The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

Uctober 27, 1926 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 759 Unseeing Eyes" to Get Broadway Run Characterized as one of the most thrilling motion pictures ever woven around a story of life in and around the majestic Canadian Rockies, "Unseeing Eyes," the Cosmopolitan Corporation's picturization of Arthur Stringer's popular story, "Snow Blind," will have its first presentation on October 21st, when it begins an indefinite engagement at the new Cosmopolitan Theatre on Columbus Circle. In making scenes in the vicinity of the Canadian Rockies, the "Unseeing Eyes" company achieved several new and distinct records in photoplay making. For the first time in the making of a picture of the great Canadian Northwest, aeroplanes play a predominant part and through their medium the new picture is said to have the most gripping and picturesque scenes of that snow clad terrain that have ever been filmed. The cast of characters which portray the roles created by the author is a brilliant one, including Lionel Barrymore and Seena Owen. Others who appear are Louis Wolheim, Gustave von Seyffertitz, Paul Panzer and Walter Miller. E. H. Griffith directed from the scenario of Bayard Veiller and Joseph Urban designed the interior settings. William Frederick Peters, who composed the musical scores for "Little Old New York," "Knighthood" and "Enemies of Women," has composed an original musical score for the presentation. As for the Cosmopolitan engagement of "Little Old New York," which closes on October 20, Victor Herbert and his orchestra will be a special attraction for the run of "Unseeing Eyes." Enthusiastic Reviews for "The Broken Wing" "The Broken Wing," Tom Forman's latest production for Preferred Pictures, proved a winner at its premier in New York where it opened at the Rialto, October 7. The box-office receipts the first day were exceptionally large and excellent patronage was sustained throughout the entire week. The consensus of opinion expressed by the metropolitan press was that the film exceeded in entertainment value the play itself which was one of the outstanding Broadway successes two seasons ago. Here is what the critics had to say: "Evening World: '"The Broken Wing' is much more thrilling on the Rialto screen than it was on the speaking stage, and that is saying a great deal." New York Times : " 'The Broken Wing' is a splendid show with as much merit as the play." New York American : " 'The Broken Wing' in film version is fuller of incident than in the spoken version. Evening Telegram : "If you want an exciting journey into Mexico without leaving a comfortable chair, go up to the Rialto and see 'The Broken Wing.' " Daily News : " 'The Broken Wing' is a gripping film; goes over something great." Evening Mail: "An excellent screen adaptation has been made of Paul Dickey's and Charles W. Goddard's play." New York Tribune: "An interesting picture." Holy Land Sets in New Fox Special Two Big Premieres for Universal Production The same thoroughness of production which marked the William Fox screen version of "If Winter Comes" has been used in this producer's special, "The Shepherd King." Taken from Wright Lorimer and Arnold Reeves' stage play, founded upon biblical history, this picture, a J. Gordon Edwards production, was made in Egypt and the Holy Land. With headquarters at the William Fox studio in Rome, the large company of foreign and American actors was assembled, the mechanical staff completed and the trip into the ancient land begun. Much of the transportation was accomplished on the backs of camels. The scenario was written by Virginia Tracy. Two big openings during the past week marked the course of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," the big Universal production filmed by Wallace Worsley, with Lon Chancy in the featured role, from Victor Hugo's immortal romance. Both Philadelphia and San Francisco saw premieres of the big spectacle film, and in both of these cities the premiere was a decided success, with box-office records, advance sale records and other records going by the board;. In other words, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" continues to repeat its initial success in New York, where it opened in the Astor Theatre early in September, and its later successes in Boston and Pittsburgh. There is no let-up in the crowds which flock to the Astor Theatre. The opening at Philadelphia was in the Chestnut Street Opera House, one of the finest legitimate theatres in the Quaker City. Of equal color and enthusiasm was the "Hunchback" opening in San Francisco, according to wire reports just received, where the premiere was at the Capitol Theatre, one of the best legitimate theatres on the Coast. Mastbaum Lauds The White Rose" 44> "Philadelphia returns a unanimous verdict in favor of your superb and heart-touching picture, 'The White Rose,' " said Jules E. Mastbaum in a telegram to D. W. Griffith, just after he had decided to hold this United Artists release over for a second week in its booking at the Stanton Theatre. The telegram went on to say: "Our audiences laughed and wept. You have again exposed a vividly accurate cross-section of the human heart, for 'The White Rose' is but a page from life transferred to the screen with a realism that calls forth ungrudging tribute to your wizardry. I congratulate you. We are holding the picture over another week." "The White Rose" played to capacity business at the Stanton. The picture had a lively publicity and advertising campaign, and Carol Dempster, one of the leading players, made a personal appearance after being entertained at tea at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel by a group of Philadelphia society debutantes, and being presented with a great bunch of white roses by Mayor J. H. Moore, on whom she called in his executive offices. Levee Buys Tourneur M. C. Levee has purchased the motion picture rights to William Dudley Pelley's story, "Torment," as the next production to be staged by Maurice Tourneur for First National release. The adaption by Fred Myton will offer various spectacular scenes in which hundreds of players will participate. These scenes will be taken in Northern California, where arrangements are to be made for the building of several immense sets. Casting for this picturization has started at the United studios, where the opening scenes will be taken within the next week. 44 Torment"; Will Direct Negotiations for the services of various players whose recent work on the screen has made them the leading favorites, are now underway. "Jealous Husbands," Mr. Tourneur's last production for First National, is now completed and will have its initial public showing shortly. The production, originally titled "Jealous Fools," marks Mr. Levee's debut as an author and it is said to offer a typical Tourneur melodrama. In the cast are among others, Earle Williams, Jane Novak, Ben Alexander, Don Marion, Bull Montana and George Siegman. New Yorkers Stand to Mabel Normand Picture See "Puritan Passions" Boasts All -Star Cast Mack Sennett has assembled an all-star cast around Mabel Normand for her first starring vehicle for Associated Exhibitors, "The Extra Girl." Mr. Sennett wrote the story especially for Miss Normand. Ralph Graves was entrusted the leading male part. Elsie Tarron got her chance in this picture when F. Richard Jones, the director of "The Extra Girl," called her from location. William Desmond and Ramsey Wallace also appear in "The ./.Ira Girl." The lobby was crowded with people eager to obtain standing room last Sunday night when "Puritan Passions," the Film Guild picturization of Percy Mackaye's "The Scarecrow," was given its premiere at the Cameo Theatre, New York City. Glenn Hunter, star of the stage in "Merton of the Movies," came to see Glenn Hunter, star of the screen, play the principal part in "Puritan Passions." Mr. Hunter was photographed with the ushers of the theatre, dressed as men of Salem Towne, and with Frederick S. Converse, noted composer, who wrote the musical score of the picture.