The Moving picture world (October 1920)

932 MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 16, 1920 Crandall Describes Two New Productions Sponsored by the Americanism Committee WITH the release of two new pictures last week and about a dozen others nearing completion the campaign of the industry against Bolshevism is progressing most satisfactorily. Franklin K. Lane, formerly secretary of the interior, now chairman of the Americanism Committee of the industry, has been very active during the past few months with the various producing companies, with the result that nearly all of the larger companies are now completing their pictures. The committee's activities are now being conducted from the headquarters of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, 1520 Broadway, New York. The work is under the general direction of Secretary Frederick H. Elliott. Harry M. Crandall, of Washington, D. C, chairman of the exhibitors' branch of the committee, has sent the following statement to exhibitors urging them to continue their co-operation and interest in the work. T<wo New Pictures "Although very little has been said during the past few months, the Americanism Committee has been hard at work with the producers and exhibitors with the result that more than a dozen new pictures will soon be ready for exhibition. "All that exhibitors are asked to do is to run these pictures. These pictures are being made by the biggest men in the industry and not only do they serve their purpose but they are especially entertaining as well. As good American citizens it is up to every exhibitor to do his share in this work. Never mind what your opposition is doing, you show the pictures in your theatre. The first picture, 'The Land of Opportunity,' you all know was a big winner. The second picture, 'The Land of Lafayette,' also was very well received. "The two new pictures that are to be released are 'Stranger Beware' and 'One Law for All.' The former picture has been made by Metro. The story and production is by Arthur Zellner. The scenario was completed by Julia Burnham and the picture was directed by Addison Smythe. The other picture has just been completed by Universal and will be ready for distribution on October 16. It stars Hoot Gibson, cowboy screen actor." Goldwyn's New York Exchange Moves to J2Q Seventh Avenue Goldwyn's New York Exchange will move on Saturday, October 9 from the outgrown quarters which it has occupied since July, 1917, on the eleventh floor of 509 Fifth avenue to the twelfth floor of 729 Seventh avenue, where many motion picture concerns have their headquarters. The eleventh floor of 509 Fifth avenue will be taken over by Goldwyn's foreign department, which has been located on the tenth floor of the same building. The old projection room at 509 Fifth avenue will continue to be used for showings for the present at least. As the exchange cannot be closed for an hour even because of the pressure of business, S. Ec'cman, Jr., manager of the exchange, and his assistants will put in a very busy twelve hours from noon on Saturday until midnight packing up, moving and getting settled in their new quarters. The executive and editorial offices of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation will continue at their present address, 469 Fifth avenue. The exchange will occupy but a part of the twelfth floor at 729 Seventh avenue until February 1, 1921, when the leases of the other tenants expire. After that it will occupy the full 10,000 square feet of space on that floor. Detroit Finds Wesley Spots Are After All Sidney Dots "Folks tell me that I am appearing at a Detroit theatre tomorrow," wired Wesley Barry recently from the Movie City to the Motor City, "but this is bunk. I am finishing up my work here on a picture. I have heard before of this freckled-faced kid who is impersonating me. Tell the imposter I thank him for the publicity, but I really think he ought to split the profits with me." That was the telegram which recently bursted the bubble of one Sidney Ward Scott and his father who were garnering publicity in Detroit. Father had been "modestly" talking about the screen success of his son and son had been explaining that his freckles had been applied only for the screen's eye. But the villain in the piece was a representative of Associated First National who wondered what "Wesley Barry'* was doing so far East when he was supposed to be making another film, and who did s little telegraphing. Mr. Scott admitted that a similar "error" had occurred some fourteen months ago in New Jersey. He said he had tried to stop it, but the billing was out and his son iiad to appear at the theatre. It was unfortunate, but unavoidable. So the Jerseyites do not know even now that the freckles they saw were Sidney dots instead of Wesley spots. Latest developments in Detroit include a telegram from Marshall Neilan, producer for First National and movie guardian of Wesley, asking that the police prevent any appearance of the imposter and to investigate the circumstances surrounding the near-imposition. This will be done by Lester Potter, who, as official police censor of both the spo'<en and silent drama, should be able to tell one freckle from the other. Exhibitors Fight for Right to Open Houses on Sundays With the people of Baltimore seemingly in accord in their desire to have open "movies" on Sundays, the Maryland Exhibitors League has launched into the fight, and held a meeting October 5, when the subject was discussed from every angle. It was urged, however, that the league members should not lead the fight personally, but that a committee be appointed to wage the battle through publicity and paid advertising. George D. Iverson, Jr., who fathered the bill in the Legislature to provide for Sunday opening (which bill is now in litigation before the Court of Appeals of Maryland) addressed the meeting, saying he was more than willing to lend his heartiest co-operation. It was pointed out by George A. McDermott that such litigation should have precedence in the Court of Appeals, and J. Louis Rome advocated that the League take action to have the court render an early decision. "It may cost us a lot of money to get our cause before the people in the right way," Mr. McDermott said, "but we are willing to pay, and we want the public to know what the Lord's Day Alliance is doing to retard us — how it is paying legal talent to thwart the peoples desires." A suggestion was made to open all the moving picture houses on two Sundays before the coming elections, charge no admission, and have speakers explain the situation to the people. Another Christie Girl for Ray Charles Ray has again selected a Christie Comedy girl for his leading woman. She is Laura La Plante, pretty blonde leading lady who is to appear in Ray's second First National production just started. Miss La Plante comes right on the heels of Dorothy Devore, another of Christie's leading ladies, who was loaned to Charlie Ray for the leading role of "Mary" in "Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway." A GOOD EVENING'S ENTERTAINMENT SPOILED AT THE DROP OF THE TRAY Scene from Kessel & Bauman's "Headin' Home," starring Babe Ruth.