The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

March 27, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 2m Educational Announces New Contract Involving Investment of $750,000 Plus CONTRACTS for short subjects involving an investment of more than $750,000 were signed during the past week by Educational Films Corporation, according to an announcement just made by E. W. Hammons, vice-president and general manager. While the addition of this product to the company's own releases places Educational Films in a foremost position in the short subject field, it is stated that this is but the first of a series of announcements that will follow the plans of Mr. Hammons and his associates for unusual specialization in the distribution and exploitation of scenics, one and two reel comedies, travel and animal pictures and various subjects that come under the head of "educational." During the past week the entire product of C. L. Chester, including the ChesterOuting Scenics, the Chester Comedies and the Chester Screenics, were acquired. Contracts were also signed with Johnson and Hopkins for the exclusive control of all pictures made by the "Stereospeed" camera, a recent invention of Earle Emlay. Negotiations for other pictures were also brought to a satisfactory stage and further announcements are indicated as forthcoming soon. Promises Sp«<ciai Exploitation. Exclusive control of both the American and the foreign markets is provided for in the agreements just signed. Recent announcements in the trade ^^ress have told of the organization by Educational Films of its own exchanges throughout the United States and these will be devoted exclusively to the handling of short subjects. Educational has for some time controlled the foreign distribution of Chester-Outings as well as its own product, and as the result of the participation of English capital the foreign system of distribution is being greatly increased. For months past Mr. Hammons has been carefully laying the plans for the increase in short subject product. During the past few weeks there has been an adjustment of the organization to provide for the fullest development of short subject possibilities and ample capital has been provided to carry out the most ambitious plans. Arrangements for the fullest possible exploitation of these pictures assure them the same attention as the so-called "features." By confining itself to this class of product Educational promises a degree of exploitation that is not possible with companies dealing with film of all kinds it is said. Expeditions to Be Continued. Taking over of the short subjects announced this week, and acquisition of others for which negotiations are now pending, will in no way affect the product heretofore distributed by Educational. In fact, expeditions controlled by the company, which will penetrate literally the four corners of the earth, are now under way, and there are in the company vaults thousands of feet of adventure and scenic product which will shortly be r«ady for release. For many months Robert Bruce Scenics and Chester-Outing pictures have been regarded as leaders in that field, and it is significant that Mr. Chester should be the first to contract for the acquisition of his entire product by Educational. ChesterOuting Scenics will continue to be released weekly and will cover in their same in imitable manner places and peoples all over the world. "Four Times Foiled," first of the new Chester Comedies, was recently shown at the Rivoli and was given a reception accorded few achievements in the fun field. Mr. Chester has proven to the officials of Educational that he will be able to maintain the same high standard in his future creations, which are being produced on the West Coast by W. B. Campbell, and that they will afford a degree of humor and cleanliness that will appeal to all audiences. Thirteen of these comedies are to be produced in a year. Comedy and Scientific Novelties. Chester Screenics are a recently announced creation. Each of these will include 500 feet of animal pictures and 300 feet of carefully selected scientific subjects, so arranged as to have a popular appeal. It is said that this reel, which will be pro E. W. Hammons Vice-president and general manager of Educational Films Corporation. duced weekly, will mark a distinct departure in cinema entertainment. Following the recent announcement of the perfection of the "Stereospeed" camera, there has been an unusual interest in this product. Mr. Emlay has been able to create an almost endless number of novelties, both comedies and scientific subjects, with this camera which makes it possible to photograph pictures at the rate of 384 a second. Negotiations for the acquisition of much other short subject matter, including several brands of comedies, are now in progress, and announcement of several of these deals is expected at any moment. Mr. Hammons authorizes the statement that Educational will continue to devote its entire resources to handling short subjects of all sorts and that it is ready to consider the acquisition of further matter rtiat meets the high standard of quality that is demanded by his organization. Pell Mitchell Engaged. A further announcement of the past week is that Pell Mitchell, one of the best known news reel editors in the country, has been added to the Educational staff. Mr Mitchell organized Fox News and attracted much attention by his work as news editor of Gaumont Weekly. Mr. Hammons intimated that he expected to have an interesting announcement to make within a short time as to the special work which' will be under the direct supervision of Mr. Mitchell. Determination to make an earnest effort for fullest exploitation of the short subjects is evidenced by the announcement that R. E. Pritchard, who for the past year has= been director of advertising, exploitation, and publicity for the Allen Enterprises in Canada, has been brought back to New York to take a similar post with Educational. To Release "Burnt Wings" for the Week of March 2& BURNT WINGS," featuring Frank Mayo and Josephine Hill, is the special attraction on the Universal release program for the week of March 29. It was directed by Christy Cabanne and is the screen version of Bayard Veiller's play, "The Primrose Path," which played onBroadway last season. The serial releases announced for the week include "The Fatal Crossing," the eighth episode of "Elmo the Fearless," with Elmo Lincoln, and "Desperate Deeds." the fourteenth episode of "The Lion Man," with Jack Perrin and Kathleen O'Connor. A one-reel Lyons and Moran comedy,^ 'Butting in on Baby," and a Rainbow comedy, "Light Hearts and Leaking Pipes," with Zip Monberg and Virginia Warwick, are the laugh provokers. Thie question of prohibition enters into the Jewel Special, ''A Prohibition Monkey," in two reels, with Joe Martin. A two-reel western, "Finger Prints," features Robert Reeves. Dorothy Wood, a vaudeville artist, is also in the picture. Beginning the week of March 29, the International News released on Wednesdays will be discontinued. All future releases Will be known as International News and will be shipped Tuesdays and Fridays. International News released on March 29 will be known as No. 13 and will run consecutively thereafter. Graumann Projection Expert I Sees the Simplex Factory GEORGE FEINBERG, of Minneapolis. Bert Weddige and Max Rubin of Detroit, Leo Dwyer, of Cincinnati, and George Perkins, of Canada, Simplex distributors, have been visiting New York theatres. Another recent interested visitor at the Simplex factory was Edwin A. Keller late of the Graumann projection staflf of Los Angeles, who has been selected by Major Greason to take full charge of the projection in the fifty-odd theatres controlled by the Provincial Cinematograph, Ltd., throughout the United Kingdom. Mr. Keller is a member of Local 150, M. P. O. U. of Los Angeles, and has held every office in that union. He was greatly interested by what he saw at the Simplex factory. Mr. Keller, together with Fred Weaver, has perfected a device for a dissolving change-over which he will incorporate in the projection system across th» water. Mr. Keller is a nephew of Charles Pettijohn, of the Selznick forces, and is noted on the West Coast for his ability as a projectionist.