The Moving picture world (December 1920)

882 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 18, 1920 In the Independent^Field Frohman Amusement Corporation to State Right Lillian Gish Specials The Frohman Amusement Corporation announces that the productions made by it and in which Lillian Gish is to star will be distributed under franchises to be awarded to state rights buyers. There will be either four or five during 1921 and the same number during 1922. The first, which will be ready for release about February IS. has the working title of "World Shadows" but the final has not yet been decided upon. Five franchises have already been awarded but the holders will not be announced until the entire United States has been disposed of. "We have received numerous inquiries from independent buyers and national distributing organizations regarding our plan of distribution, and were flattered by offers from two of the national organizations," said Mr. Sherrill, president of the company, "but, after canvassing the situation. Miss Gish agreed with me that to independently exploit the productions would be a better medium. "We were somewhat diffident of not being able to secure 100 per cent, distribution but find that the state rights market is thoroughly established and there are in each territory certain exchanges properly qualified to handle the productions, and are convinced that the first-run houses are at all times prepared to book worthwhile independent attractions, paying for them commensurate with their box-office worth. "Miss Gish has been given every form of assistance, the story we believe to be unsurpassed for intensity of dramatic theme, depth of heart interest and general appeal. It is by Madame Fred DeGresac and it is a subject of world-wide appeal. The director, Jerome Storm, needs no introduction to the picture public because of his excellent work with the Charles Ray pictures. "There are nineteen principals in support of Miss Gish, who were chosen because of acting ability and exactness to type. The exploitation is to be in keeping with the productions, and we are mapping out a plan to continue throughout the two years of the contract. The staff is being enlarged and exploitation experts will operate under ideas entirely new to the industry. "For the technical and studio staff we have engaged men who are not an experiment. The company has been actively engaged at the Biograph studio for upward of six weeks. An art director and special form of lighting equipment was brought from Los Angeles, and several of the employes worked on 'Way Down East.' "I feel that the independent buyer will appreciate this opportunity to acquire productions as Gardiner Buys Rights to Arrow Feature for Fourteen States What is claimed to be one of the largest contracts closed for a single picture has been negotiated between Arrow Film Corporation and the Gardiner Syndicate for the all-Indian feature, "Before the White Man Came." The Gardiner Company secures distribution rights for Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming. New Mexico, California, Arizona, Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania, Greater New York and northern New Jersey. Mr. Gardiner intends to put out road shows in all of the territories accompanied by an Indian band of twenty pieces and a carload of exploitation help, scenery, lobby displays, etc. Gardiner Syndicate has been hand ling the picture in upper New York in this manner for some time and reports it is one of the most profitable attraction yet. The story is based on the history of the Crow Indians and contains strong love interest, besides having an educational and historical value, representing the lives and customs of the Indians. A large price was paid for this territory. Sherman Franchise Boston Photoplays Company has secured franchise for the exclusive distribution of Sherman Pictures Corporation productions in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island. great as those made by any national distributor or otherwise. Exhibitor organizations have passed resolutions urging support of the independent producer, and it is fundamentally because of this that I have prevailed upon Miss Gish to consent to this medium of distribution. "Negotiations are pending for foreign distribution rights, two offers having already been cabled from London." Sam Werner Buys St. Louis Exchange Eddy Eckels of the Independent Films Association, announces that Sam Warner, owner of United Film Service of St. Louis has purchased the St. Louis Film Exchange, thereby securing rights to the Neal Hart features, Leo White Comedies and Roy Stewart feature, "The Lone Hand" in that territory. J. R. Mahon, of the advertising staff of Independent, has been sent to St. Louis to assist Mr. Werner in exploiting the pictures. Mr. Eckels also announces that the press book of "Skyfire," the second Neal Hart feature, is now ready. It is in three colors and contains much matter that will be of great service to exhibitors. Legend Film Ready The second of the comedies being made by Legend Film Productions, "Wanted — A Girl", shows Edna Shipman as a funloving society bud, and John Junior as an author in search of romance. The production is elaborately staged, with excelent cast. Treve Collins, Jr., 's the author and Tefft Johnson the director. "I WISH— I WISH— A— A— I WISH I GET THE BIGGEST PIECE OF WISHBONE," SAYS LILLIAN GISH In the center with her is Jerome Storm, who is directing her in her first Frohman Amusement Corporation picture. At the right she is "Romancing" with James Rennie, her leading man