The Moving picture world (February 1920-March 1920)

March 27, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 2161 Associated to Handle Curwood Film. Contracts were executed recently at the offices of the Associated First National Pictures, 6 West Forty-eight Street, New York, whereby James Oliver Curwood's next feature production entitled, "Nomads of the North," will be exploited by that company. David M. Hartford, who so successfully •directed "Back to God's Country" will also direct this picture and Ernest Shipman will continue as New York manager of the Curwood productions. Sawyer Off to South America to Close Circuit Film Deals CHESTER E. SAWYER, of David P. Howells, Inc., sailed on March 17 for South American film centers to conclude negotiations for rights to recent First National Exhibitors' Circuit attractions. Mr. Sawyer will visit Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Ayres, Santiago, Chile, Lima and Peru to renew acquaintance with buyers and renters met on previous trips. He took with him prints of "Back to God's Country," ■"The Greatest Question," "The River's End" and other of the First National releases, to all of which, with the exception of the Chaplin productions, Mr, Howells controls the foreign rights. Before joining David P. Howells, Inc., Mr. Sawyer organized the Carribbean Film Company, which operates theatres and distributes pictures in Cuba and the West Indies. His trip will require si.x months to complete. Marshall Neilan Stages Big Thriller on Railway Coach Top A SPECTACULAR thrill that probably outdoes anything for nerve and daring is one of the features of a Marshall Neilan Production which the director IS now producing in California. A man dropping from an aeroplane to the top of a swiftly moving train and then climbmg back to the airship is the episode of the picture which will cause any audience to gasp. The filming of the feat, which required two days, was done on a branch road of the Santa Fe Railroad near Riverside. A special train was hired from the railroad company Atop of one of the coacjies, a platform -was erected on which three cameramen set up their cameras and Neilan and his assistant took their places. An aeroplane from a nearby army aviation field ascended with Daredevil Campbell as a passenger. The train got under; the airship kept pace and suddenly flying low glided to a position directly above the coach on which the cameras started grinding. When Neilan gave the cue to Campbell the daredevil climbed out of the cockpit, descended down a rope ladder, hesitated "but slightly and then dropped a distance of ■five feet, landing upright on the round shaped top of the coach. This feat accomplished, Campbell then took his place before the camera to perform a most hair raising stunt. Cronjager Has Camera Invention. Henry Cronjager, cameraman of Mar-shall Neilan Productions, has invented an appliance which promises to revolutionize the present method of making still pictures. It is an attachment whereby a still camera <an be secured to the moving picture camera and permit the taking of an unlimited number of stills showing all the action of a scene without the delay of rearranging the lights or the special posing of the actors. Pennies of Rochester Folks Provide "Hospital Happiness" for Their Sick '■T* H.\T those who daily enjoy the pleasI ures of the screen may share these same pleasures with their more unfortunate fellow humans, a plan has been worked out by Rochester motion picture men which is said to be unique as well as original. "Hospital Happiness." it is called, and the plan contemplates that all Rochester picture fans are potential backers of the move to inject a ray of hope and pleasure into the lives of the crippled, the bedridden — in fact, all those unfortunates who by reason of physical incapacity arc unable to go to the theatres. When Rochester fans go to a show they now see on the screen a slide which reads like this : "If you have enjoyed the show, drop a penny in box in the lobby, so that a little of the same enjoyment may be given to the sick in the hospitals or at home," or "A penny from you will pay for moving pictures for those who will never see them except from a bed of pain," or again, "Moving pictures in the hospital wards will turn cries of anguish into smiles of joy — if it's worth a penny drop one in the box." In Rochester, like in the average prosperous city, the appeal for pennies is not in vain. Mclnerney a Prime Mover. The plan, while yet in its iiifanc}', is meeting with great success. The details have been under discussion by the Exhibitors League for some time and have finally been worked out by a committee, John J. Mclnerney, general counsel for the New York State Motion Picture Exhibitors League, is one of the prime movers in the organization of "Hospital Happiness," as well as being the originator of the idea. Erwin J. W. Huber, managing editor of the Pictureplay News, is chairman of the committee. Other members are Mr, Mclnerney; Dr. John R. Williams, of the Hahnemann Hospital; Florence R, Fennyvessey, manager of the Strand Theatre, and William A, Caliban, manager of the Regent Theatre. The committee has engaged an operator and purchased a portable motion picture projection outfit. Films are secured from the regular exchanges — not for nothing, al though the committee is glad enough to get them at the lowest reasonable price. These films are shown by the operator in various wards of the local hospitals, the operator being engaged for the work at a salary and for his full time. The exhibitions in the dififerent wards are limited in length to a time set by the medical men. The number of patients in a ward has nothing to do with the exhibitions. Those who need the pictures most get them first. People Approve Idea. There are about 35,000 people attendfng the picture houses in Rochester daily. One cent from each of these patrons daily would mean $350 daily and $2,450 weekly. The committee, however, does not ask for or expect such receipts, as it can carry on the work for one-tenth of that sum weekly. Many people contribute more than the cent asked for, too. Certain exhibitors were so pleased with the plan that they offered to make up any deficiencies, but it is not believed that there will be any. The fans have caught on to the idea and seem to like it. The exchanges and exhibitors say that particular advantages of the plan, aside from the human element, are that film is handled only by a capable, licensed operator and that the work needs very little supervision otherwise. The fans as they sit in their comfortable theatre seats, seem to sense a new interest in others who enjoy the screen and greet the slides with great applause. The response, in the form of pennies, and other coins, too, proves that many heai-ts beat in sympathy with "Hospital Happiness." Irma Harrison Back from Georgia. Irma Harrison, who was last seen as leading woman for Gareth Hughes in "The Red Viper" and opposite Johnny Dooley in the first of the series of Dooley comedies, has returned from Georgia, where she finished the exterior scenes for the starring role of the Buffalo Film Company's third independent production, "The Daughter of Devil Dan," a story of the moonshine country. Miss Harrison is supported by Kempton Green in the leading role. This Is "Dangerous Days" — Dangerous Because Then the Steins Weren't Used as Decorations. Dangerous, also, because of plottings again-st Washington — in tills Mary Roberts Rinehart Goldwyn special.