Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

Motion Picture News 1138 A scene from “Gypsy Passion,” a Mercanton production which will be released by Vitagraph Selznick Has Innovation Celebrities of Former Days to Be Seen Again in Selznick News Reel Following upon its introduction into the news reel of the striking newspaper type of captions, which brought forth such favorable comment from exhibitors, public and the press, the Selznick News has again brought something new to the screen by the inauguration of its “What They Are Doing Now” department which features famous celebrities of more or less bygone days who, though still well known and pleasantly remembered by the general public, have been somewhat overlooked in the general march of events. * In this connection the Selznick News has brought back into the public eye such famous figures as Ex-World’s champion boxers “Jim” Jeffries, now a farmer, and "Battling” Nelson, now mayor of Hedgewich, 111.; the celebrated Dr. Cook, “discover” of the North Pole. Ex-Tennis champion Maurice McLaughlin. In the current issue Selznick News presents Ted Meredith, former Olympic champion runner, who is today employed on the New York Sun as a reporter; Josephus Daniels, once a member of President Wilson’s cabinet as Secretary of the Navy, but now returned to his newspaper at Raleigh, N. C., and Charles Brickley, rated in the hey-day of his sporting career as one of the greatest football players that ever lived. “What They Are Doing Now” will be a regular feature of the Selznick News and many interesting personalities are scheduled to appear in each issue. “Island Wives” Completed Vitagraph’s Production Starring Corinne Griffith Set for March u ISLAND Wives,” Vitagraph’s JL spectacular production of life in the South Seas, in which Corinne Griffith has the star role, has assumed its final form. For several weeks past, ever since the last shots arrived by special messenger from Florida, the editorial staff at Vitagraph’s Brooklyn studios has been at work cutting and titling this stirring photodrama of tropic passion and true love. The result of their industry is one of the most artistically finished films ever made. All those who have seen the advance showings for the studio forces and the salesmen are dis tinctly enthusiastic over the production and predict a smashing success for it. The release date for “Island Wives” is fixed for early in March. All the exterior scenes for the colorful picture were made in Florida, on the coast about four miles south of Miami. The gigantic palms rising sheer straight up like the masts of a ship, the tropic profusion of foliage, and the long spread of sandy beaches add a pictorial excellence to this production, which it would be almost impossible to surpass. MAKE YOUR PATRONS AND YOUR BOX OFFICE HAPPY Book PERCY &FERDIE HALLROOM COMEDIES “Hail the Woman” Popular f More Than 30 Houses Book Ince Special for First National Week JV/f ORE than thirty theatres in •*-»-» widely scattered sections of the country have already reported to the First National home office their intention of running “Hail the Woman,” Thomas H. Ince’s special production, during First National Anniversary Week. It is estimated on a basis of reports already received that every print of “Hail the Woman” in the First National branches will be at work every day during First National Week. This record is set despite the fact that “Hail the Woman” has had its premier in many of the large key cities. Including the big circuits, it has already been released by Skorus Bros., playing day and day in the New Grand Central theatre and the West End Lyric theatre, St. Louis, Mo., Rubin & Finklestein playing day and day at the Capitol theatre, St. Paul, Minn., and State theatre, Minneapolis, Minn. ; the Strand theatre, New York City; the Tivoli theatre, San Francisco, Calif.; the Mission theatre, Los Angeles, Calif.; the Circle theatre, Indian apolis, Ind. ; and Kunsky’s Adams theatre, Detroit, Mich. Willard C. Patterson has booked “Hail the Woman” for First National Week at the Metropolitan theatre, Atlanta, Ga., and the Louisville premier will be at the Alamo theatre during that week. A list of other houses which will play “Hail the Woman” during that week include : Madison Circle, 1 Forest Park, 111.; Vernon, Chicago, 111.; Fern, New Orleans, La.; Tri I anon, Birmingham, Ala.; Regent, Chicago, 111. ; Rex, Chicago, 111. ; Oakley, Chicago, 111. ; Paulina, Chicago, 111.; Plaza, Chicago, 111.; Clarmont, Chicago, 111.; Perry, Hazard, Ky. ; Paramount, Miami, Fla.; Burns, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Boulevard, Chicago, 111.; Thailia, Chicago, 111. ; Brighton Park, Chicago, Til.; Plaissance, Chicago, 111.; Karlor, Chicago; 111.; Tiffin, Chicago, 111.; Avon, Chicago, 111. ; Standard, Chicago, 111.; Virginia, Chicago, 111.; Crescent, Chicago, 111.; Strand, Emporia, Kans. ; Lagoon, Minneapolis, Minn.; Princess, Minneapolis, Minn.; Princess, Mt. Doro, Fla.; and Opera House, Tucson, Ariz. New Series for Assd. Exhibs Florence Vidor to Star in Series of Films; First Release March 5 THE announcement that Florence Vidor would appear in a series of feature productions for Associated Exhibitors has been supplemented by a statement from that company to the effect that her first feature, entitled “Woman Wake Up,” has been scheduled for release on March 5th. Charles Meredith and Louis Calhern support Florence Vidor who, naturally, is the star of the production. It was directed by Marcus Harrison, from the story by Ben Moore Clay which was scenarioized by G. B. Manly. “ Woman Wake Up ” is said to be of decided audience appeal because of its exquisite settings and the delightful manner in which its dramatic theme is said to be handled. It is a production which tackles the misunderstandings of the first year after marriage, when two young people discover that after all they both have their individual interests and inclinations, and which sometimes seriouslv interfere with the business of being happy though married. It is further affirmed that “ Woman Wake Up ” is of striking entertainment value, because the dramatic moments of such a plot are kept subsidiary to its humor and cleverly amusing treatment, which makes it at all times a brilliant and thoroughly enjoyable offering. The title “ Woman Wake Up ” is suggested by the scheme employed by Florence Vidor, as the young wife, to bring her trifling husband back into complete accord with the ideals of marital loyalty and contentment when he, feigning business, doesn’t come home for dinner, on the occasion of their first anniversary, she promptly retaliates by goodnaturedly forcing her husband’s best friend to take her to the same gay restaurant where her husband is dining with another girl. The subsequent situation is said to be cleverly explained by two of the subtitles, which state that “A wife really never knows her husband until she sees him with another woman,’ and “ A husband’s moral code is never so strict as when his wife steals some of his own stuff.” As the story develops, the young wife finds the lesson which she had intended for her husband becoming very involved and, at the climax, only her false declaration of love for the other man saves him from her husband’s anger. ProgramPictureDoomed Says Scenario Editor Paul Bern, Goldwyn scenario editor, who has just returned to the Culver City studios after a month's conference with executive officials in New York, declares that “ the day of the program picture is gone forever.” “ Because of conditions in the industry, every production, in order to be successful, must be a ‘ special ’ in the true sense of the word,” said Mr. Bern . The public is shopping very carefully for its entertainment these days. The scenario editor expressed the belief that this attitude on the part of the public would undoubtedly bring about better pictures, as only superior productions can survive under the new conditions.