Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

746 Motion Picture News A dramatic moment in “ Foolish Wives,” Eric Von Stroheim’s million dollar production for Universal “Doll’s House” Due Feb. 12 Nazimova Said to Have Done Remarkable Work in Screen Version N AZIMOVA’S first film production for United Artists Corporation, Henrik Ibsen’s “ A Doll's House,” will be released to exhibitors February 12th next. Charles Bryant, who directed Nazimova in this famous Ibsen classic, speaks of it as the greatest picture this celebrated screen and stage star ever has made, and calls it a masterpiece from a masterpiece. Nazimova may be credited with really popularizing Ibsen and “ A Doll’s House ” on the American stage and in the character of Nora, the doll-wife, gained her greatest laurels as an actress. None of the Nazimova artistry is lost, it is said, in the transference of this character from the stage to the screen, and she makes of Nora a real and pulsating human being. Allan Hale is the leading man and plays the role of Helmer Torvald, husband of Nora. Nigel deBrulier, who played the part of Cardinal Richelieu in “ The Three Musketeers ” is also in the cast of “ A Doll’s House,” as are Elinor Oliver, Wedgwood Nowell, Clara Lee, Florence Fisher, and Phillipe De Lacy and Barbara Maier, as the two little children of Nora and Helmer. The settings in this picture are all extremely modern, and nearly all interiors there being but one or two exterior scenes. The scenario was prepared by Peter M. Winters, with the photography by Charles Van Enger. A oneword twentyfour sheet poster has been prepared for “ A Doll’s House.” That one word is “Nazimova” reproduced in signature form in Nazimova’s characteristic hand-writing. On the twentyfour sheet, the name extends from The Child oPthe Bear the lower left-hand part of the poster up and nearly across to the upper right-hand corner. In the lower right corner is the picture title. All the lettering is in white against an ultra-marine blue background with a narrow border of lighter blue. Elaborate Press Book for “U” Serial Universal Film has compiled a forty-two page campaign book for its new historical chapter-play prOduction, “With Stanley in Africa.” The book describes in detail the posters, heralds, cuts and other exhibitor aids prepared for the serial. There is a wealth of material in the way of useful advertising, publicity and exploitation suggestions. Advantage is taken of the special appeal found in this serial photodrama for children. Aids, such as wild-animal buttons, have been especially designed by Universal for the juvenile element among the exhibitor’s patronage. In addition, a letter descriptive of “With Stanley in Africa,” a half-sheet, and a copy of the campaign book has been addressed by Universal to 7.000 superintendents of schools in the LTnited States and Canada. Alice Duer Miller Photoplay Due Shortly Goldwyn will release within a short time its first Alice Duer Miller photoplay, “ The Man With Two Mothers,” an original screen story by the author of “ The Charm School,” “ Ladies Must Live,” “ Manslaughter,” and many other popular novels. Mary Alden appears in an appealing mother role. Cullen Landis and Sylvia Breamer play the leading parts, while others in the cast are Hallam Cooley, Fred Huntly, Mont Collins, and William Elner. Paul Bern directed the production. Praise for Goldwyn Release N. Y. Critics Give “ The Man from Lost River ” Favorable Reviews ATHARINE NEWLIN BURT, author of “ The Branding Iron ” and “ Snowblind,” two of Goldwyn’s most successful redblooded western dramas, has added tc her screen reputation with her new melodrama, “ The Man from Lost River,” written directly for the motion picture camera, and screened this week at the Capitol theatre, New York. Mrs. Burt, Frank Lloyd, the director, and House Peters and Fritzi Brunette, the featured players, received much praise for their work in the film from the New York critics who reviewed the picture. The Telegraph said: “There is no mention of Freud or modern soul surgery from start to finish. In other words, it is one of those good, clean, breezy entertainments that should rapidly add censors to the lists of the unemployed. Katharine Newlin Burt has made ‘The Man from Lost River” good screen material. She has told an excellent story logically and dramatically, retaining a straight-forward simplicity that is also desirable.” Tribune: “The big outdoors is fascinating on the screen. House Peters has always been one of our favorite heroes.” Herald : “ Goldwyn always has exceptional success with its forest scenes. Frank Lloyd has infused such an atmosphere of a Northern lumber camp into the picturesque ‘ shots ’ that one wants to go there and eat flapjacks. House Peters as the foreman acts in more rugged fashion than ever.” World: “If a rough and tumble scrap is what you crave, leave Madison Square Garden out of your schedule this week and go to the Capitol. Potographed in the usual fashion of the Goldwyn company. It is attractive entertainment of its kind.” News: “Direction unusually good ; photography great ; value ninety per cent.” Aidsfor“Handle with Care” Lobby-Displays, Store Tie-Ups, and Other Stunts for Rockett Picture PLANS for a lavish advertising and publicity campaign on the Al. and Ray Rockett production, “ Handle With Care,” are outlined in the campaign-book for exhibitors prepared on this Associated Exhibitor’s release. Every medium for bringing returns to the exhibitor who plays “ Handle With Care ” is suggested. These include several novel lobby-display suggestions, the method of cooperating with stores, street ballyhoo and stage prologue. Of particular value is the idea of having throw-aways printed in the “Ruling Passion” Set for February 19th L f/nrvHE RULING PASSION,” second of the George Arliss photoplays to be released by United Artists Corporation, has been definitely fixed for general release on February 19, although this new feature will have a pre-release showing at the Strand theatre, New York, the week beginning Sunday, January 22. “ The Ruling Passion ” is a comedy drama, based on the story “ Idle Hands,” by Earl Derr Biggers, and published last summer in the Saturday Evening Post. With Mr. Arliss in the cast are Doris Kenyon, who plays the leading feminine role: Edward J. Burns, Miss Ida Darling, J. W. Johnston, Ernest Hilliard, Harold Waldrige and Brian Darley. “ The Ruling Passion ” was adapted from the Earl Derr Biggers story by Forrest Halsey, and directed by Hannon Weight. shape of tags, and with the title printed in big letters, these to be placed on packages and on everything to which the title applies. Exhibitors who are always anxious to secure jazzy lines and catch phrases for their exploitation will find this need supplied in the campaign book, together with suggested newspaper advertisements, ranging from slug cuts to three-column displays of which mats are available. An interest-arousing advance program reader and circular letter is suggested as well as a liberal supply of press stories to be run before, on and after the showing. Several special feature stories are also included. The posters, which are reproduced on the back cover of the campaign book, reflect the high-class nature of the production, and are artistically in keeping with its appeal. In each case, the subject of the poster is tied up with the title, “ Handle With Care.” January 22nd has been announced by Associated Exhibitors as the release date of this production, which presents Grace Darmond and an all-star cast, including Patsy Ruth Miller, Harry Meyers, James Morrison, William Austin and William Courtleigh. Associated Exhibitors expect that “ Handle With Care ” will make a distinct hit throughout the country. United Artists Opens Omaha Exchange Announcement is made from the home office of United Artists Corporation of the opening of a new exchange at Omaha, Neb., and the appointment of Samuel Vorzimer as manager of this branch office. Mr. Vorzimer knows the Omaha territory very well, having covered it for a period of three years.