The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

March 6, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1657 Frankie Mann To Co-Star In Pathe Serial. When the scenario for "Trailed by Three," the fifteen episode serial which Pathe will release April 4, had been completed by Charles T. Dazey, Arthur F. Beck desired to secure Frankie Mann for the leading feminine role; but she had returned to the stage as the Baby Vamp in "Upstairs and Dciwn." The fact that the studio's call was for a serial star role did not enhance its attractions as it seemed to Miss Mann that it would be more serene to continue treading the boards six nights a week and two afternoon performances than to jump off cliffs, get oneself trampled upon by runaway houses, etc. But Mr. Beck was determined. Frankie Mann agreed to give the scenario a reading and now is to make her bow, co-starring with Stuart Holmes and directed by Perry Vekroff. Pathe promises a serial of adventure along lines far removed from the conventional. Ship Prints of "$30,000" to All Hodkinson Branches PRINTS of J. Warren Kerrigan's newest Robert Bjunton picture, "$30,000," announced by W. W. Hodkinson Corporation for February 29 release, have gone forward to all Hodkinson branches where arrangements have been made for simultaneous trade showing a week before the release date. That "$30,000" measures up to the standard set by preceding Kerrigan-Brunton successes may be gleaned from the personnel of the popular star's support in his newest production, a vivid picturization of H. B. Daniel's widely-read story of the same name. The part of "John Trask" is typically Kerrigan. Fritzi Brunette again has the feminine lead and plays a dual role; one moment she is a petted society beauty, the next she is a tough little denizon of the underworld. Nancy Chase, the English stage beauty, makes her first appearance on the screen in "$30,000." Joseph J. Dowling, long a fixture in J. Warren Kerrigan pictures, does some excellent character acting and Carl Stockdale, prominent as a delineator of heavy roles, portrays the part of a master crook and gambler. Ernest C. Warde, who directed all of the star's pictures since the amalgamation wit'n Robert Brunton, also officiated in this production. **Man's Plaything" Named as Title for Grace Davison Film REPUBLIC DISTRIBUTING CORPORATION, of which Lewis J. Selznick is advisory director and Briton N. Busch, president, announced that the production recently bought from J. G. Pictures, Inc., starring Grace Davison and Montague Love, and which was announced in the trade press as "The Convert of Revenge," will be distributed to exhibitors under the title of "Man's Plaything." Stuart Holmes, the well-known and popular "heavy," is chief of the support of Miss Davison and Mr. Love. Charles P. Horan directed the picture, which is described as a big city drama of dramatic appeal. The release date has been scheduled for March. Arline Pretty in "Prince of Pines." Arline Pretty, well-known ingenue and leading woman, has been signed for her first appearance in Selznick productions, according to an announcement by Myron Selznick. Miss Pretty is to have one of the leading roles in the special production, "The Prince of Pines," which is now in production, directed by Burton George. In Two Weeks Trade Will Have Details of Metro's Co-operative Booking Plan OFFICIALS of Metro Pictures Corporation are perfecting plans for a new booking arrangement with motion picture showmen throughout the United States. As soon as the project has been worked out in detail, Metro promises to make an announcement in full, which the producing and distributing company believes will be of the utmost interest to every exhibitor and more especially to the smaller ones. Co-operation between Metro and the individual exhibitor is declared to be the primary purpose of the plan now being whipped into shape. Company officials state that it is intended to protect owners of the smaller theatres against unjust competition, affording even the weakest of them a fair chance for substantial profits and a guarantee of independence no matter how extensive or influential the great chains or circuits of picture houses may become. On a Co-operative Basis. Under the proposed arrangement Metro expects to reach every independent exhibitor with its product on a co-operative basis. The actual scope of this co-operation is being considered from every angle and will be made known in full when Metro issues its forthcoming announcement. The guiding heads of the corporation, however, intimate that terms of rental and facilities for obtaining Metro's big special productions will be adjusted to the complete satisfaction of the exhibitors themselves. In making known Metro's intention to deal with all exhibitor, big and little, on a co-operative basis, the company's president, Richard A. Rowland, again characterized as groundles the apprehension said to exist among some of the smaller theatre owners that the entrance of big financial interests into the industry will curtail their livelihood, if not force them out of business. "What reason is there for any man to fear that he and his theatre are going to be swallowed up by financially powerful interests?" asked Mr. Rowland. "The notion is ridiculous. In round numbers there are 17,000 picture theatres in the United States. The largest circuit or chain of picture houses in the country, that of Loew's Inc., of which Marcus Loew is president, represents in the neighborhood of 200 houses. "Say that the other two or three major circuits are counted in, and you have a situation in which 16,500 exhibitors stand in awe of, or are presumed to fear, extinction by 500 exhibitors. The so-called 'big interests' are confronted with odds of more than thirty to one against the circuit. On the face of these figures it should be the circuits rather than the individual exhibitors that cried 'Help !' "We are proud of Metro pictures, proud of our new friends among the men who own their own houses, and we yearn to increase their number. For these reasons we are perfecting our new booking arrangement on a co-operative scale that is unique." A statement setting forth in detail every phase of the proposed co-operative arrangement is promised by Metro officials within the next two weeks. Selznick Corrects Spelling. In the announcement of the cast of "The Woman God Sent," the all-star Selznick production, which was made some time ago, the name of one of the players, Fanny Cogan, was misspelled. It was published as Fannie Vogin. The Selznick publicity department wishes to correct this error by announcing her correct name as spelled above. Fitzgerald to Direct Bert Lytell. Dallas M. Fitzgerald has been selected to direct Bert Lytell in "The Temple of Dawn," the star's next production for Screen Classics, Inc. Mr. Fitzgerald has arrived in Los Angeles from New York City. Gol Dern this Metro Bunch fur Gettin' Big Folks in Front th' Camera. Here (or Instance, they have June Mathis, Marcus Loew, Vicente Blasco Ibanez. Richard A. Rowland and Maxwell Karger, taken while Sr. Ibanez was conferring on Metro's production of "The Four Horsemen."