The Moving picture world (January 1922)

January 7, 1922 MOVING i PICTURE WORLD 71 SCENES FROM "GOOD NIGHT," STARRING CON MANCE TALMADGE. A SELZNICK RELEASE Optimistic Statement from R-C Tells of Plans for Coming Year Pessimistic rumors of an impend- ing closing of the R-C studios in Hollywood following the curtail- ment of production at several other southern California film plants, are belied in a cheerful statement issued recently by local R-C officials in regard to the future plans of their company. Preparations are now be- ing made for increased productional activity immediately after the first of the year, according to these of- ficals, and there is no hint of pess- imism as to the concern. It was decided not to start any hew productions during the Christ- mas holidays, it was stated, because of the thoroughly human pen- chant of acters for seasonal enjoy- ments away from work at that time of the year. But the R-C organiza- tion will be expected to make up for lost time in the first few weeks oi 1922. Sessue Hayakawa has two pro- ductions which are now being pre- pared for release. "Five Days to Live," which was made under the name, "In the Street of the Flying Dragon," and in which the star is supported by his wife, Tsuru Aoki, has received" the final touches of the film editors. R-C officials are so pleased with this picture that they are considering giving a pre-view at a downtown Los Angeles theatre for their friends of the press and the motion picture profession. Final scenes in "The Vermilion Pencil," in which Hayakawa is sup- ported by Bessie Love, will be com- pleted within a few days. The cut- ting department has started to edit the film under Hayakawa's personal supervision. The star is expected to start upon another picture about January 9. The name of his next story has not yet been announced. Pauline Frederick is also super- vising the cutting of her latest pro- duction, "Two Kinds of Women," adapted from Jackson Gregory's novel, "Judith of Blue Lake Ranch." Miss Frederick's next R-C produc- tion is expected to be a film pre- sentation- of William J. Locke's novel, "The Glory of Clementina." E. Richard Schayer is now preparing the continuity for this story, and it is expected that it will go into production about January 9. Two other big stories, both written di- rectly for the screen, have been pur- chased for Miss Frederick, it was Exhibitors Send Praise of ''Hurricane Hutch" to Pat he stated. The names of these will be announced later. Doris May is nearing the close of her third R-C starring vehicle. "Boy Crazy." She will be started upon her next picture, "Gay and Devilish," about the same time the Hayakawa and Frederick companies begin work again. R. J. Tobin, vice-president and general manager at the studios of the R-C Pictures Corporation, is expecting to leave for New York within the next few days to re- main until after the first of the year, discussing future plans with officials at the home office of the company. It has been announced that sev- eral new companies may be organ- ized for special productions early in 1922, as the R-C scenario depart- ment has purchased several books and plays that are considered ex- cellent screen material. These com- panies will be made up of well- known capable players. Christy Cabanne, who has been in New York for several months directing productions for R-C Pictures Cor- poration, may return to California to make his next film at the R-C studios there, it was stated. L. Dawson, art director for Mr. Robertson, has also been spending two weeks in Seville to familiarize himself with the peculiarities of Moorish architecture, upon which principles most houses in the dis- trict are more or less constructed. He is rapidly filling his sketchbook with all manner of impressions, which will not only serve the pur- pose of the story at present under production, but also prove a fruitful source of inspiration for any future script requiring a typically Spanish setting. Pathe correspondence from ex- hibitors voluntarily reporting profitable "Hurricane Hutch" en- gagements includes all sections of the country, big cities and the smaller towns and houses of all de- gress of capacity, Pathe says. The following expressions are among many received during the last week of the old year: From Rialto Theatre, Motiette, Mo.—"I am running 'Hurricane Hutch,' having bought it from Pathe. It is a 100 per cent, serial. Thought enough of it to take an- other chance by booking the big Indian story, Ruth Roland's 'White Eagle'." From Star Theatre, Sarcoxio, Mo.—"Played first episode of 'Hur- ricane Hutch' to 360 paid admis- sions on first showing, and had to turn many away as I could not get any more in the theatre. Only 900 to 1,000 population." Shelby Social Club, Ell wood City, Pa.—" 'Hurricane Hutch' is all that anyone could wish for in the line of a serial for any sort of an exhibition." From the Avoy Theatre, Moline, 111.—"We opened 'Hurricane Hutch' by admitting the children for one cent or one potato. Before the doors opened for the matinee over 2,000 children were waiting out- side. We are doing much better than we expected, and are much pleased with the serial." Real Atmosphere on Pictures Made Abroad No stone is being left unturned in the effort to procure absolute accuracy in the atmosphere of all settings for Paramount pictures made abroad. A few weeks ago, the George Fitz- maurice Company left for Italy to film the exteriors of "The Man from Home," and at the same time the J. S. Robertson Company was dispatched to Spain to start work on "Spanish Jade." It is interesting to note that each company has its own staff art direc- tor. N. Gregory Arnold has fol- lowed Mr. Fitzmaurice to Italy and will design his studio interiors of the various buildings chosen as loca- tions. Kansas City Critics Praise '^Disraeli" "George Arliss in 'Disraeli' demonstrates the supreme art of acting in motion pictures," wrote the critic for the Kansas City Post, when this United Artists release was shown at the Newman Theatre, and added, "If you like the best don't let anything or anybody keep you away. Mr. Arliss makes us wish we could see him much more often in pictures. The screen ver- sion of his greatest stage character- ization proved to be a rare combina- tion of excellent acting by ex- cellent players splendidly directed and with a story that holds the at- tention till the last moment. " 'Disraeli' is not a historical play. The author merely gave us a story to illustrate the life and times of the great English states- man. Nobody should miss it." "A large audience, spellbound, followed George Arliss through 'Disraeli,' a picture that, from the lay viewpoint, is one of the few celluloid dramas o£ importance," said the critic for the Kansas City Times. "George Arlis is Disraeli," de- clares the critic for the Kansas City Star. "There is no other and he has made it impossible for us to imagine another. His Disraeli has lost nothing in its transition from the stage to the screen. Disraeli's touch of impishness is still there, his posings, his dramatic effects, are all preserved. Mr. Arliss has paid Disraeli the high compliment of un- derstudying him, for Disraeli, too, was an actor and so perfectly has Mr. Arliss done his part that we see not him, but Disraeli, himself. Disraeli would, we feel, have done exactly what Mr. Arliss has done."