The Moving picture world (September 1920-October 1920)

468 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 25, 1920 Obregon, Circulation Head of Cine-Mundial, Is Dead ALBERTO OBREGON, for the four past years circulation manager of CineMundial, died on Thursday, September 14 at the Presbyterian Hospital, New York. Hardworking, willing and energetic, Mr. Obregon had a reputation for thoroughness and well-directed ability in his line and was, besides, a very reliable technical translator. During the time he was connected with the Chalmers Publishing Company, he earned the friendship and affection of all those who knew him and his loss is especially sad because of the fact that he leaves a widow and four young children. He was forty-one years old and had lived in the United States for twenty years. Metro Receives Congratulations from West Praising "The Great Redeemer ft Artist Hoppe Visits Fox Studio E. O. Hoppe, British artist-photographer, who is conducting the '\'enus Search" of "non-prof esional beauties ' in the United States, was a visitor to the William Fox new motion picture studio on West SSth street, recently. Accompanied by Director Charles J. Brabin, he was shown every part of the building. As it was his first visit to an American "movie" studio, he manifested more than a passing interest in the modern improvements. He also was introduced to Estelle Taylor, the screen star, and posed for the camera. SO impressive has been the effect of the pre-release showings in the West of "The Great Redeemer," the Maurice Tourneur all-star production distributed by Metro, that not only exhibitors but physicians, public spirited citizens, municipal officials and members of the clergy have flooded the Los Angeles offices of the releasing organization with unsolicited congratulations of the heartiest sort, according to statements of the distributor. The author of the story, H. H. Van Loan, and the director-producer, Maurice Tourneur, have been scarcely less favored, it is said. Officials of the distributing company say the picture portrays a gripping, dramatic story together with a message of vital importance spiritually and morally. In corroboration of the merits of the production are the following two letters, the first from George K. Home, chief of police in Los .Angeles : "I thoroughly enjoyed your picture at the California last night. It is distinct as a crook drama because it does not glorify the law-breaker. A story of this character teaches poignantly and in an entertaining way the folly of crime and is a big social lesson. "The prison scenes where the idea of the Harry Raver to Produce Works ofProininent Authors; Anthony Hope's ''Sophia" on List ADHERING to a policy dating back nearly ten years, at which time he released one of the earliest "big author" productions, Harry Raver still believes in the box office value of the writers best known to the public, and particularly their already popularized books and plays. He was responsible for Augustus Thomas' "Arizona." "In Missouri," "The Nightingale," and 'The Other Girl," Richard Harding Davis' "Soldiers of Fortune," Henry Blossom's "Checkers," Eugene Walters' "Paid in Full," Edgar Selwyn's "Pierre of the Plains," Hal Reid's "Dan," Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle," Agnes Fletcher Bain's "Mystic Hour," "The Master Crook," Louis Reeves Harrison's "Law that Failed," and Gabriel d'Annunzio's immortal "Cabiria," and the wisdom he displayed in selecting this material is shown by the fact that most of these stories and plays have been produced a second time by prominent companies. "Sophia" Among Books to Be Adopted. Notable among the list of new productions to be issued by Mr. Raver during the coming year is an adaptation of Anthony Hope's widely known book, "Sophia," to be released under the title, "The Virgin of Paris." This production has been elaborately done and will be shown to the trade in two weeks. A heart-interest story of mother love has been written by Augustus Thomas for production by Harry Raver. Mr. Thomas, whose plays have lived in the public memory for many years, has written but two original stories for the screen. His first was 'The Nightingale," writen for Ethel Barrymore and produced by Mr. Raver in 1914, and the present one, "Mother Love," which Mr. Raver will also produce. Agnes Fletcher Bain is responsible for the scenario of "A Daughter of the Sphinx" and this production is scheduled among the Raver list of releases. 