The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

154 MOVING PICTURE WORLD November 11, 1922 News from the Producers Conducted by T. S. da Ponte With Paramount Lucien Hubbard, recognized as one of the foremost scenario writers and editors in motion pictures, has been engaged as one of a staff of four production advisory editors of production at Paramount's West Coast studio, according to an announcement by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice president in charge of production for the Famous Players Lasky Corporation. The other three members of this staff are Ralph Block, Julia Crawford Ivers and Walter Woods. For the past year and a half, Mr. Hubbard has been scenario editor at Universal City, where he wrote the scenarios of such pictures as "Wild Honey," "Human Hearts," "Reputation" and "Drifting." New Producing Unit Is Organized A deal involving the launching of a new producing unit to make pictures which are to be known as John S. Robertson Productions, was consummated this week between the former Famous Players director and Charles H. Duell, president of Inspiration Pictures Corporation. While with Paramount Mr. Robertson directed such productions as "Sentimental Tommy," "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," starring John Barrymore, and "Footlights," starring Elsie Ferguson, and "A Spanish Jade." He was loaned by Famous to Mary Pickford to produce the new "Tess of the Storm Country" for her, which is now being released by United Artists. It is expected that not only will Mr. Robertson handle his own unit, but he will also direct some of the stars under contract with Inspiration. Bulldog Drummond" Is Timely Picture Owing to the increased popularity of the melodrama the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation considers the appearance of the feature, "Bulldog Drummond.'' among the forthcoming attractions under the Hodkinson trademark, as being particularly opportune. It further carries out the Hodkinson policy, it is said, of presenting varied subjects in order to give the exhibitor variety. "Bulldog Drummond" in story form is from the pen of "Sapper." Owing to its exceptional possibilities the rights were secured for the stage with the result that three companies have been touring the United States and meeting with widespread success. During this drama's appearance in Chicago critics as well as public acclaimed it as one of the best melodramas seen for sometime. The HoUandia Film Corporation purchased the film rights and made the production upon the exact locale as called for in the story, namely, Holland and England. It is understood that great stress has been laid upon the atmosphere with the result that, according to the producers, the drama itself has been enhanced in value to a marked degree. "Bulldog Drummond" features two well known American stars, Carlyle Blackwell and Evelyn Greeley, both of whom have a great following among motion picture fans. This production was ably directed by Oscar .\pfel who it is understood, has many film successes to his credit. "Bulldog Drummond," it is understood, will give the Hodkinson schedule something unique and valuable in melodramatic productions. No expense will be spared, according to reports, in exploiting this feature which is big enough to warrant it. This Hollandia Film Production will l)e released through the Hodkinson Corporation at an early date. Positively New To make it clear to exhibitors and to everybody in the motion picture industry, formal announcement is made from the offices of the Mary Pickford Pictures Corporation setting forth emphatically and definitely the fact that Miss Pickford's personal production of "Tess of the Storm Country" is an entirely new 1922 picturization of Grace Miller White's famous story. Miss Pickford's "Tess of the Storm Country" is not in any sense a re-issue or a revival or a revamped picture, has no connection whatsoever with the original picture made eight years ago, but is a 100 per cent, new Mary Pickford production made during the last few months at her Hollywood studio and on location in California. "Knighthood" Holds the Public's Fancy In spite of the fact that it is now in the eighth week of its Broadway run the Cosmopolitan picture, "When Knighthood Was in Flower," starring Marion Davies at the Criterion Theatre continues to sell out at every performance, according to reports. So many have been turned away that it has been necessary to put on an extra matinee every day. The success of this stirring romance says Cosmopolitan, seems to be ample answer to the wise ones who declared that costume plays were not wanted by the public. Seldom in the history of Broadway, it .is stated, has there been so great an eagerness displayed to see a motion picture. .^s for the beautiful star, Marion Davies, who plays the role of Princess Mary Tudor, Cosmopolitan says, she has established herself not only as an actress of dramatic ability but as a delightful comedienne as well. Some of her scenes with l.yn Harding as King Henry VIII are full of delicious and subtle humor. Changes Titles of Two Signs Contract for Universals The growing popularity of Universal-Jewel productions is becoming more evident week by week, sales reports of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company indicate. An example of this growing popularity is to be seen in a sample sales report, in this instance from W. P. Morgan of the Oklahoma City Exchange, who reports the closing of a contract by \V. C. Blackston with the Strand Theatre, Drumright, Okla., for three and one-half solid weeks of Universal-Jewel pictures. The Strand has contracted for "Foolish Wives," "The Storm," "Human Hearts," "Man to Man," "The Delicious Little Devil," "The Trap," and "Wild Honey," to be run consecutively from October 22 to November 14. Complete Cast Is Selected The complete cast for "A Noise in Newboro," the next Metro photoplay in which Viola Dana is to be starred under the direction of Harry Beaumont, has already been selected. Actual production on this motion picture is to begin soon. Edgar Franklin is the author of the story. Harry Beaumont, director of "The Five Dollar Baby," "June Madness," "Glass Houses," "Seeing's Believing" and other Metro photoplays starring Miss Dana, will direct it. Three new titles have been chosen for as many forthcoming Paramount pictures. William de Mille's recently completed production from an original story by Clara Beranger, in which Bebe Daniels, Lewis Stone, Kathlyn Williams and Harrison Ford have the important roles, has been permanently titled, "The World's Applause." "Notoriety" was the title originally chosen, but when it was found that another company had a prior claim, it was changed temporarily to "Paths of Glory," which in turn has now given way to "The World's Applause." Mary Miles Minter's latest picture, just completed under the direction of Charles Maigne and adapted from Stephen French Whitman's novel, "Sacrifice," is to be called "Drums of Destiny." "Racing Hearts" is the title chosen for the new picture Agnes Ayres is just starting under the direction of Paul Powell. This is a story by Byron Morgan, author of the Wallace Reid automobile racing pictures, and Miss Ayre* has the role of a race driver who goes in and wins a thrilling speed contest when the regular driver fails to show up. Business Barometer Steadily Rising The business barometer at the exchange of the Fox Film Corportion has been rising steadily. To aid the exhibitor in exploiting his theatre program an effective advertising display for "Monte Cristo" and other Fox entertainments has been set up in the lobby of the exchange. It demonstrates to exhibitors how economically and artistically a lobby or window publicity "ballyhoo" can be made. The value and necessity of newspaper advertising is also impressed upon exhibitors. This service is free to ey'iibitors booking Fox product.