The Moving picture world (May 1922)

298 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 20, 1922 Off to London to Play Leads in ''The Christian" Richard Dix and Mae Busch, recently selected by Goldwyn to play the leading roles of John Storm and Gloria Quayle in the screen version of Sir Hall Caine's novel, "The Christian," which Maurice Tourneur is to direct for that firm in England, arrived in New York from Culver City, where the Goldwyn studios are located, on Thursday of last week and sailed two days later on board the steamship Homeric for London. Three Noted Stars in Pathe Releases the Week of May 23 Moorlyn Books Six Associated Films Six Associated Exhibitors features, including the productions of three stars, were booked for early showings in the Moorlyn Theatre, Ocean City, N. J. The list includes Harold Lloyd's "Never Weaken" and "A Sailor-Made Man," Florence Vidor in "Woman, Wake Up" and "The Real Adventure," and "Don't Doubt Your Wife" and "When the Devil Drives," with Leah Baird. "The Isle of Zorda," a Pathe attraction, also was booked. Among the stars included in the short subject features and the one serial episode scheduled for release by Pathe Exchange the week of May 21 are Fannie Ward, Harold Lloyd and Charles Hutchison. Fannie Ward is starred in "The Cry of the Weak," the new Pathe threereel playlet re-edited from a former feature success. George Fitzmaurice directed the production, which was taken from the story by Ouida Bergere. "Why Pick on Me?" is the title of the current re-issued one-reel comedy starring Harold Lloyd. He is su'rrounded by a bevy of bathing beauties and is assisted by Bebe Daniels, "Snub" Pollard and others of the Hal Roach comedy staff. "On Danger's Highway" is the seventh episode of the New Pathe serial, "Go-Get-'Em Hutch," produced by George B. Seitz, starring Charles Hutchison. "Do Me a Favor" is the latest Hal Roach comedy featuring "Snub" Pollard. Pollard is assisted in the offering by Marie Mosquini, Eddie Baker, Mark Jones and the Hal Roach comedians. "Love at First Sight" is the title of the new animated cartoon of the series of Aesop's Fables," produced by Fables Pictures, etc., and created by Cartoonist Paul Terry. Pathe Review No. 156 is filled with a number of all-star features of a widely diversified nature. Pathe News Nos. 42 and 43 supply the screen with the up-to-the-minute current events of the world. Topics of the Day No. 21 presents bits of wit, humor and wisdom. but fully versed in every other detail of production. "Next comes the advance preparation of all sets, revisions of scripts, and the setting of production details, before the cast is engaged and the actual shooting commenced. Then one of the most effective parts of the system is put into operation. This is the 'error sheet' and I have found that it works better than a time clock in increasing efficiency. The 'error sheet' is kept close to the hand of the director and on it is noted every delay experienced during the day's work, the reason for the delay, the department responsible for it and the amount of time lost, and the matter is officially taken up with the persons at fault." Prepare Film Trailer to Aid Sales of Sport Review Subjects Theatre Patrons Praise Serials Manager Holzapfel, of the Broadway Theatre, Minneapolis, is one of those wise and enterprising exhibitors who give earnest attention to program preferences expressed by patrons. Recently he received a letter from a patron praising the Pathe serials and asking why he does not show them. Test of Popularity The popularity of a screen comedian is put to an acid test when his past etiorts are revived. Harold Lloyd's popularity as a screen comedian is proven, it is said, by revivals of his best comedies at three leading theatres in Times Square this wfeek. The Rialto is playing "His Royal Slyness;" the Cameo, "Bride and Gloom," and the Central Theatre, "Number, Please?" In addition, many theatres outside of the Broadway district display Lloyd's name in electric lights, if only to announce a showing of one of the comedian's re-issued one-reelers. Revivals of his two-reel offerings and the re-issued comedies are being shown everywhere, and, in many theatres are proving so successful that they are shown as rapidly as they are released, it is stated. To assist the salesmen of the various ("ioldwyn exchanges in promoting the distribution of the Sport Review, Weiss Brothers have had prepared a novel sales reel. This film, which measures 350 feet in 'length, has been prepared and edited ■under the supervision of Jack 'Eaton, producer of the Sport Review subjects for