The Moving picture world (March 1925-April 1925)

March 28, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 383 Vitagraph 's "Captain Blood" Is Highly Praised by Newspapers "C BUFFALO BILL, JR. Known as "The Thunder Rider," star Weiss Bros.' western pictures. APTAIN BLOOD,' by Rafael Sabatini, is in a class by itself, setting a new standard of screen excellence and leaving no object of comparison by which to draw conclusions," said the reviewer of the Fairmont (W. Va.) Times, following the opening of a run of Vitagraph's David Smith production at the Virginia Theatre in that city. He continued : "It is to the screen what Shakespeare's plays are to the stage and Dickens' works to literature. It is a screen classic in a rare setting, because 'Captain Blood' will leave for posterity a screen literature which will be remembered through the ages." In Cincinnati, where "Captain Blood" has just closed a successful run at the Lyric Theatre, it was acclaimed by large audiences and Associated Exhibitors 9 Eastern Production Still Booming enthusiastic critics as an outstanding screen attraction. The Cincinnati Enquirer said, in the course of its review : " 'Captain Blood,' the latest Sabatini novel to find its way to the screen, has all the qualities that made so many of his other novels such delightful film entertainment." Said the Cincinnati TimesStar: "'Captain Blood' is rich in romantic adventure, colorful atmosphere and picturesque characters. David Smith, who directed, had a keen eye for pictorial beauty and vivid photography. J. Warren Kerrigan, in the title role, was graceful and courtly in his dressed-up moments, and Jean Paige was sweet as Arabella Bishop." The Lethbridge (Canada) Herald said: "If you like adventure in which strong men and beautiful women figure, you will lik» 'Captain Blood,' which opened at the Empress Theatre Monday and will continue all week. There is not a dull moment in 'Captain Blood.' The photography is beautiful, the scenes broad and sweeping, the atmosphere virile, the acting excellent." EASTERN production of pictures for Associated Exhibitors continues to boom. St. Regis Pictures Corporation has started to work on a new picture at the TecArt Studios, which will be based on a story entitled "Headlines." The actual work of building the sets and arranging the studio space has begun, but the selection of the cast and director cannot be announced until later. Tom Terris will begin work next month on the first of a series of productions which he has contracted for with the Associated Exhibitors. He will produce them in the East, and the first will be a screen adaptation from the story "My Buddy's Wife," by T. Howard Kelly, which, appeared in a recent issue of The Smart Set Magazine. J. W. Schleiff, formerly with the Selznick production forces, is in charge as production manager for the Tom Terris Productions. Whitman Bennett has started work on his second production for the Associated Exhibitors. This picture will be made at the Whitman Bennett Studios at Yonkers. The three Four Centuries Listed leading roles are being played by Lionel Barrymore, Johnnie Walker and Marguerite De La Motte. The story is Dana Rush's adaptation of LeRoy Scott's famous novel, "Children of the Whirlwind," which had enormous success when first issued by Houghton Mifflin & Co.. and which is now being republished in a cheaper edition. The story may be described as a "Regeneration crook play" and shows both extremes of New York life — the poor and very rich. "The Adventurous Sex" Listed "The Adventurous Sex," the second Howard Estabrook production to be made at the Tec-Art Studios, New York, for distribution under the Associated Exhibitors banner, has been definitely set for release by that organization on March 22. "The Adventurous Sex" is based on an original story written by Hamilton Mannon, and was adapted for screen presentation by Carl S. Clancy. Clara Bow, Earle Williams. Herbert Rawlinson and Harry T. Morey enact the film's leading characterizations. Wanda Wiley, Edna Marian and Beth Darlington Among the Stars in March Releases Four comedies are included in the series being released during March by the Century Film Corporation. The comedies include two reelers starring Wanda Wiley, Edna Marian, Beth Darlington and the Century Follies Girls, and Buddy Messinger. In the order of releases they are "Don't Worry." a Wanda Wiley comedy, "Powdered Chickens," an Edna Marian Comedy, "Raisin' Cain," featuring Beth Darlington and the Century Follies Girls, and "Clear the Way." with Buddy Messinger. Louis John Bartels, star of "The Show-Off," current comedy hit of Broadway's stage, signs a contract with Fred Hamlin, impresario of Broadway motion picture publicity. The contract calls for five years' service under the sponsorship and agency of Hamlin. Incidentally, Bartels passed 100 plus in his screen tests. A series of comedies will likely be written around Bartels.