I Accuse (United Artists) (1919)

Advertising and Exploitation CAST AND SYNOPSIS -ON- ABEL GANGES’ Sensational Production “I ACCUSE” SUGGESTIONS FOR LOBBY DISPLAY A judicious use of the one, three and six-sheet posters issued for this production; the proper costuming of theatre attendants, with special attention being paid to the ticket seller and lobby employes; a careful combination of the American and French flags, both inside and outside the lobby, and an outstanding display of the comments on this picture in the New York newspapers, where “I Accuse” was shown to good crowds will all help you in selling this picture to your patrons. The posters for this picture are unusually striking and have ex¬ ceptional attention-attracting properties. This is especially true of that one with the pointing hand breaking through with the words “I Accuse.” This poster should be most prominently displayed on the boards in front of your house, as well as inside the lobby. This poster also should be displayed at all the principal traffic centers of your city. It is seldom you have a feature that furnishes such poster possibilities, and the ex¬ hibitor should take the fullest advantage of this fact. While the posters are works of art, almost, in themselves, they can be made more strikingly attractive by turning them into cut-outs; and they were designed with this very idea in view. The cut-out stands out much more effectively than the ordinary poster. Much depends, of course, upon the ingenuity and imagination of the man making the cut¬ outs. If you feel that you are not quite up to this type of work your¬ self, then you should employ the services of the best there is in your city. THE MUSICAL SETTING The greatest works of the world’s greatest composers were called on by an expert musician in arranging the musical score for this pro¬ duction. While it is obviously impossible to devise a musical score for any production that can be used in all theatres, there is a cue sheet fur¬ nished with this feature film, and you should see to it that your musi¬ cians have it. GET IN TOUCH WITH THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN YOUR CITY This picture has the full and unqualified indorse¬ ment of the American Legion, Department of State of New York, with headquarters in the Hall of Records, New York City. From New York State headquarters word has gone out to every American Legion Post in the State, urging that Legion Post Officers and Legion men in general give their fullest co-operation to the exhibitor wherever this great production is shown. EVERY EXHIBITOR IN EVERY CITY IN EVERY STATE OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK SHOULD GET IN TOUCH WITH THE LOCAL AMERICAN LEGION POSTS AND SEEK SIMILAR CO-OPERATION. Do not stop with your local legion posts, but go after the state headquarters of the American Legion, and make a strong bid for an indorsement for this picture. If at all possible get a letter from the head of the state organization in which he will express his views of the production. Get his consent to your using this in your publicity and advertising. Remember at all times that there are a lot of American Legion men in nearly every city and town in the country; and keep in your mind the fact that these men exercise a good deal of influence on others —both young men and young women. You cannot afford to lose the weight of this in¬ fluence back of this production, even though the film be as strong as it is. And probably you will never have another chance to book a film production that will appeal to American Legion members as “I Accuse” will appeal. GET AFTER YOUR AMERICAN LEGION POSTS AND KEEP AFTER THEM TILL YOU GET THEIR INDORSEMENT OF “I ACCUSE.” DON’T NEGLECT^YOUR FL\G DISPLAY “I Accuse” is a French production, made in Paris, from the scenario written by Abel Gance, a famous French dramatist, poet and motion picture producer. It also was produced and directed by Mr. Gance. Seldom does an exhibitor get a chance to book a big film production where liberal use of the American flag may be used without violating good taste. This is a picture where he can use the Stars and Stripes with all justice and without the least offense to any person, even the most captious critic. Since it also is a French production, the exhibitor has the added op¬ portunity of displaying the American and French national colors side by side, and intertwined with each other. And nowhere can there be found a more striking combination, a more appealing situation, a stronger attention attraction, than in a discreet and tasteful grouping of the American Stars and Stripes and the French Tri-color. The Cast for “I ACCUSE” Jean Diaz, the poet .. ROMUALD JOUBE Marie Laurin . MLLE. MARISE DAUVRAY Francois Laurin, her husband . MR. SEVER1N-MARS Maman Diaz . MME. MANC1NI Maria-Lazare, Marie’s father .MR. DESJARD1N Angele, Marie’s child.LITTLE ANGELE The Synopsis for “I ACCUSE” Written and Directed by ABEL GANCE Photogaphy by Messrs. Bujard, Forster and Burel Released by. United Artists Corporation Holiday pastimes of peasants and villagers of a small town in France are cut off by the sudden call for the mobilization of troops. Merrymaking gives way to the business of war; laughter is turned into tears; parting takes the place of greeting. Marie Laurin is at her cottage, struggling between loyalty to her husband and love for another. The husband is Francois, sometimes tenderly loving, sometimes brutally selfish. The other is Jean Diaz, the visionary poet, dream¬ ing of universal peace. Though outwardly friendly, the two are seen to bear an intense, jealous hatred toward each other. The hardships of war bring a mutual understanding between the two, and a deep and lasting friendship results. Four years pass, and Marie, having been seized by the enemy, escapes, returning home with her German baby. Jean has been invalided home. Marie begs his protection for herself and her child from her husband’s anger. Francois comes back on leave. Finding the infant, he at once accuses Jean. Marie tells of her experiences as a deportee, and Francois and Jean join hands in vowing vengeance, returning to the battle-front. The husband is slain. The poet returns, but with shattered mind. He spends a weird night posting letters under village doorways calling the towns¬ folk to gather at Marie’s home. To them he recites a vision, born of his disordered brain, in which he saw the slain on the battlefield all come to life in order that they might learn if their sacrifice had been in vain. “I Accuse,” he cries, pointing to the villagers as individuals, and accusing them, men and women, alike. The women he accuses of having been unfaith¬ ful to their soldier kin; the men he accuses of having profiteered, and of en¬ riching themselves through various mean and petty ways through the deaths of the men in the ranks of war. Suggestions