Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1923-02-22
cover The Hill"
Wonder Picture
OF. The Century
experimentation Coming to Grand
Theatre Breaks All Records
Everywhere

Ever since the birth of the motion
reilly cherished the hope that some
day they might create photo play
which would vie successfully with the
spoken dramas enjoying long runs in
the major playhouses of Americas
large cities.
To produce a film, however, that
would run for one year, solid on Broad
way, New York City, wheer standards
are both born and destroyed, was con-
sidcred a purely idealistic dream. 1t
was the acme OF absurdIty Broadway
would tire OF the best picture in 90
days, was the gist of popular conten-
ton. Any one suggesting the posi-
bility OF new record run for silver
screen product.n was laughed down
by the most liberal of the critics.
Unwilling to run the risk of expos
ing their views to public ridicule, the
men who hoped to accomplish the
impossible" remained silent Then
came William Fox, one of the earli-
est pioneers of the industry, with the
announcement that he would produce
a motion. picture which, through its
purity and simplicity of theme. would
smash every record in the annals of
the silent drama picture that would
run for IL consecutive months on
Broadway "a picture that would go
into the theatres throughout the en-
tire country for longer showings than
ever were recorded before-a picture
that would make the impossible an
actually
The Birth of An Idea
So forceful were Mr.. Fox's asser-
tons that even the redoubtable critics
were compelled to curtail their lamp
coming. That was in the early part
of 1920. By September of that.yeari
Mr.. Fox announced totthe world that,
he had completed al ver the Hili,"
a production whicr was expected to
refute the arguments against the
practicability of extended runs in the
movies.
In making this great picture, Mr..
Fox realized that in order to achieve
the goal he had set for himself It
would be necessary to embody in it
various elements of art and funda-
mental human understanding. The
uppermost thought in his mind was
to make the picture one of universal
appeal one that was to be recognized
for its story rather than because of
its Individual actors. 1t must be a
presentation Of powerful appeal to all
humanity ono which would cause
editorial writers to acclaim its ex-
cellence. 1t must be a production,
as DIR. Frank Crane later described
it, truly sentimental, yet devoid of
the mush. 1t was with all these at
tributes that "Over the Hip came
forth.
Solid Year on Broadway
For one solid year, "Over the Hill
attracted the inhabitants of New York
and visitors to the Great White Way.
Repeatedly the New York news
papers devoted columns of praise to
the picture and the effect it was hav-
ing on those who witnessed it. These
newspaper stories were voluntary &C
claim to the success of the photo
drama rather than the result of publ
city campaigns instituted by either the
producer or the exhibitor.
Made New Players
A remarkable thing about cover the
Hill" is the fact that while it was a
cast without a star, Mary Carr, who
assumed the role of Ma Benton. the
mistreated mother, has gained inter
national fame as an actress, and John
ME Walker, the "black-sheep" of the
story, has been named star by Viii
liam Fox.
According to statistics and expert
estimates which have come to the
New York offices of Mr.. Fox, more
than 100000 people will have sect