The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

May 8, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 821 Paragon Company Will Feature a Clergyman in Series of Twenty-six Two-Reel Comedies ANNOUNCED as one of the film oddities of the year, Paragon Pictures Corporation, of Long Beach, Cal., are producing a series of two-reel comedies in which the Reverend George LeRoi Clarke, a Baptist clergyman, who has turned from the pulpit to the screen, will be starred. The Reverend Clarke was for eleven years an evangelist, and is said to be the only regularly ordained minister now in motion pictures. As soon as he has finished the last of his twentyBix pictures, which will be distributed by Romayne Superfllm Company of Los Angeles, he will return to his work as a minister. These productions are being made at the former Balboa studios in Long Beach, California. Fred Jefferson will direct, and the supporting cast Includes Marian Pickering and Johnny Hayes. The pictures will have a wide range of appeal, but will be "comedies" pure and simple, without the ghost of a moral or teaching, declares the minister. He aJso states that he is appearing in films to prove that the gospel of fun is one of the bul warks of Biblical teaching. "I want to help people help themselves to laughs galore." It is announced that a special effort will be made to interest prominent church workers. "Up in Mary's Attic" Will Be Title of Fine Arts Comedy in Five Reels FINE ARTS PICTURES, INC., of which Murray W. Garsson is president, announces that the five-reel comedy purchased from Ascher Enterprises. Inc., will be released under its original title, "Up in Mary's Attic," in-stead of "Some Baby" as first planned. Several reasons prompted this move, chief among which is the fact that a number of prominent exchangemen preferred the longer title, and also the fact that "Some Baby" has already been used. "Up in Mary's Attic" is de Pioneer Appoints C. A. (Buck) Taylor General Manager of Buffalo Exchange PIONEER FILM CORPORATION has appointed C. A. (Buck) Taylor as general manager of its Buffalo branch, and he has already taken up his duties. Mr. Murphy will remain as office manager under the direction of Mr. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is well known to New York State exhibitors, and was for three years manager of one of the Pathe exchanges. Reports from the Buffalo office Indicate that a large number of contracts are being secured for "Dr. Jeykll and Mr. Hyde" and "Empty Arms," and that great Interest is being manifested in the forthcoming release of "Bubbles." Mr. Taylor is pleased with the outlook for business, and expects his office to continue the rapid stride it has made during the past year and to soon become one of the foremost links in the Pioneer chain. — o — Kremer Corrects Error and Announces a Sale Victor Kremer Film Features reports that its recent announcement that rights to four Essanay Chaplins were purchased by Standard Film Corporation for Kansas and Missouri Is In error, as this should be for Southern Illinois and Eastern Missouri. Western Missouri and Kansas is controlled by First National of Kansas City. Victor Kremer, who Is on tour and expects to return to New York within a week, announces he has sold the rights to these productions and also for "A Burlesque on Carmen" for Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. — o — Benudine at Work on Another. William Beaudine, who directed "Petticoats and Pants" for Christie, is now producing another two-reel comedy for the same company, . with a cast including Fay Tincher, Jimmie Harrison, Charlotte Merriam and Eddie Baker. scribed as a rollicking comedy of a different type, with a clever and original story depicted in a whimsical and farcical manner, care being taken to maintain the story throughout so that thrill, suspense and interest abound throughout the picture. The cast includes Eva Novak. Harry Gribbon, Minne-ha-ha, the Indian who appeared in "Mickey." and a large number of beautiful girls. More than 30,000 feet of negative were exposed, and is now being cut by Elmer McGovern. Charles F. Schwerin, general sales manager of the company, announces that a trade showing will probably be held in about ten days. While many bathing girls are shown in the picture, it is said not to be, in its strictest sense, a bathing girl picture, as most of the scenes are laid in a girls' school, the girls being shown as students of the school. The story is novel, and its whimsical tone will, it is said, bring tears of joy to the spectator. Fine Arts states a large sum of . money will be spent to aid exhibitors in putting over this feature, and thiat exploitation aids of all kinds, as well as "The Kentucky Colonel" Without the Eagle on His Shoulder. Nevertheless he's got a chicken on his arm in this National Film Corporation production. co-operation in advertising. Is planned by the Fine Arts advertising department. Mrs. Cobb Will Visit Big Exchange Centres As announced in our last issue, Agnes Egan Cobb, sales and publicity manager for SchomerRoss Productions, Inc., has started on a country-wide sales tour. After attending the First National convention in Chicago, she will visit buyers in principal cities, including Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, San Francisco, Omaha, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Seattle, St. Louis, New Orleans and Atlanta. Mrs. Cobb's trip is in the interest of her company's pictures and also Joe Brandt's products, and she will be in position to offer practically a complete proKram to state right buyers. It will also be her purpose to study closely the public taste and ascertain just what should be done to cater to the demand. She is highly pleased with the reception accorded the first SchomerRoss production, "The Sacred Flame," featuring Emily Stevens. Marie Doro Picture Is Pioneer's May Release The Pioneer Film Corporation's May release will be Marie Doro in "Midnight Gambols." The story deals with a girl who, because of prenatal influences, is possessed of a double consciousness, and who becomes enmeshed in the perils of New York's White Light district. The supporting cast is headed by Godfrey Tearle, while Mary Jerrold, Christine Maitland and Sam Livesay have prominent roles. An elaborate line of exploitation matter, including lithographs, lobby displays and novelties is being prepared, together with a comprehensive press book. Arrangements are being made to post a large number of twenty-four sheets on this production. — o — Billy West Discards His Familiar Make-Up Billy West, now producing two-reel comedies for Reelcraft Pictures Corporation, has discarded the eccentric make-up which he has used for several years, and beginning with his first for Reelcraft has adopted a straight make-up, and will wear whatever apparel the type of character calls for in the script. This opens up a wider field for the selection of subjects. Theodore Lorch, who has headed his own stock company for several years, has been added to Billy West's support, which includes Ethlyn Gibson, Leo White, Bud Ross and Al Martin. "Brass Buttons" Is the title of the first comedy in which Billy West appears without his familiar makeup.