Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

8S0 Motion Picture New First view of J. Stuart Blackton’s “ The Glorious Adventure ” the picture which Mr. Blackton has been producing iin England with Lady Diana Manners in a leading role and which is photographed throughout in Prizma colors Gunning Plans Production Interests Bankers; Sales Machine in Hands of Organization Formed IMPORTANT production announcements will soon be forthcoming from the Wid Gunning organization, says Robert E. Welsh of the Gunning company. Wid Gunning has once more turned his attention to production, leaving the running of his sales machine in the hands of the efficient organization that he has built up. “ All through last summer,” the statement from Mr. Welsh declares, “ Mr. Gunning was devoting his entire attention to production. In fact, that was the original intention in the organization of the company which he financed, and to which he brought the two Lois Weber productions, ‘The Blot’ and ‘What Do Men Want?’ and the production ‘Our Mutual Friend.’ Developments in the operation of that company forced him to come to New York to take active charge. The result has been that since September he has had to devote all of his time to the running of the sales machine and the establishment of the policies which were primarily supposed to have been placed in operation at the starting of the organization, since those policies were the sole and only purpose for the formation of the corporation. “ His time, as has been said, was originally intended to be devoted “The Prodigal Judge” to production, the selection of pictures, and, in cooperation with the producing units looking to the Wid Gunning sales machine for their market. “ Now that Wid Gunning has completed the reorganization which, unfortunately, took a great deal more time than an original beginning would have required, he has been able once more to turn his energies to the matter of selecting production. It has been remarkable how many productions there have been available and, in fact, Mr. Gunning has spent practically all of his evenings for a stretch of many weeks in the projection room viewing product which had been submitted for acceptance to his organization for distribution. “ Mr. Gunning has now selected certain subjects for Spring release. An announcement concerning these pictures may be expected in the near future. “ He has also been actively engaged in association with the best banking interests in New York and California in arranging for the financing of independent directors. Under the arrangements being worked out these directors would be, in every way, their own bosses with the additional advantage of an association which would give them permission to call on Mr. Gunning, as advisory counsel, for judgment of story construction and general production detail. “The financial interests which are now becoming particularly interested in financing independent productions, since the Wid Gunning organization has succeeded in creating a real independent market, have turned to Wid because of the efficient and fundamentally sound sales plan he has put into operation, because of the high character and ability of the personnel of the organization and because in financing the directors selected by Mr. Gunning they have the benefit of his years of experience and intimate contact with all of the directors of film production.” “LadyGodiva”ReleaseSoor Asso. Exhibitors Will Distribute Film Version of Tennyson Classic IT is declared by Associated Exhibitors officials that no finer screen version of literary classic has ever been made than “ Lady Godiva,” the film spectacle which Associated Exhibitors will distribute for Wistaria Productions. In its* entirety, “Lady Godiva” is stated to follow with exact precision the theme of Lord Alfred Tennyson’s original poem, even to the titles, many of which are transcripts of Tennyson’s own words. An advance statement from Associated Exhibitors declares that no opportunity has been lost to surround the production with the correct atmosphere of mediaeval England, even though a true definition made necessary the erection of an entire village, surmounted by the massive feudal castle around which much of the action takes place. In the last reel, this enormous structure is destroyed, together with the corresponding interior sets, proportionate in size and splendor to the castle itself, it i from her betrothed and forced int a loveless marriage with a feudz lord who had conspired to gain th throne, and the subsequent indigni declared. The fife of Lady Godiva, tor ties suffered at his hand, is th basic theme of the feature, whic culminates in her famous rid through the streets of Coventry an< the uprising of the oppressed towns folk. Associated Exhibitors state tha the release date of Lady Godiv will be early in March and th prints will be in the exchange citie well ahead of that time. They de clare that the hand-colored title; and the particular care which i being taken in the printing and tint ing of the film, preclude the possi bility of stating exactly when th branches will have them, for non will go out until thoroughly in spected by the Pathe laborator executives. Arliss in Comedy-Drama “ The Ruling Passion ” Adapted from “ Idle Hands ” by Earl Derr Biggers GEORGE ARLISS, inimitable character actor, is seen in a comedy drama role for the first time in many, many years in “ The Ruling Passion,” his latest screen production, and second of the Arliss feature for United Artists. “ The Ruling Passion” was adapted from a story by Earl Derr Biggers, called “ Idle Hands,” and published last summer in the Saturday Evening Post. The story is whimsical and quaint and presents Mr. Arliss in a role that gives him wide opportunity for his superb pantomimic artistry. In this new feature Mr. Arliss plays the part of a retired multimillionaire who is enabled to do ever so many kindly little acts. All the way through the pfcture there is a quiet little chuckle, and a hearty laugh often, and perhaps, a tear, here and there. James Alden, the character portrayed by Mr. Arliss, has worked all his fife. He can’t stay retired, despite physicians’ orders and the pleas of wife and daughter. Idleness makes him peevish. So he secretly invests a small sum in a little garage, and finds his young partner poor as a church mouse, but a fine chap, strong, straight and on the level. Alden has a beautiful young daughter. He and the young daughter fall in love. The father steps in, favoring his young partner as against a wealthy polo player, favored by Mrs. Alden. An old barn is transformed into an up-to-date mission garage and there Mr. Arliss, as John Grant, clad in overalls and with grim} hands, works as a mechanic by day while at night, Mr. Arliss, as James Alden, and clad in faultless evening attire, is to be found in the palatial country home. There is an abundance of splendid humor all the way through foi which George Arliss has become famous. “Handle with Care” Is Released Jan. 22nd A STRONG cast, headed by Grace Darmond and including Patsy Ruth Miller, Harry Meyers, James Morrison, William Courtleigh, Landers Stevens and William Austin, features “Handle with Care,” the A1 and Ray Rockett production released by Associated Exhibitors on January 22nd. According to all reviews, exhibitors are assured of a production which should prove highly satisfactory. Associated Exhibitors have prepared an especially complete fine of accessories and exploitation ideas which are fully described in the campaign book, now available in their exchanges. They declare that their sales organization reports big interest among the exhibitors and anticipate that it will be a tremendous success in the theatres. Intriguing Mystery! “THE ISLE OF ZORDA”