Artclass Pictures Corporation. It contains short scenes of the most striking shots in the various releases, together with slow motion analysis and close-ups of the Sport Review stars, including Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Walter Hagen, Ethelda Bleibtry, Rex Beach, etc. A special main title will convey information to the exhibitor along the lines of appeal, exclusiveness and publicity value of the Sport Reviews in general. Every salesmen in every Goldwyn branch from coast to coast will be equipped with at least one of these advance reels. It is believed that this novel film will Ro far toward promoting sales for the Sport Review. A most ambitious idea for the exploitation of this series of single reelers is now being worked out by Jack Eaton and Bert Ennis and will be placed in active operation during the middle of July. United Artists Film Is Praised "Romance, intrigue and beauty — these are the three ingredients that go to make up the plot and production of 'Fair Lady,' " said the critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer when this United Artists release and latest Rex Beach picture was shown recently at the Aldine Theatre, Philadelphia. Betty Blythe is star. Said the critic for the Public Ledger, " 'Fair Lady' is the latest of the Beach stories to be screened and film fans cannot complain that it lacks action." " 'Fair Lady' is a very exciting story," said the reviewer for the North American. " Fair Lady' is one of the most interesting of the recent photoplays," wrote the critic for the Record. " 'Fair Lady' moves rapidly from start to finish," said the critic for the Bulletin. Holubar Waxes Enthusiastic Over $10,000 Prize Scenario Allen Holubar, one of the country's most noted directors, who has been released by Associated First National to direct for Goldwyn's "P>roken Chains." Winifred Kimball's $10,000 prize winning scenario in the Chicago Daily NewsGoldwyn $30,000 contest, is most enthusiastic about the story. " 'Broken Chains' has all the elements of a great motion picture," says Mr. Holubar, "and I think it has every chance of being one of the year's finest productions, for Goldwyn is making elaborate preparations for filming it in keeping with the theme which made the contest editors select this particular story for the $10,000 prize out of 27,000 scenarios submitted. "It is a vital picture story of regeneration with characters that are fascinatingly real and individual, the sort of theme and story into which the director willingly puts every bit of his intelligence, of his understanding of his fellow human beings and of his boundless enthusiasm for the possibilities of motion picture production. "I am ready to go to Goldwyn's studios in Culver City as soon as Carey Wilson has the continuity of 'Broken Chains' in readiness so that the preliminary work of the production may be undertaken." Helene Chadwich on Her Way West Helene Chadwick, who has been in New York on a brief vacation devotion to seeing the new plays ■and outfitting herself with an entire new wardrobe, is now hurrying back to the Goldwyn studios in Culver City, Calif. Immediately upon her arrival there, she will prepare for her biggest role, the lead in a new Rupert Hughes picture. Retains Title of "Golden Dreams" The latest Zane Grey Picture, produced by Benjamin B. Hampton and included in Goldwyn's new release group, will retain its original title of "Golden Dreams," which was the name of Mr. Grey's story upon which the adventure picture was founded. "Error Sheet" a Feature of Bennett's Efficiency System The system of production invented by Whitman Bennett and used in the production of his two United Artists releases, "The Iron Trail" and "Fair Lady," was made public this week when it was learned that the Distinctive Productions, making the George Arliss pictures, were employing it in the filming of their next release at the Bennett studio in Yonkers, N. Y. "I have made no attempt to keep secret the system I devised," says Mr. Bennett," and any producer is at liberty to follow it if he so desides. "The first essential is the engagement of a staff, competent not only to perform the assigned work Books Lloyd Film for Six Theatres L. Boas has signed contracts for the showing of the Harold LloydAssociated Exhibitors feature, "A Sailor-Made Man," in his theatres in six New England cities. The bookings call for a run of eight days at the Strand, Newport, R. 1.; six days each in the Central Square, Waltham, Mass; Rialto, Fall River, Mass., and Strand, Portland, Me., and two days each in the Strands of Newburyport and Amesbury, Mass.