The Moving picture world (May 1924-June 1924)

698 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 21, 1924 "The Hot Dog Special," one of Universal's two-reel "Fast Steppers" Series. Many Sales Reported on "Floodgates 99 by Russell JOHN' LOWELL RUSSELL, president of Lowell Film Productions, Inc., has returned to New York after a trip through the central West where he went to attend the opening of his latest production, "Floodgates," in several cities. He announces that during his trip he closed a number of important contracts for the distribution of this picture in the territories where the showings were highly successful. The picture was purchased by Frank Zambreno of Progress Pictures, Chicago, for Northern Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin, and will be released at once following its engagement at the Randolph Theatre, Chicago, and the Merrill Theatre, Milwaukee; also by Fred Cubberly of the F. & R. Exchanges, Minneapolis, for Minnesota, North and South Dakota and the peninsula of upper Michigan, and by Harry Grelle of Supreme Pictures, Pittsburgh, for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Mr. Grelle will also release at once following the showing at the Cameo Theatre, Pittsburgh. Upon his return from Pittsburgh, Mr. Russell went at once to Boston to attend the convention of the M. P. T. O. A. After attending to some business in New York, he leaves for Buffalo to make arrangements for the opening of "Floodgates'" there and also for the distribution of the picture in the upper part of the state. He will go from Buffalo to his studio in Gloversville to complete arrangements for his next production, which he plans to start on July and have ready for early fall distribution. F. B. O. Will Distribute and Exploit Huge "Messalina" •Mi 5SSALINA," one of the most costly pictures ever made in Europe, ■ and produced by Enrico Gauzzoni, director of "Quo Vadis" and "Julius Caesar," will be distributed by the Film Booking Offices, according to an announcement made this week. Twelve thousand persons take part in the big scenes which reproduce in detail the approaches to the Forum, the imperial coronation procession of Claudius Caesar, through the streets of Rome, and the gladiatorial games and combats, the big feature being an accurate reproduction of the ancient chariot racing festivals. The story deals with Messalina, the scheming and ambitious consort of Claudius Caesar. The title role is played by the Countess de Liguoro. While the picture is, perhaps, the most spectacular ever produced, the story and love theme is never in danger of being submerged, F. B. O. declares. F. B. O. is now laying plans for a big advertising and exploitation campaign, and to this end, has sent to Rome for the chariots used in the racing scenes. A number of circus drivers will soon be placed under contract to aid exhibitors throughout the country in an extensive and unusual exploitation campaign. Woody Back from Trip Showmen Appreciate Associated'* Plan of Releasing Big Pictures During Summer J. S. Woody, general manager of Associated Exhibitors, who has just returned irom a four weeks' swing around the circle of eastern and middle-western exchanges, declares that exhibitors expressed the utmost approval of Associated plan of releasing really big box-office features during the summer months. "Such pictures as 'The Chechahcos,' 'Three Miles Out,' 'The Sixth Commandment,' 'Racing Luck,' 'When a Girl Loves' and 'Lone Wolf have been released since May," said Mr. Woody, "and exhibitors are booking them for the hot weather, hard-to-get business period, simply because they are convinced that they are going to bring real money into the house. "Another thing I found on my trip was universal commendation from all Associated salesmen for the recently put into effect plan of remunerating salesmen on a commission plan. The best illustration of the success of the plan lies in the fact that from the time of its inception to date — some six weeks — business has shown an increase of 40 per cent in volume. "Our salesmen were all more or less skeptical of the plan when it was first put into effect, but within a week they were all enthusiastic boosters. Individual compensation has increased from 25 to, in several cases, 500 per cent." List of Unit Programs Pathe Prepares Same Upon Requests of Exchange Managers Following requests from branch managers, Pathe Exchange has prepared a list of unit programs, carrying nine reels each, which offer from three to five subjects, insuring a *plendid variety of feature, comedy, educational films and current news attractions for presentation. The programs offered are: (1) "The King of Wild Horses," 5 reels; Pathe News, 1 reel; "Range Rider" subject, 2 reels; Hal Roach Comedy, 1 reel; (2) "King of Wild Horses," 5 reels; Mack Sennett or Hal Roach Comedy, 2 reels; Pathe Review, 1 reel; Grantland Rice "Sportlight," 1 reel; (3) "The King of Wild Horses," 5 reels ; Patheserial, "Way of a Man," "Leatherstocking" or "The Fortieth Door," 2 reels; Aesop's Fable, J4 reel; "Topics of the Day," 1 reel; "Among the Missing," 1 reel; (4) "The King of Wild Horses," 5 reels; Birds of Passage," 3 reels; Hal Roach Comedy, 1 reel; (5) "The King of Wild Horses," 5 reels; "Why Elephants Leave Home," 2 reels; "Is Conan Doyle Right?" 2 reels. Fox Books F. B. 0. Film "A Woman Who Sinned," featuring an all-star cast headed by Mae Busch and Irene Rich, has been booked by the entire Fox circuit in a deal consummated by Charles Rosenzweig, manager of the New York Exchange, of the Film Booking Offices, who are distributing the Finis Fox production. This large booking is only one of many being received by F. B. O. on this feature.