Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1130 Jack Cohn, who is producing two new novelty short releases for distribution on the state right market Coast Producers Honor W. E. Shallenberger On the occasion of a recent visit to Los Angeles and the Coast studios Dr. W. E. Shallenberger, president of the Arrow Film Corporation was the guest of honor ot the most famous Californian producers, including Ben Wilson, Morris Schlank, Eddie Lyons, Reggie Morris, S. M. Herzig, as well as of the leading directors and artists, including Roy Clements, Ann Little, Roy Stewart, Jack Hoxie and very many others. In recognition of Dr. Shalletiberger’s visit, a floral offering composed of American beauty roses was prepared and presented to him. The confidence of the producers in Dr. Shallenberger’s business integrity and honesty of purpose could not be more strikingly evidenced. Arrow Representative Returns Optimistic T. A. Curran, the well-known representative, recently returned to New York after a three months’ trip over the Arrow territories of Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Texas, in the course of which he visited all the Independent exchanges in the territory and many hundreds of exhibitors. Mr. Curran returned to the city full of confidence in the success of Arrow in these territories during the year of 1922. He declared that the outlook for the Independent Branch of the motion-picture industry was never so bright inasmuch as he finds there is a strong tendency on the part of exhibitors to favor Independent productions wherever it is practicable. Harry Beaumont Signed as Fox Director William Fox has signed Harry Beaumont, the well known director. Beaumont, who recently severed connection with Metro after the completion of a long series of successful productions, will assume direction of Shirley Mason in her next feature, the working title of which is “Down the Back-Stairs/’ Exceptional Receives High Praise of Feature After Its Screenings BOTH L. L. Hiller, the president of “His Nibs” Syndicate, Inc., and Exceptional Pictures Corporation, producers of the comedy feature in which the versatile “ Chic ” Sale is making his first appearance in the films, have received most enthusiastic praise of “His Nibs” which is drawing crowds and favorable criticism in the middle West. “His Nibs” opened at the Pantages Theatre, Salt Lake City, on Jan. 29th, and by the middle of the afternoon the feature had created so much comment from the office, and the line at the box office was so long, that it inspired the following telegram, which was received by Mr. Hiller “‘His Nibs’ opened up at Pantages to capacity business. The picture was a riot from start to finish. The house was in a constant uproar and we roared with them. You sure have a great picture.” Another commendatory report came from Mr. Phil Selznick, of the Phil Selznick productions, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Selznick controls “ His Nibs ” for the State of Ohio. Mr. Sale is very popular throughout the state and the key cities all bought the picture immediately upon Mr. Selznick’s an Praise “Boomerang Bill” N. Y. Critics Comment Favorably on Lionel Barrymore’s New Picture Lionel barrymore makes “ Boomering Bill,” one of the finest screen characterizations of the year, says the New York Evening Telegram of the featured player in the Cosmopolitan Production shown to New Yorkers for the first time at the Rialto theatre the week of February 5. The reviewer, who, in common with other daily newspaper critics, found much to praise in “ Boomerang Bill,” ex-gunman, played by Lionel Barrymore with all the power and rich humanity at his command, is a fascinating screen study. The Evening Sun likewise gives Mr. Barrymore great praise, saying:' “Lionel Barrymore is fine. We don’t remember having seen him do anything so well in pictures as his portrayal of the pistol-toter. His walk and nervous movements and shifty expression and his acting in the prison scenes all contribute to our motion as to what an ideal crook should be.” According to the Evening Post : “ Lionel Barrymore has a good story in ‘ Boomerang Bill,’ and he makes the most of it. All the other characters, too, in this photoplay at the Rialto are well cast. Indeed, they are so well chosen for type and give so much to their parts that all of the captions could have been omitted without loss. And it has to be a good motion picture to have that said.” The reviewer of the Evening Globe writes : “ ‘ Boomerang Bill ’ is worth seeing because Lionel Barrymore plays the part of the gunman who reforms. Rugged of physique, Barrymore looks every inch the powerful crook who puts on two very good fights. His forceful features are ever eloquent of the strong and at times tender emotions of this burglar man. There is many a thrill for the jaded moviegoer in the workings of his emotions as indicated bv his facial expressions. His eyes alone express more than do all the facialand body contortions of most of the people who are passed off as actors on the screen.” “School Days’’ Does Big Business in New York The run of the Warner Brothers production Gus Edwards’ “ School Days,” featuring Wesley Barry, at the Strand, New York, was productive of a big business week, according to Managing Director Joe Plunkett. The drawing power of the attraction, states Warner, is also proved in the announcement that the Strand, Milwaukee, played to such phenomenal business that the feature was held over for a second week. Motion Picture New Mid-West Likes“His Nibs” nouncement it was ready for distribution. For the benefit of all the exhibitors in his territory, Mr. Selznick arranged a special showing on “His Nibs,” at the Allen Theatre, in Cleveland on Jan. 28th. The next morning he wrote the following letter : Cohn to Offer New Nov elty Short Subjects ANNOUNCEM ENT comes this week from Jack . Cohn that two new novelty short releases, each different from the other, and promised as real surprises, are now in process of final production and will shortly be announced for release. “ I took the time to write you a short while ago complimenting you on your cooperation in advertising ‘ His Nibs.’ Now allow me to again compliment you and ‘ Chic ’ Sale, the star of the production. In all my experience in the film business I have never met an actor who is so thoroughly business-like and so thoughtful for the persons distributing his picture. “ Last night we screened ‘ His Nibs’ at the Allen Theatre to over 500 persons, and the show started at midnight, so you can readily, realize what a compliment to the picture it was to have so many people stay up so late. It was the largest and most enthusiastic audience ever at a screening. ‘ Chic ’ came to the screening and was greeted by a large crowd and acclaimed as the screen’s newest star. Everyone there went crazy about his work.” Herz to Present More Foreign Spectacles Herz Film Corporation, which presented “ Good and Evil,” through Wid Gunning, Inc., “ Dorothy’s Confession,” now scheduled for national distribution and “ The Love Slave,” now offered on the state right market, announa two forthcoming features which, il is claimed, will create a sensatior in the American market. These are “ The Prince and the Pauper,” based on Mark Twain’s story, and a gigantic spectacle based on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, according to the Bible narrative. The Biblical story has been humanized by a strong dramatic story and historical characters and heroic figures are said to be introduced with dramatic effects. Huge sets have been built for the picture. Vladimir Herz, president of Herz Film Corp, also announces two unique underwater stories to be released in the near future. These are “ A Sunken World ” and “ Masters of the Sea,” both made recently on the coast of Africa. Mr. Herz exports a large number of American films to the foreign market, and personally selects foreign pictures for import. Associated with Mr. Herz is C. H. Macgowan, who acts as general manager of the company. Many Contracts Given Urban Official Reel While the production staff of the Kineto Company has been busy getting together the introductory reel of the “ Official Urban Movie Chats of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America.” the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation has been busy getting in touch with the exhibitors all over the country. The response has been as enthusiastic as it has been large^ In all sections of the country, state the reports, exhibitors have been glad to put their signatures to the contract to play the Official Urban Movie Chats every week for the first year. The contracts form the flood, so rapidly are they coming into the three main offices in New York — the offices of the M. P. T. O. A., of the Kineto Company and of the Hodkinson Corporation. QUALITY PRINTING Our experienced workmen bring out the best in your negative — Perfection insured by complete equipment and personal attention. 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