The Moving picture world (November 1921)

668 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 10. 1921 Heavy Bookings Are Being Listed on "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford Officials of Cosmopolitan Productions and Famous Players-Lasky Corporation find in the steady stream of bookings of "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford," an indication that the exhibitors of the United States are promptly recognizing this comedy drama as one of the great American pictures. Cosmopolitan Productions feels that "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" is something more than a fine photoplay — it is an expression of America of American art and American manners, wit and ingenuity that will ineradicably inscribe itself in the anna.s of native achievements. Hugo Riesenfeld was one of the first of those identified with the screen to recognize this glowing American quality in the production. This, in addition to the general excellence of the picture, induced him to book it for two weeks in two of his theatres simultaneously — the Rialto and Rivoli, in which houses it will be presented Sunday, December 4. This unusual booking on Broadway is considered by the producer and distributor as fine a tribute to the picture as could be accorded it. Lovers of literature, the stage and the screen always hail with delight a novel, a poem or motion picture that indicates the growth of "native American art." Recently American novelists have been sounding a note that has struck a responsive chord in the hearts of those who have longed for real American novels. The stage has also developed a crop of plays that are essentially by Americans and of America. The claim is made for "Get-RichQuick Wallingford" that it is essentially and typically American, that it portrays types found only within the confines of the forty-eight States, and that its plot is so bound up with the national temperament that it is impossible to conceive of the story taking place elsewhere than in an American small town. The country has grown so rapidly, its marvelous resources have brought such enormous wealth that it undoubtedly gives birth to more getrich-quick schemes than any other land. Nowhere has money been earned so speedily and in such large quantities as with us. Battlesburg, the town in which "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" has its settings, is, therefore, a typical American town. tising and publicity campaign is the illustrated serial story of "Get-RichQuick Wallingford" which has been published in the following Hearst newspapers : New York Evening Journal, Boston American, Washington Times, Atlanta Georgian, Chicago American, Detroit Times, Milwaukee News, San Francisco Examiner and Los Angeles Examiner. These big dailies, with a combined circulation of many mil lions, thus contribute to the stimulation of the already existing interest in "Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford" in the minds of the public. "Get Rich Quick Wallingford" was adapted to the screen by Luther Reed from some of the famous Wallingford stories and the stage success by George M. Cohan. Because of the ability he displayed in "Humoresque," Frank Borzage was assigned to direct it. "Flower of the North" Gets High Praise from Its Author "Flower of the North," Vitagraph's big special production based on the thrilling novel by James Oliver Curwood, has met with the hearty approval of the author whose stories of the land "north of 53'' among the most popular on screen. In hastening to send his pleasure that his story has been so carefully followed with the resulting splendid picture, the author resorted to a telegram to Albert E. Smith, president ot Yitagraph, at the executive'offices, 469 Fifth avenue, New York City. Mr. Curwood declares that although he has been accused of being over severe in his criticism of are pictures based on his stories, "Flower the of the North" is one of the best pictures he has even seen. His telegrame to Mr. Smith read: "As the author of the novel, 'P'lower of the North,' I cannot fully express my appreciation of your Palmer Photoplay Sells Big Scenario to Universal Company From a cell in the Arizona State turned to the screen as a medium Prison, by way of the course and through which he may help others to service of the department of educa tion of the Palmer Photoplay Cor poration, comes a new entrant to the ranks of screen writers. In the sale recently announced of "Peterman," a new kind of crook story by Louis Victor Eytinge to Universal Universal for use as a starring vehicle for Herbert Rawlinson, there is reflected the grim determination and dogged perseverance of one of America's most famous prisoners. All the world knows the story of Louis Eytinge. It would not be a pretty story were it not for the later chapters, which make it a thing of intrinsic worth — the story of a soul find themselves. "I am writing picture plays because of the desire to venture, into a new field and to WIN," he writes to Frederick Palmer, to whose aid he gives entire credit for his first success in the motion picture field. "But more than that, I want to bring about through that great medium, the screen, the damnably needed efficiencies in the handling of our crime and prison problems." Inside the four walls of Arizona prison where he has already served 14 years of a sentence, Eytinge has built up a huge business-letter and advertising business. 'My early experience with the frenzied finance of the most modern variety. Its people "fall" for J. Rufus Wallingford's grandiose schemes to make them all fabulously wealthy. In this they reveal the national character. A powerful feature of the adver lcst and regained. Given up to die as a hopeless consumptive, a moral Palmer Course was exhiliarating," and mental wreck, Eytinge entered he writes to Mr. Palmer. "You Arizona prison sentenced for life for sent me my first rejection slip, and alleged murder. Ten years later he that served to reduce the egotism had carved for himself a niche in that infected Eytinge! Here was a the business and advertising world, chap who had written more than a He became one of the most famous hundred leading articles in business It is the scene of of direct-mail advertising specialists ; and advertising journals, who had In the holiday season remember and be remembered. Your greeting carried in Moving Picture World's big Christmas number will be in good company. Don't delay it. founder and editor of a 64-page been editor of one such magazine for monthly ; and author of two books two years, whose name was gilded on business letters. Giants of in on the covers of a couple of busidustry, leaders of sociology, gover ness books as I-T, it, Author, and nors, senators, people in all walks of bless you, you sent his picture scripts life gave him their friendship. And back! That fanned the flames of finding himself, Louis Eytinge has my ambition all the more ; your sale ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ t » Universal marks the result. "The critical comments on my returned scripts were clear, concise and based upon a ripened experience. More than this the Palmer experts did not stop at pointing out defects in my work, for they prescribed remedies and offered serviceable suggestions. It has been a peculiar pleasure to have relations with all the Palmer people and a joy to tackle the task of re-writing and rebuilding, until at last, the reward is here and success in sight." A tense moment in "Dr. Jim" (Universal), starring Frank Mayo picturization of the book. It is one of my favorite books of the big North, and I am delighted with the masterly way that Director David Smith has put it on the screen. Not only has he kept my story in every detail hut he his added to it a craftsmanship that makes it one of the best pictures I have ever seen. I am accused of being an over severe critic of the picturization of my own stories, but in this instance I cannot find words which can too fully express my satisfaction of the splendid piece of work you have turned out with 'Flower of the North.' Paul ine Starke is exquisite. Henry Walthall has done his best acting. The entire cast fits a cross section of the Northland itself. The real Jeanne D'Arcambal and myself tender you our thanks." (Signed) James Oliver Curwood. Vitagraph has been particularly fortunate in its picturization of the James Oliver Curwood stories. Without exception they have been immensely popular. One of the earliest stories, "God's Country and the Woman," was a revelation to picture lovers of the possibilities of the great frozen North as the locale of stirring, virile stories, and set a standard which has never been lowered. Not long since the Vitagraph special, "The Courage of Marge O'Doone," with Pauline Starke and Niles Welch, met with favor throughout the country and Canada, and in Europe, but never before has a Curwood story met with such unqualified praise from the author as "Flower of the North," which has Miss Starke and Henry B. Walthall in the leading roles. "Flower of the North" is a December release. Already orders for the special have ben pouring in from all parts of the country and Canada and undoubtedly the picture will begin the new year with a record that may stand throughout the year. Miss Walker Has Changed Her Name Lillian Walker, the English beauty, who portrays the part of Stella Daintry in "Love's Boomerang," the Paramount picture John S. Robertson has just finished in Europe, has changed her name officially to Lillian Douglas.