Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

MX News frqm The Producers EDITED BY T. S. DA PONTE Breaks Record “ ‘Why Worry’ at Grauman’s Million Dollar Theatre broke every record for the house during the first and second weeks of its showing and is now on the way to a new high-water mark for the third week,” reads a dispatch received this week from Los Angeles. The telegram adds that the new Lloyd feature comedy for Pathe has proved a sensation and “has surpassed all of Grauman’s expectations.” Over 300 Exhibitors Want “Rosita” More than three hundred exhibitors have placed their orders through United Artists Corporation with Mary Pickford for her latest picture release, “Rosita,” according to a statement just arrived at the Pickford-Fairbanks studios. Having played, it is said, to excellent business at this season of the year at the Capitol theatre, New York, and set new record figures at the Orpheum in Chicago, “Rosita” also showed simultaneously with these two cities in Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as being held over for a second week in Milwaukee. Fox Sales Manager on Tour Richard A. White, sales manager of Fox Film Corporation, is making a visit to all the Fox Canadian branch offices. Conferences will be held at all the exchanges regarding new features of next year’s sales campaign. Mr. White will also visit the West Coast branches and return to New York by way of Salt Lake City and Chicago. During his absence the general sales manager’s office is in charge of Clayton P. Sheehan, the Fox Eastern District manager. New Metro Film for Release Dec. 10 Viola Dana’s latest Metro starring vehicle, “In Search of a Thrill,” adapted from Kate Jordan’s story “The Spirit of the Road,” will be released December i°. Supporting Miss Dana in the principal roles in “In Search of a Thrill” are such well known players as Warner Baxter, Mabel Van Buren, Templar Saxe, Robert Schable, Walter Lewis, Rosemary Theby, Billy Elmer and Leo White. Boston Press Praises mg circuits Book Metro’s “Scaramouche” “America” series The press of Boston was enthusiastic over Rex Ingram’s “Scaramouche,” which was presented at the Park Theatre there on November 12 last. The premiere was a brilliant affair with many of Boston’s prominent people present as well as good sized representations from Lowell and Worcester and the surrounding towns. “ ‘Scaramouche,’ wrote the critic of the Boston Times, “reminded us of a great painting. It is a great story written by a great writer, filmed under the great hand of Rex Ingram, aided by his great cast.” The Boston Record : “It has a sweep and power.” “Ingram has given the screen as fine a picture as his other triumph, ‘The Four Horsemen,’ ” wrote the critic of the Boston Post. “‘Scaramouche’ is as complete and polished as experience and genuine art can make it,” wrote the critic of the Boston Globe. The Boston Daily Advertiser wrote : “ ‘Scaramouche’ is a great picture, greatly acted.” “Rex Ingram has done it again !” enthused the critic of the Boston Traveler. The Boston American : “Elo quence, revolutionary gatherings, bloodshed, dragoons, luxury, poverty, the cruel aristocracy, and the fiendish rabble, beauty, ugliness, chivalry and honor, love and coquetry, the bullet and the sword — all lend their bit to the picture.” The Boston Herald : “ ‘Scara mouche’ is an excellent picture, intelligently produced and acted.” Another important booking contract on the “Chronicles of America” series was closed this week when the Ascher Brothers Circuit of Chicago signed with Pathe for the entire thirty-three subjects embraced in this group of thrilling historical dramas. The closing of this deal assures a wide showing for this important series in all of the Ascher Bros, theatres located in Chicago and its suburbs. The Loew Circuit in New York has also contracted for the showing of the entire thirty-three subjects embodied in this group of thrilling historical dramas. Lloyd’s “Why Worry’’ Is Given High Praise “Why Worry?”, Pathe’s feature comedy starring Harold Lloyd, continues to score heavily in prominent key city runs throughout the country. Newspaper critics have been enthusiastic in their reception in every instance. During the recent engagement of “Why Worry?” at the Liberty Theatre, Kansas City, the Post of that city commented in part as follows: “Why Worry? — when movie fans, and who isn’t one, can depend upon Harold Lloyd’s coming out about once every so often with a can of celluloid, every flicker of which drags their minds farther and farther away from the drab reality of things — Why Worry, indeed?” The Kansas City Star reviewer wrote: ‘Why Worry?’ is a ‘whiz when it comes to entertainment and completely "satisfying.” In Detroit during the engagement of “Why Worry?” at the Adams Theatre, the Free Press calls attention to the extended run of the picture : “So many Detroiters have laughed over the antics of Harold Lloyd in his latest comedy, ‘Why Worry?’ that this popular comedian and his clever company of funmakers will remain at the Adams Theatre for a third week.” The Public Ledger of Philadelphia, commenting on the presentation of “Why Worry?” at the A.ldine, expresses the opinion that this production is “Harold Lloyd’s greatest comedy.” PreReview of “Black Oxen” “Black Oxen,” Frank Lloyd’s first independently produced picture for release as a First National picture, was given a test preview at the Strand Theatre, Pasadena, Calif., recently and despite the fact that the picture was given only a one sheet in front of the theatre an overflow crowd resulted. The showing, arranged at fourthirty in the afternoon, was announced in the lobby only and the screening began at seven-thirty sharp. The news of the preview spread rapidly and when the initial title was flashed on the silver sheet the theatre was filled. Sennett Comedy Subjects for Release by Pathe At the Mack Sennett Studios Earl Kenton has just completed a two-reel comedy, titled “Inbadthe Sailor,” in which are cast Harry Gribbon, Billy Bevan and Madeleine Hurlock. Roy Del Ruth, who recently completed “Look Pleasant,” in which Harry Langdon plays the featured role, supported by Jack Cooper and Albert Vaughn, has started work on a new two-reel comedy with the same cast that appeared in “Inbad the Sailor.” Kenton, on the other hand, is directing the same company that appeared in “Look Pleasant” in his latest production just started. Del Lord, after recovering from a recent illness, is back on the job. The Sennett scenario staff is hard at work rounding out the details for the new comedy scripts for forthcoming pictures to follow those now in process. Daily rehearsals of new players and directors are progressing under the supervision of Richard Jones, production manager of the Mack Sennett Studios. New Ince Film for First National Thos. H. Ince’s next production for First National will be a drama with the temporary title of “Against the Rules.” Based on a story by Frank R. Adams, it is declared to be a worthy successor to “Anna Christie” in point of theme and emotional strength. An elaborate production is planned, with Leatrice Joy, Percy Marmont and Adolphe Menjou in the principal roles and John Griffith Wray directing. Vitagraph Film to Be at Rialto “The Man from Brodney’s” will be given its Broadway premiere at the Rialto Theatre. New' York, on December 16. This super-feature is a picturization of the famous novel by George Barr McCutcheon and v'as produced by David Smith for release by Vitagraph.