The Moving picture world (May 1923-June 1923)

496 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 9, 1923 Signing of Larry Semon Gives Independents a Big Comedy Bet on the Leviathan, which sails on July 4th. He expects to acquire several pictures while abroad, according lo reports. As was exclusively reported in Moving Picture World last week in a Chicago despatch, Larry Semon, former Vitagraph star, has been signed by M. H. Hoffman, Vice-President of Truart Film Corporation, for a period of three years. The latter is authority for the statement that a sum of $3,000,000 for three years is involved in the transaction. This is one of the most important deals negotiated within the independent market in many years, for Larry Semon ranks among the best known comics of the day. It was pointed out exclusively by this department three months ago that when Larry Semon signed a contract again it would be with an independent concern. The Semon productions will be released on a franchise basis. In the series of super-productions to Europe. He has booked passage which are to be produced by the star for Truart Films. Larry Semon will go into a different phase of production from that in which he has hitherto appeared. All the comedies will be in feature length : In fact, they will be in what is termed natural length or as much footage as the story requires, whether it is 4.000 feet or 8.000 feet. They will consist of broad, clean comedy, made from feature stories appearing in magazines, published books and successful stage plays. They will contain everything that a feature production requires, all star casts, big sets, the best photography obtainable, thrills, heart-interest and more than their quota of laughs. The announcement of the signing of this contract was the biggest individual event which took place at the annual convention of the exhibitors and it was given front page space in practically every one of the Chicago daily papers. In addition to this the photograph of the actual signing of the $3,000,000 was used In most of the dailies in conjunction with the features news story. The editorial departments of both the Semon unit, with which the star West Coast doing special work for Warner Brothers, returned to New York late last week. Bob Murphy, manager of the Buffalo Renown Exchange, has appointed Al Barnett special representative In Rochester and J. L. Cook as special representative in Syracuse. TJ. B. O.. according to a report given out this week by Principal Pic fures Corporation in New York, has booked its latest feature, "The Spider and the Rose" over its metropolitan circuit. M. L. Finkelstein. of the R. & F. Film Exchange of Minneapolis, spent his holiday in New York this week as did also A. H. Blank. Robert Leiber, Sam Katz and Col. Fred Levy. Dr. A. H. Giannini. well-known banker who is financially Interested in a number of independent producing endeavors, sails Saturday. June 2. on the SS. Majestic. He will make a lour of France. Italy and Switzerland in an automobile. What Foreigners Are Doing in the Picture Market Herbert Wilcox, of Astra, has taken the German "E. F. A." Btudios for the making of the film version of "Chu Chin Chow." Herbert Langley will play the Oscar Ashe part and Betty Blythe that played at His Majesty'! by Lily Brayton. The cameramen are American, A. Guissart and Bert Cann. British and Colonial are making a film version of a popular novel, "Heartstrings," the scenario being by Elliot Standard. The cast includes Victor MacLaglen, Russell Thorndyke. Sidney Farebrother, Kate Gurney and Edith Bishop. Edmund Goulding, who w.ib on the Harry Krellburg is now producing legitimate show playing at the Apollo Theatre, New York. "Main Street" Sets New Booking Record "Main Street," Warner Brothers' latest special, generally conceded by those who have seen it and Moving Picture World's Los Angeles staff as one of the greatest pictures ever made, a review having exclusively appeared in this publication six weeks ago, is setting a new record. Although it is now in its seventh week at the Mission Theatre, Los Angeles, having stacked up a gross of about $13,000 last week, "Main Street," it became known this week through receipt of has been "fuVnfshed for his exclusive dispatches from Moving Picture World correspondents, is attracting use by Truart Film Corporation, and wide attentjon among showmen. Conservative showmen predict this picture to be among the money leaders of the year, for rentals on this feature are a record-breaking sort. The picture opens in many sections next week. Bertram Phillips is about to start work on "The School for Scandal" with Queenie Thomas and Frank Stanmore as Sir Peter and Lady Teazle. Stanmore is an exceptionally clever rough Cockney comedian and appears, on the face of it, to be an odd choice for the part of Sir Peter Teazle. Having completed "The Lady Trainer," Walter West is now at work on a new film, "Beautiful Kitty." at Epsom. This will be another racing picture. It is doubtfnl whether West could make or conceive a picture without a stable or a race-course in it. The Anglo-French film entente Is not likely to cut much ice unless the films made improve considerably. "Within the Maze" was poor, but the last effort, "The Sacrifice." produced by Henri Roussell. is little better. of the Truart organization are already busily engaged in going over the successful New York comedy successes and published novels with the view of acquiring at least three properties ahead so that production activities can proceed without interruption. Oscar Lund is now working ou "The Falcon," a Boccaccio story made In Prizma colors. Henry Hull is leading man. NEW YORK CITY — (Special) — Joe Plunkett. managing director of the Strand Theatre here, has definitely fixed Sunday. June 10. as the opening date for the two-week engagement of Warner Brothers' "Main Street" at that theatre. Mr. Plunkett is making elaborate plans for that engagement which will be extensively exploited starting with next week. "None So Blind." a Burton King picture that Arrow is State righting, was sold this week to Independent Films, Inc., of