The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

822 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 8, 1920 Marion Kohn Announces Additional Stress Will Be Placed on Plots for His Pictures MARION H. KOHX, president of Marion H. Kohn Producti ons, announces that in the future more attention will be paid to the plots of the short subjects he is producing. "People demand a story in a comedy as well as in a bi^ production, and it must be a good story sr the picture will not get by." says Mr. Kohn. "It is my intention to pick onlyclever stories. I have added several scenario writers to my staff as I want every subject to be thoroughly up to the minute in plot as well as in picture. There will be logical reason for every move in the lively, fastmoving Grace Cunard Westerns, and plots will also bolster up the work of Polly Moran and Smiling Bill Jones in their comedies. The plot in the short subject will be the biggest thing." Polly Moran has completed her first "Sheriff Nell" comedy, while Smiling Bill Jones has finished his fourth single-reeler, "A Fishy Affair," in which the Kohn bathing girls will be featured. — 0 — Jans Special Xears Completion. The final scenes of Jans Pictures, Inc.. feature drama. "Madonnas and Men." are now being Aimed under the direction of B. A. Rolfe, who promises it will be one of the finest pieces of screencraft he has ever turned out. The story deals with both ancient and modern times, and is said to have same unusually elaborate sets. Great Interest Shown in "Vanishing Trails" Hardly had the advertising campaign started, announces Canyon Pictures Corporation, when numerous inquiries were received regarding the Selig serial, "Vanishing Trails," featuring Franklyn Farnum and Mary Anderson. J. M. Goldstein, treasurer of Chadwick Pictures Corporation Offers Briggs Comedies on State Right Market T HE Briggs Comedies, which during the past year have been released through Paramount exchanges, will in the future be released on the state rights market by Chadwick Pictures Corporation, a company recently formed to handle highclass productions. I. E. Chadwick, president of the company, announces that at present ten subjects are ready: 'It Happens in the Best Regulated Families," "Oh. Man," "Oh. How He Could Dance," "The Handy Man Around the House," "The Town Lock-up," "Wonder What a Baby Thinks About," "Sticky Six," "The Tramp," "Buried Gold" and "Circus Day." These are all based on the Briggs comic series appearing in many prominent daily newspapers, and will be released at the rate of one a week for ten weeks. Elaborate advertising accessories have been prepared. Chadwick Pictures Corporation is located in the Leavitt Building. 130 West Forty-sixth street, and Jacques Kopfstein. vice-president of the company, is in charge of the sales department. Censors Have Not Cut "Hall Room" Comedies Jack Cohn, of Jack and Harry Cohn. producers of Hall Room Boys Comedies, in which Neeley Edwards and Hugh Fay are featured, states these comedies are practically censor-proof. "Of the sixteen comedies already produced." says Mr. Cohn, "not one has lost a foot through the use of censor's shears. "This is a record in which we take pride. It does not mean there is no live action to these comedies, but goes to show that even though a picture is full of laughable situations, with action and pep, there is also a chance to keep it clean and wholesome." "Tell Us Ouija" is the latest of this series. the company, announces that several sales of territory have been made. "We have built up a state rights clientele In the past few years." says Mr. Goldstein, "by holding to our promises. Once a man starts buying our pictures we can generally count on him when we release future pictures." Burston Selects Title for Latest Ford Serial It has been definitely decided by Louis Burston to release his latest serial, starring Francis Ford, under the title of "The Great Reward." This serial is In fifteen episodes and relates the story of a young man who takes the place of an ancient monarch. Mr. Burston announces that all of the titles suggested were found to be unsatisfactory, as they adhered too closely to the spirit of the stery. Sol Lesser Will Star Wheeler Oakntan .Now Annette Kellerman's Leading Man As the result of his work with Annette Kellerman in her new modern comedy-drama, which she has just completed for Sol Lesser, Wheeler Oakman will become a star in his own right under the Lesser banner. He has appeared in prominent roles In several big productions, including "The Spoilers." "The Ne'er Do Well," "Mickey" and "The Virgin of Stamboul." In each of these pictures he has portrayed a distinct type. The first three of these productions Mr. Lesser handled for his territory and was attracted to his work. In the Kellerman picture he is the leading man. and is said to have a role different from any he has attempted. After viewing his work in this film Mr. Lesser placed him under a long-term contract. While a new studio is being built to house the Lesser productions and a story secured for Mr. Oakman he will be loaned for two prodctions to another producing organization. Arrow Secures Rights to Several Productions Several new productions have been secured recently by Arrow Film Corporation for distribution on the state rights market. Among them is "A Woman's Man," made by Screencraft Pictures Corporation, In five reels and starring Romaine Fielding. In addition, there is a series of twelve new high class tworeel comedies, starring Muriel Ostrlche, which will be released one each month; and an educational series of one-reel pictures, titled "The Nation's Mirror," which will show scenes of historical Interest throughout the country, and which should prove of especial interest to schools. Kremer Organization Achieves Rapid Growth During the Past Six Months "Move a Little Will Ya Lady— Yer Not Posin' Per a Gallery Portrait," So speaks Rev. George LeRoi Clarke, who is featured in Paraeon comedies with Miriam Pickering. DURING the past half year victor Kremer Film Features, Inc., have achieved an excellent record In sales and bookings, and from October, 1919, when rights for five Chaplin reissues for the United States and Canada, an almost unbroken record of weekly sales for these productions has been maintained. From one room the ofiBce space has, during this period, been increased until a large portion of one floor of a prominent film building is now occupied. A local exchange for New York and northern New Jersey has been opened, and the staff of the ofllce increased from five to thirty. Bookings on the Chapllns have been secured in some of the best theatres. Including the New York Rivoli and RIalto and Grauman's Los Angeles, and at present less than ten per cent, of the territory remains unsold. The following exchanges have bought rights on these productions: Bee Hive, Chicago; First .Vational, Kansas City; Twentieth Century Film Company, Philadelphia: Superfilm Attractions, Washington; Quality Film Corporation, Pittsburgh; Essenel Productions DuLuxe Company, Cleveland; Big Feature Rights Corporation, Louisville; A. C. Bromberg Attractions, Atlanta; Eastern Feature Film Company, Boston; Feature Film Company, Minneapolis; Standard Film Corporation, St. Louis; Metro Pictures Corportion, Dallas; Mickey Film Corporation, Chicago; Exhibitors Films Exchange, Washington; F. A. F. Enterprises, Omaha; D. W. Griffith Film Ser vice for Ohio and Kentucky; A. Glasnapp, Bowman. N. D., and Davis Amusement Enterprises. Montreal. — 0 — Yudkin Makes Trip to Boost "Screen Smiles" Originator of "Screen Smiles," Herbert H. Yudkin, left New York recently for a trip to prominent independent exchanges Id the Interest of this novelty topical, which Is being distributed by Victor Kremer Film Features. He will visit Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore. Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago. Mr. Yudkin carries prints of the last three Issues, together with samples of advertising accessories. Including stock onesheets, heralds, press matter and a lobby display of eight photographs showing the main title and animated illustrations. Rights to this series for eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey have been acquired by Consolidated Film Company of Philadelphia. — o — Release Date Named for Initial "Franey" Comedy May 17 has been set by R. C. Cropper, president of Reelcraft Pictures Corporation, as release date for the first of a series of one-reel Billy Franey comedies. Titles of the first three releases are "The Paper-Hanger," "The Dog-Catcher" and "The Water Plug." It Is announced that exchanges distributing this series will be advertised In a national campaign which has just been started I