The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

The Pep of The Program NEWS AND REVIEWS OF SHOFCT SUBJECTS AND SERIALS New Auto-Racing Series Among stem Goes to coast LLr%o utth T~^*1 f 1 A A Julius Stern, president of Century "Big"U Films for Early 1924 s^rsrSLTSrzs trzi Universal announces that in line with a survey which showed exhibitors are eager for short subjects of exceptional quality, the 1924 list will have an increased number of high class two reelers. Outstanding on the schedule is the series of six "Fourth Leather Pushers," in which Billy Sullivan has the role in which Reginald Denny appeared in the first three series. The schedule calls for six two-reel westerns early in the year, one a week, "Down in Texas," with Kent Sanderson, "Gold Digger Jones," with Bob Reeves, "The Almost Good Man," a Harry Carey reissue, "Miscarried Plans," with Bob Reeves, "Hats Off," with Pete Morrison, and "Lone Larry," with Kingsley Benedict. The early Centurys are "Obey the Law," with Jack Earle, "The Rich Pup," with Pal "By Lantern Light," the first release of the 1923 series of Wilderness Tales by Robert C. Bruce, released through Educational Film Exchanges, Inc., has been chosen by James W. Dean, reviewer and critic of the Newspaper Enterprise Association, writing for hundreds of newspapers throughout the United States, as one of the twelve best pictures of 1923. "By Lantern Light," a one reel subject, follows Paramount's "Covered Wagon" at head of the list. It is the only single reel subject named, and one of the two short subjects included in the list. This is the second year in which a Bruce Wilderness Tale has been named by this newspaper reviewer as one of the best pictures of the year. Dean's list for 1922 included "And Women Must Weep," the first of the Wilderness Tales released by Educational. In naming "By Lantern Light," Mr. Dean comments : "The art of the cinema has reached its highest stage in Bruce's Wilderness Tales, but "By Lantern Light" and others of the 1923 series are no more artistic than his first, 'And Women Must Weep,' made in 1923. Starting this month, Educational will release a third series of these popular Wilderness Tales. The first release is "Jean of HetJSotjUan $ut gteunber the dog, "The Caddy," with Buddy Messinger, "Own a Lot," with Harry Sweet, "Such Is Life," starring Baby Peggy, "Keep Going," with Jack Earle, and "You're Next," with Henry Murdock. There will be several one-reelers featuring Bert Roach and Neely Edwards as a team and Slim Summerville and Bobby Dunn as a team; January will see two Joe Martin comedies. The serials will be as follows : "The lihost City," already being released, starring Pete Morrison and Margaret Morris ; March 10, "The Fast Express," starring William Duncan and Edith Johnson; June 16, "The Riddle Man," starring William Duncan and Eileen Sedgwick; Sept. 22, "The Free Trader," starring William Duncan and Edith Johnson. Heceta Head." The present series will consist of eight single reel subjects. Nigh Film at Rialto The first of the Will Nigh Miniatures which Pathe will distribute was shown recently at the New York Rialto and so well pleased was Hugo Reisenfeld that he gave it a special musical setting. It is a single-reeler titled "Among the Missing." Will Nigh in addition to directing, played the male lead with Lucille LaVerna who has been appearing in the successful play "Sun Up" on Broadway for several months appearing in the leading female role. The picture is presented by E. L. Smith and produced by Nigh-Smith Pictures Inc. Heading the Pathe schedule for January 20 is the opening episode of a new serial "The Way of Man." Also prominent on the list are "Smithy" starring Stan Laurel and a Dippy-do-Dad "The Bar-Fly." "The Way of Man" is adapted from a novel by Emerson Hough and opens with the murder of the head of the Cowles family. The son, John Cowles goes West for assisance from his father's friend. All prominent members of the cast are introduced including Harold Miller Bud Osborne, Kathryn Appleton, Whitehorse, Lillian Gale, Chet Ryan and Allene Ray. "Smithy" is a two-reeler in which Stan Laurel appears as a private who afterwards for Hollywood where the studios are located. Mr. Stern has been in the East since September in conference with his brother, Abe Stern, regarding distribution plans for the comedies and for the Baby Peggy feature "The Darling of New York." A New Fat Comedian Carl Louis Gregory, camera expert, who for many years conducted a photographic department for Moving Picture World is directing a series of two-reel comedies for a new company, Criterion Pictures Inc., which will feature a fat comedian, Jimmy Brewer, who has been appearing in several pictures including "Let Not Man Put Asunder" and "Down to the Sea in Ships." The first picture "Fountain of Juice" has been completed and will be given an early trade showing. Rogers' Russian Role Against a background of futuristic sets Will Rogers in his next two-reeler for Pathe, "The Warehouse Players," appears in the role of a Russian actor, with temperament, a long beard and a mock air of repression. This is a satire on the Little Theatre movement and is said to be an unusually funny burlesque. Marie Mosquini appears as leading woman with 'Jack Ackroyd in support. There are several Pasadena and Los Angeles society leaders in the picture. Johnnie Fox's First Johnnie Fox, Jr., recently signed by Educational for Juvenile Comedies, has finished his first picture, a boy scout comedy, "About Face," which was directed by Arvid Gilstrom. Johnnie is the tobacco chewing kid in "The Covered Wagon" and has appeared in many other films. in civil life is a boss carpenter with his former sergeant working for him. The new Dippy-Do-Dad "The Bar-Fly" is announced as starting where "Ten Nights in a Bar Room" stopped. It concerns a raid on a distillary and the characterization of two monkeys as intoxicated persons is said to be humorous and little short of marvelous. This week sees the release of the final chapter of the Ruth Roland serial "Ruth of the Range" in which the heroine wins in both love and business. The current Aesop Fable is said to be a laughable interpretation of the classic theme of "A Black Sheep." Pathe Review No. 3 covers several interesting subjects. Critic Includes Bruce Film Among Twelve Best for Year Serial "The Way of Man" Tops Pathe's January 20 Schedule