Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

February 25, 1922 1253 Stern to Enlarge Century Comedies JULIUS STERN, president of Century Film Corporation and second vice-president of Universal, has left New York on his way to Universal City where he will resume his duties as Carl Laemmle’s western representative. ’ Mr. Stern accompanied Mr. Laemmle, who went on the same train, and together they will plan a record breaking season for Universal. As regards his projects for expanding his own Century Comedy Company, Stern has already begun by engaging Henry Lehrman, who formerly directed Owen Moore and other well known screen stars. Lehrman in his contract agrees to furnish Century with twelve super comedies during the coming year. There is a probability that a new star will be engaged for him to direct. In the meantime the regular staff of Century directors remain: Fred Hibbard for Brownie, Alf Goulding for Lee Moran, Tom Buckingham for Harry Sweet and Arvid Gillstrom for Baby Peggy. Bert Lytell Arrives in New York on Tour Bert Lytell arrived in New York this week in the course of his around-the-country tour which began several weeks ago at the Meiro studios in Hollywood, and which has included personal appearances in as many of the largest photoplay theatres in the United States as could be visited in the time allotted the star before his return to the West Coast and further work before the Metro cameras. While in the Eastern metropolis Mr. Lytell will be seen in person at several of the more important motion picture playhouses in this district. The list of these and the star’s schedule of dates will be announced later. An eye /east! Y^a xem beauties/ Pearl White Signed Pearl White who will return to the Pathe serial fold soon PEARL WHITE has redeemed the promise she made to Paul Brunet three years ago — that if she ever starred in another serial it would be under a Pathe contract. Pathe announces the signing of a contract to that effect last week, under the terms of which the famous star of eight serials still playing in all civilized countries returns to the “ House of Serials.” The first production will start July 15. Following the signing of her new Pathe contract Miss White sailed for France on the Aquitania last Tuesday to fill a revue engagement in Paris. During her three years’ absence from serial work she has spent much of her time abroad. It is well known to the theatrical Will Again Star in Serials; to Start Work July 15th world of two continents that she has become one of the most popular stage favorites in the French capital. Several times within the last six months newspaper cables have stated that capital was ready to induce her to establish herself permanently in Paris at a theatre built for her and bearing her name, it is declared. It will therefore cause surprise in man}' quarters that she is to return to the hazardous work of a serial heroine. The Pathe statement does not name the figure at which Miss White re-enters serial work. It is said, however, to be even larger than the salary she was receiving at the time of the production of her last Pathe serial, “The Black Secret.” The following statement was issued by the Pathe home office during the week in connection with the announcement of Pearl White’s contract with that organization. “ It is understood that sentiment, quite as much as the matter of financial returns, influenced Miss White to come back in Pathe serials. That list of productions, beginning with ‘ The Perils of Pauline,’ started and firmly established her great reputation as a screen actress. It was a remarkable personal achievement, all accomplished under the Pathe banner. It is said that the first intimation that she might be induced to reappear as a Pathe serial star was the result of a meeting between herself and a high Pathe official in by Pathe Paris last summer, when she was jokingly reminded of her promise to Paul Brunet (as referred to above). “ It was not until two or three days before the sailing of the Aquitania that the matter appears to have progressed any further. The new contract is said to be the result of a conference of several hours between the actress and President Brunet in the latter’s offices, at which other prominent Pathe officials were present. It is needless to add that the outcome of that conference will be received with agreeable anticipations by motion picture exhibitors everywhere. “ Respecting Pathe plans for Pearl White’s reappearance as ‘Serial Queen ’ — by which spontaneously bestwed title she is as familiarly known in Europe and Asia as in this country — there is little information beyond the date above named for the beginning of her first production Obviously, she will be surrounded by a picked company and provided with a vehicle calculated to call upon her natural gifts and the rich and varied resources of an actress who never has been surpassed in motion pictures either for dramatic effectiveness along lines of realism or for physical courage and trained ability to meet the requirements of hazardous physical action which are peculiar to the serial form. The coming Pearl White serial, however, as Pathe points out — and as Miss White of course is aware — will reflect in the fullest degree the advances in choice of material and in technique of picturization which the typical Pathe serial now shows over the productions of three or four years ago.” “ Educational Pictures Week” PLANS were announced last week by E. W. Hammons, president of Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., for Educational Pictures’ Week, beginning Sunday, April 16, and ending Sunday, April 23. An event of national recognition on the part of exhibitors of the importance of the superior short subject to his program and recognition on the part of the public of the greater strides being made in the production of short reel subjects, is announced as the aim of Educational Pictures Week. The goal that has been set by Mr. Hammons is absolute 100 per cent representation for Educational Pictures during this special week. Backed by extensive exploitation and a special advertising campaign, the exchanges expect to have Educational product running in practically every theatre in the country. One of the features of the week will be a great number of programs made up entirely of short subjects. The variety and quantity of the product handled by Educational Exchanges puts this organization in a vepr favorable position to provide entire programs of short reel subjects that are diversified and well balanced. Distinctive programs made up completely of Educational product can be provided for any number of the Short Subject Drive Is Announced for April 16-23 atres in the same district without conflict. Special helps for the exhibitor are being prepared, work already having gotten well under way on this. A special one-sheet announcing Educational Week and linking up with Educational’s national advertising will be provided free to the exhibitor. In addition to this, duplicate one-sheets and threesheets will be provided gratis with all orders for these accessories. If an exhibitor orders two onesheets to advertise a comedy subject, he will receive four one-sheets on this subject without extra charge. One of the biggest helps being prepared is a forceful broadside telling some of the advantages of a short subject program and suggesting eight short subject programs comprising all the required types of pictures for a wellbalanced presentation, and consisting entirely of Educational Pictures. One of these suggestions is for Limit?”; Sketchografs, by Julian Ollendorff, being a cartoonist’s idea of the limitation of armament ; (4) “The Battle of Jutland,” the authenticated screen visualization the theatre that wishes to present a serious program, and includes the following subjects: (1) Kinograms, the visual news of all the world; (2) “The Crater of Mt. Katmai”; (3) “What’s the of history’s greatest sea fight 65) “Oh, Buddy!” a Christie comedy featuring Neal Burns. Another of the eight suggested programs is prepared as a “jazz program,” for the house that wants a light, fastmoving program with thrills and plenty of laughs. It includes: (1) Kinograms; (2) “A Ride of a Runaway Train,” by Lyman H. Howe; (3) “Eve’s Leaves,” Sketchografs, by Julian Ollendorff; (4) “Dummy Love,” a Gayety Comedy; (5) “Bang,” a Mermaid Comedy; (6) “Southern Exposure,” a Christie Comedy. “The biggest idea behind this special week, said Mr. Hammons, “is the recognition that it signifies of the great efforts Educational has been making to provide for the exhibitors the highest type of short subject possible, including not only the short comedies, but travel pictures, thrillers, pictures with dramatic kick and, in fact, even sort of short subject. “We are looking forward to the week of April 16 with high hopes that it will be the most significant week in the history of short motion picture subjects.”