Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

57. MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 8, 1923 Hunchback” Makes Warners Reunited as Big Hit in London Jack Arrives in East Reports to the Universal home office from London indicate that ‘'The Hunchback of Notre Dame” has taken London by storm, and is hailed by critics and public in the British metropolis as a great picture and worthy of hearty support. It opened last week. The London presentation was in the Empire Theatre, which Universal obtained for a run of considerable duration. The opening, according to cablegrams, was one of the most outstanding premieres ■ever held in Great Britain. The first night audience was composed mostly of distinguished Britishers, including an unusual representation from royal circles, and many from the nobility. The theatre was packed for the opening. The presentation followed along the lines set by the world’s premiere in the Astor Theatre, New York City. Marc Lachmann, Universal exploiteer, went from New York to London especially to present “The Hunchback.” Following the initial screening, the London first-nighters gave the picture a remarkable ovation. Metro Will Release Fashion Row” Dec. 3 Jack L. Warner reached New York this week from the West Coast studios, bringing with him Ernst Lubitsch, the famous producer; his wife, Eric Locke; Hans' Kraely, special writer, and Frank Cassidy, exploitation expert. Mr. Warner brought with him several important prints to be released on Broadway in the near future. His arrival here constitutes the first reunion of the four Warner Brothers in several years, as one or two members of the firm have generally remained on the West Coast, in charge of production, while the others stayed in the East. His visit is expected to be of short duration and several pressing production problems once disposed of, and a conference held on new material which the Warners are considering, he will return to his post as production manager . of the West Coast studios. Mr. Cassidy is remembered for his feat in piloting the Warner truck, advertising the Seven Classics for 1922-23, on its transcontinental trip from New York to Hollywood, when he visited exhibitors and effected excellent publicity. He will join the Warners’ eastern publicity department. U' Mae Mnrray’s newest Metro starring picture, “Fashion Row,” will be released December 3. Arrangements are now under way to give it an elaborate Broadway presentation after which it will have a general release throughout the county. “Fashion Row” reveals a wealth of striking gowns, some of which, it is said, were imported especially for this production from the shops of Paris and others were made after designs and sketches made by Miss Murray. The picture will also reveal a series of dances. “Fashion Row” was written for Miss Murray by Sada Cowan and Howard Higgin. It was photographed by Oliver Marsh. It is a Robert Z. Leonard presentation through Metro and is sponsored by Tiffany Productions, of which Mr. Leonard is director-general and M. H. Hoffman, general manager. Mrs. Crawford Opens Casting Studios Mrs. O. T. Crawford, wife of the late O. T. Crawford, St. Louis theatrical magnate, has opened the United Casting Studios at 262 West 99th street, New York City, which is only a temporary address. She will handle publicity, plays and scenarios, and the casting of pictures and legitimate productions. Warner Brothers Finish Belasco Play “Daddies” Warner Brothers announce the completion of “Daddies,” the screen version of the David Belasco stage success of the same name. This is the third Belasco play produced by Warner Brothers this year. “Daddies” boasts a fine cast. Mae Marsh, Harry Myers and Claude Gillingwater are starred. Others are: Willard Lewis, Claire Adams, Crauford Kent, Otto Hoffman, Boyce Combe, Georgia Woodthorpe, Milly Davenport, Priscilla Dean Moran, King Evers and the De Briac twins. The picture was made under the direction of William Seiter, with Tenny Wright and Lewis Milestone assisting. John Stumar was behind the camera. “Shadows of Paris” Is Completed “Shadows of Paris,” Pola Negri’s fourth American picture, has been completed at the Paramount studio in Hollywood. Herbert Brenon, who produced the picture, began work September 20 and finished in eight weeks, which was the exact scheduled time. _ The story of “Shadows of Paris” was taken "from the French play, “Mon Homme.” It had a remarkable run in Paris and the French provinces. Keith Books “The Virginian” The United Booking Offices have contracted for B. P. Schulberg’s picturization of “The Virginian,” by Owen Wister, to be shown in eighty-one Keith, Moss and Proctor houses throughout Greater New York. This circuit will have immediate play dates on the production, the first of which will be a week’s engagement at Moss’s Broadway Theatre, beginning November 26th. The days of the Pony Express, early Indian uprisings and the building of the first railroad across the United States to the Pacific Coast form the colorful historical background for Lincoln J. Carter’s famous melodrama, “The Arizonr Express,” which has just been started at the William Fox West Coast Studios. Carter himself who has been called the “father of the melodrama” in America, is assisting in transferring his stage success to the screen. Tom Buckingham is directing the screen version of “The Arizona Express.” The following cast has been selected to portray the characters who always used to bring the gallery gods to their Timely News Story Boosts Picture The Ashland Theatre at Ashland, Oregon, took advantage of a news story and booked “Loyal Lives,” the Whitman Bennett production based on the life of United States post office employes. A mail train was held up in the Siskiyou Mountains south of Ashland. The newspaper reports showed the local robbery to be almost identical in method with that employed in the picture, which was shown while the news of the holdup was still fresh in the public mind. The post office authorities and mail carriers co-operated in exploiting the picture. feet in the days of the play’s stage career : Pauline Starke, Evelyn Brent, Anne Cornwall, Harold Goodwyn. David Butler, Francis MacDonald, Frank Beal and William Humphrey. Burton King Starts Production With a production now being released by the Film Booking Offices under the title of “The Fair Cheat,” starring Dorothy MacKaill, Edmund Breese and Wilfred Lytell, Burton King announces this week that work will be started on his next series of eight pictures of feature length December 1. The title of the first production has not been announced but the theme deals with blood transfusionand has a country doctor as its principal character.. The technical scenes dealing with the actual transfusion will be made under the supervision of the Rockefeller Institute. Niblo Finishes New Metro Picture Fred Niblo has completed his newest production, “Thy Name Is Woman,” It is now being assembled and edited and should be in the East for pre-viewing some time during the next several weeks. Ramon Novarro played one of the big roles in this picture. Block Resigns from Famous Players Ralph Block, former New York dramatic critic, has resigned his position as editor and supervisor of productions for Famous Players-Lasky. Block is at present negotiating with a prominent producer to direct a number of feature productions. Prior to his association with Famous Players, Block was in turn director of publicity and editorial director for Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. Barthelmess Picture Progressing The construction of the big cottage set in John S. Robertson’s production of “The Enchanted Cottage,” starring Richard Barthelmess, was completed at Inspiration Studio in Fort Lee, last week. Work on the picture, which is a First National release, is progressing rapidly and it is expected that the film will be completed by the first of the year. Considering Two Witwer Series Two Witwer series are under consideration for early filming by Alai St. Clair, director, who recently rejoined the F. B. O. production forces after a brief excursion into features with Wesley Barry. One series is “Alex the Great.” The other is “The Telephone Girl.” The Arizona Express” Started on the Coast /C '« >’ HUdMMPMMW --iwirrSMMM*'