The Moving picture world (March 1923-April 1923)

March 17, 1923 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 353 "Luck," Johnny Hines Appearing, Takes Wilkes-Barre, Pa., by Storm It has been made known Al Litbtman Corporation (Exclusive Despatch to Moving Picture World) WILKES-BARRE, Pa.— Daniel L. Hart, mayor of this city n-iease -April sboVeTs/' "whicii 1 ..v. t I'-ru T> un 4." 4. A u ^4. tu nnnounced as the April Prefe id author or Ihe Rarish Priest, acted as host to Johnny i icture. instead Ben schuiberi Hines, the C. C. Burr star, last week while he was making nfeh '"^ Picture Corpora here that will not was Preferred berg is "A Daughter of the ^ . . . which, those who have read personal appearances at the Capitol Iheatre duriner a trial ""e script, say win be an even bet u X <iT 1 " xi. I i i T_r 1 ^s?u-i "T 1 >' picture than "Kich Men's Wives,' show of Luck, the latest Hines special. While Luck was • ■ given an initial tryout in a Long Island town several weeks ago, its run at the local theatre was really the first big house tryout the production has been subjected to, for, according to those who are sponsoring it, it was only finally edited and cut two weeks ago. "Luck" is due to gross more money than even its predecessor, "Sure Fire Flint," for the former, while of the comedy drama type and decidedly Hinesque, is far more convincingly entertaining in every way. Johnny Hines stands out as the logical successor to the late Wallace Reid, for the type he personifies in "Luck" is a knockout and will satisfy the customers. The showing was staged in the presence of a specially invited audience of local luminaries, with Mayor Hart leading the procession. It was indeed a gala occasion, socially, but to the industry the principal question is: How did the audience take the picture? Frankly, "Luck" literally swept Wilkcs-Barreans who were on hand off their feet. It is a masterly production — masterly in its class. It is brimful of hearty laughs that arc broken up with heart-throbs that are injected into the piece at the opportune moment. In fact, "Luck" starts off in bang-off fashion. The "bit" in which circus elephants play an important role — a role that forces the star to win a marathon, although he had absolutely no desire of even competing in the affair, having set out to conquer the world minus his outer clothing — constitutes one of the most hilarious and most cleverly staged laugh provokers that this writer has seen inserted into any production. "Luck" is sure-fire because it has unusual production value and an entertainment status that lives up to the liberal promises made by its producers. The acting is particularly good with Johnny Hines, who is really the "big gun," carrying off the honors unchallenged and in a praiseworthy fashion. Charley Murray, the old-time star, is at all times conspicuous in a character that "takes" pleasingly, his bits with Flora Finch, the comedienne, being particularly funny and brought prolonged rounds of laughter from the capacity audience. Violet Mersereau, Polly Moran, Edmund Breese, Robert Edeson and Warner Richmond also are deserving of praise. An outstanding thrill in "Luck" dwells on the collapse of a coal mine that is melodramatically and realistically presented with Johnny Hines doing some splendid dramatic work. Watch Johnny Hines, for he looks like the biggest single male bet in the business today. His latest production, "Luck" as projected here on the screen of the his II, 'M iiiilependent production, based on Ihe legitimate play of the same name. the tirst Preferred lion release. "The Man From Ten Strike," based "II a James Oliver Curwood story, will be the first, picture that Princip;ii Pictures Cor'poration vpill release independently starring Guy Bates l ost. Edward Newman is in charge of the casting and general affairs of the firm making the Post pictures. Bob Thornby will direct the production. Harry Rapf and Sam Warner arc liack at the Warner studios, brimful of enthusiasm and confident that iie.xt season would be the greatest in the history of that organization, liapf is busy completing his plans fur next summer when he starts production on the 1923-24 output. Fred Myton is adapting Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous story, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," which Sol I.esser will produce this spring for Principal Pictures Corporation release. Irving Cummings and a number of his players went to New York to take exteriors for "East Side, West Side," Bert Lytell, Bryant Washburn, Blanche Sweet and Maryon Aye are busy these days working on the screen version of "The Meanest Man in the World," the George M. Cohan story. Eddie Cliiie is directing. This picture is expected to be completed late this month. "The Silent Accuser," which was destroyed by fire at the Bert Willa studios recently, has been completely remade. The cast includes Carmel -Myers, Carol Halloway, Melbourne MacDdwell, Katheryne McGuire, Clyde Fillmore, Spottiswoode Aiken and Edward Borman. The film colony here is patiently awaiting reports from the East concerning the reception accorded the Warner production, "Brass," which was tried out in a neighboring town early in the winter before Harry Rapf started for New York with a print of the picture. The Preferred Pictures Corporation here is reported making plans for the production of 12 pictures for release through Al Lichtman co-operative exchanges next season. Tom Forman and Louis Gasnier will continue making Preferred