The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

566 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 24, 1920 Second Mary Miles Will Be ''Judy MARY MILES MINTER is completing "Judy of Rogues' Harbor," her second feature picture for Realart Pictures Corporation. "It's a human story, lived on the screen by a tenderly human young actress, and it will not fail to earn Miss Minter an eternal place in the heart of human kind," wrote Oren F. Woody, Realart manager at Los Angeles, where the picture is being made. Like other Realart productions, "Judy of Rogues' Harbor" is adapted from a popular novel, and this is said to be the definite policy followed by the company since its very beginning, when "pictures based on successful stories and plays" was promulgated as the official slogan. In announcing this second oflering for Mary Miles Minter, President Morris Kohn, of Realart, emphasized particularly the story background, saying: Has Been Widely Read. "The dramatization of this classic is designed especially for the millions of American young men and women who have read the story in book form, who have lived with its human characters and who will grasp at the opportunity t see it well done on the screen. 'Judy of Rogues' Harbor' is a particularly suitable vehicle for Miss Minter, the actress who appeals to hearts of high and low estate. One proof of the wide range of the novel and of the fact that it is not limited to any one locality or territory is that Grosset and Dunlap have followed the original publishers with a special edition, at a reasonable price, which will be sold broadcast throughout the country. "In her first Realart ofifering, 'Anne of Green Gables,' Miss Minter established the reputation among showmen everywhere of being a consistent boxoffice attraction. Here is Miss Minter again in a story that brings out the best of her. In the character of Judy, Miss Minter is a tender-hearted country lass, wrongfully held by a sour old J. Searle Dawley Recently elected trustee of M. P. D. A. Minter Picture of Rogues* Harbor" farmer who is supposed to be her grandfather." "The production of 'Judy of Rogues' Harbor' will everlastingly establish Mary Miles Minter," declared Director William Desmond Taylor in a statement to Realart Pictures Corporation. "The story has more marked dramatic possibilities than anything in which she has previously been cast." Royal Film Service Buys Rights to "Atonement" WHAT is claimed to be one of the largest prices ever paid for a six-reel production was received by the Pioneer for its production "Atonement," in which Grace Davison and Conway Tearle divide honors. The Royal Film Service, of London, through L. L. Lorie, was the purchaser. Two days after the sale was made, Mr. Lorie closed in New York, deals for several important continental and South American territories. Mr. Lorie, who had looked over the entire independent output since he had been in America, voiced himself as being convinced that "Atonement" ranks among the best pictures he had seen. It is expected that "Atonement" will shortly be exploited in Great Britain through the exchanges of the Royal Film Service. Another Large Theatre May Rise in Baltimore ANOTHER large moving picture theatre will be erected in Baltimore which will be equipped also to show vaudeville acts to be furnished by the Marcus Loew Circuit, according to a story which has gained circulation in the last few days in Baltimore. This theatre will be located on the property known as the Shriner lot, at North avenue and Charles street, diagonally across from the Parkway, which is one of the largest photoplay house in the city. The property has been purchased by interests which are as yet unnamed and the price is said to have been $165,000. Howard W. Jackson, register of wills of Baltimore City, is said to be interested in the transaction. He has admitted that certain interests in Baltimore are represented by him. Whether or not a motion picture theatre is to be built on the lot, he would not say. The lease on the Marston school, which is now located on the lot said to have been purchased, does not expire until next July. This would seem to mean that no building operations could start until after that time. National Not Connected With Any Other Company. The National Film Corporation of .America, through its president, Harry M. Rubey, announces that it is in no way connected with any other motion picture producing firm. "There has been much confusion, resulting from similarity in the name of the National Film Corporation of Amer ica and other producing and releasing firms," stated Capt. Rubey, "so I think that it is best for all concerned that I reiterate and state that the National Film Corporation of America has never been, and never will be, allied with any other concern. We are independent producers and intend so to remain." Michigan Picture Fans Stimulate Longer Runs MICHIG.'\N towns with a population of 3,000 are upsetting all precedent by running a film two days, according to the report of Cornelius Kingsley, Realart's manager in Detroit, who paid a visit to the home offices last week. Motion picture attendance in Michigan has been on the increase during the last few years, says Mr. Kingsley, and the proof of the statement is in liigher priced admissions and the extended runs at local theatres. "Two years ago," declared Mr. Kingsley, "a one-day stand was sufficient to take care of the smaller towns. There was a distinct body of motion picture fans that made it a habit to come to the theatre, and outside of this patronage there was a larger body that never went at all. "The phenomenal strides in the business, the raising of tke standard of pictures, and the adaptation of well-known stories to the screen account for a much wider interest in the pictures. The skeptics have come down to take a look at the much talked of motion pictur« and they like it. Results: the consistent body of fans expands into a larger patronage which cannot be accommodated in one day, and runs must be extended to two and more days, according to the circumstances." Lopez to Direct Kaufman Series. John Lopez has been named to direct the remaining pictures in the Herbert Kaufman series being made by Selznick Pictures at Fort Lee, N. J., it was announced this week by Myron Selznick. Two of the Kaufman Weekly releases had been directed by Burton George, who has been delgated to take over the megaphone on "Prince O' Pines," a special. The two are "Little Red Riding Hood," which has been fully completed and "The Faded Butterfly," which is announced as nearly ready for the screen. The first release of the Kaufman editorial subjects is expected about March 1. Director Lopez is being assisted in the work of preparing the scripts by Merle Johnson, story and continuity writer in the Selznick scenario department. Ellis to Direct O'Brien. Robert Ellis, who added to his directorial popularity through the direction of Elsie Janis in "The Imp," which has been completed by Myron Selznick for Selznick Enterprises through Select distribution, has been selected by Mr. Selznick to direct Eugene O'Brien in "A Fool and His Money," which was scheduled to be put into production this week at the Fort Lee studios. The scenario of the feature, which in book form was one of the most successful stories written by George Barr McCutcheon, was done by R. Cecil Smith.