players moved to Shaver Lake, a lumber camp high in the mountains near Fresno, Cal. During the making of the big scenes of the picture, Miss Dana and her mother spent a week in one of the log cottages. Both the story and the scenario of “ Daphne’s Disposition ” are by Rex Taylor. William Lawrence plays opposite Miss Dana. The cast also includes Arthur Rankin, Hardee Kirkland, Myrtle Rochelle, Knute Drickson, Elsa Lorimer, Snitz Edwards, Colin Kenny, Bradley Ward, and “ Broken Nose ” Murphy. Strong Cast to Support Priscilla Dean Another strong cast is being assembled to support Priscilla Dean in her new Universal production, “ That Lass o’ Lowrie.” Wallace Beery will play the role of the heroine’s father. The second man to be selected for the cast is Fred Kohler. Beatrice Burnham and Katherine McGuire will appear in important feminine roles. Baby Peggy on Rivoli’s Christmas Program Another success was scored by Baby Peggy and Brownie, the Century wonder dog, when “ Chums ” was selected as one of three comedy successes of the year to be part of the Rivoli Theatre Christmas week program. Baby Peggy’s next release will be “ Circus Clowns.” Well Known London Actress inWm. Fox Role Rosalind Layte, well known on the London stage, is making her American debut with William Farnum in “ Man’s Weakness,” a big picture now being directed by Herbert Brenon for William Fox.