The Moving picture world (June 1922)

June 17, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 623 Production Going Rapidly Along at Lasky Studios in Hollywood With hundreds of people work- ing and about nine productions un- der way, the Lasky Studio at Holly- wood just now is one of the busiest places in the film world. Cecil Be DeMille, with his Roman spectacle as a vision in "Man- slaughter," occupies a big part of stage four, the largest glass cov- ered stage in the world. About three hundred extra people and others, mostly girls in the attire of damsels of the days of Rome in its approach to decadence, make a marvelous picture of color and beauty, it is stated. A big ballroom scene is now be- ing staged by George Melford for "Burning Sands"—rich, brilliant and wonderfully set, according to re- ports. Wanda Hawley and Milton Sills are featured, while in the cast arc Jacqueline Lx)gan, Robert Cain, Winter Hall, Louise Dresser and others: On another stage Penrhyn Stan- laws is making some scenes for ''Pink Gods," with Bebe Daniels and James Kirkwood featured and such splendid players as Anna Q. Nilsson, Raymond Hatton, Adolphe Menjou and others in the support- ing cast. The Irvin Willat production, "On the High Seas," entails some strik- uig scenes which will be taken large- ly on the water. Dorothy Dalton and Jack Holt are featured and Mitchel Lewis appears in a strong character role. Wallace Reid and company are making "The Ghost Breaker," un- der the direction of Alfred Green, with Lila Lee in support. Walter Hiers has in this film his first ex- perience in black face as a funny negro servant. Pirates, seventeenth century swash- bucklers and ladies in waiting, Indians, colonists, and what not, take part in George Fitzmaurice's production for Paramount of "To Have and to Hold," which Ouida Bergere adapted. Betty Compson and Bert Lytell are featured. James Cruze and his troupe of actors are making "The Old Home- stead"—a modern picture version of one of America's greatest stage classics. Sam Wood is getting in shape for his next production star- ring Gloria Swanson, titled "The Impossible Mrs. Bellew." Pending the return of Miss Swanson from her European trip. Mr. Wood is now busy with establishing shots and scenes in which the star does not appear. Production of Agnes Ayres' pic- ture, "Borderland," under the di- rection of Paul Powell, is drawing to a close. The final scenes, in which Miss Ayres is attired in a ghost costume, require most exact- ing work on the part of the camera- m.an, with much complicated double exposure. Milton Sills is Miss Ayres' leading man in this picture which is from an original story and scenario by Beulah Marie Dix. The costume departments and the set builders are among the busiest of the studio organizations, but every other department is working at top speed as well. Good Advice in New Movie Chat In the newest Official Urban Movie Chats a housewife has a dream. A chef appears and pre- pares an excellent boiled dinner at small cost. It is one of the "House- hold Hints" that appear in the Movie Chats. Other features include a picturized interview with F. H. Gillette, speaker of the House of Representa- tives; the harvesting of salt and its preparation; some Nature Studies and a Public Welfare Department, which illustrates activities which make the summer pleasant for the youngsters on the crowded East Side of New York. J. C. Ragland and W. B. Frank on Extensive Tour of Country Starting in and each with before him, J. tary, and W. B different directions, a different itinerary C. Ragland, secre- Frank, general sales manager, of Associated Exhibitors, have left New York City for exten- sive tours of the country. The re- spective trips are being made in con- nection with the distribution plans for "Grandma's Boy," Harold Lloyd's first five-part picture, which is now having its world's premiere at the Symphony Theatre, Los Angeles. Enthusiastic reports from exhibi- tors who have seen this most am- bitious of Lloyd offerings, either at the Symphony or in pre-views, have resulted in an avalanche of demands upon Associated Exhibitors' offices for bookings of the production. *'Monte Cristo'' on Indefinite Run at the Mission Theatre studio, which has been closed for eleven months, and made her debut as a Paramount star. "Monte Cristo," the big spectacu- lar and dramatic special production listed by William Fox for general distribution during the season 