The Moving picture world (September 1924-October 1924)

October 18, 1924 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 599 Metro-Goldwyn Weeks Open Throughout United States METRO-GOLDWYN WEEKS, October 5 to 18, formally opened last week with the showing of new MetroGoldwyn pictures in picture theatres throughout the country. From the national publicity Riven the occasion in newspapers and by theatres nationally, and from the enthusiasm expressed by exhibitors over the new MetroGoldwyn product, the celebration promises to be most successful. James R. Grainger and Edward M. Saunders, sales heads of Metro-Goldwyn, report that the sales drive, which reaches its greatest intensity this week, has already produced bigger results than were expected. Mr. Grainger has just returned to New York from a trip through the eastern territory and stated he was more than satisfied with the showing made by the sales organization. He reported that every exhibitor with whom he came in contact was pronounced in his belief that Metro-Goldwyn offered the theatre men this season one of the best line-ups of box office pictures in the industry. This is indicated, Mr. Grainger points out, by the showing already made by new MetroGoldwyn releases in the record-breaking grosses they are getting in every section of the country. One of the new contracts negotiated by Mr. Grainger is with Frank Durkee, president of the Maryland Motion Picture Theatre Owners, for 100 per cent Metro-Goldwyn product in Mr. Durkee's circuit of five theatres in Baltimore. Edward M. Saunders is on an extended trip through the western territory. Paul Burger, division manager of the western sales division in the United States and Canada, is also on a sales trip through his territory. Mr. Burger has closed with the America Theatre of Colorado Springs for the entire 1924-1925 Metro-Goldwyn product. Mr. Saunders, interviewed while en route to the Pacific Coast, by the Denver Post, stated that he found picture theatres were now enjoying the most profitable business since before the war and that everything pointed to the continuation of this prosperity. "Everywhere I have been before coming to Denver I have found that business has revived," Mr. Saunders stated. "What has been true in other cities is true in Denver. I find conditions in this city very substantial. What I have found on this trip is just the reverse of what I discovered two years ago, when the moving picture business from Illinois to Montana was not good because the farmers were not enjoying prosperity. "It has been contended in the past that money is spent for amusement before it is spent for anything else. That is not the fact. When money is scarce the moving picture theatre, in fact the entire theatrical profession, suffers. On the other hand, the moving picture is the first to feel the effect of returning prosperity. That's what is taking place now. The outlook was never better for the movie business, and the people who are now crowding the theatres of the country indicate an easier money situation." Releases for October Five Century Comedies Are Going to Exchanges This Month The first thing Julius Stern did on his return from abroad this week was to announce the titles of the productions to be released for October. There are five in all and among them are two in which W,anda Wiley, Mr. Stern's latest comedy find, will be starred. There will be two starring Buddy Messinger and one in which Al Alt, Hilliard Karr, Jack Earle and the Century Follies Girls will be featured. The Wanda Wiley starring vehicles are "Snappy Eyes," for release October first, and "Some Tomboy," for release October 22. The Buddy Messinger's are "What An Eye," for October 8 and "Here He Comes" for October 29. "Sahara Blues" is the title of the one with the all-star ot£t. Brent Film Finished The first Evelyn Brent starring production, "The Dangerous Flirt," produced by Gothic Pictures and slated for early release by F. B. O, was completed last week by Tod Browning at the F. B. O. Hollywood studios. It was written by Julie Heme and adapted to the screen by Richard Schayer. In the cast are Edward Earle, Pierre Gendron, Sheldon Lewis and Clarissa Selwynne. Miss Brent will appear in five other specials for Gothic. F. B. O. will distribute. Considering Sea Story Having just completed "Life's Greatest Game" as his sixth production for Film Booking Offices, Emory Johnson plans to produce a big sea story as his seventh attraction under the terms of his new eightpicture contract with the distributing corporation. Johnson comes of a long line of seafaring folk and has long planned to produce a story on which he could give his nautical inclinations free rein. His mother. Emilie Johnson, will write the story. Given Western Premiere The western premiere presentation of "Barbara Frietchie" at The California Theatre in Los Angeles this week brought out a great gathering of motion picture celebrities and an enthusiastic reception was given to Florence Vidor's interpretation of Clyde Fitch's civil war heroine. Among the notables present were Thos. H. Ince, Ralph Ince, John Ince, Edmund Lowe, Claire Windsor, Tom Mix, Emmett King, Charles Delaney, Priscilla Dean, Wheeler Oakman, Lambert Hillyer, George Archainbaud, Del Andrews, George Billings, Lydia Knott, Renaud Hoffman, Percy Marmont, Lloyd Ingraham and Elmer Harris. Buys Big Territory Jean Finley of Dallas, Texas, Obtains It for "After Six Days" One of the most important and biggest sales from a financial standpoint made on the independent market in several weeks is that of a block of territory including twelve states on "After Six Days," featuring Moses and the Ten Commandments, made by Weiss Brothers' Artclass to Jean Finley, of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Finley's purchase takes in the following states : Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii and Alaska. Mr. Finley will establish a network of offices immediately, with headquarters in strategic spots throughout his extensive territory. The main offices will be in Dallas and the name of Mr. Finley's organization will be the After Six Days Film Corporation. Bob Custer's First "Trigger-Fingers" is the title of the first of the Texas Ranger series starring Bob Custer which Independent Pictures Corporation is making for F. B. O. release. It is a high-class Western production. Reeves (Breezy) Eason will direct. The leading lady and cast will be announced soon. Will the next war wipe out mankind? Death Ray ME MIXERS THAT BUILD BIG BUSINESS ~ SEE'EM (FOX EDUCATIONAL ENTERTAINMENTS