Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

752 Motion Picture News Scenes from two Chaplin comedies which First National will revive. On the left is the comedian as he appears in " Shoulder Arms ” and on the right a scene from “ A Dog's Life ” ‘White Hands” Is Well Received on Coast WHEN “ White Hands,” the Graf production, starring Hobart Bosworth, was given a pre release showing at the new Ganada theatre, in San Francisco, it was given glowing reception according to local newspapers which have reached the home office of Wid Gunning, Inc., the releasing organization. Bosworth, the star, made a number of personal appearances during the rim of the production at the Granada, tel ling interestingly how some of the “ punch ” scenes of “ White Hands ” were made. “ There is no questioning Hobart Bosworth’s ability as an actor,” read the review of “ White Hands ” in the San Francisco Call and Post. “He stands without equal in the particular field to which he has almost entirely devoted his screen efforts. As a portrayer of * brute ’ roles, hard hearted and harder fisted, leering and sneering at God and His fairest creation, woman. Bosworth exerts a compelling mastery that attracts while it repels and certainly calls for unstinted praise.” The San Francisco Examiner said, in part: “ ‘ White Hands ’ is well made, with a strong, direct story, conveying much dramatic power. In the strong, virile production, there is little to merit adverse criticism. “ The Bosworth character is a big. rough one, played in a big way. Robert McKim’s villainy, entirely out of the line of this polished film villain’s accustomed work, shows superb acting.” Jack Boyle Lauds Fannie Hurst Photoplay One author’s tribute to the photoplay of another author is about as fine a compliment as can be paid. Jack Bojie, author of “Boomerang Bill,” a Cosmopolitan-Paramount picture soon to be released, saw “ Back Pay,” a Fannie Hurst story, in Cosmopolitan’s projection room. He was so moved by the picture that he sat down and wrote a commendatory review of it. He says in part: screened by Cosmopolitan Productions, Fannie Hurst’s story is much more than an irresistibly absorbing protoplav. It is a true drama taken with scrupulous fidelity from life itself ; it is a sermon told with such convincing truth that it sinks into the heart there to remain as a warning signpost against the dangers of discontent when life temptingly contrasts conscience-clean poverty with conscienceless luxury-” “Jungle Goddess” Serial Has Unusual Script One of the points of interest in the making of Col. Selig’s fifteen episode wild animal serial, “ The Jungle Goddess,” which the Export & Import Film Co., Inc., is state righting, is the fact that Selig engaged two of the best known writers on the coast to prepare the story and scenario for the chapterpicture. Agnes Christine Johnston and Frank Dazey, who are responsible for the script of “ The Jungle Goddess ” have many successful features to their credit. They collaborated on “ Alarm Clock Andy” and three other Charles Ray successes, “ Manhattan Madness ” for Douglas Fairbanks, and wrote the scenarios for “ Daddy Longlegs ” for Mary Pickford, “ Twenty-three and a Half Hours Leave,” “ Polly of the Storm Country ” and many others which won public praise. Lupino Lane at Work on Fox Comedy Lupino Lane, the famous English comedian and pantomimist who was recently signed to a contract by William Fox, has begun his first two-reel special comedy at the West Coast Studios under the direction of Jack Blystone. The title of the picture is “ The Broker,” and the story is said to provide many extremely humorous situations suitable for the art of the mirth-making artist Capt. Roaul Amundsen, famous arctic and antarctic explorer and discoverer of the South Pole, visited the Fox studios and laboratories at West 55th street, New York City-, last week, prior to his departure on an American tour which in June will reach its conclusion at Seattle, Wash., whence he will set sail on an attempted trip to the North Pole. Julian Johnson Resigns from Cosmopolitan JULIAN JOHNSON has resigned as title editor of Cosmopolitan Productions and is going to the Pacific Coast for a vacation, the first he has had in three years. Mr. J o h n s o n — formerly editor of Photoplay Magazine and associate editor of the International Magazine Corporation — has been offered the editorship of a new film magazine which will be issued in the Pacific Coast, starting in the spring. He is going to Los Angeles the latter part of January to consider this proposition. Gunning Representative Completes Tour Harry McDonald, of the Wid Gunning organization, returning from a trip covering most of the key cities as far West as Minneapolis, states his belief, founded on his observations throughout his travels and talks with exhibitors and salesmen, that better times are already here for discriminating showmen. “Where exhibitors are putting their shoulders to the wheel and concentrating their efforts on pictures worth while money is being made and optimism prevails,” said Mr. McDonald. “I found exhibitors anxious to compare our products with that of other distributing organizations, and it was a source of great satisfaction to hear theatre owners whose judgment in securing big pictures has given them national prominence, give the releases of Wid Gunning, Inc., the endorsements which I have brought back with me.” Sam Flax Buys Serial Sam Flax, head of the Liberty Film Renting Company, of Washington. D. G, has purchased the rights to the serial, “Adventures of Tarzan.” starring Elmo Lincoln, for the District of Columbia, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia. Mr. Flax will 'release the serial on February 15th. Leah Baird Production for February Release UrvON’T DOUBT II Y OUR WIFE,” made by Leah Baird Productions, will be a February release of Associated Exhibitors, according to a statement from that organization. Edward Peil, Emery Johnson, Mathilde Brundage and Catherine Lewis are the principal people who support Leah Baird. The production was directed by James W. Home under the supervision of Arthur F. Beck. Woven into a drama of heart throbs are declared to be many touches of humor, in addition to several melodramatic thrills. “ Don’t Doubt Your Wife” is the first of a series of features which will be presented by Leah Baird Productions, dealing with domestic probic ms. Important Bookings for “His Nibs” L. L. Hiller, president of “His Nibs ” Syndicate, Inc., has notified A. S. Kirkpatrick, the Vice-President and General Manager of the Exceptional Pictures Corporation, that “ His Nibs,” the first motion picture in which Charles (Chic) Sale is starred, is being very enthusiastically received by both exhibitors and the public through the Middle and Far \\ est. The picture has recently been given first runs in Denver, Colorado, and in Salt Lake City, Utah, and delighted both the critics and the audiences. It will be shown for two weeks at the Doric Theatre, Kansas City, starting January 22nd, and is booked for a run at the Rialto Theatre, Toledo, Ohio, starting the latter part of February. Metro Picture Titled “Missing Husbands” “ Missing Husbands ” is the title Metro has chosen for the sensational French production of “ L’Atlantide,” bought recently in Paris by Richard A. Rowland for American and Canadian distribution. The print of the picture has been in the hands of cutters and editors at the Metro home offices in New York for several weeks now, undergoing adaptation for the American market. It is hoped to have it ready for distribution within six or eight weeks. Pathe Playlet Subjects £ * • Are Changed Pathe, in order to strengthen its “ Pathe Playlets ” series of fifteen re-edited pictures, has made two changes in the subjects since its original announcement. “ The Angel Factory,” starring Helene Chadwick, has been substituted for “ The Closing Net ” set for issuance on March 26th. “ The Mysterious Client,” starring Irene Castle, will substitute for “ The First Law.” scheduled for release on April 23rd. “ Every girl in America should see ‘ Back Pay.’ Every' man will be better for having seen it. As Explorer Amundsen at Fox Film Studio