1922- 23, completed, with success far be- yond anticipation, it is said, the first week of an indefinite pre-release run at Mack Sennett's Mission Thea- tre, Los Angeles. The Mission Theatre engagement follows closely that at the Tremont Temple in Bos- ton, where, it is said, "Monte Cristo" broke all records for attendance and receipts during its nine weeks' run. Indicative of the impression this Fox super-special is making is a wire from Harry David, managing director of the Mission, to the New York offices of Fox Filnfi Corpora- tion. It said: "The public have accepted 'Monte Cristo' as one of the biggest pro- ductions of the year." The five Los Angeles daily news- papers were, it is said, unanimous in their, praise of "Monte Cristo." ShovDmen Voice Approval of Lichtmans Territorial Partner Method of Distribution "John Smith*' Begins June 12 in the State-Lake, Chicago The Victor Heerman production of "John Smith," in which Eugene O'Brien makes his final appearance as a Selznick star, has been shown in many of the big theatres through- out the country on pre-release. Houses on the Loew Circuit that ha^'e first run on the Selznick pro- duct played the picture some time in advance of its regular distribu- tion date, June 10, and the State- Lake gives the feature its first Chi- cago' week starting June 12. "John Smith" has been passed upon by the reviewers for trade- papers, and showmen have been ad- vised of its fitness as a vehicle for this popular star's appeal to his friends. Victor Heerman directed from his own story. Lewis Allen Browne wrote the scenario. Mary Astor is O'Brien's leading woman. Hughes Back at Goldwyn Studios Rupert Hughes has returned to the Goldwyn studios at Culver City from Santa Barbara, where he has been ostensibly vacationing but in reality preparing a new scenario for screening. Things are humming merrily at 576 Fifth Avenue, New York, where the Al Lichtman Corporation has established its headquarters. The offices are being remodeled and, to the tune of carpenters' saws and hammers, the office force is strug- gling with the heavy correspondence evoked by recent advertisements and trade announcements. , Although it is less than two weeks since the first publicity was given to this new organization, Mr. Licht- man states that they have received many letters, particularly from ex- hibitors, voicing approval of the ter- ritorial partner method of distribu- tion. There appears to be a general sentiment among exhibitors, accord- ing to their letters, to the effect that it is distinctly interested in the success of their product, as is the case with territorial partners. "We are being congratulated on every side on the excellence of our cast in 'Rich Men's Wives,' our first Preferred Pictures production," says Mr. Lichtman. "Mr. Schulberg has been particularly fortunate in his selections and I know we are going to have a fine box office attraction to offer exhibitors in this picture." The development of the new or- ganization is going forward rapidly and practically all territorial part- ners have already been designated or will be in the near future. In addi- tion to the output of referred Pic- tures, the product of outside pro- ducers will also be handled and sev- eral such productions are being con- sidered at this time. Interesting announcements are promised by Mr. Lichtman along these lines, and it is probable that there will be several productions added to the advance schedule which has already been announced. Contracts Made for Distribution E. J. Doolittle, who includes in his work for the Select Pictures Cor- poration the supervision of foreign sales, has just closed a number of important contracts with the David P. Howells organization which spe- cializes in the distribution of Amer- ican made motion picture products in foreign lands. This new deal with Mr. Howells takes the pictures distributed by Se- lect into practically every corner of the civilized world. Miss Brady Comes Back to Pictures With the beginning of production work on "Missing Millions," one of Jack Boyle's "Boston Blackic" stories, Alice Brady returned to the screen after a year's absence, re- opened the Paramount Long Island JACK EATON is a specialist in Short Subjects "SPORT REVIEWS" Speed ARexBeach.'^ekeiid Form Taking the Air Stamina By -Way Champions In the Pink Pore Drawing Coids Hook, Line S Self Defense Siaker Centaurs of theHeld Split Seconds Winter Pep Plqyi the Game ASK. GOLDWYN