The Washington times., 1922-09-03

p. SSS-ttu uTIII~
BEGINS
Fifth Annual Celebration OF
Organization Starts Today
With Proimse of Good Plays
and Season.
II ACKED by an array OF the
Id best motion pictures ever
produced at any one time in
the history of the screen. film
producers are predicting that the
season opening officially today
will be the most prosperous In a
long time-not only to themselves
in box office receipts but also to
the picture.loving public in higher
standards OF screen entertainment.
For the fifth year the picture
industry is setting aside all of
this week as a "better pictures"
demonstration. Out of courtesy
to Paramount Pictures, which will
be shown in most of the $4,000
theaters throughout the country,
the week of September 3.9' is
known as the fifth annual Para.
mount week. Motion picture
patrons have come each year to
look upon the annual Paramount
week as striking the keynote for
their years film entertainment.
and this year, because of the mum.
Der Of really big Paramount Pic
lures which are ready for release
the opening OF, the season Is ac-
companied by special optimism.
Adolph Zukor. president of Fa-
nous Players-Lasky Corporation,
producers Of Paramount pictures,
says the industry today is in bet
ter shape than it has ever been;
that the severe slump has cleaned
UP the Industrial waste every.
where; that It has also brought
forth on air sides q new dignity,
seriousness Of purpose. conserv-
atism; that, on the eve Of the
fan season tho entire producing
branch Of the industry stands
ready with pictures, the average
quality of which actually towers
above average standards Of the
past.
You ask mo II business win be
good this fall" Mr.. Zukor states.
THAT depends, first, upon the
pictures, doesn't 1t? Recent evi-
dence on Broadway is proof
enough that people. as always
and under any conditions, will
flock to good attractions.
when I say that pictures are
several times better than ever be-
fore-that may sound extravagant.
But that's my sincere Judgment.
tn the first place. we know
here. pretty clearly. what the en-
tire market is producing. I mean
our competitors. It Is our bust
ness to know. and we know they
are away ahead Of past products.
So speak for pictures in gen.
eral."
When Mr.. Zukor referred to
recent evidence on Broadway he
had in mind Blood and Sand"
a new Paramount picture star
ring Rodolpho Valentino, which
has broken all records at the
Rivoli and Rialto theaters.
Other Paramount pictures soon
to be seen are expected to be
equally successful. Among these
is Burning Sands" a desert pic
ture, produced by George Mel
ford from the novel by Arthur
Weigall, with Wanda Hawley and
hAiiIOu olho LhO roles.
1t is heraldsd as the answer to
"The Sheik." Another Is ITO
Have and To Hold" a George
Fitzmaurice production. This Is
. costume play of the early
jamestown settlement period
from the novel by Mary Johns
ton. The leading feminine role is
portrayed by Betty Compson,
supported by Bert Lytell and
Theodore Kosloff.
"Manslaughter." a Cecil B. De-
Mile production, from the novel
by Alice Duer Miller. is being
awaited eagerly, and another pic.
ture Of which much is expected
Is 1.-THE Old Homestead" the
Denman Thompson classic, which
has been put on the films with
Theodore Roberts as Uncle Josh.