The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 10, 1923. Wilcox Successes in America. ¥% ) HEN I met Mr. Herbert S. Wilcox the other day I found him unusually optimistic, the reason for which I quickly gathered was that he had just recelved a cablegram from his brother Charles, who is in America, announcing that the Allied Artists had taken both ‘* Flames of Passion ’’ and ‘‘ Paddy-the-NextBest-Thing ”’ for the entire Western hemisphere. I can understand his feeling of satisfaction at this news, which is a real feather in the cap of this young producing concern. When it is remembered that practically two of the first productions of a new concern have been taken by one of the greatest corporations in America, it speaks volumes for what they must think of these photoplays. I also understand from Mr. Wilcox that the rights for ** Loyalties ’’ have been disposed of to the Fox Film Corporation. Another Big Acquisition. HE script of ‘‘ Chu Chin Chow’”’ has now been completed, and aetive work starts on Monday next. Mr. Wilcox is leaving for Algiers, where many of the prineipal scenes will be filmed, and the entire work of production is expected to take at least four months. Not content with this stupendous task that awaits him, Mr. Wilcox has, I understand, secured the rights for what he considers will make one of the world’s greatest pictures. I have no news at the moment, but when I am assured it is even bigger than ‘* Chu Chin Chow,’’ it certainly would appear that this talented young producer has something very big in mind. ‘‘ If Winter Comes.’’ HAVE also received a cablegram from Cbarles Wilcox, who informs me that he is sailing for England to-day (Saturday). Mr. Wilcox has been privileged to see *‘If Winter Comes ’’ screened to him by the Fox Film Corporation, and speaks in the highest possible praise concerning this production. The British interiors are, he tells me, simply wonderful, and this picture, which has broken all records at Boston, will, he feels sure, do similar for British exhibitors. I can imagine there will be a number of showmen in this country very anxious to see this particular production. The Popularity of A. G. Granger. F there was one thing more apparent than another I at the luncheon in celebration of the film showing of “‘ Doctor Mabuse ’’ on Wednesday last, it was the fine regard that exhibitors and the Press have for Mr. A. G. Granger. Speaker after speaker, including such personalities in the exhibiting world ag Mr. E. E. Lyons, Alec King, Councillor Haigh, and notable Pressmen, such as G. A. Atkinson, Grenville Robbins, and the Editor of this Journal, testified to the splendid qualities of this popular renter. Upon rising to respond to the toast of his health, Mr. Granger received a vociferous reception, and everyone of the large number of guests were generally pleased at Mr. Granger’s success with his great German photoplay, a full review of which appears on another page. A ‘* Chu Chin Chow ’’ Capture. UST as we go to press we leam that Graham Wilcox Productions, Ltd., have definitely secured the services of Miss Betty Blythe, the famous film star, to feature in ‘* Chu Chin Chow.”’ Miss Blythe is expeoted fn England in the first week in April. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. 5 Griffith Ignoring the Kinemas. 7 NOTHER theatre opened its doors to moving A pictures when the New Oxford opened on Thursday night with the latest Griffith production, ‘‘ One Exciting Night.’’ A full report of this picture will appear in next week’s issue, but at the same time I cannot help remarking upon the extraordinary methods of whoever is responsible for the exploitation of this picture, in concentrating upon the presentation of the picture to the public, and utterly ignoring the trade Press. It will be remembered that some considerable time ago we had occasion to take Mr. D. W. Griffith sharply to task for his contempt for the ordinary picture theatre, and it appears almost as if we were in for similar treatment with this particular production. The sooner Mr. Griffith realises that he gets his money out of kinema theatres the better, as exhibitors are not lightly going to receive the leavings after the legitimate theatres have played his films. I notice that at a luncheon given prior to this film being shown the other day, the usual telegram was forthcoming from Mr. Griffith containing the hope that he would soon make a picture in England with all our beautiful countryside scenes, etc. Really, I am getting very tired of all this claptrap. As a matter of fact, Griffith will make a picture over here when it pleases him, and when he sees the money in it, and all this dream stuff is exceedingly futile and nonsensical. A Loss to the Trade. T is with deep regret that I hear of the death of Mr. Phillip Joseph, the well-known exhibitor from Leicester. Mr. Joseph, who passed away on Friday week, was one of the oldest showmen in the industry, and those who knew him loved him for his many fine qualities. He will be sorely missed in this trade. Pearl White at it Again. HE sickening twaddle that has been appearing lately anent the convent-going activities of Miss Pearl White is enough to disgust anyone. Surely, the limit in publicity has been reached by this film star, and many of us could tell this young lady, who so delights in forcing her way upon public attention, exactly where we should like her to go, and, believe me, it is not a convent. Berman Rejoins United Artists. NOTICE my old friend, Abe Berman, is back once again with United Artists. It will be remembered that Mr. Berman left this concern to join Goldwyn, but has very quickly returned to his former love. The announcement is made in New York that he is to work in the foreign department, and I am rather wondering if the return of Mr. Carroll Trowbridge to the United States presages the coming of Mr. Berman to again take over the reins. We shall see in the near future. A Question of Relativity. AM afraid there was an error connected with the I review of ‘‘ The Blue Lagoon ’’ last week, in which it was made to appear that the two children in the story were brother and sister. Of course, as everybody knows, in the story the little girl is an adopted child, hence they are not brother and sister.