The Moving picture world (September 1920-October 1920)

626 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 2, 1920 Heavy Advance Bookings on Tourneur's "Great Redeemer" Indicate New Records BOOKING orders which officials of Metro declare to be almost unprecedented in volume are being received at the company's home offices for "The Great Redeemer," the Maurice Tourneur super special all-star production. This deluge of business more than a fortnight before the general release of the picture, leads Metro to anticipate that the feature vifill hang up new figures as a box-office attraction. The big demand for "The Great Redeemer" that has been created among showmen in all parts of the country is one of the immediate results of the premiere that it had recently in California. The West Coast was the first section to see it because the Metro executives wanted to try it out on the Pacific slope and let Eastern exhibitors derive the benefit of the exploitation methods emploj'ed on the other side of the Rockies, as well as give them a correct line on the production as a drawing card. Great Success in Los Angeles So far as the exploitation is concerned, Metro officials discovered through the Western pre-release showing that the picture immediately established itself. "The Great Redeemer" had its world premiere at the new California Theatre in Los Angeles. CARTER DE HAVEN has signed with First National for a further series of big comedies starring Mrs. De Haven and himself, and to be produced by him. Following a showing two weeks ago of Mr. De Haven's picturization of the Selwyn stage success by First National officials it was announced that the executives were highly pleased. Steps were immediately taken to insure for the distributing organization the productions made by this comedian for additional high class comedies. The signing of the contract, through the Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation, brings the negotiations to a close and Mr. De Haven has left for his Los It was greeted by press and public as a masterpiece, playing to capacity business for the entire week. It followed with another seven days at the Miller Theatre, on the same block with the California, and continued to turn them away, it is claimed. Shortly afterwards prints were shown in the nearby California towns, such as Pasadena, Long Beach and Santa Monica. There also the picture won applause and Metro has been in almost daily receipt of letters and telegrams from satisfied showmen in these towns, sounding the praises of what they term one of the most powerful pictures of the year. Has Handsome Press Book At the conclusion of its showing at the Majestic Theatre in Santa Monica, A. H. Sterns, proprietor and manager of that house, sent an unsolicited letter of thanks and appreciation to B. F. Rosenberg, manager of the Metro exchange in Los Angeles. Metro has issued a handsome press book and the company's exchanges have a full complement of accessories to go with the production, aflording the exhibitor every opportunity to make a smashing advance campaign. A number of dignified but practical promotion methods are outlined in this book, and all accessories are listed and explained. Angeles studios to begin on the first of the new series. Mr. De Haven says: "It is gratifying to find the earnest work of Mrs. De Haven, myself and our producing unit rewarded by such a thoroughly genuine and enthusiastic reception by officials of First National and the Arthur S. Kane Corporation. What we have accomplished in the line of better production and finer comedy in 'Twin Beds' will spur us on to higher things. We have gone from the beaten path, and having set a real mark for ourselves it is our intention to avoid anything ordinary. The comedy of class offers a tremendous field and with only the best at our disposal we are in a positioa to turn out photoplay comedy sensation; worthy of the confidence of First National and the exhibitors of the country. "With this conviction in mind L canr»e »o New York determined to buy nothing but famous stage comedies that have bcea money winners and whose titles plus their obvious story material should make them rare box-office hits. I have acquired the screen rights to several well-known stag* hits." Kane Predicted. Several months ago, together with an announcement that Mr. and Mrs. Carter De Haven had eflfected a tie-up with the Arthur S. Kane Corporation, President Kane made the prediction that this talented duo were scheduled to make a new high mark in the comedy field. The First National organization contracted for the release of the initial production, "Twin Beds." Reginald Barker Completes "Godless Men" for Goldwyn Reginald Barker has just ccompleted a new picture for Goldwyn called "Godless Men." It was adapted for the screen from Ben Ames Williams' popular sea story, "Black Pawl," which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. The entire action, with the exception of a few brief scenes on a South Sea Island, takes place aboard a twomasted schooner and includes a great fight on board the ship in a violent storm. Action in Story. Reginald Barker has brought every ounce of his skill as a director, of his imagination and of his broad sympathy to bear in the making of his film. He had a free hand from the selection of the notable cast to the retention or discarding of the scenes that had been "shot." Goldwyn is convinced that this picture represents Barker at his best, and describes the story as one of breathless action, of emotional climaxes and of gripping humanity. The continuity was prepared by Edfrid A. Bingham, who collaborated with Basil King in preparing his "Earthbound" for the screen. The photography was by Percy Hilburn. Director Barker selected He'lene Chadwick for the leading female role and because of her excellent acting decided to feature her in the picture. Russel Simpson appears as Black Pawl. James Mason was cast as Red Pawl. John Bowers plays opposite Miss Chadwick while Alec B. Francis is seen as the returning missionary. Others in the cast are Robert Kortman, Irene Rich and Lionel Belmore. Blake Made General Manager of Harry Levey Productions Ben Blake has been appointed general manager of Harry Levey Productions, the company launched by Harry Levey for the making of eight feature dramatic photoplays a year. Mr. Blake's appointment comes as a fruition of hard and excellent work in the field of motion pictures. Entering the world of the films twelve years ago, first as a co-director to several well known rkb, he worked his way by marked stages to the posts of assistant director and technical director of the companies with whoim he served, among them being the old Imp, and Reliance companies, Pathe, Famo»s Players, and Universal. Mr. Blake has been an independent director for the past five years, and in his work he has directed most of the well known stars of the screen. Three years ago he joined Mr. LeTey's forces as a director, and since that time has directed many of the latter's industrialeducational features. TfFO LEADING EXECUTIVES OF THE CHRISTIE FILM COMPANY. At the left is •Charles H. Christie, treasurer and general manager, tuhite at the right is At Christie, president and supervising director of Christie pictures. De Havens to Make for First National a New Series of High Class Comedies