The Moving picture world (September 1920-October 1920)

September 25, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 519 Four New Christie Comedies Now Under Way for Release by Educational Films KEEPING pace with the release of two new Christie two-reel comedies every month through Educational Film Exchanges, the Christies at their Los Angeles studios now have four of the new comedies under way. One of the new comedies being finished is "ShufTle the Queens," with a typical Christie feature cast including Eddie Barry, Neal Burns, Earl Rodney, Vera Steadman, Charlotte Merriam and Lydia Yeamans Titus. The comedy was written by W. Scott Darling and is being directed by Wm. Beaudine. Another new comedy being filmed is "Going Through the Rye," which deals in a casual way with the Volstead Act. Although the plot, which was written by Frank R. Conklin, winds itself around a bottle, there is no liquor in evidence to ofifend those to whom either the absence or the presence of liquor is abhorrent. The comedy will feature Bobby Vernon and Vera Steadman and is being directed by Harold Beaudine. Larger Production Than Usual. Two new comedies are being started under the direction of Scott Sidney and Frederic Sullivan. The first of these which is a country town opera house burlesque will feature Eddie Barry, and the second which also is yet unnamed, will feature Neal Burns, with Helen Darling and others of the Christie stock company. This latter is a larger production than usual from a point of view of studio mechanics and construction of settings, an elaborate suite of rooms including a large ballroom with entertainment scenes being arranged for. These new comedies will follow the first of the series already released which include "Kiss Me Caroline," "A Seaside Siren," "Out for the Night," "Seven Bald Pates" and "Don't Blame the Stork." "Striking Models" and "A Homespun Hero," are two comedies featuring Fay Tincher, and Bobby Vernon, respectively, which are finished and will be released in their turn just ahead of the four comedies now in the making. Fox Shows Film of Famous Poem "'Over the Hill to the Poor House," a William Fox special production, will have its premiere showing at the Astor Theatre in Broadway, Friday evening, September 17. The film is adapted by Paul H. Sloane from Will Carleton's famous poem. It portrays the ingratitude of a large family of children toward a self-sacrificing mother. The pathos of the picture is counterbalanced by some keen humor. Mary Carr is said to give a fine portrayal as the mother, and she is excellently aided by the remainder of the cast, which includes William Welsh, Noel Tearle, John Dwyer, John Walker, Wallace Ray, Phyllis Diller, Louella Carr and Vivienne Osborne. JJHllll)irillllHlilllllllllllHIII(lllliliiiiiiii<iiiilHiHliliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii(ii)itlllllllliilllllllllitiiliillitiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiliilllim I 'TMovies" Prove Popular j in Church at Ard, Neb. I /Tr\HE church was packed to the I I doors and the congregation very I appreciative when, on Septem 1 ber 3, the first church "movie" in Ard, 1 Neb., was held. The Rev. Dr. E. E. f Hosman, pastor, led in the reading of I dedicatory services by the congrega I tion. A ten-piece orchestra furnished I the music. Several illustrated hymns I were used in connection with the ser 1 vice. iiii'iir iiiriiiMKIUIIiiliiliilliiiiitir Cabinet Officers, Writers and Actors to See ''Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge THE special pre-release invitation showing of the Harry Levey Productions feature, "Uncle Sam of Freedom Ridge," which is to be given Sunday evening, September 6, at the Selwyn Theatre, West Forty-second street, New York, is to be one of the most important special showings ever given, from a society, a motion picture, and a news angle, according to reports from the company's offices. Based upon the story by Margaret Prescott Montague, this film has attracted wide attention. It has been said by the committee in charge of this special showing that the list of those who will be present in the audience will show a very representative gathering. Attracted Attention. William G. McAdoo, Mrs. John Blair, Oscar Strauss, Hon. Josephus Daniels, Mrs. Norman de R. Whitehouse, Mrs. J. Borden Harriman, Bernard M. Baruch and family, Herbert S. Houston, Miss Mary Chamberlain, Dr. Henry Moskowitz, Dr. Frank Crane and Mrs. James Roosevelt are among the prominent people who have been invited. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt notified Mr. Levey that she would act as sponsor for the film at the performance. Margaret Prescott Montague, author of the story, is making a special trip from her home in West Virginia to be present at the showing. Many well known writers and playwrights have accepted invitations. Harvey O'Higgins and his family, and Harriet Ford, will probably be present. There will also be in attendance, the entire cast of the picture, including George MacQuarrie, William S. Corbett, Paul Kelley, Helen Flint, Leslie Hunt, Sheridan Tansey, and Eugene Keith, as well as George A. Beranger, who directed the feature. Prominent men and women will speak, and a well known singer is to be announced in a few days, it is said. Disposed Rapidly. State rights are being disposed of rapidly, reports state. Paragon Films, located at 729 Seventh avenue, New York, are to handle the film's release throughout Greater New York. Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey are to be handled by A. A. Millman, 1230 Vine street, Philadelphia, Pa., and in Chicago the Empire Film Exchange is to direct distribution. The Major Film Corporation, 54 Broadway, Boston, has rights for Boston. Vitagraph Filming *'The Purple Riders** Showing Joe Ryan as a Western Sheriff Charles Simone General Manager of Film Publishers Corporation. VITAGRAPH announces that Joe Ryan is being starred in a new Western serial entitled "The Purple Riders." Ryan recently completed a serial as a costar with Jean Paige. Each wins stardom through the unusual success of this serial and in response to the suggestions of exhibitors and public, which were obtained by a thorough canvass by exchangemen. The film now being made is one of the company's earnest efforts to let the people who buy films actually put in an order for the type of story they desire to see. It might be termed a custom-made serial, made to the measure and taste of the public. The picture is the creation of Albert E. Smith, Vitagraph's president, and Cleveland MofTett. It is regarded as an exceptional vehicle for introducing Joe Ryan as a really big figure in serial production. He takes the part of Dick Ranger, sheriff and plainsman, expert horseman and dead shot. Elinor Field Leading Woman. The action centers about the doings of a gang of marauders under the command of one who calls himself the Black Shadow. This gang is composed of vicious, hardfighting men who for years have plundered and murdered. Elinor Field will be leading woman, play ing the role of Betty Marsh, the daughter of a ranchtjian who is a victim of the murderers. One of the chief "heavy" roles will be taken by Joseph Rixon. William Shields will play the part of a weakling brother. Vincente Howard also plays a prominent role. William Bertram is directing. "Kismet" to Have Showing "Kismet," starring Otis Skinner, and based on the well known play and role in which Mr. Skinner achieved the triumph of his long career, will be shown for the first time to anyone outside of RobertsonCole officials Wednesday evening, October 6, in the grand ballroom of the Hotel Astor, New York. PENN YANN, N. Y.— Contract has been let for erection one-story and balcony moving picture and vaudeville theatre, 60 by 125 feet, with seating capacity of 1,000, to be erected on Main street for H. C. Morse, 213 Chapel street. COTTAGE GROVE, ORE. — John Bader will erect theatre at Eighth and Main streets. WABASH, IND.— Fred C. Webb has contract to remodel moving picture theatre for Dickson Brothers. CHESTER, PA. — Cramp & Company, Philadelphia, has contract, to erect clubhouse, auditorium and lodge building for Penn Forest, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, to cost $460,000.