Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

Pauline Fredericks in “ Two Kinds of Women,” her new feature for R-C release Producer and Author Cooperate on Picture The happy balance of nroducer and author in co-operation is in effect at the R-C studios, Hollywood, as Doris May’s fourth starring production, “ Gay and Devilish,” is in the early stages of work, under the direction of W illiam A. Seiter. This is a Hunt Stromberg production, with Pliny Goodfriend as cameraman. Charles A. Logue, author of “Gay and Devilish,” has become a temporary member of the Hunt Stromberg staff, for consultation with Stromberg, Seiter, and the continuist, Garret Elsden Fort. Free exchange of ideas and suggestions telative to the construction and staging of this high-eeared comedy drama, has resulted in manv artistic and box-office angles which, it is said, will be shown to splendid advantage when the picture is completed. The author has suggested many original comedy “gags” to embellish the production, and these have been put into practical, workable form by Director Seiter. Selznick to Film Scene at Charity Bazaar The Selznick Pictures Corporation are contributing a stunt to one of the big charity entertainments of New York City in the near future which ought to prove of particular interest to the motion picture trade as well as to the general public. The Tenth Annual Ball of the Israel Orphan Asylum is to be held at Madison Square Garden, New York City, Saturday evening, February 25. As a special entertainment attraction, the Selznick company has consented to film a climactic scene from the forthcoming Selznick Picture starring Eugene O’Brien, entitled “ Channing of the Northwest,” on the big ballroom floor during the course of the evening. Immediately after the shots are made the negative will be rushed to a waiting laboratory and a print of the scene will be projected on a big screen at the Garden before the night’s fun is over. Ralph Ince is directing Mr. O’Brien in the picture and has been working on the production for some time. The Child oPthe Bear Fox News Claims 1921 Record for “Scoops” ACCORDING to announcement from Fox Film Corporation, Fox News has established during 1921 a new record for undisputed news “ beats ” and exclusive human interest events. In the list are the only air pictures ever made of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Remarkable in every detail were the shots taken by a Fox cameraman from a ’plane which glided perilously among the narrow canyon walls to photograph the wonders of the great chasm. Also there are the first pictures ever taken of Francisco Villa, the Mexican ex-bandit, on his ranch; pictures of Germany’s ex-Crown Prince in exile; the only picture ever taken on board the United States giant dirigible Roma; the first ofcial picture of Ku Klux Klan. At heavy expense and even risk of life, Fox cameramen made their way to a position from which they might scoop the world with pictures of King Charles of Hungary attempting to regain his throne and his final capture. Then there were the only pictures ever taken of Grover C. Bergdoll, the notorious war slacker, in his hiding place in Germany. Exclusive picture of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., the world’s richest man, were among the seventeen beats registered, as were the only air pictures of the great Puet>lo flood. Strong Cast to Support Marion Davies A strong cast is being assembled by Cosmopolitan Productions to support Marion Davies in her forthcoming production of “ When Knighthood Was in Flower,” based on Charles Major’s popular novel. Among those who have been engaged are: Forrest Stanley, Ernest Glendinning, William Norris, Lynn Harding, Pedro de Cordoba, Charles Gerard, Ruth Shepley, Theresa Maxwell Conover, Arthur Forrest and Macey Harlan. Robert G. Vignola will direct the production. Priscilla Dean to Star in “ Under Two Flags ” After spirited competition and negotiations extending over several months, John C. Brownell, eastern scenairo editor of the Universal, has just purchased the screen rights to “ Under Two Flags,” by Ouida. Priscilla Dean will be starred in this picture. No story by this popular and prolific author is better known, and “ Under Two Flags ’’ has the great advantage of being known throughout the world as well as in America. Mr. Brownell’s negotiations were conducted through Bory Osso, who is the American representative of the English firm of Chatto & Windus. Brownie, the Century Wonder Dog, in “ Mutts,” the cast of which is entirely made up of dogs “By Light of Purchase” Selznick Revival On February 20 “ Bv Right of Purchase,” sixth of the Talmadge revivals, will come to picture showmen through Select exchanges. In this feature Norma Talmadge is the star and the production was original at the time when Eugene O’Brien was Norma’s leading man. The Talmadge revivals are cdl furnished on new film, retitled andre-edited. Margery Land May, now a member of the Selznick scenario staff, furnished the scenario from which Charles Miller directed the presentation two years ago. Eugene O’Brien has since become a Selznick star and showmen who play the revival of “ By Right of Purchase ” will have the advantage of billing two stars. More Critics Praise “ The Lotus Eaters ” Critics of Detroit and Philadelphia coincided in their opinions of “ The Lotus Eater,” the John Barrymore production, directed by Marshall Neilan and released by First National. The Philadelphia Record called it “ a photo drama of unusual power in theme and beauty of settings,” and the Ledger stated that Mr. Barrymore made his role “ not only outstanding, but enjoyable and interesting.” The Detroit Journal said : “ Here is something novel, weird, fantastic and altogether fascinating in photoplays.” The Detroit Free Press stated that the play is at all times entertaining and superbly acted. Morris Making Trip for Selzniek Sam Morris, vice-president in charge of distribution for Select Pictures Corporation, left for Chicago on January 23, on the first leg of a journey that will take him to most of the Select exchanges in the mid-west section. He will have Chicago as headquarters for the next few days, making trips out of there to neighboring branches. Mr. Morris lately returned from Washington and the South where he went in the interest of Select pictures’ distribution and his Chicago trip is but a second section of an itinerary that he has manped out for the next few weeks. This time he is especially interested in promoting the sales of “ A Man’s Home," the first of this season’s Selznick specials, and “ Conceit,’ the special starring Hedda Hopper and William B. Davidson. Minneapolis Salesman Wins Hapton Contest BH. COHEN, Pathe salesman working out • of Minneapolis, and W. W. Kofeldt, Pathe branch manager of San Francisco are winners in the Jesse D Hampton Sales and Collection Contest, which ended on December 24. Announcement to this effect was made by Pathe this week, following the compilation of the returns for the eight weeks competition period, which began on October 31, and closed December 25 at midnight. The victors can take either a transcontinental trip at Mr. Hampton’s expense, or $500 cash, its equivalent. Cohen had a decided advantage over his field, registering a total of 3,645 points. His nearest competitor was M. Hulling, Assoicated Exhibitors representative in San Francisco, whose total was 2,185 points. Other leading contestants were C. Calloway, Pathe, Cincinnati, 1,825; J. Ringwood, Pathe, Minneapolis, 1,42254 ; L. C. Carboni, Associated Exhibitors, Boston, 1,350. The San Francisco branch showed an increase in Hampton collections of 54.36 per cent. Milwaukee finished second, New Haven third, Buffalo fourth and Oklahoma City fifth. The contest for the branch prize was much closer than that among the salesmen. Lee Moran to Play in “A Bitter Vacation ” Although Lee Moran, the Century Comedy star, writes and has a hand in directing all his releases under his new contract yet he made an exception in favor of “ A Bitter Vacation ” which was especially written for him, and on which production will soon be started. This is the story of a lazy clerk who not only avoids trouble but work as well. Moran continues to be directed by Alf Gouldine. Bewitching Beauties “THE ISLE OF ZORDA”