The Moving picture world (September 1924-October 1924)

September 20, 1924 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 227 Edwin Carewe's First National Picture, "Madonna of The Streets" Plattsburgh Turns Out "Janice Meredith" Witnessed by Over One-Half of Town's Population More than one-half of the population of Plattsburgh, N. Y., saw Marion Davies in "Janice Meredith," at the Clinton Theatre in Plattsburgh during the week of August 25, according to reports. The official population of Plattsburgh is 11,300. There were 6,747 paid admissions, and also the free admissions given to advertisers, city officials, army officers and newspapermen. The price of admissi©n had been raised for this production from the usual 10, 20 and 30-cent charge to a flat rate of 50 cents. This extraordinary result is to be credited chiefly to an intensive campaign instituted by the Metro-Goldwyn exploitation executive in charge, who proceeded to remind the people of Plattsburgh in vigorous fashion that the picture had been made for the most part in and about Plattsburgh the year before ; that many of its citizens had taken part in it, and that consequently the Cosmopolitan Corporation had granted the city the first showing of the picture outside of its New York premiere at the Cosmopolitan Theatre. Wanda Wiley Injured Wanda Wiley, Century star, was thrown from her horse the other day and is now in the hospital, where it is expected she will have to remain for at least two weeks. Miss Wiley was riding her mount in a scene for "On Duty," her latest starring vehicle for Century, when it became frightened by the noise of a big wind machine on a nearby set, and bolted. The doctors found that Wanda had sustained a severely sprained ankle and a fracture of the right arm. Busy Autumn and Winter for F. B. O.'s Production Forces WITH the launching of the first Harry Garson-Lefty Flynn western production, "The Forgotten City," last week, production activities at the big Film Booking Offices plant in Hollywood began to hum merrily and the outlook as reported by General Manager B. P. Fineman indicates a busy autumn and winter among the independents quartered at Melrose and Gower. The Garson unit, headed by Harry Garson, who will direct the first of the Flynn six-picture series for F. B. O., left last week for Nevada to film many scenes in the frontier town of Rhyolite. They will be gone about two weeks. Gloria Grey will be Mr. Flynn's leading woman. Other units on location are the Emory Johnson company, shooting baseball scenes for "Life's Greatest Game" in Oakland, and the Del Andrews company, filming "The GoGetters" at Balboa, where an aquatic tourney is being filmed as a special feature of episode five of the new series of "featurettes" for F. B. O. The quick recovery of Richard Talmadge. who suffered a fracture of two vertebrae, has enabled his producer, Abe Carlos, to schedule an early start for his next F. B. O. production. The title has not yet been determined. Harmon Weight is on the third week of "Hard Cash," another F. B. O. release, produced by Associated Arts Corporation and in which Kenneth Harlan and Madge Bellamy are co-starred. Associated will launch its second production within the month in accordance with its contract with F. B. O. Fred Thomson's fractured thigh is keeping the star confined to the hospital, but his latest production, "Thundering Hoofs," is rapidly being whipped into shape by the F. B. O. production forces. It is indefinite when Thomson will start his second production under the terms of his new eight-production contract. Plans also are being formed for the launching of the new series of society features starring Evelyn Brent. Another big melodrama is being planned. This will be supervised by B. P. Fineman, as will all the other attractions filmed under the F. B. O. banner. Among the independent stars and producers now engaged at the big Gower Street plant are B. P. Schulberg. who will launch "The Triflers ;" Larry Semon. at work on his second comedy for Educational: Douglas MacLean, preparing to film another big comedy, and Hollywood Photoplay Corporation, readying for another of the "Puppy Love" series. Bill Posting Campaign As the first shot in special exploitation for the Preferred Picture, "The Breath of Scandal," J. G. Bachmann has announced that Schulberg Productions will start an extensive bill posting campaign in the New York territory. A large number of 24-sheet stands advertising this latest Gasnier production have been taken. Signed by First National June Mathis has been signed by First National. Richard A. Rowland, general manager of First National Pictures, Inc., authorized the announcement in Los Angeles.