The Moving picture world (August 1922)

August 19, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 585 In the Independent Field By- ROGER FERRI September Is Set as Arrow Month Sign William Fairbanks and Lyons Cubberly to State Right Films W. E. Shallenberger, president of Arrow Film Corpora- tion, upon his return from the Coast, announced that Sep- tember had been designated as "Arrow month," marking the beginning of an extensive sales drive in all parts of the country. That Arrow will allow no obstacle to stand in the way of making it a banner month for itself, exchanges and exhibitors is certain, for already Dr. Shallenberger has augmented his organization so that exhibitors will receive a maximum service and in addition to that he has lined up a wonderful array of specials with which to help theatre owners to properly inaugurate the new season, which, he says, will be greatest in the history of independents. Announcement of the establish- "'Arrow Month' will be marked by ment of Arrow Month, however, ^^SJ^^^SS^t was not the only interesting piece papers; a direct mail campaign will of news that emanated from the Ki..i na wS? r »i^.™-- ( i var , iou t s T- el . „. „r , ideas will be carried out to drive Arrow offices. Dr. Shallenberger home to everyone who is In any wav also announced that Blazed interested, the fact that Arrow Film rr» r>_ _-|i Corporation, the leading independent Trails Productions, Inc., will distributor of independent produc- make "Lost in a Big City,' star- lions, is out to shatter all sale rec- ring John Lowell and adapted bv " r,Is »"<• r0 . u "P a tremendous volume T % J „ ,, « .i «" or ncw business. And surely there is L. Case Kussell. Another equally not a time like the present for put- important announcement came in ''"J-' across such a project." the form of a statement that that firm had acquired a new series of six Western special productions, starring William Fairbanks, the dare-devil star who has been making such remarkable head- way and proven one of the best box office assets in his line. The first release of this series will be "Peaceful," which appeared in serial form in Short Stories. Iyne. the "human horse," formerly owned by Jac': Hoxie, will be used by Fairbanks. Eddie Lyons also was signed to make high class comedies for Arrow. "No time could be more propitious for such a drive." said Dr. Shallen- berger In a recent interview. "The industry at large and particularly the Independents have undergone a se- vere baptism of fire which has weeded out the unfits and left those who were worthy in a strengthened posi- tion. Now the day has come when the independent producer and dis- tributor has something to crow about and believe me when I tell you that we are going to crow just a wee bit louder than the next man. for at no time in the history of my organiza- tion have we been in such a position as at present. The pictures to be re- leased beneath the Arrow banner dur- ing the coming year are splendid ones—each and every one a box office sensation. 1 have been enabled to ac- quire a line-up of productions which places Arrow definitely in the fore- ground. We will contribute more than our share to the quota of big pictures which the independent ex- change man and exhibitor is de- manding. "My trip to the Coast was a par- ticulars fortunate one. for it enabled me to lay plans for a powerful array of product, an announcement con- cerning which I will make in the very near future. But at the moment the pictures already announced for Arrow release during the coming sea- son may be considered as a definite indication of what is to be expected from my company. Every independent exchange is strongly urged to co-operate with Arrow to the limit of their powers in assisting in the above-mentioned sales drive. It is because the inde- pendent exchanges have rendered such strong support in the .past that Arrow is in a position today to sup- ply them, in turn, with such a won- derful quality of product. There- fore, it is a foregone conclusion that the continued support of the ex- changes will jeven more greatly strengthen Arrow and permit them to accomplish still bigger things in the future. New Independents Enter S. R. Market LOS ANGELES (Special)—Four of the best known individual direc- tors producing in this section are about to i nvade the independent market on their own. Two of these are expected to make an- nouncement next week that they will produce for the independent market, while the others will not make their plans known until the latter part of Plug 1 September, when their present con- tracts expire. When the identity of these new producers is revealed the independent market will be most agreeably surprised. Local banks seem anxious to finance independent productions. Never