Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

F ebruary 4, 1922 875 Serial Nears Completion Production of Twelfth Episode of “ The Jungle Goddess ” is Started WORD comes from the coast studios of Col. Wm. N. Selig, where “The Jungle Goddess,’’ Selig’s masterpiece wild-animal serial is being made, that production on the chapter-picture has already reached the 'eleventh and twelfth episodes. The Export & Import Film Co., Inc., world distributors for “ The Jungle Goddess” originally announced that they contemplated completion of the serial by February 1st. Difficulties encountered in the filming of the many hazardous wild-animal stunts written into the scenario by Agnes Johnston and Frank Dazey, are said to be the rear son for the slight alteration in the scheduled plans of the serial. As production is now progressing, it is promised that the entire fifteen episodes will be completed by March 1st. Five episodes of “The Jungle Goddess” are already in New York, while chapters 6, 7 and 8 have just been shipped from Los Angeles. Episodes 9 and 10 are now being cut and titled. “ I could have rushed this serial through to be finished on scheduled time,” advises Col. Selig, “ had I not wanted to make ‘The Jungle Goddess ’ my masterpiece episode drama. In working with wild animals— and I believe I have more IS experience along those lines than any one else in the motion picture business — one can never depend on what the animals are going to do. There are days when some of the lions cannot be tempted to work at all. “ In ‘ The Jungle Goddess ’ I am taking great care to have all the wild animal action as realistic as if it had actually happened in the jungles. This means that we are not just taking fleeting shots of running animals but are getting the most unusual stunt scenes ever filmed. The tiger and lion acts I recalled from Ringling Brothers’ circus have done remarkable work before the camera. “ When I say remarkable,” continues Selig, “ I am sp.eaking from the experience gained in making m-' two previous wild-animal serials. I have yet to hear anything but lavish praise on these two serials and I can safely assure exhibitors that ‘The Jungle Goddess’ far surpasses both of them from every angle.” The Export & Import Film Co., Inc., states that it is rushing work on the accessories and pressbook for the serial to have everything in readiness for March 1st release. Many novelties will be provided for exploitation purposes. Lucy Dorain in “ The Love Slave,” seems to be getting hers — the young person at the left is the wronged wife. Herz Film presentation released by Russell Clark Syndicate, Inc. Pathe Contest Under Way Word from Exchange Centers Predicts Success for Brunet Month Warner’s Serial Release Buyers and Distributing Organizations Bid for Jungle Serial H ARRY M. WARNER, of Warner Brothers, announces the release of his latest fifteen-episode animal serial, “ Shadows of the Jungle,” co-starring Grace Darmond and Philo McCullough, to the independent market. Overtures from some of the biggest distributing organizations and state-right buyers have already been made, but it ■ is said that no definite negotiations have been consummated. The success that has attended former Warner serials, such as “ The Lost City ” and “ Miracles of the Jungle,” is declared to have furnished the incentive to produce “ Shadows of the Jungle.” According to Mr. Warner, more than half the serial has been completed at the West Coast studios by his brother Sam Warner, under whose direct supervision the serial is being made, and the first three episodes will be available for exhibition within the very near future. “ The making of a serial picture,” said Mr. Warner, “ is a stupendous undertaking, both financially and otherwise. The reports that have been made to us by exhibitors who have played ‘ Miracles of the Jungle ’ and ‘ The Lost City ’ convinced us that there are hundreds of thousands of people who eagerly follow the serial screen story. “ How well we have succeeded will best be determined when the first episodes are made available for exhibitors. A significant fact relative to our previous serial, * Miracles of the Jungle,’ is that it was released during the most depressive time of the year. And that was in the early spring and summer of last year. Despite this fact, exhibitor after exhibitor came with the story that had it not been for our serial production, they would have been compelled to close up for the summer months. “‘Shadows of the Jungle’ will duplicate and, in my estimation, make it more than possible for exhibitors to do as good business in summer as they do during the winter months.” In addition to Miss Darmond and Mr. McCullough the cast includes Jack Richardson, Robert Agnew, Derelys Perdue, Mabel Stark, Captain J. R. Riccarde and hundreds of others. The story and continuity was written by Frances Guihan. “School Days”jf Rights Sold for Canada Charles Stephenson, of the Stephenson Attractions, Ltd., Toronto, Ont., has purchased the exclusive rights to Warner Brothers latest production, Gus Edwards’ “School Days,” featuring Wesley Barry, for the entire Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland, it is announced. Eddie Polo ot Work Eddie Polo, serial star, is at work in Miami on the first of a series of six super serials. The serial is stated to be a modern version of the story of Robinson Crusoe. It will be made in fifteen episodes. PATHE branch managers and salesmen throughout the country, are now engaged in one of the greatest competitions ever staged by the organization with the stakes for the victors ranging from $2,500 down to $500. The wire from General Sales Manager Eschmann announcing the terms of the contest had hardly reached the thirty-four competing offices, before dispatches began coming back to the home office expressing the enthusiasm of the entire sales force. Robert Smeltzer, eastern district manager, sent the following message from Pittsburgh : “ Details of ten week sales and collection contest shows that today marks an epoch in the history of our company as the starting point of the greatest and fairest contest ever waged among thirty-four entrants. The Eastern Division branches are out to win all prizes.” James Loughborough, who has just taken over the managership of the Albany office, which has been a three-time winner of past Pathe contests, sent the following business-like message : “ Albany out to repeat in qualifying and Brunet Anniversary contest. We have finest organization, best sales force. It isn’t, ‘he can who thinks he can’, but ‘he will who knows he can.’ Watch Albany grab four straight.” San Francisco is confident of success, judging by this telegram from Manager Kofeldt : “ Wired _ our district manager, Mr. Wessling, to place his money on San Francisco in contest. We think too much of Mr. Wessling to have him lose. Entire San Francisco organization assures home office of earnest co-operation and every branch a run for the money.” New Orleans comes to bat with a challenging wire from Jack Auslet, in which he says : “ Wire regarding contest r.ead by entire force with much enthusiasm. Count New Orleans branch in first division as usual. We have never failed in Brunet month. Meeting today of entire force. Will make this great inspiration day for the Pathe New Orleans branch. ‘ Go get ’em’ will be our policy.” To Determine Most Popular Hallroomj Comedy A new method of checking up the popularity of each of the Percy and Ferdie Hallroom Comedies, as a means of discovering which type comedy meets most with public approval. Each week since these comedies were first shown in the leading film theatres throughout the country, many requests have been received from “ fans ” for photographs of. Percy and Ferdie as they appear in various releases. The producers intend to tabulate these requests so that, by means of comparisons, they will have a sure method of ascertaining which of the comedies have been most liked, and basing subsequent production upon the results. Heavy Advertising Preceeds “His Nibs” January 28th will mark a high point in the exploitation campaign which has been carried on by the Exceptional Pictures Corporation for “ His Nibs,” the rural comedy production in which Charles (Chi.c) Sale is starred, for a full page advertisement for Mr. Sale and “His Nibs” appears in the January 28th issue of the Saturday Evening Post. Although “ His Nibs ” was released early in January, and has been shown at a few of the larger theatres in Key cities throughout the West, the month of February will find the production being nationally released. The production will appear at the Capitol theatre in New York City within the next few weeks, and an important new Hooking is for the entire Butterfield Circuit.