The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

1092 THE MOVING TICTURE WORLD February 14, 1920 Lynch Sells Famous Players-Lasky Holdings in Southern Enterprises Back to the Dark Ages for Dark Vamps l)e Sacia Saville. the blonde vampire, whose fair charms ma.v precipitate a blonde-brunette war. Let the Dark, Wild Women Beware; the Blonde Comes A RECENT issue of the New York Sunday .American devotes a full page to a treatise on the question, "Can a Blonde Be a Vampire?" emphasizing the ambitious effort of De Sacia Saville, one of California's most striking blondes, who is reputed to be the heiress to the famous Yellow Aster Gold Mine and the leader of the younger millionaire set of Los Angeles and San Francisco, and who has forsaken her fashionable clubs and friends to become the "Blonde X'ampire of the Screen." The article compares the respective merits of the willowy, raven-haired, Theda Bara type of vampire, and the newest type of vampire with the golden hirsute adornment as represented by De Sacia Saville. The author of the articles indicates a preference for the latter type, "judging by the more wholesome impression to the eye, which Miss Saville presents in her recent screen appearances," some of which include "The Virtuous Model." "The Lure of .\mbition," "A Lonely Heart" and "The Woman Gives," the last two not yet released. Director John B. OBrien is credited with the discovery of this latest "find" during the filming of Edgar Selwyn's and Anthony Paul Kelly's play, "Lonely Heart," which he recently completed. Mr. O'Brien discovered that in private life she was Mrs. Edwin Demarest Mooers, of Los Angeles, and that her husband was the owner of the Yellow Aster Mine and one of the richest men in the West. The name De Sacia Saville is Mrs. Mooers maiden name and the one by which she will be known in the films. Miss Saville has accepted contracts from the Hearst and other newspapers to furnish them with a series of articles, oyer her signature, relating her experiences as a screen actress and keeping step with her progress in the films. ADE.AL involving millions of dollars, by which the S. .\. Lynch Enterprises, with headquarters in Atlanta, disposes of its 50 per cent, holdings in the Southern Enterprises, Inc., to the Famous Players-Lasky Corporaiton, was oflficially announced for the first time on Thursday. January 29. to the Atlanta representative of the Moving Picture Word, by officials of the Lvnch firm. "it had not been intended to make this announcement at this early date, but a statement published in a New York theatrical magazine was in some respects misleading, and it is to correct any wrong impression that the official announcement of the transaction is made to Moving Picture World, it is explained. By the terms of the deal the Famous Plavers-Lasky Corporation has purchased the Lynch interests in Southern Enterprises, Inc., which promises an unprecedented development of the amusement field in southern and adjacent states. The Southern Enterprises was organized by S. A. Lynch in April, 1919, to develop theatres in the eleven southern states. The capitalization was $5,000,000, of which amount $2,000,000 was paid in as cash. The S. h. Lynch Enterprises and the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation were equal owners. Lynch Virtually Withdraws. The Lynch Enterprises owned theatres and valuable amusement rights in many southern cities at the time Southern Enterprises was organized. An erroneous statement was published in the newspapers that the latter organization took over all of the Lynch theatres in the South at that time. This was not true, these remaining the property of the S. A. Lynch Enterprises. However, the present deal disposes of these theatres at this time to the Southern Enterprises, thereby bringing them under the entire control of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation. This virtually means the withdrawal of the Lynch Enterprises from the amusement field, though they will continue to distribute Paramount-.^rtcraft releases in the eleven southern states, at least temporarily. In reality, though, it means merely the withdrawal of the name, for the present officers of the Southern Enterprises will continue to direct its management. In no wise will the deal affect the individual employes of the company nor the theatres that were owned by the Lynch people. What it does mean, though, is the broad development of the amusement field throughout all of the southern states and adjacent territory as well. Give Up Triangle Exchanges. Officers of the Southern Enterprises are S. A. Lynch, president: C. E. Holcomb, vice president; Y. Frank Freeman, secretary and general manager, and Fred Kent, treasurer. Besides affecting about ISO theatres in the South, the deal means the relinquishment by the Lynch interests of six Triangle film exchanges in Atlanta. Dallas, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis and New Orleans. This deal alone is understood to have involved over $500,000, and was separately announced several days ago. .'\tlanta officials of the company stated that Famous Players-Lasky will continue to invest capital in its organization until it is the largest of its kind in the field. The purchase of the Lynch holdings in the South means a step toward the establishment of a big circuit. "Both the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and the S. A. Lynch Enterprises are well pleased with the transaction," said Y. Frank Freeman, secretary and general manager of the latter concern. "It is the consummation of pleasant relation between us." "Respectable by Proxy" Has Exploitation Aids FOLLO\\'IXG the great success with which the recent Blackton productions, "Dawn" and "My Husband's Other Wife," starring Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon, have been received by motion picture enthusiasts all over the country, Pathe has determined to surpass these remarkable records with the Blackton production about to be released, "Respectable by Proxy." A picture may be a great picture, but there must be a certain amount of exploitation to aid the exhibitor in calling attention to his attraction, and nothing has been overlooked in this instance by Pathe. In addtion to the usual advertising material, a special star one-sheet and two styles of three-sheet are issued. The art department has combined every effort to make these innovations in display material. "Respectable by Proxy" is a delicate story which J. Stuart Blackton has handled deftly and with just the proper touch. The action takes place in the South and the old Colonial mansion, garden and orchard not only look like Alabama, instead of New Jersey, but are the real things. The story revolves around a youg southern heir, who is wedded in haste to a third-rate actress, whose acting off-stage is far from thirdrate. The young stars, Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon, are supported by a splendid cast headed by Eulalie Jensen and William R. Dunn. Margaret Barry, Bessie Stinson and Morgan Thorpe complete the cast, and a large number of extras were used in the garden party. Baker Praises New Stroheim Play. Tarkington Baker, general manager of Universal, is evidently more than pleased with Stroheim's latest Jewel production, "The Devil's Pass Key," which has just been completed. In this picture Sam de Grasse and Una Trevelyn are featured. Stroheim is responsible for the scenario as well as the direction. Carl Laemmle has just received a telegram from Baker lauding the production. The message reads: "Just saw Stroheim picture rough out to thirteen reels. Speaking on basis of my ten years' experience as critic, this is in my opinion one of the greatest pictures ever produced. Better than 'Blind Husbands.' Sure to be huge sensation and smashing success. Is in class by itself."