Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

an u a r y 2 i , 1922 639 Three scenes from Nazimova’s picturization of Ibsen’s “ A Doll’s House,” to be distributed by United Artists “ The Sin Flood ” Has Six-Star Cast The great cast of players in , Goldwyn’ s six-star special, “The Sin Flood,” from Henning Berger’s drama, “Syndafloden,” has been one of the potent factors in connection with this photo-drama to arouse the keenest sort of interest among exhibitors throughout the country. Preliminary interest in this film exceeds that in any other Goldwyn film before its first showing, announces that company. Goldwyn unequivocally tells the trade that, in the opinion of its executives, its producing staff, and its publicity and advertising departments that “The Sin Flood” is one of the greatest pictures the corporation has yet made. In its cast are six stars, while five other players measure well up to them in the distinction and brilliance of their acting in “The Sin Flood,” and in their achievements upon the screen in the past. Two players are featured by Goldwyn in this production — Helene Chadwick, one of the best liked leading women Goldwyn has ever had, .and Richard Dix, its phenomenally popular new leading man but recently recruited from the speaking stage. James Kirkwood is one of the screen’s strongest and best known stars. Ralph Lewis is one of the screen’s foremost character actors. He is another recruit from the speaking stage. Will Walling appeared in many roles on the speaking stage. Among his recent pictures are “The Old Nest,” “The Invisible Power,” “The Night Rose,” “Head Over Heels,” “The Killer,” “Making the Grade,” etc. John Steppling’s recent screen appearances were in “Madame Peacock,” “Billions,’’ “The Heart of a Child” and “Black Beauty.” Other players with fine records who appear in “The Sin Flood” are William Orlamond, Otto Hoffman, L. H. King, Darwin Karr and Howard Davies. Frank Lloyd directed. Grauman Books “Baby Peggy” Comedy Among the exhibitors who are enthusiastic about the pictures of little Baby Peggy, the two-year-old Century comedy star, may be mentioned Sid Grauman who has booked one of her latest releases Chums ” and who is considering signing up for the whole series. Fairbanks and Pickford Plan New Subjects Douglas fair banks has summoned his technical staff to confer on the selection of his next screen subject. Johnston McCulley, who wrote “ The Mark of Zorro,” is enroute for Hollywood from Colorado Springs. When he arrives a conference will be held, at which Allan Dwan, Lotta Woods, and Kenneth Davenport will be present in addition to Mr. Fairbanks and Mr. McCulley. Word from the United Artists offices has it that Mr. McCulley will probably evolve a sequel to “The Mark of Zorro,” and thus settle the problem. Allan Dwan will direct Fairbanks in his next subject. In the meantime, Mary Pickford is making preparations to begin the refilming of “Tess of the Storm Country.” But she may have to go back to New York soon for the final decision on the C. C. Wilkenning suit against her, and so actual work will not be started until after that is settled. Jack Pickford will arrive sometime next week, and Miss Pickford will busy herself supervising her brother’s next feature, “ The TailorMade Man,” which will go into production immediately. “Quo Vadis” Does Big Business in Canada “ Quo Vadis,” the famous Italian spectacle released in its 1922 form by Wid Gunning, Inc., is breaking one attendance record after another both in this country and in Canada, according to reports just received at the Gunning home offices. Many of the theatres played the tremendous film when it first appeared, and are bettering the business considered phenomenal at that time. In Canada, it is reported, “ Quo Vadis ” opened at the Strand theatre, Toronto, for a week’s run. It had as opposition three big specials—“ The Old Nest,” “Three Musketeers ” and “ Way Down East,” yet it was the only picture which played to standing room, according to word received from the Canadian distributors. Educational Releases on Opening Programs Educational Pictures occupy prominent places on the opening programs of two new Los Angeles suburban theatres, the Rivoli, which was opened December 15, and the Granada, which gave its first program December 22. “ The Vagrant,” an EducationalMermaid Comedy with Lloyd Hamilton in the featured role, was on the opening program of the Rivoli, while the Granada opened with “ Fresh From the Farm,” an Educational-Christie Comedy featuring Bobby Vernon, who also appeared in person. Five different programs a week are presented by the Rivoli. Every program through January 1, with a single exception, contained one or more Educational Pictures. These included Christie, Mermaid, Campbell and Punch Comedies, Bruce Scenics, Chester Outings, Chester Screenics and Kinograms. The policy of the Granada is four programs a week. Educational Pictures were on most of the early programs announced to the patrons of this theatre. They included Christie, Mermaid and Punch Comedies, Sketchograf.s Kinograms and scenic subjects. Lionel Barrymore Seen in Virile Role “ The picture with a backbone.” That is the designation which has been bestowed upon “ Boomerang Bill ” featuring Lionel Barrymore by an exhibitor who saw it in the projection room at the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation’s home office. Created by Cosmopolitan Productions, under the direction of Tom Terriss, the picture is said by observers outside of the producing and releasing companies to be the best screen work of Mr. Barrymore’s career. “ Boomerang Bill ” is described as “ the picture with a backbone ” because it is virile, straight-fromthe-shoulder, red-blooded character drama. It is the story of a gunman— not a narrative of crime, but an analysis of the heart of a “ white ” crook. The original story was written by Jack Boyle for Cosmopolitan Magazine. The scenario was written by Doty Hobart. The cast includes Marguerite Marsh, Margaret Seddon and Frank Shannon. Paramount Closes Big Mexican Contract Announcement is made by E. E. Shauer, director of the foreign department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, of the signing of a contract for the exhibition and distribution of 104 Paramount Pictures through the Circuito Olimpia, S. A., of Mexico City, one of the foremost exhibiting and distributing organizations in the republic of Mexico. The beautiful Teatro Olimpia, a recently completed million-dollar motion picture palace in Mexico City, will become the first-run house for Paramount Pictures and the ten exchanges operated by Circuito Olimpia will be used to obtain the widest possible distribution for Paramount Pictures throughout the republic. R. P. Jennings, an American who has become one of the foremost business men of Mexico, is the president and owner of Circuito Olimpia. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Jennings has succeeded in building up the largest and most efficiently operated motion picture organization in Mexico, and he is enthusiastic over the signing of this new contract which he says obtains for his company the screen’s greatest productions. The Teatro Olimpia is said to be one of the finest motion picture theatres in the world and contains the most modern conveniences and luxuries for the proper presentation of high grade motion pictures. It is expected that George Loane Tucker’s “ The Miracle Man ” will be selected as the opening attraction under this new contract. New Chief for Hodkinson Contract Dept. Announcement is made this week by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation of the appointment of L. W. Kniskern, formerly manager of the contract department of Realart Pictures Corporation, to become manager of the contract bureau in the Hodkinson home office, New York City.