The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 13, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 191 Chicago and the Middle West A resolution requiring all producers and exhibitors to classify their pictures as "adult" or "family" productions was passed at a recent convention of the ParentTeacher Associations of Illinois. This does not mean that former pink-ticket pictures may be classed as "adult," but it refers to pictures which may be seen by the adult but are not suitable for children, according to Mrs. Charles B. Merriam, chairman of the Better Films Committee. The committee has been working for three years for Mrs. Merriam's original idea of classifying pictures, and was surprised to find London had adopted the system recently. A bulletin is sent out weekly by the League of Women Voters, the Parent-Teacher Association and the Women's City Club, classifying the current pictures shown in the Chicago theatres. The pictures judged unfit for any audience are not mentioned in the list. These classifications are mailed to approximately 10,000 people all over the state. A resolution indorsing a department of visual education for the University of Illinois was also adopted. The organization is work !B:^ MARGUERITE KEMP 7^ ing for the establishment of theatres under community supervision. When a town has a picture house they try to purchase it from the manager and give him a salary for showing the pictures approved by the organization. Another ideal for which they are striving is the incorporation of a course in scenario writing in the curriculum of the public schools on the theory that the child who has been taught to write good scenarios will take pride in criticizing the poor ones he sees at picture houses. An amendment submitted by Alderman Robert R. Jackson, one of the colored aldermen from the Second Ward, as part of the censorship ordinance now undergoing revision, would make the "eliminations" more numerous in future pictures. This amendment would do away with any reflection upon races as well as religion. Such words as "kike," "dago," "nigger," "Turk," "coon," "mick" and "darkey" would be taboo in all picture titles, subtitles and descriptive matter thrown on the screen. The amendment prohibits the use of other "terms, titles, or Iplhrases" which "reflect opprobrium or ridicule on a race, nation, religious sect, denomination, or constituted authority of the law." It also prohibits pictures which "hold up to scorn or ridicule any nation or the people thereof." "A neighborhood picture theatre need not have any 'bad nights' if the exhibitor gives the people what they want," is the basis on which George E. Braddock is running the Argmore Theatre, a 600-seat house in the heart of Chicago's North Side, within four blocks of the magnificent Riviera and the Pantheon theatres, as well as six or eight smaller ones. But the Argmore has no bad nights. Every night is a feature night — two weeks or a month, perhaps after the play has been featured in the downtown houses, but there always those who missed it then and are eager to see it at the neighborhood house. Thursday night is "Double Feature Night" and at that time the "program stuff" is used, a re-issue starring Norma Talmadge and a feature full of fights, with Franklyn Farnum in the stellar role, being the bill for last Thursday night. A neat little program with a short synopsis of the story of each play for the current week and a snappy little half column cut showing a scene, is distributed at each performance. Good music, without any vaudeville frills or prologues, is the sole accompaniment of the feature. Mr. Braddock is a capable manager, who knows the value of the friendly greeting and the good memory of faces and names in a neighborhood theatre, as well as an insight into "what the people want." Pathe Adds ''Ruler of Road" to Its Week of May 14 Releases the series of "^sop's Film Fables," produced by Fables Pictures, Inc. "Light Showers" is the title of the forthcoming Hal Roach comedy, featuring "Snub" Pollard. "Snub" is assisted in the offering by Marie Mosquini. Pathe Review No. 155 presents a number of interesting and entertaining subjects, it is stated. Pathe News Nos. 40 and 41 presents the latest events of importance photographed throughout the world by the staff of Pathe cameramen. Topics of the Day No. 20, supplies the screen with current bits of wit and humor culled from the presses of the world. Announcement comes from the Pathe Exchange, Inc., that the strong array of short subject features and the one serial episode scheduled for release the week of May 14 will be fortified by the next Pathe Playlet, "Ruler of the Road," staring Frank Keenan. "Under the Avalanche" is the sixth episode of "Go-'Get-'Em Hutch," the new Pathe serial produced by George B. Seitz, starring Charles Hutchison. "Swing Your Partner" is the title of the current re-issued one-reel comedv starring Harold Lloyd. "The Alodel Dairy" is the latest animated cartoon of Jackie Coogan in ''Trouble'' Is Expected to Be Released Soon "Trouble," the latest Jackie Coogan special feature is completed and ready for immediate release. It is the plan of Sol Leser and those with whom he is associated, to distribute the picture as soon as possible and thus avoid as much hot weather as early releasing will permit. While no definite distribution organization has been announced, it is believed the new Coogan vehicle will sail through Associated First National Pictures, Inc., channels. The contract that Mr. Coogan and Lesser entered into specifies for five five-reel feature productions. Two more features are therefore expected from the Coogan organization under the terms of this agreement. Work on the fourth is now going ahead at top speed. This production is a screen version of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" with an all-star cast surrounding the starlet, and Frank Lloyd in charge of the direction. Two Productions Are Scheduled for Paramount Release May 7 Rex Ingram Will Make Six Big Films in Two Years for Metro Scheduled for release by Paramount on May 7 are Gloria Swanson in "Beyond the Rocks," with Rodolph Valentino, a Sam Wood production, and the UFA production. "The Wife Trap," directed by J, May. Elinor Glyn, famous author of "Three Weeks" and "The Great Moment!," wrote "Beyond the Rocks" and Jack Cunningham adapted it for the screen. The picture is said to be a veritable Cook's tour of some of the most interesting places in Europe. Rodolph Valentino has the leading role opposite Miss Swanson. "The Wife Trap," which was directed by J. May for UFA, is described as a tense domestic drama, presenting several situations which might be reflected at almost any time, in any family. Mia May plays the leading role, with Alfred Gerasch, Albert Steinruck and Paul Bildt, all noted European artists, prominent in the supporting cast. Rex Ingram has signed a contract to remain with Metro Pictures Corporation for two years, during which he will produce six big pictures. First of these will be a screen version of Victor Hugo's "The Toilers of the Sea." This announcement, coming this week from the home offices of the company, in New York, sets at rest the numerous rumors of other affiliations of the director of "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," "The Conquering Power," "Turn to the Right" and "The Prisoner of Zenda." At present Mr. Ingram is beginning the making of a new picture, written by himself and entitled "Black Orchids." Production of this probably will extend up to the time of the release of "The Prisoner of Zcnda," a motion picture founded on Edward Rose's dramatization of Anthony Hope's novel, in the autumn. "Toilers of the Sea" will he begun after the completion of "Black Orchids." Pathe to Release New Issue of "Screen Snapshots" on June 4 June 4, with issues following to be released every two weeks The stars included in "S'-"een Snapshots" are Douglas Fairhanks, Constance Talmadge. Mma Rubens. Charlie Chaplin, Wallace Reid, Cecil De Mille, Lila Lee. Coleen Moore, Tom Forman, Adele Ritchie and others. Pathe announces that a milliondollar galaxy of stars and screen celebrities will be seen in the first issue of "Screen Snapshots,' the one-reel novelty of intimate pictures of screen personalities produced by Jack Cohn and Lewis Lewyn. The first issue of the series has been scheduled for release