The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

268 MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26, 1924 "Scaramouche" Brings Record Price to Philadelphia House THE Rex Ingram-Metro production, "Scaramouche," continues to break records. The latest to be credited to this remarkable screen version of Rafael Sabatini's world famous novel comes from Philadelphia, where the production opened at the Aldine Theatre on Christmas Day. Although the Aldine changed its policy completely when "Scaramouche" opened there, going from a 75-cent top admission price with a continuous showing from morning until night, to a two-a-day house with $1.65 top, it has enjoyed nothing less than remarkable business. At the present time "Scaramouche" has a larger advance sale in Philadelphia than it has enjoyed in any other city where it has been presented today; as a matter of fact it is about double that of any other reported to the Metro offices. Although there was no special exploitation for the Philadelphia engagement, other than extra newspaper space and a more elaborate theatre display than usual, the production has enjoyed such powerful word-of-mouth advertising that it immediately began breaking records. Philadelphia newspaper critics were as one in their praise of Rex Ingram's latest effort, and the Metro exchange co-operated with the Stanley Company in arrangements for the Aldine engagement. Reports from Philadelphia are to the effect that "Scaramouche," from a box office standpoint, is confidently expected to break all previous records in that territory on any picture. Coast Critics Enthuse World Premiere Brings Hearty Praise for "Half-a-Dollar Bill" The first of the Metro January releases, "Half-a-Dollar Bill," was given its Coast premiere last week at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco and met with the hearty approval of the newspaper critics. The Max Graf production, adapted from Curtis Benton's story and directed by W. S. Van Dyck, called forth the following praise : "It is a picture of which San Francisco may be proud without fear that anyone will sneer at her and say it is local pride, for 'Half-a-Dollar Bill' is genuine, interesting, splendidly acted and very well photographed. Summing it up, 'Half-a-Dollar Bill' is -a peach of a picture and the Grafs are to be congratulated," is the way the San Francisco Chronicle puts it. "An outstanding feature of 'Half-a-Dollar Bill' is its human appeal. There are certain portions of the picture which have that appeal that beggars description. In Frankie Darrow it would seem that Graf has discovered another child genius. The little fellow seems to live his part," says the critic of the San Francisco Bulletin. "Plenty of wholesome entertainment in 'Half-a-Dollar Bill.' It is not often that so good a picture as 'Half-a-Dollar Bill' comes along," is the opinion of the San Francisco News critic. "Scaramouche" is now in its sixteenth week at the 44th Street Theatre in New York, where it has repeatedly broken the box office record of one of the largest seating capacity houses in the Times Square district. It also has enjoyed or is now enjoying successful engagements at the ShubertBelasco in Washington, Academy in Baltimore, Cox in Cincinnati, Woods in Chicago, Brandeis in Omaha, Garrick in Minneapolis, Garrick in St. Paul, Tivoli in Toronto and the Palace in Montreal, formerly the Allen Theatres; the Park in Boston, Stillman in Cleveland, Atlanta in Atlanta, Savoy in Hamilton and the Majestic in London, England. Dog Statues for All Kiddies Strongheart, wonder dog of the films, posed for his statue this week as the first step in a plan to provide every kid in the country with a toy replica of the famous animal star. A contract entered into by Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfin, owners of the dog, and M. M. Rinearson, Los Angeles manufacturer, gives the latter the exclusive right to make the novelties. The images will be made of plush, rubber, or bronze and will vary in measurement from small models to life-size reproductions. The toys will be distributed throughout the country concurrently with the exhibition of the dog' s latest film, "The Love Master," released by First National. Sporting Youth, " UniversaVs Early February Jewel Release PORTING YOUTH" was received in New York during the past week and was immediately reviewed by the Universal home office staff. Although word come from the coast to expect an unusual picture, the photoplay elated the department heads. Reginald Denny is the star of "Sporting Youth." It is his first picture for the 19231924 season. Harry Pollard directed the picture. Laura LaPlante is the leading woman for Denny in "Sporting Youth." As the result of her excellent work in this picture she had been elevated to starring roles by Universal and now is engaged in making five-reel productions for release on the Universal At traction schedule. She is taking the place of Gladys Walton. Previous to her appearance in "Sporting Youth" she appeared as leading woman in many Universal comedies, westerns, and five-reel attractions, particularly in support of Hoot Gibson. Byron Morgan wrote "There He Goes," the story from which the current Denny picture was adapted. His story was scenarized for Universal by Harvey Thew. The supporting cast includes : Hallam Cooley, Leo White, Lucille Ward, Frederick Vroom, Henry Barrows, L. J. O'Connor, C. L. Sherwood, William Carroll, Rolphe Sedan and Malcolm Denny. "Sporting Youth" is scheduled for release early in February. It is likely that Broadway, New York, will see it before then. Scene from "The Frontier Woman," a Chronicle of America picture, produced by The Yale University Press and Released by Pathe Exchange, Inc.