Moving Picture World (Dec 1920)

December 11, 1920 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 751 Rowland Considers Buster Keaton a Real Screen Comedy Sensation; Metro Finds Films Book Rapidly BUSTER KEATON, the sober-visaged knockabout comedian, is the greatest comedy sensation since Charlie Chaplin and Roscoe (“Fatty”) Arbuckle sprang to fame as funmakers of the silver sheet, is the claim of Richard A. Rowland, president of Metro Pictures Corporation. Although Metro releases the Keaton comedies, it does not produce Buster’s two-reel laughmakers, which are filmed under the sponsorship of Joseph M. Schenck. Appearing in “ The Saphead” It was the instant and profound impression made by Buster’s work upon Mr. Rowland’s critical judgment that resulted in the conclusion of arrangements whereby Metro became the releasing company for the Keaton comedies. Mr. Rowland first noticed Buster Keaton’s work when the young comedian was appearing with “Fatty” Arbuckle. Then Buster was engaged to co-star with William H. Crane in John L. Golden and Marcus Loew’s production of Winchell Smith’s “The Saphead,” for Metro release. Seized His Opportunity Joseph M. Schenck, meanwhile, had taken Buster under his wing with the intention of starring him in short comedy subjects, and Metro was approached with an offer of the distribution rights. Mr. Rowland snapped up the offer, so confident was he that Buster was destined for big things in the comedy field — especially after the voluntary abdication from that field of Mr. Arbuckle. “Buster Keaton in the not far distant future will wear undisputed the crown of comedy king of the screen,” said the Metro executive recently, discussing the striking success of the initial Keaton picture. “Even now he is the greatest comedy sensation since the heyday of Chaplin and Arbuckle in two-reelers. Buster Keaton is equipped by nature and his long experience in the theatre, with everything that a comedian needs. He has a sense of comedy values that is extraordinary, and knows every ‘gag’ or device that can be relied upon to provoke laughter. Has Gift of Gravity “This young comedian has the priceless gift of gravity so pronounced, for instance, in the work of Chaplin and other great funmakers. Without ever smiling himself, he is able to convulse audiences in a manner that would be another impossibility to the comedian who wears a grin.” W ork in Demand Mr. Rowland’s prophecy of a roseate future for the young man are borne out by the tremendous demand for his work manifested by large and small exhibitors, everywhere. Metro reports that bookings for the Keaton comedies have surpassed all expectations. Many houses have contracted A David G. Fischer Production for the entire series of two reelers, while Grauman’s Rialto and the Alhambra Theatre in Los Angeles have broken long-standing rules to show the Keaton pictures as added atractions for runs of three weeks and more. THE stretch has been reached in the Pathe salesmanship contest for $10,000 in money awards, to be divided by the winning branches in the four districts competing in the “Person Month” contest. With the closing on Saturday, November 27, only two more business days remained before the ending of the contest at midnight, November 30. While not disclosing the identity of the leaders at the end of the fourth week of the contest, Pathe goes as far as to state that three of the branches which had been leading at the end of the third week had been displaced. In the rush of new business and collections assembled in the final drive down the stretch there have been many changes in the standings of the rival branches. However, so close is the race that it is most probable the winner will not be known until every contract obtained before midnight, November 30, has reached the home office and been tallied. Tremendous business recorded by the serial department had considerable to do with the kaleidoscopic changes in the contest standing during the fourth week. Many records have been swept away in the tidal wave of contracts recorded by ' ' U nseen Forces ’ ' Schedu led The Sidney A. Franklin Production, “Unseen Forces,” being presented by Mayflower as a First National attraction, is scheduled for release on December 6. A number of bookings are already in on this production, according to an announcement from Mayflower, and it is expected that exhibitors will capitalize the current interest in matters relating to spirit-communication and life after death by showing this feature, dealing as it does with the mysteries of occultism. the chapter plays department, with bookings on “Velvet Fingers,” “Ruth of the Rockies” and “The Phantom Foe,” the current releases, setting the pace. From a compilation of the figures in the various districts into which the country has been divided for this contest, it is clearly apparent that business conditions must have met with a turn for the better. It was indicated during the third week that improvement was sure to be noted in those territories where conditions, because of economic adjustments, were not as flourishing as six months ago. This fact became even more clearly defined during the fourth week, when the southern central New England branches returned remarkable figures in new business and collections. It will be fully ten days, if not longer, after the closing date before the winners in “Pearson Month” contest will be definitely known, owing to the usual rush of last minute business. Joseph Klein has left for a two weeks’ trip in the interests of the D. N. Schwab Productions. Among the cities Mr. Klein will visit are Washington, Pittsburgh and Chicago. Three Leaders Displaced in Pathe ’s “Pearson’s Month” Contest for $10,000 TJVO ATTRACTIVE FOX PRODUCTION POSTERS