Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

492 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26, 1918 Emerson and Loos Go to Paramount Former Fairbanks Director and Script Writer Will Produce High-Class Comedy. AN announcement of exceptional interest to the exhibitor, the public and the industry has just been given out at the Paramount New York offices. John Emerson, director and his equally successful collaborator, Anita Loos, have been engaged by Jesse L. Lasky to provide a series of photoplay dramas for release by Paramount. The pictures will be distinctly individual and will be known as the John Emerson and Anita Loos Productions for Paramount. Mr. Emerson and Miss Loos, at the termination of their association as director and scenario writer for Douglas Fairbanks' productions for Artcraft pictures, recently came to New York, and it . was not wholly unex pected that their future activities would be in connection with the Famous PlayersLa s k y Corporation The fact, however, that they are to be given carte blanche in their new association and are now enabled to continue to put forth the result of their best effort in their new productions for Paramount, is undisputably good news. John Emerson is an example of what can be accomplished by highly specialized and constant training in the field where his activities lay. His education was received at the University of Chicago. Throughout his preparatory years he studied the stage, stagecraft, dramatic writing and acting constantly. He appeared on the stage in many notable productions and eventually was made general stage director for the Shuberts, under whose management he produced, among many plays, Clyde Fitch's last drama, "The City." In 1911, Mr. Emerson was made general stage director for Charles Frohman, making all productions under that famous management until he appeared as a stage star in "The Conspiracy," of which he was the co-author. Miss Loos dates all her experience in pictures from the time she became production assistant to D. W. Griffith, five years ago. Since that time she has had more than 250 scripts produced. Her training was received under the most favorable auspices, and the results showed in the remarkable fine titles written by Miss Loos for "Intolerance." As a title writer, she is exceptionally facile, with a sense of humorous satire that has greatly pleased motion picture audiences all over the country. The John Emerson and Anita Loos Productions for Paramount will deal with the highest class comedy dramas. John Emerson and Anita Loos. Berman Finds Outlook Promising Jewel Sales Head Sees no Reason to Worry Over Reports of "Poor Business." HARRY M. BERMAN, sales manager of Jewel Productions, Inc., who is making a transcontinental tour in search of first hand information as to national trade conditions, writes his home office from St. Louis, that he sees "no immediate reason to worry over the prospects for the coming year." "From what I have seen in Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis there is every reason to be optimistic, in my viewpoint. In all three cities I made it my business to talk with almost every large exhibitor. "Some of them seemed to feel that the war tax was responsible for a slight loss of business. The majority, however, were frank enough to admit that whenever there was a falling off in their receipts, local conditions were mainly responsible. "The prevailing opinion seems to indicate that as far as the exhibitor is concerned, business is good. In Chicago, the open market is extremely popular and the announcement of our new sales policy has found favor in all three cities. "In sections of the many states that I have visited, general business conditions vary. Where farming and munitions are the principal industries general business is so good that many exhibitors say that they could not accommodate the crowds that were attracted by some of the features they played. "In states where there are great military training camps theaters have done capacity business. "I'm headed for Denver tonight and will write more from there. Frankly I think the exhibitor has about mastered the situation and although every community has its calamity howler, the majority feel that 1918 will be a good year." George Irving to Direct ForMetro METRO PICTURES CORPORATION has added to its directing staff de luxe George Irving. The first Metro Production showing his handiwork will be "Her Boy," a patriotic Star Series production co-starring Effie Shannon and Niles Welsh, with Pauline Curley in prominent role, "Her Boy," had been adapted by Albert Shelby Le Vino from the original story of H. Carey Wonderly, and presents America's war problem from a new angle, making a direct appeal to the home. Mr. Irving has a long list of successes to his credit, one of his most recent productions being "Daughter of Destiny," starring Mme. Petrova. His excellent record as general production director for the Frohman Amusement company is well known, among his successes with this firm being "The Witching Hour," "The Conquest of Canaan," "Jaffrey," and "A Builder of Bridges." For Lawrence Webber he directed "Raffles." Mr. Irving's advent into the world of motion pictures was the result of his friendship with Augustus Thomas. The first picture in which he appeared was "Paid in Full," in sympathetic role of "Jimsy." After playing the lead in "The Education of Mr. Pipp," he became director for the All-Star company. His motion p i c t ure work was preceded by valuable experience on the speaking stage. He was under -the management of Charles Frohman for thirteen seasons, for seven years of this time being a member of Maude Adams' company, appearing in "The Little Minister," "Quality Street," "The Pretty Sister of Jose," and other productions. He also played with Henry Miller, and with Francis Wilson, for whom he was stage manager. He went on the stage as a member of William Gillettes company in "Secret Service." Mr. Irving admits that his first part consisted chiefly in carrying a gun. The director was born in New York, in the wilds of Harlem, "which at that time," says Mr. Irving, "were very wild indeed." He went to the public schools, and then attended the College of the City of New York. Newspaper work brought him in contact with the stage, and the next step was acting. Mr. Irving has definite ideas about picture producing, and his success has largely been due to his originality. He is a man of whom good work can always be expected. George Irving. "Empty Pockets" at Rialto. Herbert Brenon's production of "Empty Pockets" will have its first presentation on Sunday afternoon, Jan 20, at the Rialto, where it will remain throughout the entire week, according to the Rothapfel custom. "Empty Pockets" is Herbert Brenon's first production as an independent producer, and is the property of the First National Exhibitors Circuit.