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

* Ge wee FS tl! oe Rn > ee, — | —__ TE _mlUNURCO March 24, 1923. -an’ empty “ Twink _THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. — 67 PICTURES THE BRITISH PUBLIC LIKE . . . Mee ae ed oe _. BEST. ‘Yorkshire Exhibitors’ Advice to An American ‘Producer. al By our Leeds Correspondent). we sort of pictures does the British kinema-going public like best, and what, consequently, are the’ pictures that will make the most money for the kinema proprietors, the renter.of.the film, and its producer?’ There was an interesting discussion.on these .questions ata luncheon given at the Queen's Hotel, Leeds, last week, by the Walturdaw Film Company, Ltd., to introduce to Yorkshire Mr. Al. Lichtman, the American producer of Preferred Pictures,.a pleasing sample.:of which (in the film play, ‘‘ Shadows ’’) was trade shown atthe Majes stic Picture Theatre earlier in the day. Mr. Lichtman, who. was introduced by Lieut.-Col. H. A. Browne,’: managing. director of the Walturdaw Company, said he was gétting: into touch with as many kinema exhibitors in . this country. as possible, in.anendeavour to. get to know exactly what the British public wanted in film fare, so that on his return to the States he could produce that sort of picture. Mr. Arthur Cunningham, of the New Century Pictures, Ltd., recalled a number of ‘films which, he said, won the public favour in the early days of the business and would do so again to-day—films of homely domestic character—‘‘ sob stuff ’’ it might be called, but it was human nature and daily life, which was much to be preferred to some of the impossible stories told in many of the films of the present day. Some of the emall preductigns of the early days were, he said, better than some of the big productions to-day, and he instanced the early efforts policeman, : who, scenting promotion, gets busy and enters the house to arrest Mrs. Jones. She discomfits the trio by producing ”* packet. ; At the dance Pamela makes a great sensation in her new ‘frock, until Lucy appears, a radiant vision in shell pink, when the former becomes jealous-and indignant. Dick and Lucy get busy with. the dance, and the affection of the man for the young person in pink is no longer in doubt. Again, this picture is well produced, whilst the portrayal of the chief character, Jones, is entrusted to the well-known actor who plays the lead in ‘‘ Charley’s Aunt.’’ Bcth these pictures can with safety be put on by any exhibitor, as they are not of a type that will in any way bore, but will please any kind of audience. 5 Meee h pee ee, 2 ee . om) Lf é fy ch ‘ ScENE From ‘‘ JONES'S SCARE,”’ of Mary Pickford ad such productions as ‘' Father,” ‘* Mother,”’ ‘* Nigger Jim,’’ and ‘‘ The Prisoner of Zenda."’ Councillor Curry, of Grimsby, advised’ Mr. Lichtman to make pictures that would appeal to the middle classes—no ‘‘ highbrow ’’ problem play, and yet nothing sordid or slapdash, but just the happy medium. That type of picture, he said, could be safely relied upon to interest audiences from both ends of the social scale. | Other speakers pleaded for film stories more real and true to . life, and one, since he was addressing his advice to an American producer, asked for more care in the presentation in film form -of British authors’ books and plays—to the exclusion of travesties of the real stories as we know them, on this side of the Atlantie. ‘‘ Such liberties taken with some of our most prized literary treasures: are not appreciated in this country,”’ said the speaker, ‘‘ and are often regarded with some disappointment and annoyance.”’ Another speaker expressed the opinion that a touch of comedy often assured’ success to the ‘‘ putting over ’’ of a film subject that otherwise might not be too attractive. Lt.-Colonel Browne, in thanking his guests for their valuable and helpful suggestions, said he was pleased to be able to announce ‘that: their ‘next picture, ‘“Poor Men’s Wives,'’ was just such & homely worling-clias drama 1 as had been described. TAKL NG THE FIGHT FILM IN" ‘DUBLIN. —7 N connection with Pathé’s exclusive film at the. SikiMeTigue fight, the members of the Pathé staff fold off to obtain the pictures found all that they required in the ‘way of excite ment. The journey across to Dublin was certainly uneventful, and after quietly taking their paraphernalia to the Scala in the early morning they were able to rest until the actual fight. Entering ths hall in the evening as ‘‘ sightseers,’’ they were searched for firearms by the State Guard. During the first bout the ‘‘ fun '’ commenced by a land mine blowing up quite close to the theatre, but the cameramen were so intent on securing the best possible pictures of the fight that it was not until after the last round of the fight had been concluded, and McTigue declared the winner, that they were informed that eichty armed C.1.D. men had been in the hall, including a ‘double guard all round the kinematographers. As they were about to leave the hall a message was received that the film must remain, as the rebels were after it. Naturally, the men elected to stay with it, so five armed officials stood guard -over the film with them. Sleep was impossible. Towards early morning it was decided to make tracks for Kingston Harbour, and after every garage had stated that they could not supply cars, it was found necessary to hold up two taxis for the use of the cameramen and their property. ©The special armed guard kept an eye on them until everything was on board the ship bound for Holyhead, and the film was locked up in the ship’s guard-room: When .it was finally delivered to the Pathé film editor on ‘Sunday evening the caremamen felt that they had not only fulfilled all that could be expected of them, but had brought back one of the most descriptive fight films ever taken by Pathé Fréres, a ee ae