The Moving picture world (November 1921)

December 3, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 533 Gunning Arranging Eastern Showing of Dickens Film Which Pleased West MABEL JULIENNE SCOTT Who is gaining praise for her excellent work in Universal' s "No Woman Knows" Historic Abbey Used as Site for New Film One of the most interesting historic sites in England was secured for the cloister and country-house exteriors in "Love's Boomerang," which J. S. Robertson has just finished in England for Famous Players-Lasky British Producers. This is Beaulieu Abbey, in the •county of Hampshire, the country residence of Lord Montague, which dates back to 1203 when it was founded by King John as a Cistercian monastery. For centuries the Abbey was a place of sanctuary and flourished under the patronage of practically every sovereign of England. The last king to visit it was Henry VIII. in 1509 and on the suppression of the religious houses in 1538 ordered its surrender and decreed that the site and buildings should be granted in fee by letters patent to Thomas Wriothesley. New House Record with Acord Serial The best three days' business for .■some time is the report of Manager Zottman of the Girard Avenue Theatre, Philadelphia, as a result 'of the exploitation with which he heralded the opening of "Winners of the West," Universal's "thrillsfrom-history" serial, starring Art Acord. Passes to Children Zottman did two things to attract attention to the serial. He issued 1,000 passes to the school children in the vicinity of his theatre. He also offered a diamond ring to the youngster writing the best 300 word essay on the days of '49, that period in American history around which the serial was written. He played the second episode on three successive days. The first day found the theatre crowded. The second day was an absolute sell-out, and the third day was almost as good. This was the first time a serial had been shown in the Girard Avenue Theatre, Philadelphia in six years. Keen interest has been aroused by the announcement that Wid Gunning is arranging a big pre-release showing in a New York legitimate theatre of "Our Mutual Friend," the latest special in his list of big pictures for this winter. This will be the first Eastern showing of this picture. It has already been seen by Los Angeles, where it was tried out for a week and scored one of the most striking successes in that city of many pictures. The Los Angeles reviewers declared it one of the masterpieces of the year, especially remarkable in that it did not attempt to out-Dickens Dickens, but gave a truthful interpretation of his masterpiece. The appeal of "Our Mutual Friend," it is said, is by no means confined to the many thousands of readers of Dickens' great story. The picture is said to stand out as an example of what can be done by producers who put brains and hearts as well as money into their pictures. Nor is it one of those pictures which lose all of their punch in the delicacy of their treatment. In his thrills, romance, excitement — a first class murder mystery which turns out all right in the end, a strong love theme and a hundred stirring situations. Mr. Gunning, who was associated with George Loane Tucker and with Lois Weber, has worked for months on this production in the same manner as on the remarkably successful production, "The Miracle Man," to transfer the true atmosphere of Dickens to the screen. That he has succeeded beyond the greatest anticipations of those who have Watched him, is evidenced in the delight of those who have seen "Our Mutual Friend." Following the trial showing in Los Angeles, Frederic Northb Shorey, of the Los Angeles Times, declared : "Silas Wegg and his 'weal and hammers,' Noddy Boffin, the Golden Dustman with his suddenly acquired fortune, and beautiful and capricious Bella Wilfer are living again at Clune's Broadway this week, lovers of Dickens who have not seen Mary Carter in her portrayal of the daughter of patient 'Rumty' Wilfer have missed a rare one, for seldom is it possible to see a literary classic so faithfully reproduced on the screen as is done in 'Our Mutual Friend.' "The scenes are those of Dickens, the atmosphere is Dickens, the plot is that of the greatest fiction writer of the last century. "One of the most exquisite pieces of acting is done by the portrayer of Mr. Venus, the articulator of skeletons, and temporary co-plotter of Wegg, the literary man with the wooden leg. And Wegg, himself, seems almost to have stepped from the streets of London, as Dickens doubtless saw him many times, upon the screen, to play his avaricious part, until he is finally disposed of in the garbage wagon. "Although there is a star (Mary Carter, new to us all), the play is built around the book rather than the star, and the star part is no more conspicuous than the part would naturally demand. The vil lianous Rogue Riderhood, the dolls' dressmaker, the quarrelsome Wilfer family, all are made to live again as naturally as Dickens, himself, would have done it, had he had a hand in the production. "As an example of the best that can be done in the way of the adaption of a classical novel to the films, 'Our Mutual Friend' is recommended to the film buccaneers, of which Los Angeles has had some notable examples." Other cities were equally enthusiastic in their reception of the picture, declaring that for sheer screen appeal, irrespective of its famous authorship, it would surely please any showman and his audience. The exploitation department of Wid Gunning, Inc., is planning an intensive campaign before the New York showing. Extensive billboard space will be used, especially in the subway and elevated stations. A spectacular newspaper advertising campaign is being planned. Practical tie-ups with merchants, a feature of every Wid Gunning campaign, are being arranged. A special window card is in course of preparation and there will be a number of novelties. It is expected that the date and place of the New York showing will be announced in a few days. Foch Compliments Pat he News on Fast Work on Picturing His Cleveland Reception Same Day Marshal Foch's compliments have been transmitted to Emanuel Cohen, editor of Pathe News. The occasion which inspired this highly prized courtesy was the banquet at Cleveland to the Marshal and his staff, following the great public demonstration earlier in the day. During the progress of the banquet the complete Pathe News motion picture report of the scenes of Cleveland's public reception the same day was screened in the banquet room. At the start, the Marshal's face was a study of mingled amazement and delight. It was the first time he had seen himself on the screen since arriving in America. At the conclusion of the showing, Marshal Foch requested the "privilege" of a few words with the Pathe News representative, to whom he said: "I have enjoyed your pictures immensely. But I am bewildered. I cannot understand how it was possible to present them on the screen so speedily, following the events Th™ Photographed." i nose tl. aj„_„i,. ident of Pathe, evidently was an active member of the committee which had received him on his arrival in this country, and continued : "I desire to send my compliments to the editor of Pathe News on account of the thoughtfulness and energy manifested in the showing of these pictures here tonight." Marshal Foch's bewilderment seemed to increase on being informed that Pathe News had performed the same feat upon the occasions of his public reception in Kansas City, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Chicago, where patrons of the picture houses were enabled to enjoy the screen report on the evening of the same day that had produced the public demonstration. To Show for Elks Roy Churchill, branch manager in charge of the Kansas City office of R-C Pictures, has arranged to furnish a number of R-C productions for exhibition at the annual ChristThe Marshal smiled at the re mas show given by the Elks of mark of one of the local guests at Topeka for the poor kiddies of that the banquet that Paul Brunet, pres city. HA! HA! I Ju/t /aw a UALLPOOM BOYS COMEDY SID SMITH and JIMMIE ADAMS IT'S THE FUNNIEST EVER! Book 'em Today at