'A Daughter of the Sphinx" is an elaborate offering, the story's theme being based on reincarnation. The scenes are laid in Egypt in the time of Pharoah. Several thousand people make up the cast. "Libertines," photodrama by Louis Reeves Harrison, the first of a series of powerful screen stories by this gifted writer, will be produced by Mr. Raver, under the author's direct supervision. Press Book Ready on Arrow Comedy Arrow Film Corporation has issued a press book on "Bachelor Apartments," a five reel comedy starring Miss Georgia Hopkins. This press book is now ready and is replete with advertising and exploitation ideas for the exhibitor. Arrow is making a feature of the exploitation department of the press books they are now issuing, devoting several pages to each production. The preparation of this exploitation material is in the hands of experienced men, who have had actual practical exploitation experience in the handling of big productions throughout the country, and are therefore, qualified to work out campaigns that are not only good advertising but thoroughly practical from the exhibitors' standpoint. Hampton Offices Corrects Story Articles published recently stating that the Jesse D. Hampton Studios in Los Angeles had been taken over by the Special Pictures Corporation and that Mr. Hampton would make productions in the new Robertson-Cole studios in Hollywood are declared incorrect in a statement from the New York office of the Jesse D. Hampton Productions. The statement says : "Mr. Hampton's studios in Los Angeles have not been taken over by the Special Pictures Corporation as has been reported. The latter concern has leased part of our large studio space; that is all. Mr. Hampton has no plans for making any of his productions at the Robertson-Cole studios in Los .\ngeles." drama is worked out are instructive. While not grewsome they should have a wholesome and deterrent effect on wrong-doers. It vividly demonstrates that even behind prison walls character can grow. It is instructive and entertaining and I must also remark upon the beautiful photography." Dr. William Barnhart, a physician in the same city, said : "This is to express to you my hearty approval of your picture now Ijcing shown. The spiritual impressions it conveys are timely. The screen, indeed, has opportunity to influence the America of tomorrow. I hope more such pictures will bf shown." James Sams, of the Rosemary Theatre, Ocean Park, Calif., exhibitor of' the production, telegraphed: "Permit me on behalf of myself, associates, and the thousands of patrons of the Rosemary Theatre to congratulate your organization on this picture, which has just finished a record-breaking four-day engagement. It has kept us busy accepting the congratulations of our patrons." The feature has been exhibited solely, so far, in California, in the vicinity of Los Angeles and Pasadena. It is planned to release it ,?enerally September 27. It is enacted by an all-star cast, including House Peters, Marjorie Daw, Joseph Singleton and Jack MacDonald. "The White Bottle," a Film with a Message to Mothers IN line with its announced policy of producing eight feature dramatic photoplays a year, Harry Levey Productions has completed negotiations for the production of its second feature, "The White Bottle," under the direction of Harry Fraser, who also write the continuity. The first picture made by this company was "Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge," which is announced for release on September 27. Mrs. Henry Moskowitz will be in charge of the presentation of this feature. In forming his new company, Mr. Levey announced his intention of producing "pictures with a purpose." "The White Bottle" is said to follow this policy, carrying a message to the mothers of the country. One feature of this release is to be the number of well known youngsters who will play important roles. The Carr Kiddies — Tom and Rosemary — and little Archie Battista, who played in "Humoresque," have been engaged for important parts. New Play for Constance Talmadge Constance Talmdage will return from Europe on the steamship Imperator, October 3 and, in preparation for her arrival, John Emerson and Anita Loos have finished a first draft of their new photoplay, based on the play, "Mama's Aflfair," in which Miss Talmadge is to be starred. Victor Fleming, who directed the last two Douglas Fairbanks pictures, "The MoUycoodle" and "When the Clouds Roll By," has arrived from California to direct the new Emerson-Loos comedy. Picture Theatres Projected JERSEY CITY, N. J. — National Vaudeville Circuit, Inc., has been organized with $1,000,000 capital to deal in theatrical properties. HARTFORD, MICH. — School authorities will purchase moving picture machine for school Instruction with surplus of Junior Red Cross funds. AKRON, N. Y. — Charles F. Berghorn hM sold Park Theatre to Welllngs Berghorn and Theodore Stapleton. NEW YORK, N. Y. — B. K. BImberg has purchased Standard Theatre.