The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

March 27, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 2133 Pathe Reports 480 Days' Bookings on "Other Men's Shoes'' by Chicago Office EDGAR LEWIS' special, "Other Men's Shoes," has been responsible for the smashing of record after record hung up by Pathe Exchange, Inc., on its big specials, but none has been more noteworthy than the feat just accomplished with this attraction by the Chicago branch. One month after release date, and following the showing of the production in the leading Chicago first run theatres, the Windy City ofHce on March 4 reported to the home office the booking of another 150 days in first and second run theatres in its territory. The total number of days received thus far by Chicago on the Lewis production is now 480. Outside of Chicago proper "Other Men's Shoes" was booked during the drive conducted by Manager E. A. Eschman and which will continue throughout March, by the following theatres : Hartley, East Chicago; Orpheum, Ottawa, 111.; Empress, Peoria; Empire, Auburn, Ind.; Lyceum, Columbia City, Ind.; Palace, Muscatine, Iowa; Grand Opera House, Dubuque, Iowa; Colonial, Delavan, 111.; Wigwam, Genesco, 111.; Lincoln, Lincoln, 111.; Temple, Mishawaka, Ind.; DeLuxe, Lake Forest, 111.; La Salle, South Bend, Ind.; Orpheum, Elkhart, Ind.; Garden, Michigan City, Ind.; Princess, Monticello, 111.; Riviera, Peru, 111. Chicago Theatres Booked. The local houses booking the picture included the Delphi, Clark, Bowen, Shakespere, Kimbark, Lucille, Ben Hur, Victory, Stanley, Marshall Square, Vernon, Prairie, New Home, Illington, Broadway Strand, Atlantic, Boulevard, Halfield, Archer and Ewing. In all other territories, "Other Men's Shoes" is surpassing the records established by all previous Pathe specials, not excepting "The Thirteenth Chair" and "Common Clay." Among theatres booking the production WITH the addition of several wellknown technical men to his staff this week Charles Ray has completed the organization of his studio personnel and has commenced to work on the introductory details incident to production at his new Los Angeles studios. Mr. Ray who is entering upon a new era in his screen career, having begun independent production under the direction of Arthur S. Kane for release through First National, has gathered to his organization a staf? of high priced technical experts. He declares that he will spare no expense to 'make his independent films of the highest standard possible, not only to justify his position as an independent producer, but to merit the faith which his sponsors have placed in him in their promises to the exhibitors of the country. Have Unusual Qualifications. In addition to Director Jerome Storm, •Cameraman Chester Lyons, Studio Manager Wesley Gilmour and Isabel Johnston, continuity writer, Mr. Ray has appointed this week George E. MacCormac, formerly with Famous Players, as chief of the electrical department, and Frank Ormston as Tiead of the art department. Mr. MacCormac has been a year and a half with Famous Players-Lasky as head of that corporation's electrical department and he brings to the new concern undisputed talents in devising novel and startling lighting effects. He has had entire during the past week are; the William Penn, Chester, Pa.; Palace, Ardmore, Grand, Pullman, Washington, D. C. ; Paramount, Lewiston, Idaho; Empress, Spokane; Rialto, Loveland, Col.; Strand, Shelbyville, Ind.; Luna-Lite, Marion, Ind.; Majestic, Florence, Ala.; Rex, Bismark, N. D. ; Opera House, Wadsworth, Ohio; Valentine, Defiance, Ohio; Royal, Upper Sandusky; Playhouse, Dover, N. J.; Empire, Rahway, N. J.; Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J.; Delphi, Detroit; Miami, Detroit, Wuerth, Ann Arbor, Crystal, Lakewood, Detroit; Majestic, Charleston, Pa.; Family, St. Mary, Pa.; Park, Franklin, Pa.; Palace, Hamilton, O. ; Auditorium, Dayton, Rex, Middleton Ohio; Linthonian. Little Falls, N. Y. ; Maetin, Globe, Ariz.; Forepaw's, Philadelphia; Poli's, Wilkesbarre, Pa., and the Opera House, South Bethlehem. FOR probably the first time in the history of the industry a great organization in the business will release three patriotic productions in one month. The Pathe Exchange, Inc., will release, during April, productions by J. Stuart Blackton, Edwin Carewe and Leonce Perret, and all of them are intensely patriotic in theme and virile American stories. "Lifting Shadows," the Perret production featuring Emmy Wehlen, will be released on April 4; the Blackton production, "The Blood Barrier," with Robert Gordon and Sylvia Breamer, will be released supervision of the wiring of Mr. Ray's Fleming street studios. An experimental laboratory has been built adjoining the plant where he expects to try out several original departures from modern methods of lighting. Experienced Staff Proposes Great Things. Mr. Ormston comes from a family of painters, and in addition to his studio work he is, in private life, an artist of note. He was in charge of the scenic department at the Boulevard Theatre, Caracas, Venezula, and on his return to the United States gained his first picture experience in the Edison experimental studios in New York. Following a brief return to theatrical work, Mr. Ormston became permanently associated with motion pictures, first with the Nicholas Power Company in New York and later with Universal, where he was in charge of the art and technical departments. Mr. Ormston was recently with the Lois Weber Productions for three years and a short time ago with the Lew Cody company as art director. , With Richard Willis as general manager, Albert E. Kidder, Jr., as business manager and with Arthur S. Kane in charge of all his eastern interests, Charles Ray has in back of him an experienced and efficient staff of business assocaites, all of which presages for the star a high standard in all departments of his production company and promises big things for his forthcoming films. on April 11, and on April 25 the Edwin Carewe production of Augustus Thomas' famous story, "Rio Grande," will be released. The first of the pictures to be released, "Lifting Shadows," deals with the intrigues of a band of Russian conspirators against the safety and peace of the United States. The second, "The Blood Barrier," deals with the efforts of enemies of the country to make an officer of the United States army betray the secrets of his government. "Rio Grande" is a picture of conditions on the Mexican border. Emmy Wehlan Well Supported. In "Lifting Shadows," as in all three of the productions, entertainment is the first consideration and it is said to be a picture of high dramatic value. The settings are said to be on a magnificent scale and the lighting effects to be superb. As a young Russian girl, in love with a young American, Miss Wehlen is seen at her best. Stuart Holmes is the villain, the role in which he is so well known. The leading man isi Wyndham Standing and Julia Swayne Gordon is also in the cast. "The Blood Barrier" is from the pen of the late Cyrus Townsend Brady and was written in his most effective fashion. Sylvia Breamer and Robert Gordon are seen together in the picture and are supported by an able cast. Commodore Blackton has created a production of fine technique, the sets and mechanical effects showing some of the finest work of his career, it is said. In "Rio Grande" a battle scene between Texas Rangers and cowboys on one hand and Mexican bandits on the other is shown. April also will be a notable Pathe month for short subjects and comedies. On April II the new "Bringing Up Father" comedy, "Jiggs in Society," will be released and wide newspaper publicity of the filming of the McManus' comic strip has already resulted in strong bookings. The second Mrs. Sidney Drew comedy, "The Stimulating Mrs. Barton," will be released on April 25. Ray Completes Organization of Staff ; Appointing WellKnown Technical Men Already the minimum quota for "Other Men's Shoes" has been surpassed by virtually every exchange and the indications are that within a fortnight each branch will have passed the high market set for it. Oil? Well! Well! Guy Empey, Florence Evelyn Martin and Harry Burkhardt in Louisiana oil fields filming "Oil." Three Patriotic Films To Be Released by Pathe Exchange in Month of April