The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

1444 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 28, 1920 "Captain Swift" Being Completed. Earle Williams' last scenes for his next Vitagraph production, "Captain Swift," are now being completed by Director Chester Bennett at the Hollywood studios and on location near San Diego. Another ideal location for Australian exteriors has been found* at Palmdale, Cal., in the Mojave desert, and many scenes particularly fitted to this back ground will be taken at this point. Kangaroos and other typically Australian animals have been obtained for the scenes. Only the prologue for "Captain Swift" is being made at Vitagraph's West Coast studio. River's End" Has De Luxe Premier Before Canadian Club at Biltmore Ince Arrives February 21; to Speak at Columbia THOMAS H. INCE, who arrives in New York Saturday, February 21, has been invited by the faculty of Columbia University to address the Photoplay Class on Monday evening, February 23. The occasion will mark the first time this compliment has ever been extended to a motion picture producer. Its advantages to students of photoplay technique will be of the greatest value for they will hear every angle of the scenario question discussed by a veteran producer. The subject of Mr. Ince's talk will be the "Great Opportunity Confronting Screen Authors." It is his intention to give his audience first hand information such as could only come from intimate contact with the subject and with his hearers as well. Mr. Ince purposes to tell precisely what the writer must furnish to please the public and wherein the original story, if it answers the requirements of the producer, answers more satisfactorily the question of what the public wants than the picturization of a novel or stage play. Preparations are being made to accommodate several times the number of students in the class, Mr. Ince's acceptance of the invitation by wire having awakened interest throughout the University. MARSHALL NEILAN'S initial independent production, "The River's End," an adaptation from James Oliver Curwood's popular novel of the Canadian Northwest, was given a de luxe premier before 1,000 members of the Canadian Club and friends in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Biltmore, New York, Monday evening, February 16. A view from the balcony of the ball room oflFered one of the most auspicious settings ever given the debut of a motion picture. Seated at as many tables as could be crowded into the immense hall, men in evening dress and women in beautiful gowns ofifered a striking color contrast to the gold and grey appointments of the ball room, with its mirrored walls reflecting a thousand times the splendor of the gathering. In view of the fact that the entire plot of "The River's End" is laid in Canada and involves the Royal Mounted Police, it was particularly appropriate that this premier should take place before the members of the Canadian Club, comprising on its membership roster the names of many prominent persons in civic and social aflfairs of New York and throughout Canada. Has Special Musical Score. Preceding the showing a sumptuous dinner was served. At 9.30 o'clock with the sound of a bugle call the lights were slowly dimmed as the orchestra took up the opening prelude to the presentation. Featured in the musical prelude was the rendition of the song, "The River's End," inspired by the picture and sung by Harold Hoch, the author. From a balcony, Grace Hansen, a beautiful and talented artist, took up the theme of the song with the accompaniment of a violinist, and enhanced by various lighting effects. Witli the conclusion of the prelude a 1 ' 111 off disclosing telegrams from Mr. Neilan and Mr. Curwood in which they expressed their regrets at not being able to attend and voiced their pleasure over the fact that the picture was receiving its premier before the Canadian Club. The picture was then shown, accompanied by a special musical score, which accented the merits of the film, as did the excellent projection under the supervision of Thomas G. Wiley and Will C. Smith, of the Nicholas Power Company. Wire Neilan Congratulations. Immediately following the presentation various prominent Canadians dispatched telegrams to Mr. Neilan, congratulating him on the great success of the picture on this occasion -and predicting a particularly bright future for it. Arthur Knowlson, president of the club, wired Mr. Neilan as follows: "Premier of 'The River's End' before Canadian Club tremendous success. Everyone immensely pleased with your wonderful production, which will surely prove a triumph for the motion picture art. You are to be congratulated on this achievement which thoroughly vyarranted the ovation given it here tonight by the assembled members and guests." Arrangements for the affair were handled by Peter Gridley Smith of the Neilan organization, in conjunction with the entertainment committee of the Canadian Club. Among the motion picture people present were: Mr. and Mrs. Millard Johnston, Australia; E. B. Johnson, Turner & Dahnken; Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J. Klein, Ernest Shipman, Mr. and Mrs. David Howells, Louella O. Parsons, J. M. McCaffory, Lilian W. Brennan, Joseph Dannenberg, Mr. and Mrs. George Blaisdell, James Beecroft, Lawrence Reid, Tom "Terris, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wiley, Mr. and Mrs F. Rothenberg. One of the Biggest Pre-Release Showings Ever Arranged, Marshall Neilan's "The River's End," at the Biltmore. Because of the setting in Canadian country, this First National feature was shown first to the Canadian Club on the evening of February 16.