The Moving picture world (November 1921)

670 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 10, 1921 "Lotus Eater9 Has Biggest Matinee in History of New York 's Capitol Braving a downpour of rain and cold, penetrating winds, motion picture fans stormed the Capitol Theatre last Sunday afternoon in such numbers to see "The Lotus Eater," a John Barrymore production directed personally by Marshall Neilan and released by Associated First National, that a new record for matinee receipts was established in the Broadway cinema palace. The matinee receipts were $6,315, the largest by far in the history of the theatre, and less inclement weather would have augmented that figure to a considerable degree. The picture has been held over a second week. The elements likewise are held accountable for the fact that the records for a single day's receipts did not fall before the onslaught of the house's patrons. However, Sunday's receipts were only $310 below the totals established by "Passion," another First National attraction, which is the holder of the record. Sunday's total attendance was 17,547, with receipts of $11,473. "Passion" brought in $11,783 during one day. Although the weather was not propitious for record breaking, it had no effect on the thousands who could not resist the lure of a John Barrymore picture, directed by Neilan and titled by George Ade. This combination of talent was responsible for the long queues of men, women and children who stood in front of the house all afternoon and late in the night, waiting patiently for their turn at the box office. The general comments of delight with the picture, current throughout the house, were echoed by the reviewers for New York newspapers the following day. They hailed it as a refreshing departure from the "usual run of pictures" and lauded Director Neilan's daring in ignoring the conventional standards in the production of this unusual story— the work of Albert Payson Terhune. Excerpts from the reviews follow : Heywood Broun in the World : "Will Rogers remarked the other day that audiences are getting so critical about motion pictures that the producers have to make one out of every four a good one. 'The Lotus Eater,' now playing at the Capitol, is the one in four. Indeed, it seems to us more likely that it is the one in four hundred. We have seen no picture one-eighth as amusing in a season." The Globe : "We consider the 'Lotus Eater' one of the best films we have ever seen. John Barrymore gives one of the best performances of his screen career as the star and Marshall Neilan has directed the production with consummate skill." The Times : " 'The Lotus Eater' is different. It is jollily heretical. It is pleasant to report that the manner of its telling is, on the whole, satisfactory. The most important thing is the acting of John Barrymore." The Herald : "It is by turns tragedy, farce, adventure, comedy, satire and pure romance, and both emotionally and in its swing from the Mediterranean to the far Pacific it certainly covers a lot of ground. But under Mr. Neilan's skillful weaving it develops into pleasureable entertainment." The Tribune : "The story ranges from melodrama to farce, but Mr. Barrymore manages to give the whole thing a touch of travesty that is bewildering at times. It is simply John Barrymore showing you what a good actor he is, with the well known Barrymore charm always to the front." The Mail : "Barrymore stands out head and shoulders above every one in the cast, a cast which, by the way, is about as good as one will see in a single picture, including Colleen Moore, Anna Q. Nilsson, Frank Currier, J. Barney Sherry and Wesley Barry." The Post: "The Capitol presents 'The Lotus Eater,' an Albert Pay .son Terhune story, with John Barrymore and directed by Marshall Neilan. This combination is almost as good as it sounds. The exteriors are artistic and Mr. Neilan makes the most of every situation. John Barrymore is good as Jacques Lenci, both senior and junior — and plays the part convincingly. The picture opens with melodrama and without warning becomes a delightful comedy." known throughout the film industry because of his work in painting several Mary Pick ford posters, depicting scenes in her latest film triumph, "Little Lord Fauntleroy." In addition to these Pick ford and Fairbanks paintings which Mr. Holl will exhibit in Paris, he will do a series of studies depicting life in the film world, so that, as Degas immortalized the French stage, so Holl bids fair to perpetuate the American screen. ''Power Within" Was Directed by Lem F. Kennedy The release of "The Power Within," which Pathe has scheduled for December 18, will focus attention on Lem F. Kennedy, director of the production for Achievement Films, Inc., who has given the story an unusually intelligent interpretation. For several years Kennedy has been directing motion pictures with uniform success. He is classed as a student of the cinema, who looks upon the box office as the guide post to his efforts. He makes pictures the public wants and will patronize, for he knows it is the "commercial picture" that brings the big returns. "The Power Within" is considered more than a commercial picture. While not modeled after "The Miracle Man," like that great picture, it is said to have a story intelligible to all classes. The immense yards of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation at Camden, N. J., were used as the location for some of the principal settings. The cast includes William H. Tooker, Nellie Parker Spaulding, Pauline Garon, Robert Kenyon and Dorothv Allen. bice's New Press Book Is Out "Silver Sheet," the house organ of Thomas H. Ince studios, published in the interest of productions created by Thomas H. Ince for distribution by First National Exchanges, has just been issued. The current edition deals with "Hail the Woman," the forthcoming Ince special, although a part of the book is devoted to "The Cup of Life" and "Mother o' Mine." "Silver Sheet" is issued simultaneously with the release of special productions and covers, in addition to news of the production, an interesting array of studio happenings. "Silver Sheet" consists of twenty pages and art cover, is printed on coated paper and circulates among exhibitors. It is under the editorship of Arthur MacLennan, director of advertising and publicity for the Ince studios. C. B. D.Mille Hard at Work on Film In order to carry out his sailing schedule as planned, Cecil B. DeMille has been working night and day at the task of cutting and titling "Saturday Night," his latest Paramount picture. Mr. DeMille plans to sail for Europe on an extended vacation trip the last day of November. He likewise plans to finish "Saturday Night," before his departure. MAE MURRAY A.XD ROBERT Z. LEONARD AT WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, VA., LOOKING FOR LOCATIONS FOR THEIR NEXT TIFFANY PRODUCTION 'Fauntleroy" and "D'Artagnan" to Live on Canvas The greatest motion picture characters ever created by Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks — "Little Lord Fauntleroy" by Miss Pickford and "D'Artagnan" by Mr. Fairbanks— are to be made to live forever on canvas by George Edward Holl, the noted American painter. Mr. Holl, who was a pupil of Jules Lefevbre and Francis Flameng, and is the holder of many European honors and awards, already is well "The Soul Seeker" Next for Holubar Allen Holubar, who arrived a few days ago in Los Angeles after six weeks in New York, announces that he is to make a series of feature pictures at the United studios. The first will be "The Soul Seeker," starring Dorothy Phillips. Mr. Holubar, while in New York, purchased two other scenarios and secured options on a foreign production. Work will begin on the next Holubar production in two weeks. Casting already has begun. Mr. Holubar is enthusiastic over the new arrangements which he made in New York to produce at the United studios. "Feature pictures, in the future " says Mr. Holubar, "can be made at the United studios with great economy. The independent producer receives the greatest possible cooperation from Associated First National which now distributes the productions to most of the independent producers in the industry. "Various factors now make it important that photoplays should be produced with the greatest efficiency possible and this the new United studios will make possible under arrangements which have just recently been concluded." Mr. Holubar plans to begin work within a fortnight. Stauffer Is Author Aubrey Stauffer, of the Realart scenario staff, has broken into the author class. He wrote the original tale which will be the next Constance Binney offering, to start the first of the week. Edward Le Saint will direct.