Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

November 3, 1923 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 159 Detective Praises Vita graph Film The ingenuity with which “The Leavenworth Case” the second Whitman Bennett production for Vitagraph sustains the mystery of the murder of Ira Leavenworth was highly praised by Henry Forbes, a retired detective sargeant in charge of a homicide squad of New York City, after a showing of this mystery photoplay at the Bennett Studios in Yonkers. The old detective declared the mystery story to be one of the best pictures he had ever seen. Cast of Vitagraph Picture Announced Tourneur Hits on Timely Theme That Maurice Tourneur hit upon an ever timely theme when he made “Jealous Husbands,” was pointed out by M. C. Levee, the producer, last week. Through a clipping service the Tourneur organization in one week received four thousand clippings from newspapers in which the word “jealousy” appeared in the headlines, many of which were front page stories. The picture is for First National release. J. Stuart Blackton announced the complete cast of “Let Not Man Put Asunder,” • the indictment of the divorce evil, adapted from the novel by Basil King, at the Vitagraph studios last week. Mr. Blackton began shooting on his new super feature last Monday. In the cast are Pauline Frederick, Lou Tellegen, Effie Shannon, Leslie Austen, Maurice Costello, Helen D’Algy, Gladys Frazin, Clifton Webb and Homer Lynn. “ ‘Let Not Man Put Asunder’ will be one of the great significant photoplays of the year,” Mr. Blackton said. “The divorce evil is growing throughout the world. How to avoid unhappiness in marriage is one of the gravest problems in America today. In my coming production the cause of an unhappy marriage is presented frankly. Those who see this picture will learn what a terrifying evil discontent in the ‘home may become and to what disaster it may lead.” “Pleasure Mad” for November Release With the hurried preparations going on for the new Reginald Barker production for the MetroLouis B. Mayer forces, “Women Who Wait,” it is apparent that Mr. Barker is rapidly completing his second Metro-Louis B. Mayer attraction of the new season, “Pleasure Mad,” upon which the noted director has been engaged for many months. “Pleasure Mad” is scheduled for release early in November. It is a film version of Blanche Upright’s novel, “The Valley of Content.” A. P. Younger made the screen adaptation and it was photographed by Norbert Brodin. Going Up” Sold to 2 Cities Via Air Wave Lloyd to Direct “The Sea Hawk” With “Black Oxen” in the cutting room, Frank Lloyd will start work within a week on the production of Rafael Sabatini’s “The Sea Hawk,” which will be produced for Associated First National Pictures, Inc. In “Black Oxen” Lloyd has brought to the screen Gertrude Atherton’s most successful novel. Science scored heavily this week when Jensen & Von Herberg, the big west coast exhibitors, traveling Europewards aboard the Mauretania, booked Douglas MacLean’s “Going Up” for their theatres in Seattle and Portland, Ore. With John S. Woody, general manager of Associated Exhibitors, sitting at the New York or receiving end of the ethereal connection, the entire negotiations were conducted and the deals closed by radio messages. What science accomplished was this : Radiograms from Mr. Woody’s office, station JSW, overtook a speedy ocean liner, two passengers on which, disregarding the ocean waves, used air waves to flash the desire to serve patrons at home with the picture. The Mauretania was three days out when Mr. Woody got into communication with Claude Jensen. Spearing Prepares Scenario The latest scenario work of James O. Spearing, former New York newspaper critic, now associated with the Universal Pictures Corporation, has been the preparation of “The Signal Tower” for screening. “The Signal Tower” is Wadsworth Camp’s short story included in O’Brien’s “Best Short Stories of 1921” and is to be a Universal-Jewel special. Clarence L. Brown will direct it. Warrens of Virginia” Being Filmed by Fox Cast of Stahl Film Is Selected John M. Stahl has completed his cast for his picturization of the stage play, "Why Men Leave Home.” This First National picture will be interpreted by Lewis Stone in the principal role, Helene Chadwick, Mary Carr, William V. Mong, Alma Bennett, Hedda Hopper, Lile Leslie, Sidney Bracey and E. H. Calvert. “The Warrens of Virginia,” the famous stage play produced by David Belasco and written by William C. deMille, is the only production now in progress at the William Fox New York Studios. Elmer Clifton, who made “Down to the Sea in Ships” and “Six Cylinder Love,” is directing the picture. Martha Mansfield, whose last work was in the Fox special, “The Silent Command,” has the role of Agatha, the feminine lead. The others in the cast include Robert Andrews, Harlan Knight, James Turfler, J. Barney Sherry, Helen Ray Kyle, Wilfred Lytell and Rosemary Hill. The original stage production ranked as one of the leading dramatic achievements. Tulsa Welcomes “Going Up” John S. Woody, general manager of Associated, has just received this telegram from Harry Castle, manager of the Palace Theatre, Tulsa: “We opened with your production, ‘Going Up,’ Friday, and packed them at every show, despite a continual downpour of rain. The laughter and criticism from my audiences indicate that it is one of the best ever shown. Congratulations, and may you have many more like it.” More Circuits Sign Pathe continues to report the signing by circuits of theatres for the entire Pathe two-reel comedy output. The latest are the W. P. Gray circuit of fifty-five houses in the New England states and the Sam Goldstein chain, located in Springfield, Holyoke, Pittsfield, Northampton, Westfield, Ware and Palmer, Mass. “Columbus” Is Feature of Dedication Program “Columbus,” the first release of Pathe’s colorful and dramatic “Chronicles of America” series, was a feature of a special gala program arranged by the Indianapolis chapter of the Knights of Columbus for the dedication of their new building on last Friday evening, October 12. An enthusiastic audience, which included representatives of the city and state governments, the Speaker of the Lower House of the Canadian Parliament, and more than five hundred members of the order, received the picture with prolonged and hearty applause. Following the showing of the picture, Mr. Pagani, chairman of the meeting, spoke of the production in highly laudatory terms. Big Campaign Book for Vitagraph Film Vitagraph is compiling a campaign book for “The Man from Brodney's,” the picturization of George Barr McCutcheon’s novel, prints of which will soon go forward to branches from the Brooklyn laboratories. The new exploitation book will be eight columns wide, full newspaper size and printed on heavy . stock. Hodkinson Novelty The Hodkinson Corporation has prepared an interesting novelty for “Puritan Passions,” the Film Guild picturization of Percy Ma'ckaye’s “The Scarecrow.” A card, postal size, shows Glenn Hunter as Lord Ravensbane looking into the mirror of truth. When the card is held v the. light the image of the writes h appears in the glass. “Madame Sans Gene” Is Pola’s Next According to an announcement issued by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president in charge of production of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, Miss Negri’s next starring picture will be made from Victorien Sardou’s play “Madame Sans Gene.” De Mille Adds La Rocque William de Mille has announced that Rod La Rocque has been added to the cast of his current Paramount production, “Everydajp Love.” The featured members are Agnes Ayres, Jack Holt, Nita Naldi, Theodore Kosloff. Fairbanks Works with Tigers Douglas Fairbanks worked with a group of Bengal tigers every night last week. These animals are re quired in the forthcoming Fairbanks’ feature, “The Thief of Bagdad.” These beasts have become the chief residents of the ancient city of Bagdad, which stands on the Pickford-Fairbanks lot, and are kept within their city limits by a wire fence twelve feet high.