The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

420 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 2, 1922 High Praise Given to Goldwyn Picture Overseating Cause of Poor Business Seldom does a motion picture receive such flattering reviews at the hands of the New York reviewers of films, says Goldwyn, as they accorded to the adaptation of a Peter B. Kyne story, "Brothers Under the Skin," acted by Helcne Chadwick, Claire Windsor, Mae Busch, Pat O'Malley and Norman Kerry. It was the offering at the Capitol Theatre recently. James Spearing in the New York Times wrote : "The overflowing thanks of a grateful reviewer, and it is hoped many others, are extended to E. Mason Hopper and those responsible with him for the treatment given 'Brothers Under the Skin.' " Quinn Martin in the World : "This is an exceedingly funny treatment of the extravagant wife problem. There are only five persons in the play and each one of them is ideally cast." . . . Alan Dale in the New York American wrote: "A film of truth, and clever. Oh, it handed me a fine, fat laugh. It was amusing, clever and true." P. W. Gallico in the Daily News: "Bringing friend wife to this picture, is just as mild a sport as waving a red rag at a bull. For once the male is glorified, and how we like it." Landon M. Robinson in the Globe: "The picture is exceptional chiefly because of its rich humor and the fact that it is rather a faithful reflection of life. The audience last night was quick in its response to situations that hit home." Ben F. Holzman in the Mail : "What a wonderful relief it is to find a picture directed by a man with a sense of humor. One and all should bow in thanks. Helcne Chadwick does just about the best work of her career." Evening World: "It's as funny a film conceit as we have beheld for a long, long time." . . . Telegram : "Is going to give all the gentler sex at the matinees a good deal to talk about. The sterner sex will find much in it to arrest their attention. Go to the Capitol and you will recognize in the figures on the screen people that you know in real life." Journal : "What appeared to appeal most to the spectators of both sexes was its amusing insight into the lives of their neighbors' families. It is a double-barrelled plot." Telegraph : "So honest and told with so much whimsical humor and tender wistful flashes of sentimenr that it is constantly entertaining. If laughs are worth a penny a piece, yon oMght to get your money's worth." Journal of Commerce: "A diverting comedy of modern marriage. Throughout the story runs a delightful comedy vein, but underneath the surface is a strata of powerful and realistic drama that imparts to the picture the value of a true and interesting human document." Any ills that the motion picture exhibitors are undergoing in Western Canada are due to overseating, according to W. P. Dewecs, original First National franchise holder for Vancouver, who has been spending two weeks in New York as a member of the Rotating Committee. In asserting that the exhibiting business was far from profitable, Mr. Dewees declared that people were still going to the picture houses in as great numbers as ever, but that the construction of large houses in his territory has squeezed the returns for exhibitors. In Vancouver, where he is general manager for United Theatre, three first-run houses are doing business in a city of 100,000. Two of these, the Allen and Rex, have a seating capacity of 2,000 and 1,000, respectively. In Victoria (population 35,000), the Royal, one of the first-run houses, seats 1.800. Mr. Dewees does not look for any immediate betterment of conditions, declaring that the situation, which is a local one, must remedy itself. June Mathis Heads Goldwyn Department As a preliminary step to a prod'j.-tion program which, it is stated, will call for an expenditure of many million dollars in the next six Vnonths, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation has closed negotiations with June Mathis, one of the most fu'r.ous and successful scenario writers in the industry to head its editorial department. Her title will be Editorial Director, and it is said she will hold the most responsible motion picture executive position ever held by a woman. Miss Mathis recently returned from New York to the Goldwyn studios at Culver City, California, a.id will at once assume the duties of her new office. She took with her to the Coast the almost completed continuity for Goldwyn's forthcoming production of Gen. Lew Wallace's novel. "Ben Hur," on which she has been working for three months. Village Blacksmith" Has Prominent Cast "Third Alarm" to Be Shown at Astor "The Village Blacksmith" boasts of a cast that is a combination of names long identified with the leading productions in the film industry and several that have been seen in electric lights in front of the leading picture houses. This 1923 melodrama, founded on Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem and produced by Fox Film Corporation, is now playing a highly successful engagement at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre, New York. William Walling as John Hammond, the village blacksmith, is a comparatively "newcomer" in pictures, but his work as the sturdy specimen of a true American drawn by the famous poet, give him every right to his position at the head of the class. An original feature of the picture is the manner in which the character of Ezra Brigham is treated. The cause of all the trouble to the other jjersons in the story, Ezra has been endowed by Director Jack F^rd and Tully Marshall, the impersonator of the part, with a sardotiic sense of humor which causes him to smile with grim satisfaction when he is getting even with anyone. As a matter of fact, he grins as often as he frowns and seems to enjoy the unhappiness that he makes others suffer. Set in opposition to the kindly and open-hearted blacksmith, Ezra' appears doubly despicable. Another of the fine qualities of "The Village Blacksmith" is the poetic composition of many of the exterior scenes. There are "shots" of country lanes, "the old swimming hole," and views of peaceful stretches of field and wood that are beautiful in the extreme. "The Village Blacksmith" is one of the most human and appealing stories that has ever been put on the screen. "The Third Alarm," announced by Film Booking Offices of .America as a perfect example of "heart-interest thriller," is to have a Broadway run in a "legitimate" house. The Astor Theatre on Broadway, has been selected by F. B. O. to house the new Emory Johnson production during its world premiere. This special will occupy the .Astor screen beginning January 7th, for a minimum of four weeks. "The Third Alarm" will follow "The Prisoner of Zenda," "Trifling Women" and "The Town That Forgot God," which successes have played at the Astor this season. "The Third Alarm" will be even more lavishly presented than "In the Name of the Law" was. Von Stroheim Will Direct for Goldwyn Goldwyn Pictures Corporation an Mr. von Stroheim handled the nounces that it has signed a long -^P-^^B^rHu'I'n^ds" 7ni^T'ool! term contract with trich von j^j^ wives." He wrote the two lat Stroheim to direct for it productions ter and starred in them. He is now of great magnitude. The director putting into novel form his story, will also act important roles in some "Merry Go Round," in collaboration of his pictures. with Georges Lewys. Bruce Mitchall, comedy director, on location with a company. Mr. Mitchall's "Fatty" Karr comedie* are being State righted by East Coast Productions, Inc, of which Franklyn Backer is President.