The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

December 23, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 779 Fourth Mirror, Ready for Release, Shows Royal Pomp of Pre-War Europe The International News Reel Corporation announces the early release, through the Universal Exchanges, of the fourth issue of The Mirror, the novelty reel chronicling events of the past. The new Mirror, titled "The Last Days of King Edward," show remarkable pictures of that British Monarch's last days. Mirrors one, two and three have been proved a big box-office attraction, Universal records show. Mirror number one showed the inauguration of President McKinley, in 1897. Mirror number two, "The San Francisco Fire," was quite as well received, and Mirror number three, "The Birth of Aviation." Mirror No. 4 is of especial interest because of the unusual number of world-famed personages it shows. King Edward VII. is seen in various poses, in and out of uniform, aboard a battleship, reviewing a regiment and in other ceremonies. With him are seen his family, including the present king, and the Prince of Wales, then a boy of 14. The funeral of King Edward, who died Highest Praise for "Plunder" Pearl White, star, and George B. Seitz, producer of the new Patheserial, "Plunder," says Pathe, are being credited throughout the industry with having reached the highest point in their screen careers. In New York, Chicago and other centers where trade showings of "Plunder" have been given, the result has been to evoke the highest praise. Now that "Plunder" is completed and ready for release late this coming winter, the verdicts from the exhibitor viewpoint are significant, Pathe points out, as realizing anticipations created by the original announcement that the "Serial Queen," favorite in Europe as well as in this country, was under contract to return to the "House of Serials." Monte Carlo in Fox Educational Monte Carlo has been filmed in a Fox Educational Entertainment, "Bits of Europe." Monte Carlo, the playground of millionaires," has been the subject of several stories of numerous fortunes lost and few won. The town of Monte Carlo in Monaco, is built on high cliflis overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. No natives are permitted to gamble in the Casino. The steep mountain heights, the winding roads, the magnificent natural scenery, forming a picturesque background for the Casino and the surrounding hotels, have tempted the motion picture cameraman. Gets Barton Films Bruce Barton, famous for his humorously philosophical editorials, has entered the field of motion pictures. Second National Pictures Corporation is arranging for the release of the first of a series of one-reel photoplays visualizing his word pictures. The first, "Just a Little Late Club," was finished a few days ago by Better Day Pictures, Inc., of which Mr. Barton is president; Elmore Leffingwell, editor, publicity expert and vice president; Roy S. Durstine. treasurer, and James S. Brown in charge of production. May 6, 1910, is shown in all its pomp and ceremony. In this comes a remarkable scene, showing nine of Europe's mightest monarchs walking behind the casket. King George heads the royal mourners. Then comes the Duke of Connaught, followed by Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany; Princes Edward and Albert of Great Britain, the former now Prince of Wales; King Alfonso of Spain; King Mauel of Portugal; King George of Greece; Prince Constantine of Greece ; the Czar of Bulgaria, and with them Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, who at that time was on his way back to the United States from his African expedition. The reel closes with pictures showing the investiture of the young Prince of Wales. Ber<iuse of the unusual value of Mirror series. Universal is putting out a varied assortment of accessories for use in exploiting each issue. These include, a one-sheet, a three-sheet, a slide, a set of lobby stills, and a press book containing publicity, advertising and exploitation suggestions. It is said to be the most elaborate offering ever put out with a one-reel picture. IN THIS ISSUE Beersheba (American Releasing) Chewing Gum Industry, The (Fox) Down to Jericho (American Releasing) Educator, The (Educational) Fair Week (Pathe) Fruits of Faith (Pathe) Glad Rags (Metro) Henry's Busted Romance (Pathe) Hebron the Ancient (American Releasing) Here's Your Men (Pathe) Jerusalem the Holy (American Releasing) My Hero (Fox) Pathe Review, 187 (Pathe) Pest, The (Metro) Pop Tuttle's Grass Widow (F. B. O.) Rip Snoring Night, A (Universal) Screen Snapshots No. 15 (Pathe) Small Town Derby, A (Universal) Starland Revue No. 17 (F. B. O.) Texas Sphinx, A (Universal) Town Terrors (Fox) Unblazed Trails (Bray) Via Radio (Universal) Valley of Dry Bones (American Releasing) Voice of the Land (American Releasing) "The Texas Sphinx" (UniversalWestern — Two Reels) This features Harry Carey in some lively scenes in which the thrills consist chiefly in the capture of a bandit. It is a shortened version of one of the earlier three-reel features. The star is supported by a good cast which includes Alice Lake. It offers the usual opportunities for action and suspense and is entertaining if not remarkable in its novelty. — M. K. "The Chewing Gum Industry" (Fox-Cartoon — One Reel) Mutt and Jeff attempt a short-cut to prosperity by establishing an industry in their own novel way in this number. There are some amusing stunts. They procure a GumGum bird which hatches a magical brood of chicklets. They manufacture a gum that is invincibly tough and test it with a false set of powerful teeth. In the end their own creation, the gum proves the master of them both.— M. K. Th reeMo re Companies for Century Plans to add three more producing units to the three now making comedies for Century Film Corporation will be completed upon the return of Julius and Abe Stern to Hollywood. The Raymaker, Goulding and Edwards units will be supplemented by three new directors of long experience in making comedies. Announcements will be made at an early date, both as regards the new additions to the producing stafif, and the rights to certain screen material to be used for the series both of Baby Peggy and of Buddy Messenger. "Pop" at Rialto Dan Mason appears as an amateur detective in the latest Plum Center comedy on the Film Booking Offices of America program, "Pop Tuttle, Deteckative," and is the fifth of this comedy series to be produced by the Paul Gerson Pictures Corporation. The Rialto Theatre, in New York, is this week playing its second Plum Center comedy, "Pop Tuttle's Grass Widow." "Henry's Busted Romance" (Pathe — Cartoon — One Reel) This Aesop's Film Fable, distributed by Pathe, deals with a wiser and better husband, after a series of "vamping" experiences, all with the usual animal characters. It is a gem of imaginative humor, one of Cartoonist Paul Terry's best — (1 reel) — S. S. "The Pest" (Metro — ^Comedy — Two Reels) Stal Laurel is the star of this two-reel comedy distributed by Metro. It is a knockabout comedy of average entertainment value which has several humorous situations. The story of this comedy deals with a book-agent who meets with exciting experiences and finally helps a girl by going out and getting money so she can pay her house rent. A curious point in this comedy is the fact that according to the cast sheet, the title does not refer to the hero, but to a talkative woman who only appears in a few scenes. — C. S. S. "My Hero" (Fox-Comedy — Two Reels) This is another of the Lupino Lane series in which the star's funny acrobatics score heavily. It is his unique style of putting over his comedy and his command of facial expression that transforms familiar material into lively amusement. The action relates, in slapstick, the experiences of a city chap who is sent West by his father for taming. Lupino Lane is so clever that the comedy should be a success everywhere. -M. K. "Unblazed Trails" (Bray — Scenic — One Reel) This is the first of a series of single-reel Bray Nature Pictures which will be distributed on the State right market. It deals interestingly with mountain climbing in the Canadian Rockies. There are many beautiful shots of lofty mountains, glaciers, etc., and some thrilling scenes of a party climbing up the face of a five-Iuindrod foot clifiF which appears to be tractically vertical and where it would seem that each step would be the last. Some of the sub-titles, especially in the early part of the film, are lengthy and could be shortened to advantage. — C. S. S.