The Moving picture world (March 1923-April 1923)

March 3, 1923 MOVING FICTURB WORLD 41 To Film Paramount Scenes in Palestine Cecil B. DeMIUe will probably go to Palestine with a company of Paramount players to film some of the more important scenes of "The Ten Commandments," it was announced by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice-president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, in charge of production. Al Kaufman, who has recently been in charge of the company's European production, left New York recently for Los Angeles to confer with Mr. DeMille about the arrangements for the trip. Mr. Kaufman wiU also go to the Holy Land. Miss Jeanie Macpherson, who has written all of Mr. DeMille's recent continuities, is on her way to Los Angeles after spending a month in the East at work on the script for the dramatic story of the "Ten Commandments." Already on the way to the Holy Land is Mrs. Florence Meehan, whom Mr. DeMille dispatched to the Biblical country for authentic data for use in the production. Mrs. Meehan is a much-travelled authority on ancient peoples and customs. Crandall to Represent District Exhibitors on Arbitration Body Pre-view of "Othello" Notable Gathering Sees Presentation of Film on Century Roof The Century roof, recently, was the scene of one of the most notable gatherings that ever assembled to view a motion picture. Ben Blumenthal, who, in conjunction with David P. Howells will present the Shakespearian screen classic, "Othello," at the Criterion Theatre beginning February 25, gave a pre-view of this continental spectacle to a selected company of friends. World famous stage and screen artists attended as did the leading dramatic and motion picture critics of the metropolitan papers. "Othello" was produced in Germany recently by Ben Blumenthal and David P. Howells. Dimitri Buchowetzki, the noted Russian, directed the spectacle. Emil Jannings, already famous for his dramatic performances of "Othello" on the speaking stage and who became one of the ranking screen players because of his splendid portrayals in "Passion" and "Henry the Eighth," plays the title role in the new film. Ica Lenkeffy, said to be the most beautiful woman in Europe, was engaged to play the role of Desdemona. Posing as Stewart Man Said to Be Using Checks Forged With Star's Name In a statement wired east by Mr. Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Pictures Corporation, warning is issued against a man reported operating in the vicinity of Washington, D. C, who poses as Roy Stewart, the Universal star, and attempts to cash checks signed with Roy Stewart's name. Stewart is at Universal City and has been there for many months working in Universal serials and short dramas. Kosloff in New York Theodore KosloflF, Paramount character actor and dancer, has arrived in New York to spend two weeks with his brother, Alexis Kosloff, also famous as a dance pantomimist. The former expects to view the theatrical productions of the season with particular attention to the Russian novelties which have proven so successful this year and cf which "La Chauve Souris"' is an example. To Aid Development To aid in the artistic development of the motion picture industry, and to attempt to prevent what they term is an attempt by certain combinations to dwarf it, an informal organization has been formed by Mary Pickford, Constance Talmadge, Norma Talmadge, David Waifk Griffith, Douglas Fairbeuiks, Harold Lloyd and Charles Chaplin. This organization was completed In Los Angeles at a conference which ended February 22. It was declared that the organization was necessary to protect the independent producer and the independent exhibitor against commercial combinations^ and enable those in the organization to keep faith with the public in the production of worthy pictures. HARRY M. CRANDALL, head of a string of theatres bearing his name, has been selected by the exhibitors' association of the District of Cohinibia to represent the Washington, D. C. theatre men as a memI)er of the Arbitration Committee to be formed there. This committee will consist of delegates from the associations of the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and the Washington Film Board of Trade. This new committee will serve just as did the old Grievance Committee which operated so successfully in this territory some years ago ironing out disputes that arose between exchanges and exhibitors and in cleaning up a number of conditions with respect to both branches of the industry that had previously been quite a source of annoyance to all concerned. It was headed by Mr. Crandall and although a large number of cases came up for settlement the findings of the committee were never questioned and were considered to be fair and equitable. CARL STEARNS CLANCY, whose production, "The Headless Horseman, or The Legend (>{ Sleepy Hollow," starring Will Rogers as Ichabod Crane, has been meeting with widespread success throughout the country, has just returned to the United States after a three months visit to Europe. Mr. Clancy states that his reason for paying a visit to Europe was to se'curc new material for future productions and at the same time to get a much needed vacation. During his trip, he visited Ibenez, the author of the "Four Horsemen,' and also Sem Bcnelli, the Italian author of "The Jest." During his trip through France he was entertained by Abel Gance and Louis Mereanton, ^ho are two of the foremost moving Mr. Crandall suggested the appointment of someone else this time explaining that he had served on the committee and that there were other exhibitors who might desire the opportunity. However those who attended this meeting were unanimous in the belief that his experience as chairman of the committee would better fit him for this work. He explained how the committee has operated in the past and expressed the belief that it has done and would again do excellent work and would be of great benefit to the industry generally. It has been pointed out that the elimination of objectionable practices in the industry makes the business healthier; that the exhibitor who plays the game straight suffers through the activities of him who takes advantage of opportunities in the other direction, the latter ultimately becoming a part of the overhead cost of operating a distributing office which is naturally reflected in rental fees. There was some discussion of the coming national convention of the M. P. T. O. A., to be held at Chicago in May. No action was taken at the time looking to the appointment of the three delegates and three alternates to which the local association is entitled to represent it at the convention. This matter will again be considered at the meeting to be held on March 16, next picture producers of France. Mr. Clancy further states that, during his trip through iMaiice, England and Italy, he visited a great many of the leading motion picture studios' in an effort to study the comparative best of production and the difference in methods employed in motion picture making. Mr. Clancy stated that he was greatly impressed by the manner in which the foreign producers met the question of cost. As a result of his visit, Mr. Clancy states that he will produce a picture in the very near future, the nature and title of which lie is not as yet ready to divulge. However, he docs admit that it will be a production of Oriental setting and that it might be produced in Tunis. Mr. Clancy further adds that it is his intention if nossiblc to schedule his next releases througi) tju W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. Clancy Returns from Europe with Material for 3 New Productions