The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

2100 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 27, 1920 Sidelights of the Big Utica Convention By SAM SPEDON JUDGING from the number of private parties in and around the Hotel Utica during the time of the convention, we do not wonder that the motion picture industry is called the motion picture "game." * * « The close-up of Sam Trigger and Lee Ochs, shaking hands across the gap of then and now, was very timely and well staged. It was worth the trip. * * * Select's booth was easily the most attractive at the convention. It showed the fine "Italian" hand of Will C. Murphey, of the Selznick publicity department. * * * The First National's booth was easily the most popular at the convention. Lieutenant Jim Anderson, with his souvenirs "In Old Kentucky," kept them coming and going all the time. * * * The movie ball, held on the evening of Wednesday, March 10, was half in and half out. The State Armory wasn't half big enough to hold the attendance. It was evident that "movies" have not lost any of their pull and popularity. * * * Zena Keefe was the only screen star who attended the ball, and she led the grand march with Mayor O'Connor of Utica. back ten years. While they didn't add to the convention they made a big flash and put over a good stunt for the attraction. * ♦ * Bill Cook, of the Fox publicity department, in charge of the Fox booth, was the right man in the right place. He was on the job and never lost a point. « * * The consensus was that Cleveland will get the next National convention. New York and Chicago were discussed, but were considered too large with too many side attractions, which prove distractions. * « * S. Harrison, general representative and director of productions of the Grossman Pictures Corporation, was among those who attended the Utica convention. The Grossman Company has just produced "Face to Face" and "Wits Versus Wits," featuring Marguerite Marsh. * * * Benny Apple, the King of Troy, is building an eight-hundred-seat house at Troy, which will open during Easter week. * * * J. V. Ritchey, of Ritchey Lithographic Company; Mr. Becker, of the Becker Theatre Supply Company, of Buffalo; P. W. Barron, representing the Dooley Exchange at Syracuse and Buffalo; Bert A. Gibbons, Vitagraph's Albany representative; Fredcrick G. Sliter, eastern division supervisor of sales and exchanges for Robertson-Cole; Nathan Robbins, of the Majestic Theatre, Utica; P. Smith, of the Novelty Theatre, Syracuse; Charles P. Gilmore, of Oswego; Jack Farren, of Rochester; Samuel H. Eyser, of the Empire, Port Richmond, S. I.; Sol Sapphire and S. Schwartz, of New York and Leo Brecher, of Brooklyn, are a few of those whom we failed to mention in our list of those present. « * • Frank Bovay, manager of the Lyric at Binghamton, says conditions have been in favor of the exhibitor this past winter and a more favorable spring and summer is before them. The Kodcco Theatrical Company is erecting a new house, seating 1,600, on Shenango street. * * * The booth of the Dooley Elxchange, Inc., of Buffalo and Syracuse, was entitled to special mention not only because of the display it set forth but because of its genial representatives: Thomas W. Dooley; Jack Kirsch, Buffalo branch manager, and P. W. Barron, special representative. * * * Homer Howard, representative for the National Pictures Corporation (Selznick), in upper New York State, was formerly with the United Theatre Pictures Corporation and for several years with the Paramount-Artcraft in the same territory. fe''''Tirreve^'seS\he%?dTr''o^ '^^^^ Photopi tty Libvavies Announces Another Big Production, "The Scarlet Dragon able The exhibitors came to them" at the convention. A number of contracts were closed there and then. United Artists representatives closed over $17,000 worth. Very few of those who remained over at the ball until Thursday failed to take home a peace offering to their wives. A great deal of money was put in circulation at Utica. * * * Buck Taylor, Pathe's Buffalo manager, hired a special car to bring a party of exhibitors and exchangemen to Utica. They became so interested in what was going on in the car they didn't know when they reached their destination. The train was pulling out of the yard before they could gather up their belongings and get out. * * » Sydney Cohen, president of the Ne>v York State Exhibitors* League, made the big noise of the convention by throwing the league's hat into the ring for a national organization of exhibitors and the holding of a national convention. * « • The imitation Charlie Chaplins, Big Tillie and Elongated Mabel, took a fellow LESTER PARK, who is associated with Edward Whiteside in the production of big productions for the state right market, has issued from his office at 500 Fifth avenue. New York City, a statement to the trade in behalf of their second production, "The Scarlet Dragon," starring Gail Kane and directed by Frank Reicher from Willard King Bradley's story dealing socialogically with the subject of commercialized vice. "It is a film frankly sensational in its appeal to the public," said Mr. Park. "While sensationalism is not its aim, while lurid details have not been sought, while we have not made a mad effort to lay our hands on something red in its appeal, nevertheless the nature of the story and the manner in which it has been developed has provided opportunity for a series of unusual scenes of a siiisational character. "Sincerity is the keynote of every foot of the film. The highest class patron of motion pictures will find no detail is overdrawn, that no scenes ring as being untrue. "The picture contains a powerful story. He Slammed the Door with a Bang! It is developed in a manner which places it in a class with good literature and good drama. "I have just witnessed a private showing of 'The .Scarlet Dragon' at the laboratory, and feel confident that in it we have one of the biggest money-makers of the season, especially in view of the fact that prominent in the cabaret scenes, offering their inimitable specialities are Ted Lewis, the 'Jazz King,' who is accompanied by his famous jazz band; Mile. Dazie, who is scoring in 'Aphrodite,' a nubian dancer, who was formerly a slave of Abdul Hamid; and a number oi beauties from leading Broadway shows, who offer their various versions of the shimmy dance. " 'The Scarlet Dragon' will be handled through Photoplay Libraries, Inc., who report big interest in our first offerin,^, 'Empty Arms.' Its subject readily lends itself to unusual exploitation, and our advertising and publicity experts are extending themselves in an effort to arouse as much interest in 'The Scarlet Dragon' as they succeeded in doing for 'Empty Arms'." Scenario Next Call* for Reicue So William Russel Doe* It in American'* "Slam Bang Jim."