Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

748 Motion Picture News Vignola Production Is * Ready for Release Robert G. Vignola's latest Cosmopolitan production, “Beauty’s Worth,” has been completed and will soon be released through Paramount. This is Mr. Vignola’s first production since “Enchantment,” his current release, which has been breaking records all over the country. Beautiful Marion Davies, who starred in “Enchantment,” . is starred in “Beauty’s Worth,” and it is the consensus of opinion of those who have seen this production privately that it is a far better production in every respect than “Enchantment.” Miss Davies’ work in this production establishes her definitely as one of the brightest stars of the screen, and Mr. Vignola’s direction of the production is flawless, as usual. “Beauty’s Worth” was written by Sophie Kerr and put into scenario form by Luther Reed. Most of this production was made in California, where the unusually beautiful scdnery offered the proper background. The interiors were designed by and executed under the supervision of Joseph Urban. Silas Seadler Resigns from Kane [Pictures Silas F. Seadler, Director of Publicity and Advertising for the Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation since the inception of that company two years ago, has handed in his resignation, to take effect at the end of the month. Mr. Seadler has not yet announced his future affiliation. Starting in the motion picture business as publicity agent for Alice Joyce, Gladys Leslie, Rod La Rocque and several other Eastern film personalities, Mr. Seadler transferred his activities to the new Realart organization when that company began its career and was on the advertising and publicity staff that put Realart on the picture map within a few months. When Arthur S. Kane resigned from Realart, joined hands with Charles Ray and formed his present company he selected Mr. Seadler as his press representative. “Peacock Alley” Scores at New B’way House “ Peacock Alley,” Mae Murray’s gorgeously costumed picture of the white lights of New York and Paris, with which the new B. S. Moss theatre opened, “ has proved its popularity in unmistakable fashion and, on its third week as the feature attraction in the beautiful new playhouse, is setting enviable records for the new house to live up to,” declares a statement from the Metro home office. McGovern and Egler Change Release Title McGovern & Egler, distributors of the Shorty Hamilton series, announces the change of title of their fifth release from “Sand” to “ Grit,” owing to the fact that there already has been a western bearing that name. A soon-to-be dish of “ consomme a la Jimmy Aubrey.” The Vitagraph comedian in a bad fix in his new comedy, “ A Charmed Life ” Arrange^ Big Tie-Lp jfor “Ashamed of Parents” The Warner Brothers production, “ Ashamed of Parents,” containing a cast of especially chosen players is said to have played to capacity business during its week run at William Fox’s Terminal theatre, Newark. The feature has been booked for the entire chain of Fox houses, and numerous other first run theatres throughout the country. One of the features that brought about capacity business for the Terminal theatre was a full page commercial cooperative tie-up with the prominent merchants in Newark. The stores, in order to link up with the picture, advertised their product stating that the young folks would never be ashamed of their parents if they took the old folks to their establishments. This tie-up, combined with considerable newspaper publicity, street ballyhoos and an attractive lobby dis ‘ Foolish Wives” to Be Cut to Ten Reels (( n OOLISH WIVE S,” H the Universal spec*■ tacle, which opened in New York on January 11, in fifteen reels, will eventually be shown in ten reels, announces Universal. Already three reels have been cut since the opening, and it is planned to further reduce the footage to ten reels. The cutting was done only after the advice of critics, exhibitors and patrons had been considered, and after the effect on the audiences had been noted. Mr. Von Stroheim originally cut his picture to 30 reels, and this was eventually reduced to 15 reels for the New York premiere. play is declared to have caused , t • i hundreds of people to line up in rblmO Lincoln Oil x er front of the theatre. sonaF Appearance Tour Plan Advance Publicity for “Lady Godiva” The screen version of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “ Lady Godiva,” a Wistaria Production special, is Jo be released by Associated Exhibitors in March. Its first presentation will be preceded by an extensive publicity campaign of nation-wide scope, which will include syndicated articles, rotogravure lay-outs and special feature 'stories, in many newspapers, declares a statement from Associated Exhibitors. Ben Amsterdam, of Masterpiece Film Attractions, Philadelphia, distributing “Adventures of Tarzan” in Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey has arranged for Elmo Lincoln to begin his personal appearance tour in Philadelphia on Monday, January 16th. Elaborate preparations have been made by Amsterdam’s exploitation department to herald Lincoln’s appearance. Eugene O’Brien Vehicle Released February 10 Press Book for Irene Castle Film Ready The exhibitor’s press book on “French Heels,” the first of a series of four Hollywood-Hodkinson productions, starring Irene Castle, left the press this week. In reality the book is a catalogue of Irene Castle’s versatility, and in artistic merit, practical value and all-around usefulness, the book is said to establish a new point in perfection in the preparation and marketing of an exhibitor’s aid. The third picture in this season's Eugene O’Brien series, “The Prophet’s Paradise,” is set for distribution February 10, with Sigrid Holmquist, the “Swedish Mary Pickford,” furnishing principal support to the Selznick star in a production directed by Alan Crosland. Lewis Allen Browne’s scenario was based on a Red Book story by C. S. Montagne that furnishes a colorful vista of Turkish life, with brisk adventures centering in Constantinople. Sigfrid Holmquist is O’Blrien’s leading woman. Foreign Field Reported Improving Although the Export & Import Film Co., Inc., is in the height of its campaign on Col. Selig’s “The Jungle Goddess” serial which they are state-righting, the foreign end of their business is not being neglected, it is said, but is being pushed with the vigor which has made this company one of the leaders in this particular field. An official of the company reports that the outlook in the foreign field is very promising. A gradual improvement in conditions is manifesting itself in steadily increasing sales, insofar as this company is concerned. Conditions in Spain and Portugal and in France, where the market was especially depressed due to unfavorable rates of exchange, are particularly brighter. The Export & Import Film Company reports brisk foreign business during the past week. In addition to the sale of “The Jungle Goddess” serial for the entire far east, the rights for Col. Selig’s new serial were also disposed of for Mexico and Porto Rico. Forty comedies were sold for the far east ; eighteen features for Argentine; twenty features and twenty comedies for Mexico, and two serials for Spain. Several other large contracts are practically ready for closing. Emil Chautard Joins R-C Pictures Staff R-C Pictures announces that it has signed Emile Chautard, noted French director, to supervise the first production of the 1922 series of Pauline Frederick pictures. Mr. Chautard has long been known as one of the foremost producers in the motion picture industry and has to his credit a formidable list of important subjects such as “ The Black Panther’s Cub”; “His Parisian Wife ” starring Elsie Ferguson and a number of big productions for Pauline Frederick. This will mark his first effort at direction for -R-C Pictures, .however. Mr. Chautard left for Hollywood last week and will begin work with Miss Frederick in the early future. “White Eagle” Showing at Barbee’s Loop ANOTHER precedent has been upset by the newest Pathe serial, “White Eagle,” starring Ruth Roland. Beginning January 7th, this continued story opened at Barbee’s Loop, in downtown Chicago, for a full week’s run — or rather, a fifteen-weeks’ run inasmuch as it will be on the daily program for that length of time. The Chicago Pathe Office is engaged in a strong exploitation campaign in connection with the showing of the new Ruth Roland serial. Favorable reports of the serial’s reception in other parts of the country are also being received at the Pathe home-office.