The Moving picture world (August 1921)

610 MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 6, 1921 In the Independent Jield Ditmars Producing Two Series of Animal Pictures for Kineto Raymond L. Ditmars, curator of for Kineto based on the fables of the New York Zoological Society, ,La Fontaine. But he is also pro- who is preparing a series of anima pictures of the Bronx Zoo has ad- vised Mr. Urban that in the prepa- ration of these pictures it has been his aim to produce remarkable liv- ing portraits of the rarer animals. "We have three million visitors coming into the park each year," says Mr. Ditmars. "It is not my intention to duplicate what the visi- tor ordinarily observes but to show- scenes of animal life that may be produced only by a keen knowledge of habits and handling of unusual types." Much has already been said about the series of "Modern Truths from Old Fables" which he is producing ducing a new series to be called "The Four Seasons," which will be picture versions of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, and accord- ing to Charles Urban are among the most exceptional work he has ever witnessed. Regarding some of his forthcom- ing productions for Kineto, Mr. Ditmars says: "1 am familiar with motion picture material in Europe and the United States and know of no animal subjects to match the scope of this work. My reason for not mentioning this work before was the desire to first produce re- sults. I did talk it over with the late Heerman Directing Jackie Coogan Victor Heerman has been selected to direct the new series of five-reel features in which Jackie Coogan will be starred. These pictures will be produced by Jackie Coogan, Sr., John Burroughs, he was enthusias- tic and so was Colonel Roosevelt "Throughout the work has been and distributed by Irving M. Lesser, a sincere effort to do something of Western Pictures Exploitation thoroughly worth while and create Company. greater interest in animal life be- The script for the first story is sides producing a living series for now being prepared by Victor Heer- the visual education of children, man and John Blackwood. Mr. lhis work has not been prompted Heerman's most recent work was purely by financial outlook but as directing Owen Moore and previous the accomplishment of a scientist in to that he was associated with Mar- recording his observations for pub- shall Neilan in making "Don't Ever he benefit." Marry" and "The River's End" Snowy Baker Is Star of Three Features Distributed by Aywon Texas Guinan in Two-Reelers Produced by Her Own Company - The Texas Guinan Productions for locations in Montana and Arizona recently organized, announces it will and the producing company will produce a series of twelve two-reel photograph these attractions at the Western dramas of an original exact locale named by the authors nature, starring Miss Guinan, to be of the stories. An extensive adver- released on the state-right market, tising campaign will be inaugurated, commencing September 15. The Marion Kohn, of the Federated productions will be adaptations from Film Exchange of California, has authors of prominence who have already closed California, Arizona specialized in Western characteriza- and 'Nevada, and three other ex- tion and it is said will portray the changes have wired in offers on their true Western character, supported territories. Miss Guinan is not a by themes embracing heart interest and pathos. It is understood that a prominent state-right producer will supervise the production, exploita- tion and distribution. In addition Miss Guinan will also produce two five or six-reel Western Specials and has already secured an option on a popular Western novel. The Eastern executive offices are located in New York. Production work will be on the West Coast. The first six stories have already- been acquired. Two of them call novice in the making of two-reel Western productions, having starred in two other series. It is also planned that for a period of eight weeks after the completion of the first series of twelve releases to have Miss Guinan make a personal tour throughout the United States, appearing in an act having been written for her in which she will employ her favorite broncho "Honey Dew," presented to her by the citizens of Waco, Texas, her home town. Starring in three unusual produc tions which are being staterighted by Aywon Film Corporation is Snowy Baker whose name is fami- liar to newspaper readers through- out the world on account of his position in the athletic world. Snowy Baker is a skilled horse- man, expert swimmer and high diver, and as a boxer held the mid- dleweight championship, and in ad- dition was winner of several prizes in athletic events at the Olympic Games in London. In addition, he has written many articles on sports and is also said to be a forceful actor with a winning personality redolent of the atmosphere of the great out-doors with stunts and examples of horse- manship and Mr. Hirsh predicts for him a brilliant record as a star. The first production is "The Fighting Breed." An example of high athletic prowess which occurs in "The Fighting Breed" was also shown in a recent issue of Selznick News where he was shown in the act of capturing a big kangaroo. National Gets Another Series National Elaborate Campaign Planned to Aid Buyers of "Tarzan" Serial Exchanges, Inc., an- nounces a contract has just been Another point of more than usual closed for the release of a series of interest in these productions is the two-reel comedies, the first two of locale as they are stories of Aus- which are "The Midnight Girl" and trahan ranch life, with setting and "Wanted a Girl," featuring John atmosphere similar to our own Junior and Edna Shipman. The westerns. In these pictures he first series is scheduled for Septem- makes good use of his athletic skill ber release. Company Formed to Make Series of Two-Reel Northwood Stories The Flathead Producers, Incor- ducers are. T. E. Linden, president; The details of the campaign which Adventures of Tarzan Serial Sales Corporation will inaugurate in behalf of the various buyers of this serial have finally been perfected. This campaign is ambitious in scope and is designed to give independent ex- paper advertisements on "Adven- tures of Tarzan" for special use in the regional papers and newspapers. Further, a request will be made weekly for a complete list of book- ings from each exchange on the serial, in order that exhibitors may A. N. Smith, vice president; John Smith, secretary, and George W. Watt, treasurer. The business man- agement of the organization is in the hands of C. O. D. Blanchfield, 212 Superba Theatre Building, Los Angeles. changes the benefit of intensively be supplied direct with advance pub- applied publicity. licity helps and newspaper stories. As each contract is closed for Prepared in serial synopsis form, "Adventures of Tarzan," starring half and full page mats will be Elmo Lincoln, the buyer will be available to every buyer; these mats given a questionnaire to fill out will be supplied weekly during the showing the number of newspapers different release dates of the serial in his territory running photoplay in the various territories. As each news and the names of the editors, buyer acquires a territory, it is an- the names of the newspapers using nounced, his name and the name of mats and those using cuts, and the his exchange will be published in an papers will be served with a cut or advertisement in the trade papers in mat service. Arrangements have order that exhibitors may know the been made to furnish each buyer source of distribution for the serial with copies of the various trade without delay. porated, announce plans for a series of Northwoods features with French Canadian characterizations, in five reels, for release on the States Right market. The company which was organ- ized a short time ago, has a studio and laboratory at Columbia Falls, Mont., near the Flathead and Black- feet Indian Reservations, where there are Indians as well as bear, buffalo and other wild animals in their natural state. The scenic wonders of National Park will also be used for location work. The studio at Columbia Falls was opened July 4 by a big round up and the first feature, entitled, "Rough Bark le Noir," will be ready for release by the first of August. The leading roles in the film are largest number of exhibitors, taken by Art Straton, Hazel Hart, Special sales letters will be sent Arthur Comstock and Lloyd Talli- out, and the sales drive in behalf of fcrro working under the direction the Aladdin, Sun-Lite and Mirth of Dempsey Tabler. comedies will be augmented by an The officials of the Flathead Pro- advertising and publicity campaign. Big Reelcraft Drive Started The greatest month's bookings in Glacier the history of the company is the objective of a special sales drive which R. C. Cropper, president of Reelcraft Pictures Corporation, is inaugurating. For September, "In- dependence Month," each Reelcraft exchange manager will assert his best efforts towards signing up the