Boston. Arrow also sold "A Daughter of the Don" to Standard Film Exchange. Pittsburgh, and Liberty Exchange, Washington. BOSTON — (Special) — All records for day and date first run showing of independent pictures will be broken in this territory next week when Warner Brothers' "Main Street" opens in eight houses in as many first run cities, according to announcement of William Shapiro of Franklin Film Corporation, which owns the rights to Warner pictures in this territory. Next Monday "Main Street" opens at the Modern and Beacon theatres in Boston, the Strand Theatre in Providence. R. I.; in Portland. Me.; Bridgeport, Conn.; New Haven, Conn.; Springfield, Mass., and Worcester, Mass. The Gaumont Company is shortly starting on a picturization of the late George R. Sims' melodrama, "The Lights of London." The Wilson Barrett part of Harold Armitage will be played by Nigel Barrie. and the leading lady will be Wanda Hawley. After their present series of tworeelers Is completed Quality Films will go in for making big features. George Cooper will be the producer and the stories handled will be original. Independent Film Service, of Dallas, Tex., has purchased the Southwestern rights to the Tri-Stone comedies. Harry Rodner has taken over (he Hp-State New York distribution rights to the Felix and "Out of the Tnkwell" cartoons. CHICAGO — (Special)— "Main Street." Warner Brothers' latest picture, which opens at the Roosevelt in two weeks, was originally set to open at the Chicago, but a switch was decided upon. The Chicago refuses to change its one-week policy and the switch ot the Roosevelt makes it possible for "Main Street." which is expected to play to big business here, to remain at that house as long as it makes money. Adele Blood, who has been in the Orient with an ail-American theatrical company, is now on her way back from Bombay. W. Renwick Smith as her representative is on his way to New York with a couple of pictures produced during Miss Blood's dramatic tour. "The Valley of Unrest" is the title of the next production that George T.arkin will make for the independent market. Russell Productions will produce. SAN FRANCISCO — (Special) — Arrangements are under way for the booking of "Main Street" into the Granda Theatre here, following a showing next week of "Brass," the other Warner special. A banquet will precede the showing. The banquet will be held at St. Francis Hotel. Harry Rapf. producer of "Brass." and Director Sidney Franklin, will be among those present. Harry M. Warner, who is in California, will also be there. Monte Blue, Irene Rich and Marie Prevost also will be there. Si Griever. of the Griever Exchange. Chicago, has taken over the Illinois distribution rights to Charles C. Burr's "I Am the Law" from Second National, the Balaban ft Katz independent exchange of Chicago. ATLANTA. GA— (Special)— According to word given out here. Warner Brothers' "Main Street" opened nt the Howard Monday. The picture has been booked over the entire circuit of Lynch Southern theatres. Flora Le Breton, English movie artiste, has Just terminated a series of scenes at Beauvals. France, In the role of Juliette de Marny for the screen drama, "I Will Repay." being produced here by Henry Kolker and George Trevllle for the Ideal Film Co. of London. The story is laid during the French revolution. Ideal Is about to make a filmlxatlon of Baroness Orczys "I Will Repay." This will be produced by Henry Kolker. The cast Includes Pedro de Corboda, Marquisette Bosky and Flora le Breton. Robert Murphv has been elected secretary of the Film Board of Trade of Buffalo, which Syd Samson, of Bond Photoplay, heads as president. Sam Harding, of Kansas City, has moved the offices of the Capitol Enterprises to the Crescent Exchange Building, where the Al Lichtman K. C. exchange also moves. "Curbing the Dope Evil" is the title of the latest "hop" picture thai lias made its appearance. This film was produced bv Hoey Lawlor and is a short subject. Unique Foto Films, of New York, is handling it. Alfred Weiss. head of Weiss Brothers' enterprises, intends going Principal Pictures Starts Drive Irving Lesser, Eastern distribution manager of Principal Pictures Corporation, preparatory to an official announcement concerning the releases of that firm for 193-24, is planning for the drive he will make this summer to line up some of the biggest theatres in the country for "the big pictures my firm will turn out." That Principal intends going after the first class independent trade in big fashion is proven by the exceptionally strong list of players it has lined up. Sol Lesser and Mike Rosenberg, who are on the Coast, are keeping things humming out there. Announcement this week came from the Coast relative to the engagement of Marguerite De La Motte for one of the starring roles in one of the Harold Bell Wright pictures. Here are some of the Principal's players signed for one or more pictures : Guy Bates Post, Alice Lake. Gaston Glass. Joseph Dowling, Robert McKim. Alec Francis. Frank Campeau, Noah and Wallace Beery, Louise Fazenda, Edwin Steves, Otis Harlan. Dick Headrick, Doris Kenyon, Harrison Ford. Lowell Sherman. Tyrone Powers, Charles Murray, Edmund Breese, Effle Shannon, Kenneth Harlan, Eileen Percy. Lucille Hutton, Charles Mailes, Betty May, Wally Van, Mildred Davis. Stuart Holmes, Myrtle Steadman, Tully Marshall and Maude George. Thomas Bentley Is making "Old Bill Throughout the Ages" for Ideal. This is. of course, another twist on ' the Balmsfather creation which has been worked to death on the stage and in the illustrated papers. The company Includes Wallace Boscoe, Arthur Cleve, Gladys Folliott, Jack Denton. Housman Comedies, Inc . has filed confessions of judgment in the New York Supreme Court in behalf of a number of creditors for money loaned. The amounts are Otto D. Steiner, $4,117: William O Kaufman, SI .800 ; Albert Krolik. si mm • Joseph W. Schlelff, $2.3fil : James Dent. $S23. and $.1,093 for Messrs. Steiner and SchllelT on a note. A judgment for $3,093 Is also confessed for the Tilford Cinema Corporation as the sum due for making a photoplay for Housman. mm