The Moving picture world (January 1925-February 1925)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 3. 1925 Exhibitor Reports "Tornado" Greater Than "The Storm" as HE TORNADO," the latest House eters picture, a Universal Jewel COLLEEN MOORE Star of First National's forthcoming special "So Big," a January release. ■JL production adapted from Lincoln J. Carter's celebrated stage melodrama, the last of Universal Fall releases, will have its New York premiere this week in the new Piccadilly Theatre, Fifty-second street and Broadway. An indication of the exceptional success "The Tornado" is meeting in various sections of the country may be had from the following comment of Jules Levy, sales director of the Eastern Division of Universal^ sales force. "We have just received a wonderful report from Morris hitzer of the Empire Theatre, Syracuse, N. Y.," said Levy. "Fitzer originally booked the picture for show Critics Lavish Praise on Metro-Goldwyn ys "Greed" ERICH VON STROHEIM'S "Greed" has been hailed as an epoch-making screen masterpiece by the Manhattan critics, by the brilliant array of notables who attended its premiere at the Cosmopolitan Theatre, and by the public, which has demonstrated its enthusiasm in a manner which indicates this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production will be one of the greatest box-office successes known in the industry. "Von Stroheim has taken Frank Norris's powerful story, 'McTcague'," writes Rose Pelswick in the New York Journal, "and with a dynamic touch transformed it into an epic of almost ruthless realism. Character brought out by contrast ; details that any other director might have overlooked swept into drama ; emotions bared and trivial occurrences made significant. Continuity, ditection and acting arc developed with sledgehammer force. It is a remarkable picture. I have never seen such a portrayal of' human conflict. It is forceful, gripping, colossal. Von Stroheim's strength of direction is tremendous and the acting of the leading players is a revelation. The entire action and characterization nn extraordinary achievement." "I have seen 'Greed'," states Mildred Spain in the New York Daily News. "I have seen Erich von Stroheim's 'Greed' that took millions of dollars and a couple of years and one broken heart to make. I have seen and I am conquered. Frank Norris's story, 'McTeague,' has been made into one of the most conspicuous pictures of all times." "It is undeniably a dramatic story," testifies Mordaunt Hall in the New York Times. "The three principals deliver splendid performances in their respective roles. Gibson Gowland is unusually fine as McTeague. Mr. Gowland slides into the character and stays with it. He is clever in his exhibition of temper and wonderfully effective in the desert scenes." " 'Greed' is a masterpiece." declares Dorothy Hcrzog in the New York Daily Mirror. "The photoplay is superb and the acting excels any on the screen in many a day." Says George Gerhard in the New York Evening World : "It must be admitted that Frich von Stroheim is probably the foremost exponent in motion picture production. 'Greed' is truly a great picture. Movie fans will find in 'Greed' the acme of motion picture artistry." ing next June without having seen it. Two weeks ago he had an opportunity of looking at the production. He immediately changed his mind of play dates and asked to show it right away. "He showed the picture in the Empire on the week of November 29th and broke all house records with it. Here is what he wired in on his showing: " 'Opened Saturday in the face of a terrific snowstorm to wonderful business with greater business on Sunday. It will undoubtedly break all house records before the week is over. 'The Tornado' is far superior to 'The Storm.' I made a personal canvass of my audiences and found their criticisms unanimous as to the picture being a perfect production. The work of House Peters and his supporting cast unexcelled.' "This remarkable report," continued Levy, "was unsolicited by us. As good as it is, however, it is matched by another report we received from E. L. McEvoy, manager of the Palace Theatre, Norwich, Conn. Here is what McEvoy had to say about 'The Tornado': " 'Tornado' opened to biggest Thursday house has ever had. Topped Lloyd, which held the record, by six dollars. It's a great picture.' "In the face of reports such as these we are bound to be convinced that we have a great screen offering. If it does as well as 'The Storm' it will be one in a thousand. 'The Storm' had done more for Universal in good will and for House Peters in popularity than any picture on record. Think of a picture playing in 8,000 houses I We expect 'The Tornado' to equal 'The Storm' because many people have told us it is even greater than 'The Storm.' " Begin "Thundering Herd" Zane Gray's "The Thundering Herd," one of Paramount's Second Famous Forty, has gone into production at Calabasas, Cal., a location personally selected by the author. It will be directed by William K. Howard. Its cast of featured players includes Jack Holt, Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Raymond Hat ton and Charles Ogle. The story is written around the making of the West. One of the big scenes will be the stampede of a herd of 5.000 buffalo. V James Kirkwood and Pauline Garon in "The Painted Flapper," a Chadwick picture.