before in the history of the motion picture business here have the bigger banks been so anxious to take established directors into their confidence and trust by ex- tending to them financial aid en- abling them to produce for them- selves. J. F. Cubberly, who for the last three years has been manager of the Minneapolis exchange of First National, has resigned that position to enter the independent distribution field in that territory. The resigna- tion became effective immediately. Announcement of this resignation came as a complete surprise to the industry in general, for the reason that Cubberly is one of the most popular and most enterprising ex- changemen in the country. He will devote his entire time to his own exchange, assuming charge of the Finkelstein & Rubin exchange, the scope of which will be greatly enlarged, or will organize a new company. Cubberly already has signed a contract with Al Lichtman for the distribution of the Al Lichtman product next season. He will also handle C. C. Burr's Affiliated Distributors "Big Six" product in that territory and is now negotiating for a Warner Brothers' franchise. This latter deal is ex- pected to be closed this week. season. Segal has lined up an ex- tensive stock of pictures, including the entire Affiliated Distributors. Inc.. output, the first picture of which he will release in the fall. It will be "Sure-fire Flint." starring Johnny nines. Tom Bible is successfully ex- ploiting the Royal pictures. Kenneth Harlan has been signed bv Harry Rapf for a role in "The Beauti- ful and the Damned." a production that will be released on the Warner Brothers schedule this coming sea- son. Marie Provost will be starred in this one, with E. Mason Hopper di- recting. Only two territories are unsold on "Sure-fire Flint." the C. C. Burr Johnny Hiues starring vehicle. These are Washington, D. C, and Michigan. Eddie Lyons, the comedian, wired his studio here this week that he had signed a new producing contract with Dr. W. E. Shallenberger of Arrow Film Corporation. Three new independent exchanges are now in process of organization in St. Louis. Boston and New York. Those involved are well-known show- men who are at present connected with national distributing companies. S. K. Brin of Seattle, is ready for the fall smash on Warner pictures, ivhich he will handle in the Northwest territory. S. K. is planning on a number of unique exploitation stunts, which he will use in conjunction with the sales drive on "Your Best Friend." Another independent producing companv has started activitv here in the Arthur Trimble Productions, Inc.. which will produce two-reelers. star- ring Arthur Trimble. Frederick C Backer will direct. The executive staff of the new company includes: Clem Beauchamp. production manager: Hal Mohr. cinematographer: Norman Ken- nedy, art director, and Robert Lee adapter. Arthur Trimble is only five years old. Morris Schlank. president of Anchor i<ilm Corporation, is in New York, following a sales trip from the Coast. During the trip he stopped at several exchange centres where he disposed of territorial rights to the two latest Peggy O'Day productions. David Segal of Roval Pictures Cor- poration of Philadelphia, is laying out an extensive campaign for next Miss linth Rappaport, who has been in charge of the Ruffalo Pioneer Ex- change, has resigned to accept a posi- tion as booker with Filkins & Mur- phy, distributors of Merit product in New York State, north of Westchester County. Ruth's sister, Sarah, leaves Filkins & Murphy to take the Pioneer position. Dorothy Seibert has re- signed us booker for F. & m. Bob Murphy announces that his companv has acquired four new B. B. produc- tions, starring Betty Blythe. The first is "How Women Love." Morris Schlank. who Is now in New York, recently changed the title of his atest Pegey O'Dav production from Greasepaint" to "The Storm Girl." The personnel of the Phil Goldstone Productions. Inc.. which is producing Deserted At the Altar." includes the following: players. Bessie Love, Bar- bara Tennant. Eulalie .Tenson. Helen Howard. Fred Kelsev. Frankie Lee Tnlly Marshall William Scott. Wade' Boteler, Les. Rates and Edward Me- Wade: directors. William K. Howard and Al Kelley: technical directors. W E. Shepard and E. L. Morrow, and r-nntoernnliers, Glcen McWilliams and John Meihle. Work is well under way on "The Knife." the Milbnrn Merante produc- tion starring Clara Horton. Milhurn Merante is personally directing. George n. Wiley, Inc.. will state right this production. The Perfect Picture Company of Los Angeles have completed their' all-star feature production, "The Power of Love." with Barbara Bedford. Elliot* Sparling and Noah Beery, which is to be shown in conjunction with their method of stereoscopic exhibition