The Moving picture world (May 1920-June 1920)

June 12, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1461' Seventh Picture in "Tex*' Series Completed Arrow Reports Nearly All Territory Sold Radin Sells "Through Eyes of Men." The Specialty Film Company of Dallas, Texas, has purchased the rights on the five-part dramatic feature, "Through Byes of Men," in which Frank Mayo is starred, for Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas; also the series of "Real Star Dramas" tor the same territory. — o — Lesser and the Gores Open a New Exchange The Educational Film Exchange of Southern California is the title of a new distributing organization formed recently by Sol Lesser and the Gore brothers to distribute for Southern California and Arizona the output of the Educational Pictures Corporation of America. The exchange will be under the supervision of Dave Bershon, general manager of the Los Angeles First National Exchange. All Chester releases, Christie comedies, and other educational short reels, as well as other one and two reel subjects, will be handled by the new corporation. — o — Foreign Rights Sold on Jans "Madonnas and Men" Foreign rights to the Jans Pictures special production "Madonnas and Men" have been secured by the Export and Import Film Company. Ben Blumenthal, president of the company, recently sailed for Europe, at which time he will make arrangements for handling this production, along with previous Jans pictures and other subjects which his company controls. Mr. Blumenthal expressed himself as being pleased with the possibilities of this production, says an official of Jans Pictures, who adds that it is his belief that it will prove a big box office attraction In Europe as well as In this country. — o — Pioneer Will Release Feature Every Month Pioneer Film Corporation announces the final working out of a policy by which it will be in a position to offer to exhibitors one feature production each month. This company now has on hand, being prepared for release, eight big productions, featuring such stars as Emily Stevens, Marie Doro, Montagu Love, Mary Anderson, Louise Huff, Alma Rubens and Jose Collins, which will be released during the coming autumn and winter. In addition, Pioneer is planning several special productions which will be announced later. — o — New Department Offered in Kremer Exchange Ira H. Simmons, manager of the local Victor Kremer exchange. New York Independent Masterfilms, Inc., announces that a special department has been opened to take care of exhibitors' publicity, and that, in addition to the regular exhibitor service provided on all productions, during the hours of 10 and 12 each morning the entire publicity and exploitation department will belong to the exhibitor exclusively. This company reports that several additional short subjects, as well as a sensational six-reel feature, have been recently purchased and are now being cut and titled. Further details will be announced later. WITH the statement from Arrow Film Corporation that William Steiner is completing the seventh of the series of "Tex" productions, it is announced that the rights have been disposed of in practically every part of the world. Territorial buyers and exhibitors who have witnessed a screening of the first of the "Tex" series have commended the splendid work of the casts and the director, says Arrow, and the mystery element In each is played up dramatically in each production and each one has its singular attractiveness. The first three, "Circumstantial Evidence," "The Wall Street Mystery" and "The Unseen Witness," have been released in several territories and, according to the statement from Arrow, have proven exceptional box office values. The interest in the series has been aroused to a great extent because of the mystery element in each production. This element gives each of the productions a distinctive drawing power. Exhibitors have declared that the patrons have in a large number of cases made special Inquiry into the schedule of the release of the productions and have expressed a desire to see the entire series. Especial emphasis has been made on the fact that so many of the older patrons of the theatres find in the "Tex" productions entertainment POSITIVE assurance is given by Fine Arts Pictures, Inc., that the six-reel comedy "Up in Mary's Attic" will be released on state right basis, a current rumor to the contrary notwithstanding. In substantiation, reference is made to the fact that two territories have already been sold on this production. Rights to the northern part of New York have been purchased by Nat Robbins, of Robblns Film Corporation, Utica, while Willis Kent, of Quality Pictures, Denver, has bought rights to Colorado, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming. Charles F. Schwerin and L. L. Hiller, in charge of territorial sales, announce they have never considered releasing this picture in any other manner, and they consider the Independent market the best channel for its distribution. The reason why this picture has not been shown to buyers generally is because it was being cut and titled. Attractive art titles have not been added. The two exchanges that have secured territory report a strong demand for bookings and indications that it will prove a big box-office attraction. This picture is said to possess ■many unusual angles for exploitation which can be taken advantage of by exhibitors at small cost. Working along this line, plans are being consummated • with certain