The Motion Picture Career of Billy B. Van as Reported in the Trade Press, 1915 - 1948

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1920

1920-01-01 Reelcraft Chartered

Briefly lists the incorporation of Reelcraft Pictures Corporation in Delaware with a capitalization of $5,000,000.

1920-01-01 Tom Bret Titles Scenarios

Mentions Billy B. Van comedies being among productions for which title writer Tom Bret was providing intertitles.

1920-03-27 Five Companies Are Merged into Reelcraft Pictures Corporation

Reports the formation of Reelcraft Pictures Corporation through the merger of several film companies, creating a $5,000,000 organization to produce and distribute short subjects.

1920-04-27 Reelcraft Expands

Announcing the expansion of Reelcraft Pictures Corporation’s distribution network in the United States and abroad, along with plans to increase production of short subjects.

1920-07-17 Tom Bret is Writing Titles for Reelcraft's First Royal Comedy with Leon Error as Star

Mentions Billy B. Van comedies being among productions for which title writer Tom Bret was providing intertitles.

1920-07-14 Billy Van in Comedies

Reports that Billy B. Van is to star in a series of two-reel comedies to be released by Reelcraft as part of its Royal Comedy Series.

1920-07-24 Reelcraft Announces Billy B. Van as Star

Reports that Billy B. Van has been announced as the star of a release in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series.

1920-07-31 Reelcraft Has Initial Billy Van Comedy

Reports that Billy B. Van’s first comedy for Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, titled More Bull, has been completed and is being prepared for release as his screen debut.

1920-08-07 Six More Productions Finished For Reelcraft

Reports that Reelcraft has completed additional productions, noting that Billy B. Van’s two-reel comedy Snakes has been edited and will be released as part of the Royal Comedy Series.

1920-08-01 Short Reels - Snakes

Reviews the Billy B. Van two-reel comedy Snakes, describing it as an acceptable entry in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series with moderate audience appeal.

1920-08-14 Billy Van in Pictures

Briefly reports that Billy B. Van’s comedy Snakes was exhibited at the R. S. Moss Broadway Theater in New York.

1920-08-14 Reelcraft Announcement Lists Six New Comedies

Reelcraft announces completion of additional productions, including Billy B. Van’s two-reel comedy Snakes, which is identified as the second release in the Royal Comedy Series.

1920-08-14 Reelcraft Has Second Billy Van Comedy

Reports that Reelcraft has completed a second Billy B. Van comedy, The Plucky Hoodoo, following his earlier release Snakes in the Royal Comedy Series.

1920-08-21 Two More "Vans" Ready

Reports that two additional Billy B. Van comedies, The Plucky Hoodoo and Where Are Your Husbands?, have been prepared for Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, with further productions planned following the favorable reception of his earlier releases, which were exhibited alongside feature films.

1920-08-15 News of the Week in Headlines

Briefly reports that Reelcraft Pictures Corporation is offering $800,000 in stock to the public.

1920-08-28 Advance Information on Film Releases for Snakes, The Lucky Hoodoo, Where Are Your Husbands?

REELCRAFT PICTURES CORP.
ROYAL COMEDIES
Sept. 30— Where Are Your Husbands? (Billy B. Van) 2
Sept. 1— The Plucky Hoodoo (Billy B. Van) 2
Aug. 30— Snakes (Billy B. Van) 2
Aug. 15 — Buggins (Leon Errol) 2

1920-08-28 Billy Van's Successes Encourage Stage Stars

Reports that Billy B. Van’s comedies The Plucky Hoodoo and Where Are Your Husbands? are scheduled as later releases in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, with the success of the series prompting efforts to recruit additional stage performers.

1920-08-29 Some Short Reels - "Where Are Your Husbands?"

Reviews the Billy B. Van two-reel comedy Where Are Your Husbands?, describing it as an average and somewhat dated entry in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series.

1920-09-11 Reelcraft Names Releases

Reports that Billy B. Van starred in the second, third, and fourth releases of Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, with the success of these comedies leading to plans for additional Van productions.

1920-11-06 Reelcraft Completes Six Short Subject Pictures

Billy B. Van is among the performers featured in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series as the company continues expanding its short-subject productions.

1920-11-20 Current Film Release Dates for "Snakes" and "Plucky Hoodoo" (sic)

Royal Comedy Series.
(Two Reels.) Aug. 15 — Snakes (Billy B. Van).
Aug. 30— Plucky Hoodoo (Billy B Van).

1920-12-11 Flora Finch Newest Star in Reelcraft's Royal Comedies

Reports that Billy B. Van is among the established performers in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, as additional stars including Flora Finch are added to the lineup.

1920-12-25 Ray and Gordon Dooley Are Latest Reelcraft Stars

Billy B. Van is listed among the established performers in Reelcraft’s Royal Comedy Series, as additional comedians including William and Gordon Dooley are added to the lineup.