The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 27, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 411 In the Independent Jield Bobby North and Larry Weber to Handle Distribution of ''Curse of Drink 99 News of the sudden purchase of "The Curse of Drink," the screen version of Charles Blaney's melodrama, by Ben Blumenthal, president of the Export and Import Film Company, has been followed by another important announcement by this company. Bobby North, of the Apollo Exchange, Inc., put in a bid for the New York and Northern New Jersey rights on the production, and it was accepted, so consummating one of the fastest turn-overs of an independent picture on record. After viewing "The Curse of Drink" for the second time Mr. North put in a bid for the entire American rights. This was not accepted, but after a series of conferences a compromise was arrived at. As a result a contract was signed, L. Lawrence Weber and Bobby North taking over a half interest of the picture for the American rights. The Apollo Exchange, Inc., under the terms of the contract, will distribute the production on the independent market in this country. It will be held for fall release. Bobby North's exchange will release the picture in New York and Northern New Jersey. The Apollo Exchange, Inc., recently purchased the New York and Northern New Jersey rights of "The Jungle Goddess" from the Export and Import Film Company and is now releasing it. "The Curse of Drink" is a sevenpart feature directed by Harry Hoyt. John Kimberly, executive manager for Nu-Art Pictures Corporation, says that "Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight;" is cracliing box office records in the Buffalo territory. Manager Fred Shafer of the new Lafayette Square, Buffalo, and Fay's Theatre in Rochester tacked up new records with this subject. Nu-Art Is now installed in its commodious offices in the new Beyer film building in the Queen City of the Lakes. The company will soon start a drive on "Determination." Syd Samson, manager of the Buffalo Grand & Warner office, is now supplying exhibitors a complete show in one shipment — a , feature, comedy, scenic, cartoon or educational and advertising— all at once. It's called the Federated Economy Locked Show. Syd says the show is offered at prices that make summer business profitable. The same stunt is being worked in the Albany Exchange. Paul Richrath has opened temporary headquarters in Buffalo for American Releasing Corporation in the Warner building, sharing space with Niagara Pictures Corporation. The Strand is now screening several of the company's products, including "Bluebeard. Jr.." "The Cradle Buster," "Cardigan." and "The Lying Truth." The house has booked "Sisters" for a solid week run in June. George Ferguson. Nu-Art salesman in Buffalo, is passing the cigars. It's a boy. Congratulations, George. Commodore Howard F. Brink of the Grand & Warner sales staff in Buffalo is now touring the territory in a new Buick coune. Prosperity is written all over Howard's short front these days. Earl Brink, booker at Para mount, sure is front of his rich papa. We know now "Why Girls Leave Home." They see Howard in that new Buick — and well you know the rest in the books you have read. Mike Resnick has resigned from the American Releasing staff in Buffalo to join R-C Pictures. He succeeds H. E. Hughes. The new Grand & Warner film building at 265 Franklin street will be ready for occupancy in a week or two. and Manager Sydney Samson is planning a big time as a formal opening. United Artists' will have space in the building. Louis Rosenberg, special representative for De Luxe Feature Film Service of Seattle, has returned from Montana where he reports things picking up for the industry. He leaves this week for Spokane and Eastern Washington, thence to Portland. "The Battle of Jutland" opens May 27 at Gus A. Metzger's Rivoli Theatre, Portland, Oregon. This three-reel Educational feature is taking well throughout the Northwest territory, depicting the only naval battle of the war. Jack Lannon, president of Greater Features, Inc., of Seattle, is making a trip thjought the Montana territory meeting exhibitors and visiting the new Butte office. Charles Gilmore, general manager of Arrow Film Corporation, out of Denver, is expected at the Stattle ofhce next week. J. A. Conant, Northwest Division manager, is in Portland on business. He will return the end of this week. L. K. Brin of Kwality Pictures of Seattle has returned from Denver, where he went to establish a new office. Ben Amsterdam of the Masterpiece Film Attractions, Philadelphia, is forging straight ahead. Recently closed for distribution in this territory (eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey) series of Felix Novelty cartoons. The first two releases have been shown at the Stanley Theatre and have been booked over the entire Stanley circuit. "Out of the Inkwell" is another cartoon just acquired and going strong, being backed by a clever advertising campaign. "His Nibs," featuring Chic Sale, will be held over for the fall, "Wandering Boy" during the past week broke all attendance and gross receipts at the State Theatre, WilkesBarre, and the Orpheum, Scranton. Jay Renter of the Royal Pictures. Philadelphia, reports a very successful and big week of the initial engagements of "Determination" the week of May 1, at the Arcadia Theatre. Reading. During the entire week Misses Iren Tarns and Gene Burnell. leading screen stars of the production, made personal appearances three times daily to overcrowded houses. Oscar Neufeld, copartner of Tony Luchesse, of the De Luxe Exchange, Philadelphia, was married May 4 to Miss Rose Osar, and just returned from his honeymoon — an auto trip through Virginia, Washington and Maryland. The happy couple are receiving congratulations from all their friends. Graphic Change Opens in South Further expansion of the Graphic Film Corporation was announced this week when Ivan Abramson contracted with J. E. Pearce nf the Pearce Films, Inc., to establish a Graphic Film Exchange in New Orleans, La. This territory will in HERE'S A BALLYHOO RIGHT ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE Eddie Bonns of Warner Brothers and Lou Berman of Philadelphia made Washington, D. C, sit up and take notice with a clever street parade during the exhibitor convention Second National Will Produce Two More in Canadian Rockies the bargee and his wife. The picture is said to provide many unusual and interesting situations. Marjorie Villis, James Knight and Bernard Dudley, who won fame throughout the United States by their portrayal of characters in "Romany," the gypsy photodrama, enact the leading roles. Charm is declared to be the outstanding quality of ','Brenda's Heritage," a photoplay scheduled as an early June release by Second National Pictures Corporation. Based upon a lost heiress theme, it deals with the childhood and girlhood of Brenda on a canal barge, the girl believing herself to be the daughter of Three More Sales Completed on Eddie Polos 'Vapn Kidd" Three new sales, all of them important ones and covering important territories, was the number made this week on the Eddie Polo serial, "Cap'n Kidd," through the Star Serial Corporation, which controls world rights to this serial. Joe Brandt, president of the company, who returned this week to his New York oflfices from a trip to several of the important key cities, reports that interest in this serial is high throughout the country. The remainder of the Southern territory was disposed of this week on "Cap'n Kidd" when First Na tional Pictures, of Charlotte, purchased rights to it for North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and Creole Enterprises, of New Orleans, took over rights in their territory, which includes the States of Louisiana and Mississippi. Another sale closed this week was that to Richards & Flynn, of Kansas City, for all of Kansas and Western Missouri. With these sales made exactly three-quarters of the entire territory has already been disposed of on "Cap'n Kidd," with territorial rights already signed up in 32 States. dude Louisiana, Mississippi, Mobile, Southern Alabama and Florida west of the Appalachicola river. The consummation of this deal brought .Miramson in touch with the foremost independent distributing exchange in the South, for the Pearces have been connected with the Mo tion Picture Industry since 1905. Their first venture was known as the Birmingham Film & Supply Co., which later was changed to the Imported Film & Supply Co., during which time hey aided materially in the development of the motion picture industry in general.