Pictures. Ther ■ is some talk of another director bein gadded to Ihe Preferred directorial force. of ten players to , , — , , _ _ — — A ^ ^ ¥ tu' * '"^^ ^^^k to film several scenes for Capitol is high class entertainment that will go over as big in exclusive aepenaent market tnis past season, the new All-Star comedy. Upon their Eastern Studios to Be Busy This Year; King to Make Four With tlie advent of the warmer season independent production in the East is slated for a boost, according to observation made by this department. By the first of June something like 14 productions will be in the course of making at the various studios in New York, New Jersey and on Long Island. Burton King, who has produced duction for C. C. Burr led a troupe a number of pictures for the in . P.''''y^''s„.f" Jacksonville, Fla., Broadway houses as it will in the small town. Ralph Spence's titles are consistent with the production itself. Jack Gregory wrote the story. Johnny Hines directed. The photography is good. In the course of his talk to the audience, Hines, who was royally received, told about having taken the mine thriller at Buttonwood and praised the miners there, they having taken part in the scene. for busily engaged formulating return they plan to leave again plans for an extensive production Bermuda to secure local color, schedule for this spring and sum Johnny Hines is sitting back these mer. If plans now under way ^re <'ays and waiting until his latest ""^""•^ receives the world's completed to the exte_nt that Uiey applause. Johnny is a hard worker Coast Producers Demand Showdown LOS ANGELES — (Special) — Independent producers not already affiliated with national independent releasing organizations are going to demand a showdown next season before closing any agreements. It seems that many of them have justified complaints against a number •of distributors. One distributing organization, which has been falling behind during the past year, has been charged by several of those who have produced for it with misrepresentation and failure to report on sales, etc., regularly Production on William NIgh's next production. "Marriage and Morals" for distribution through L. Lawrence Weber & Bobby North, is well under This company is virtually on the taboo way and will be ready for release insofar as independent producers on the West Coast are concerned. Independent productions have tnade rapid progress and, in fact, independent production has made •considerably more advance than the distribution end of the business. Because of this fact independent producers are taking every precaution again Jt the prac•tices of a number of State righters. They will make pictures for a particular release and not produce aimlessly as has been the case ■during the past few years. Local bankers, realizing the progress and popularity of independent productions, are willing to advance money to reliable and established producters. But they insist on some definite releasing arrangement, demanding an accounting from the independent producer. There is some talk out here concerning an arrangement whereby independent national distributer and exchangeman will be asked to furnish a bond for sums he obligates himself to pay. This arrangement is being given considerable attention and is supported by the financial interests. effort "Luck" J applause. Joh^ . are expected to be, Burton King and it won't be surprising if he takes will produce at the Ideal studio li's best clothes soon and starts in in New Jersey all year round. ^" ^^„-'^f, ln%"a^nUml'"Luck" ?s King will produce a series of being groomed for its world premiere four big specials for next season New York. aiid all these will be made at the Gregory La CaTTIT putting the last ideal studios. He has already pur touches to the eighth and ninth Allchased the first story for this ^'ar comedies which Mastodon Films, icpripc TVlic wpeV «;t!itp Pir-tni-oc Produces and distributes through series, inis week ijtate i^ictures Hodkinson. On Mr. LaCava's return Corporation, to which firm King from Florida, work on the tenth Allis under contract, purchased the S''"" will begin at the Long Island screen rights to "Complications." '""^'"^ °* <=™_°y Charlie Murray still takes the lead. Nothing downs this veteran of the screen. As the featured players on C. C. Burr's All-Star comedies, he does some of the best work of his career. At any rate, Charlie gets the laughs, many of them, which is the thing, as all will agree. some time next month, according to the present plan. Nigh is expected to make another picture later in the Spring, immediately after "Marriage and Morals" has been started on its exhibition career. Daniel Carson Goodman, whose second Equity special, "Has The World Gone Mad?" was shown for the first time ont of town this week, will not start his next independent picture also until late in the Spring. He is now contemplating a story that will bp altogether different from either "What's Wrong With The Women?" or "Has The World Gone Mad?" .Tohnny Hines and Charlie Murray are great friends. So much so that Charlie consented to play a part In Johnny's picture "Luck." Only in "Luck" Charlie's famous chin whiskers have given place to a mugtachio. Just as eccentric, albeit of a darker hue. Dick Thorpe, supervisor of pro Flora Finch who hurt herself while taking part in Johnny Hines' picture "Luck" just before Christmas, is still in the Jamaica Hospital. Constant visitors are at her bedside, among whom are men and women high la the theatre and screen.