Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

X H B O R H R D Brenon Completes ForbesRobertson Production's Cast TESTING "DOUG'S" MUSCLES Herbert Brenon has been putting the finishing touches on the cast of \his forthcoming production of "The Passing of the Third Floor Back," in which Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson is to appear in his famous characterization of the Stranger. In addition to Sir Johnston and Molly Pearson, a notable cast of players has been selected. Ketty Galanta, who appeared in "The Fall of the Romanoffs," and is soon to be seen in "Empty Fockets," will play Vivian, and Grace Stephens and Ben Graham are to be the Major and Mrs. Tompkins respectively. Miss Kite will be played by Ricca Allen, and Mrs. Sharpe, the landlady, by Augusta Haviland. Dora Mills Adams has been chosen for the part of the aristocratic Miss de Hooley, while Germaine Bourville is to be the sister. The roles of Jape Samuels, Larcom. and Joey Wright will be played by Sydney Golden, Thornton Bastion, and Robert Fisher. This comprises the entire company, with the exception of Christopher Penny, the artist, who has yet to be cast. A SNAPSHOT OF DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, AS HE APPEARS IN \ MODERN MUSKETEER.' LttJ-T, ADOl-PH ZUKOK, AKKKAH PRESIDENT, ANT) RIGHT, ALLAN DWAN, DIRECTOR. (Artcraft.) Fox's European Representative, Ernest Reed Tells of War's Effect on Business Abroad Imposition of Taxes on Films and Admissions Caused Temporary Slump, But Exhibitors Now Report Conditions Good Ernest Reed, the Fox Film Corporation's managing director for Great Britain and Ireland, who has just sailed from New York for Europe after havng been here with Harry Engholm, his jublicity manager, in conference with Vir. Fox and General Manager Winfield R. Sheehan regarding expansion polices, made the following statement regarding the war and its effect on moion pictures in England. "At the outset of the war there was a iort of general panic in English busiless circles and the motion picture inlustry was affected in common with ither lines of trade. But this was of hort duration. War Had Effect "The situation at first, I suppose, was omewhat as it probably now is in the lotion picture business in America. I i o not know a great deal about condiions here, but I assume the imposiion of taxes on films and admissions . as developed a temporarily unsettled tate of affairs. We have been through 11 of this in England, and have not jund it as serious as some exhibitors lought it would be. Indeed, there just ow is going into effect a new and highr schedule of amusement taxes. "Foreign trade, of course, has been af;cted. England has placed a ban on Dmmercial relations with Norway and weden, and a special license is reuired for doing business in France, ut within the United Kingdom the otion picture trade, so far as Fox is concerned, has been growing 'The Tale of Two Cities' is of the year in England." Pictures Offer Relief steadily, the film One effect of the war, Mr. Reed ex plains, has been to cause the public to turn to cinema productions for relief from the depressing atmosphere with which it sometimes is surrounded. In this respect, the motion picture theatres seem to have profited in greater proportion than any other form of amusement. Mr. Reed and Mr. Engholm were greatly impressed on their arrival from London at the blaze of lights along New York's Broadway. In London, if one works in his office at night, or if he uses lights in his home, he draws the shades. > On the streets in the evening a pocket flash light is convenient. But in spite of this people go forth in the evening in search of amusement and business in the theatres goes merrily on. While in this country Messrs. Reed and Engholm visited all of the Eastern offices and studios of the Fox organization and watched the filming of numerous pictures. At the studios in Grantwood, N. J., Theda Bara posed with them in a group photograph. It has been found necessary to move the William Fox offices in London, which were established in June, 1916, to larger and more commodious quarters to take care of the increased business. Titan Pictures Head Addresses Club Women LEFT TO RIGHT— ERNEST REED, FOX MAXAGING DIRECTOR FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM: THEDA BARA, FOX STAR. AND HARRY ENGHOLM, MR. REED'S PUBLICITY MANAGER. (Fox.) 17 Frederick Russell Clark spoke recently before the Institute Woman's Club of the Hebrew Institute in Chicago in behalf of the American Military Relief Association. He explained the work of the association which is to provide comforts for soldiers and sailors in the service. He told of the comedies made by the Titan Pictures Corporation much of the profit from which is to go to the relief association.