Moving Picture World (Dec 1920)

December 11, 1920 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 745 In the Independent^Field Start Work on Legend Comedy The second of the series of high class comedies featuring Edna Shipman and John Junior is now being produced by Legend Film Productions under the direction of Tefft Johnson. It is titled “Wanted — A Girl,” and written by Treve Collins, Jr. William Bowen, president and general manager of the company, is staging this production in an elaborate manner. 1 Madonnas and Men” at Two Dollar Prices for Thirty Weeks in Canada Two weeks of record business at the Strand Theatre in Toronto for the Jans special, “Madonnas and Men,” has resulted in an arrangement with George Driscoll, of the Trans-Canadian Circuit, Ltd., whereby this production will continue to play in Canada at two dollar prices for many weeks to come. It is announced The Deceiver”, a Lifeograph Production, Offered by Arrow Arrow announces the early release of “The Deceiver,” a special production made by the American Lifeograph Company of Portland, Oregon. It is the story of a man who seeks self-aggrandizement regardless of the sacrifice of friends, sweetheart and honor, but who is finally made to realize the futility of an ambition founded on false principles. American Lifeograph is also the producer of “The Golden Trail,” which Arrow is handling with great success. The cast of “The Deceiver” includes Jean Hersholt, Lee Hill, Carol Halloway, Bert Sprotte and William Dills. Jean Hersholt and L. H. Moomaw directed, while Clyde Cook did the work at the camera. that this insures the spectacle of runs in the first class theatres of Canada in the largest cities totaling thirty weeks, and judging bv the business already done, it is believed it will set a new record for a special production in the Dominion. “Madonnas and Men” was originally booked for a week at the Strand, but the business grew to such proportions that a second week was decided upon, and the result of the second week’s showing resulted in the Jans forces making the arrangement for a run of solid bookings at top prices. An extensive advertising campaign was launched in Toronto, and the newspapers hailed the picture as a spectacle combining the elaborate scenic effects of the big spectacles, such as “Quo Vadis” and “Cabiria.” Tucker Company Buys Territory on Abramson’s “Wrong Woman responding to the characters in the play, depict Jealousy, Fatherly Love and True Love. An elaborate exploitation campaign has been prepared, including a teaser campaign in the local papers. Mr. Tucker also reports successful returns on the recent Abramson release, “A Child for Sale,” which is being heavily booked in his territory. The Tucker Amusement Company of Oklahoma has purchased Oklahoma rights to Ivan Abramson’s “The Wrong Woman,” which will be presented in the fifteen theatres owned by the circuit and also sent out as a road show. Mr. Abramson has prepared a prologue showing the conflict between jealousy and love. Allegorical characters, cor Flora Finch Newest Star in Conway Tearle and Rosemary Thebv, has been meeting with great success in the five key cities in which it has already been shown and has received great praise from the newspapers. The story is by Henry Arthur Jones, one of England’s leading dramatists. Many Bookings As a result of favorable comment, Peter Oletsky, of Baltimore; Ben Amsterdam, of Phila delphia; Pearce, of New Orleans; Salley, of Atlanta; Gallos, of Chicago, and Sam Zierler, of New York, report a large number of bookings dated. Hallroom Showing The first three releases of the new Hallroom Boys comedies were given a special showing to about twenty buyers on Tuesday and Jack Cohn of C. B. C. reports that it was the consensus of opinion of those present that this series is among the best comedies being offered on the independent market. Regular campaign sheets have been prepared on these releases, as is done with big features. Equity Features Heavily Booked Equity Pictures Corporation 99 reports that_“Whispering Devils,” featuring Coine with Commonwealth Peter Coine, for a long time connected with the Hood Rubber Company, has become assistant manager of the Commonwealth Photoplay Company, of New England. All Star Gets Billy Wests All-Star Feature Distributors, of Los Angeles and San Francisco, has secured rights for California, Arizona and Nevada for the entire series of twelve tworeel Billy West comedies, which are being state righted by Joan Film Sales Company. The first two releases of the series are “Sweethearts” and “Service Stripes.” Reelcraft Flora Finch, the well-known comedienne, is the latest adition to the list of Reelcraft stars for the two reel Royal comedy series. She will be remembered for her work with the late John Eunny, and her first production will be “The She-Male Sleuth.” Other comedians presented in this series are Otis Harlan, Billy B. Van, Leon Errol, Sammy Burns and Rosemary Theby. Another addition to Reelcraft stars is George LeRoi Clarke, who will be featured in a new series of single reelers to be known as Paragon Comedies. The first releases will be “The Fire Bug” and “The Pussyfoot.” Mr. Clarke is said to be a natural comedian, with a style different from the average slap-stick. Reelcraft Appointments Reelcraft Picture Corporation announces that Carl Harthill, manager of the Chicago exchange has been appointed district man s Royal Comedies ager with headquarters in Chicago and jurisdiction over the Milwaukee, Chicago and Indianapolis offices; and Harry L. Muir, manager of the Minneapolis exchange has added William Dick to his traveling forces to cover North and South Dakota. Merit Buys Mid-West The Merit Film Company of Denver, announces it has bought the entire interest of the MidWest Greater Features Company and moved to 1820 California street, former office of MidWest. Both companies are operated under the name of the Merit Film Company with Max M. Kravetz as General Manager. O’Connor on New Route Francis W. O’Connor lately Boston salesman of Masterpiece Film Corporation of New England is now covering Rhode Island and Connecticut for the same company. “THE WAY WOMEN LOVE”— TO ENTERTAIN THE STUDIO ORCHESTRA WITH A UKELELE Ruby De Remer and Walter Miller in this new Arrow special