The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

248 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD April 10, 1920 orchestra as seen in their act on the stage of Grauman's Million Dollar Theatre of this city. M. De Moran and his orchestra will return to Arabia as soon as the engagement at the Grauman Theatre is completed. Neilan Off for England Soon. Marshall Neilan has set May 28 as the date for his departure for England, where he will produce at least one picture. With him will go Marjorie Daw and other players, his technical force and cameramen. Neilan will also take with him his special lighting apparatus, which he claims will enable him to get better effects than if he were to depend on unfamiliar equipment. Victor Potel Company. Victor Potel, known on the screen as "Slippery Slim," who has recently appeared in support of Mary Pickford, Nazimova and others, has signed a contract to head his own company for the making of comedies of from two to five reels, from original and magazine stories. The pictures will be produced under the supervision and management of Edwin E. Atkinson, and the company has been formed and is financed by local capitalists. The Hurst-Nova Pictures. Paul Hurst and his wife, Hedda Nova, are planning to produce a number of pictures in the near future which will be known as the Hurst-Nova Pictures. Mr. Hurst has been a director for several years and Miss Nova has appeared in leading roles in a number of recent big film features. Thompson Goes East. Louis W. Thompson, president of the Special Pictures Corporation, has left for New York for the purpose of starting an expedition on a tour of the world in a search for scenic novelties for Comedyart releases. Mr. Thompson, before his departure, made arrangements for the presentation of the first Comedyart release, "Uneasy Feet," at the California Theatre during the week of March 28. Sam Sothern Dies Suddenly. Sam Sothern, brother of E. H. Sothern of Shakespearean fame, died suddenly on March 21, on the eve of his departure for London. Mr. Sothern had been living in Beverly Hills, and for some time had been taking part in pictures in support of Douglas Fairbanks and other stars. Studio Shots CLEVELAND MOFFITT, magazine writer, has arrived in Los Angeles to collaborate with Albert E. Smith in the writing of serials for Vitagraph. Seena Owen is leading woman for Bert Lytell in his current Metro picture, "The Temple of Dawn." George Melford, who is making location stuff on the Sacramento River for "The Translation of a Savage," will go to San Francisco to make sea scenes before returning to the Lasky studio here. Fritzi Brunette, who has already played leading woman in six J. Warren Kerrigan pictures, has been engaged for four more Kerrigan features to be produced by Robert Brunton. Al Santell, who was loaned by Universal to direct three Hall Room Boys Comedies with Flannagan and Edwards for Harry Cohn, has severed his connections with the company, after having produced "Oh. Baby!." which will be released soon on the states rights basis. Bert Woodruff, who plays the father of Chic Sale in "The Smart Aleck," has been delaying the production with a spell of rheumatism. Eugene Pallette plays the leading role in the new all-star Metro production, "Parlor, Bedroom and Bath." Ruth Stonehouse is cast in an important part. Byrant Washburn Is completing "What Happened to Jones" at the Morosco studio, and will next film "A Full House," for Paramount. Wanda Hawley began on her first Realart production at the Morosco studio on March 27. The first Harry Garson picture starring Conway Tearle has been completed, and Tearle left for New York to complete arrangements for permanent location in Los Angeles to produce pictures. Thomas Meighan is expected to return to Ijasky's early in April to play the leading role in "Conrad in Quest of His Youth," a William De Mille production. Joseph J. Dowling has been added to the cast of "The Smart Aleck," now being pro duced by Al Christie with Chic Sale as the star. Basil King, member of the Eminent Authors, Inc., has arrived in Los Angeles to supervise the production of a new story for the screen at Goldwyn. Robert Warwick has finished "Hunting Trouble," under Director Joseph Henabery. Bryant Washburn's father and mother, who have been visiting him, have returned to their home at Oak Park, 111. Buster Keaton will be co-featured with William H. Crane in Winchell Smith's "The New Henrietta," now being produced at Metro. Irving Cumings and Beulah Booker have Important roles. Ethel Clayton is supported In "All In a Night" by Jack Holt, Clyde Fillmor» and Winter Hall. Wallace Beery is playing the part of an ex-heavyweight champion in support of Douglas MacLean and Doris May in "Lucid Intervals." Wallace Reld will star in "The Charm School" after he finishes his present Paramount picture, "What's Your Hurry." House Peters and Jane Novak will play the featured roles in "Isobel," to be filmed soon by the Louis B. Mayer Productions under the direction of Edwin Carewe. Marguerite Snow is suporting H. B. Warner in "Felix O'Day," his present Jesse D. Hampton production. Peter B. Kyne comes to Metro to assist on the continuity of his novel. "Kindred of the Dust," to be put into film form by C. E. Shurtleff. He Buys 5,000 Tickets So His Employes Can See "Dangerous Days" I WILL purchase 5,000 tickets for my employes to see 'Dangerous Hours' because I consider this production a most powerfully appealing picture for fairness, squareness and truthfulness and the very best method with which to combat the most dangerous evil that has confronted America since the subjugation of the diabolical Hun." Thus spoke George H. Hannum, president of the Saginaw, Michigan, Manufacturers' Association, director of the Board of Commerce and general manager of all the General Motors Corporation interests in Saginaw, when asked for his opinion as to the effectiveness of "Dangerous Hours," Thomas H. Ince's Paramount-Artcraft Special production, in stemming the tide of radicalism, Bolshevism and other isms which are incessantly interfering with business, law and order. Mr. Hannum was one of many of Saginaw's prominent industrial heads who attended a private screening of "Dangerous Hours" as the guests of Charles Q. Carlisle, president of the Mecca-Palace Theatre. With the co-operation of Eli M. Orowitz, exploitation representative of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation at Detroit, the showing was arranged for 8 a. m., and despite this early hour nearly 80 per cent, of the membership of the Saginaw Manufacturers' Association and the Employers' Association of Saginaw attended. American Broadside* to Exhibitors. The American Film Company believes in spending money with a free hand in its direct-to-the-exhibitor advertising. In addition to an elaborate campaign book, replete with all kinds of practical helps in exploiting the pictures, the American sends out a smashing broadside. It appears in two or three colors and big type, with pictures which tell the story, giving at a glance the general character and high points of the picture it ofTers. These broadsides abound in information about the "Flying A" Special about to be put on the market, and with descriptions which prove useful to the exhibitors in their turn when talking to their patrons, either through the newspapers or handbills and throwaways. Here They Are and Everybody's Happy, Too. Left to right: Charles Eyton, general manager of the West Coast Studios; Al Lichtman, general manager Department of Distribution; Herman Wobber, San Francisco district manager; Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president of the Famous Players-Lasky, and H. G. Ballance, branch manager In Los Angeles. This was snapped at the Lasky studio, where these Famous Players-Lasky offlclals congregated.