The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

In The Independent Field De Luxe Acquires Truart Franchise Through Alexander S. Aronson, general manager of sales of Truart Film Corporation, negotiations were completed this week with Mike, Al and Lou Rosenberg, whereby their independent exchange, the DeLuxe Feature Films, Seattle, Washington, acquired the Truart franchise for the territory comprising Washington, Oregon, Montana, northern Idaho and Alaska. "Temptation" Sold to Greater Features "Temptation," one of the C. B. C. series of Box Office Winners, starring Bryant Washburn and Eva Novak, was sold this week for part of the Western territory to Greater Features, Inc, of Seattle. Mildred Harris in Grand-Asher Film Mildred Harris has been engaged for the leading feminine role in Elliott Dexter's first production for Grand-Asher, as yet lacking a title. It is an R. William Neill production. In Detective Role De Witt Jennings has been engaged for Elliott Dexter's first production for Grand-Asher, directed by R. William Neill. He plays the important role of Farley, the detective. Authors Co-operate with C. B. C. Staff An arrangement whereby authors of stories which C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation is screening this year on their special Box Office Winners and Columbia Pictures series will also co-operate on the continuity on those features is the newest plan by that organization to insure a smooth and perfect picturized product. Selig Continues Production T]he recent announcement of sale of part of the Selig properties in Los Angeles will not interfere with the production of the twelve two-reel wild animal dramas which Col. Wm. N. Selig is now making for Export & Import Film Company, Louis Auerbach of that company reports. Col. Selig will continue with his regular schedule on these featurettes. The first three are already completed and prints are in the New York offices of Export & Import. No release for the series has as yet been determined. Campaign to Exploit Independent Picture The Independent Pictures Corporation has decided upon a thorough campaign of exploitation and publicity for the first of the big films "IN THE SPIDER;S WEB." This subject has been made ready for immediate distribution among the state rights exhibitors. A special line of colored lobby displays and attractive posters have been selected and a contract has been closed with Jesse Weil to lend the exhibitors all the exploitation aid necessary in putting over their "IN THE SPIDER'S WEB" presentation. Hepworth to Release Eight to Independents Announcement was made this week by Hepworth Distributing Corporation that its 1923-1924 output of eight special productions will be released on an attractive and equitable franchise plan to independent exchanges. Joseph di Lorenzo, secretary of the corporation and in charge of distribution, said that Cecil M. Hepworth, who has been producing pictures in London for over twenty years, is confining his activities on productions to the type of photoplay specially suited for the American market. "So confident are we of the quality and box office value of these productions," said Mr. di Lorenzo, "that we are opening, within the next month, our own exchange to serve the Greater New York territory." "The Marriage Market" Next Columbia "The Marriage Market" is to be the next production on the C. B. C. Film Sales Corporation series of special Columbia Pictures, it is announced this week by producer Harry Cohn of that organization. "The Marriage Market" will be the second all-star feature on this series, following "Yesterday's Wife," which is already released and giving an excellent account of itself in the various territories. The new feature is by Evelyn Campbell, who also wrote "Yesterday's Wife," and, like it, is a screen adaptation of a widely read magazine story. "The Marriage Market" is the screen version of "Prejudice,'' which won wide attention for Miss Campbell in True Story Magazine. Edward J. Le Saint will direct the production. An excellent all-star cast of players is to be numbered in the company, and Mr. Cohn will announce this shortly. Obtains Rights to Territory A contract, whereby the Canadian Feature and Productions Co., Ltd., of 277 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ont., acquires the sole right for distribution in Canada of the New Edition Keystone Comedies, was negotiated this week by Oscar A. Price, president, and H. E. Aitken, general manager, of Tri Stone Pictures, Inc., and Jack Hunter of the Canadian Distributing concern. The contract becomes effective immediately and all six of the exchanges operated by the Canadian company have been supplied with the prints on the first three subjects. Will Release "Waterfront Wolves" Sept. 15 The Gerson Picture Corporation of San Francisco has finished work on its five-reel picture, "Waterfront Wolves." It will be released to the State Right market on September 15. The film was written for the screen by Victor Gibson. Ora Carew is the featured player, with Jay Morley in the leading male role, and a cast of capable players. Ask your projectionist if he is using the new Griffith Lens Chart. If he is burning carbons this chart will enable him to secure the very best screen results with the equipment he is using. See page 365. News from the Inde-. pendent Exchanges Harry A. Lande, for years part owner and manager of one of Pittsburgh's oldest independent exchanges, has consummated a deal whereby he becomes the sole owner of this company, having purchased the interests of all other stockholders. He announced that the Quality exchange will hereafter be known sa the Lande Film Company, and that its business policies will not be changed in any way. Mr. Lande is also interested in the Lande Film Distributing Company, with offices in Cleveland and Cincinnati. The first of the new season's releases by the Lande Company will include: "Broadway Gold," the Truart production starring Elaine Hammerstein, and also five more with this star; "The Santa Fe Trail," the new Arrow serial; "Women Men Marry" and "The Empty Cradle." "Cap" R. J. Kinder, an oldtimer in the local exchange field, has taken over the management of the Apex Film Service, Inc., succeeding Harry Megowan. Two new purchases include "Is Money Everything?" and "The Broad Road." Manager Jas. H. Alexander of the Columbia Film Service, Inc., reports big business. Recent releases include "Jacqueline," "The Last Hour" and "You Are Guilty." Recent purchases are the series starring J. B. Warner and also the series starring Kenneth MacDonald. Mr. Alexander will announce other purchases shortly, another series, and the latest production from a prominent producer. Manager Greele, of the Supreme Photoplay Company, which is booking, along with other productions, the first seven of the Warner Brothers classics of the screen, reports a tremendous success with "Main Street." Exhibitors are clamoring for dates on this one, and he has been compelled to order extra prints in an effort to supply the demand. The Film Classics Company, under the guidance of resident manager William Flnkel, and which exchange is releasing the next eighteen Warner productions, is already doing business in a lively fashion. The MillionDollar Grand played "Where the North Begins" week of September 3rd. C. W. Berry, general manager for Film Classics, paid a recent visit to the local office. Th* company has three other offices, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Detroit. Manager "Bill" Weiland of the Standard Film Exchange announces the purchase of "The Jungle Goddess" serial, and the feature production, "The Curse of Drink." FORGIVE AMD FOttGCT YOU'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOURSELF IF YOU FORGET TO BOOK IT