The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 893 Dealings in the Open Market Conducted by Gi S. Sewell Pioneer Handling Sheldon Lewis Film Also Series of Marie Doro Features ONE of the big features of the Pioneer list of attractions for the first half of the coming year will be an elaborate production of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde." A large company is now being assembled by Charles J. Hayden, who will have charge of the direction of the picture. The version, which has been prepared by Mr. Hayden, varies in several respects from the novel as written by Robert Louis Stevenson, making the story a combination of the psychological and dramatic rather than the uncanny and melodramatic. Sheldon Lewis, who will appear in the title roles, is making a careful study of the characters of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as played by the late Richard Mansfield, and in many respects his impersonation of the dual role will follow that of the great tragedian's conception of the part. Several studios in the vicinity of New York are under consideration, and as soon as the preliminary arrangements are completed work will be started. Marie Doro is the latest star to be added to the Pioneer banner, having contracted to appear in several productions for the Pioneer Film Corporation. James McKay, who has been directing Miss Doro for some time past, will be in charge of the forthcoming productions. The first picture is already under way, but no definite title has been decided upon. The story deals with the power of hereditary influences, and probably will be in six parts. Godfrey Tearle will play opposite to Miss Doro. Pioneer also has options on several of the most noteworthy independent productions now nearing completion. Sol Lesser to Make Coast His Distributing Center SOL LESSER, well known as a state rights buyer, and more recently as a distributor as well, and who recently entered the production field with films in which Annette Kellerman and George Beban will be respectively starred, as well as those with a third star, whose name has not yet been announced, announces he is experimenting with a new policy. "I have often figured why the picture output should be marketed in New York instead of the place where it is produced, and immediately made up my mind to have all my producing and releasing done on the Pacific Coast," says Mr. Lesser. Mr. Lesser is also building a laboratory on the Coast, and is in the market for productions either on a percentage basis or on a flat price for negatives for world rights. His brother, Irving Lesser, is now in New York, where he will keep in touch with the European market, and will also purchase productions. Gale Furnishes Twenty-fourth Comedy; Gale Henry's last two-reeler of fun on her contract with Bulls Eye, which concern has been releasing her pictures, is titled "Heir-Looms" and will be shipped to New York this week. Miss Henry personally directed the cutting and sub-titling of the picture. Lucille Lee Stewart Second Olive Tell Feature LUCILLE LEE STEWART has been engaged by B. A. Rolfe to play a leading role in support of Olive Tell in his second production for the Jans Pictures, Inc., "Nothing a Year," an adaptation of the Charles Belmont Davis novel. The selection of Miss Stewart follows out the announcement of the producers of making their features box office attractions for the exhibitors all over the country. Lucille Lee Stewart began her theatrical career when quite young, appearing on the legitimate stage and also in vaudeville. During the early days of the screen Miss Stewart became asso Only Half a Foot to Stand on. Violet MacMillan, appearing In Supreme's "The Mystery Mind," and the six and a half Inch slippers won by her at the Futurist Ball. ciated with the old Biograph and then with Vitagraph productions, appearing in "The Destroyers," "The Conflict," "His Wife's Good Name," and "The Ninety and Nine," and in "Five Thousand an Hour" and "Our Mrs. McChesney" for the Metro Company. In "Nothing a Year" Miss Stewart will present a difficult and very important role. Evelyn Brent III. Evelyn Brent, who has been appearing opposite Edgar Jones in the series of Northwood two-reel dramas being made by Edgar Jones Productions, Inc., to be distributed by Arrow Film Corporation, is confined to her bed with a severe cold and is threatened with pneumonia. As a consequence, the specialist in attendance upon her holds no hope for her being able to return to the cast for some time, and it will be necessary for Mr. Jones to appoint some one else in her place. Miss Brent appeared in the first eight of the Northwood dramas, and contracted her illness during the filming of snow and ice scenes out on location among the Maine lumber camps, where the thermometer was hovering around zero. "Star Series" Plan for Releasing Jans Features THE first of the series of six features, "Love Without Question," starring Olive Tell, produced by Jans Pictures, Inc., will be ready the latter part of February. Fast nearing completion under the personal direction of B. A. Rolfe, "Love Without Question" is said to contain big punches, many dramatic scenes, and staged in unusual sets and locations. The series is to be released on the state rights basis under the "star series" plan, the exhibitor contracting to book all six. Jans Believes in Method. All of the Jans pictures will be booked and contracted for in this manner, as Herman F. Jans, president of the Jans Pictures. Inc., and himself an exchange man, believes this method of booking is the kind that offers the theatre manager the best opportunities. Upper New York Sold for Argus Film. Messrs. L. Cohen and J. Perl, owners of Hi-Art Productions, with offices at 729 Seventh avenue, have bought the upstate New York rights to Robert McLaughlin's state rights leaiure, "The House Without Children," from Robert W. Priest, of the Filn\ Market. "Lost Battalion" Going Big. "The Lost Battalion," released on the state right market by W. H. Productions Co., is reported to be proving a big box office success. In New York state it is booked solid to April 15.