manufacturers who distribute nationally for tie-ups ',and window displays with local dealers. This will cover talcum powder, cigars, bathing suits, lingerie, etc. An "Up in Mary's Attic" ballad and one-step is being prepared, and this will also be reproduced on phonographs and playerpianos. In addition, a twenty similar to a series of mystery novels. Glen White has the role of ,"Tex." Others in the cast whose names are familiar to followers (of the screen are Joseph M. L. Striker, who has the juvenile roles; Leo Delaney, the heavy; Alexander F. Frank, well-known stage character, and David Wall, for many years a familiar figure In silent drama. "The demand for just this type of productions in series was evidenced in the rapid sale of the American territorial rights. A remarkable part of the sales record of this series is the foreign demand. Within a period covering less than three months the sales rights to practically the entire world have been disposed of, says an Arrow official. W. H. Warner Writing Stories for Reelcraft William Henry Warner has been engaged to write the stories in which Matty Roubert, the twelve-year-old "Leading Man," is to be starred on the Reelcraft Pictures Corporation ex. elusive short subject program. Mr. Warner is the author of "Mothers of Men," "The Bridge of Time" and several short stories, plays and articles on travel. His latest book, "The Bridge of Time," is now being published in both New York and London. eight page press book is nearing completion. A feature will be the pictorial pages, which will be made in such a way that they can be used for special lobby display. There will also be other novelties and illustrations and descriptions of stunts which have actually been ti;ied out. Release Date Set for for First Moranti Comedy The Reelcraft Pictures Corporation announces June 20 as first release date for the series of two-reel farce comedies in which Milbiirn Moranti is featured. Moranti is surrounded by an excellent cast of screen players and has Glover Jones and Lem Moranti directing. In this series Moranti has found expression for his style of comedy in clever farces composed of laughable situations, without a scene that might be objectionable to any one. Reelcraft has held back the releasing of this series until there were sufficient releases on hand to assure an uninterrupted program to be released every other week. The advertising accessories have also been prepared several releases in advance. — o — Bradley Guest of Honor. Willard King Bradley, the author of "Empty Arms," which is being handled in New York and northern New Jersey by Pioneer, was the guest of honor at the first showing of his photoplay at the Grand Opera House in New York. Mr. Bradley is an old resident of "Greenwich Village," and In his party were several well known artists and authors In the artistic activities of the "Village." Two of the stories for Matty Roubert have already been completed. One is titled "She's a Vamp," and deals with the love affair of a newsboy. The second story deals with the greatest joy in the lives of all youngsters. "Circus Days." Reelcraft considers the addition of Mr. Warner to the Matty Roubert producing staff as a valuable acquisition, assuring stories of boyhood adventures which will be particularly suited to the talents of the young star. Wing Is Author of New Franklyn Farnum Film Canyon Pictures Corporation announces that the first of the series of Franklyn Farnum features which will be made under its supervision at the Selig studios in Hollywood will be based on an original story by William F. Wing, who is responsible for a number of Farnum's previous successes. Mr. Wing is also preparing the story for the second of the series, while other authors are getting the later subjects ready. Mr. Farnum will not stop between pictures, but will continue until the entire series is completed. Mr. Farnum's previous pictures, which are also released by Canyon, include a series of two-reel Westerns, on which the territory has been entirely sold, together with "Vanishing Trails" serial, on which territory is selling rapidly. A complete line of accessories, including an attractive press book, for the new series is now being prepared. — o — Benche & Weiss Purchase Interests of C C. Hite C. C. Hite, of Cincinnati, who has been handling the Pioneer product in Southern Ohio, was a recent visitor in New York, and announced he had sold his interest in the C. C. Hite Attractions to Benche & Weiss, who will carry on the exchange founded by Mr. Hite. Mr. Hite, who has long been connected with motion picture activities in his territory, has made no statement as to his future plans. Price Official Starts on Western Sales Trip C. A. Meade, sales manager of the C. B. Price Company, Inc.. has left for a trip through the Middle West, stopping at Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland', Milwaukee and Pittsburgh. In these various centers he will screen the five-reel comedy drama which this company is marketing, Billie Rhodes in "His Pajama Girl," Mr. Meade expects to be away from New York for several weeks and upon his return may plan a second trip through another section of the country. Special Opens New Exchange. Three new exchanges are being added to the organization of the Special Pictures Corporation, according to announcement made this week by H. J. Roberts, sales manager. They will be located at Salt Lake City, Milwaukee and Albany. Fine Arts Company Names Territory Disposed of for "Up in Mary's Attic"