Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

X H I B I O R H R D 72 William Russell, Billie Rhodes. Heltn Holmes and George Ovey, Stars on Mutual's December 17 Schedule William Russell is the "head-liner" of the Mutual schedule for the week of December IT, in "New York Luck." a story of ""frazzled finance." intrigue and adventure in the great metropolis. "The Lost Express." with Helen Holmes, arrives at the threshold of the mystery: Billie Rhodes comes near losing her happy home in '"Little Miss Fixer," a Cub comedv, with George Ovey. and the Mutual Weekly balance the schedule. Never has William Russell appeared in a more engrossing characterization or staged a more thrilling tight than in his latest Mutual-American production. "New York Luck." published Monday. December IT. At the beginning of the story he is a country* station agent. Instinctively he carries the spectator with him on a series of adventures which commence with his arrival on Broadway. There is a plot to steal Brit ish documents which the "Rube From Hohokus" foils but he is compelled to vanquish his foes in a remarkable manner and under unusual conditions, in an elevator shaft of a Fifth Avenue residence. A domestic tangle, arising from a family wrangle, gives Billie Rhodes another comedy role in the Strand one-reel, comedy. "Little Miss FLxer," issued by Mutual, December IS. The story, briefly, is as follows: Hubby departs in wrath after a quarrel, leaving Billie alone. Billie's rich auntie arrives ready to donate to the happy couple, providing she finds them happy. Billie has to account for her solitude and to entertain the unknown relative, obtains an escort. Hubby, with a strange girl, sees wifey with another man. There is a scrap. In the end Billie finds her "fixing" succeeds and auntie contributes liberally. The stronsest dramatic climax yet reached is shown in ""Unmasked." Chapter XIV of "The Lost Express," the Signal-Mutual photonovel. starring Helen Holmes, published December IT. Despite the discovery that "'The Hare" is proven to be an impersonation, the villain succeeds in marrying Helen while the real secretary is held a prisoner. George Ovey, "double crosses" old man Grouch in his latest Cub comedy "Jerry's Double Cross," published by Mutual on Thursday. December 20. The Mutual Weekly, for Monday. December IT. shows interesting events on land and sea with a liberal number of stirring happenings in the war zone. '-HERALD" THANKED FOR AID To the Exhibitors Herald: As a representative of the Military Training Camps Association of the United States, I wish to express my appreciation of the kind support and assistance which the motion picture theatre owners throughout the country have given to the film. "Who Leads the National Army?" gotten out by this organization. The Military Training Camps Association is a civilian body which has taken up the work of supporting and assisting the War Department in the organizing of various military' training camps. It was originally financed through the donations of liberal-minded citizens and has since taken into its membership hundreds of men in all sections of the countryIt has adopted "Who Leads the National Army?" as a means of support. The one-reel feature. "Who Leads the National Army?" was produced by the Military Training Camps Association by permission of the War Department and is meant to inspire confidence of all in the fitness for leadership of our graduates from the three months' intensive training course at the various officers' training camps. It is being distributed entirely gratis by the Triangle Distributing Agency. I wish to express my appreciation of the interest which such organizations of motion picture owners as the Motion Picture Theatre Owners' Association and the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League have taken in the film and the kind support which they have given in arranging for its universal booking. I should like to call upon any localities where this picture has not been shown to secure a booking at once, as it is fundamentally necessary that all should receive the lesson which the film shows, and at the present time the burning question which it answers is of more interest than ever before. Yours verv truly, WHARTON CLAY. Executive Secretary. Central Dept. Military Training Camps Association of 'the U. S. December 5. 1917 By Fuller Pep Chicago aldermen want to put B. V. D.'s on Cleopatra, men to be deprived of their last bit of individuality? Are My goodness, these are exciting times for fillum folks. Here's Bill RusseJ rescuing a whole family from a forest fire and Madge Kennedy is pursued by an angry buD. When we read of the great dangers and risks taken by the stars we're glad the only chance we take is walking from our cozy bed these mornings to close that dratted window. Anita Stewart wasn't successful in hurdling the contract fence and will remain in the Yttagraph paddock until January. Concern:ng J. B.'s Three Hairs 'Tis true, we cannot boast the long, wavy tresses that oar "Over the top" correspondent possesses, but we could open a barrage fire upon that dome of irony that he tries to camouflage with three long hairs, if we were not conducting a high-brow column. Anyway, such cracks belong in the Barber's Journal and we can't discuss them here. We note that "W. I. H." is writing the Billboard M. P. reviews. Welcome to the ranks. Bill. We'd like to see ycm take "Tea with the ladies" next. Eer'o. B: before Ci iate. i^i be— er l^s -t BnhDI Im too — -.ny fty ] What busy people those Japs must be. Nothfns to do bat write "Hoping you are same. Honorable Hashi Tckio" epist'es all day long. Doug. Fairbanks gets 'em : so does Petrova and lots of others every mail, according to the press dope. Look Out When It Does. J. A. "T do not expect the public taste to change for many, many years." — Statement of J. A. Berst. vice-president Pathe, in January Photoplay on what the people want in pictures. That little upheaval in the ranks of the A M. P. A. seems to have subsided with the principals still in their corners. to ante super-masterpieces in celluloid. Pennies Not Only Thing Scarce The M. P. men say that oennies are scarce. We stand readyto testify from experience that quarters, half dollars, and even ten spots are also quite scarce. That S30-word telegram that Stan. M.istbamchest last week doesn't look as though PbPade hang about consenr't-on. Rrtt then perhaps they there is a war, in Philadelphia. t tus ed a -tiT J The Merger Bug Busy Hew York'** rumor cusr came out of its en-oca »"d was purring up and down Broadway last week. First it aid Metro hooved up With Paramount: then it was stated Trtaasrte Me Wor?d mad comc'red: and finally nulled tie eae that Goldwyn h-'d so** out to Zuior. Ho. hum! I«'fe would be dull indeed on Bee B:w tt it •s-asn't for the busy bodies. We note two vaudeville teams are scrapping over wh»cfc one has the exclusive rieht to tKe "tacks on seats'* joke. In Chicago and elsewhere neither "tacks on seats" nor "tax on seats" is regarded as a joke. Mary Has a Bum Position Vaudeville note: "Mary Picktcrd closed the show." From all reports the convicts at Sing Sing are gettmj? their fill of first run pictures. Every ma;l brings in a fresh story of someone donating a film to the Welfare League. Oh. Gosh, We're All Excited "Francis X. Bushman. co-«tar with Beverly D»iM. m Metro wonderplavs. is greatfv interested m the six-day bicycle race at Madison Square Garden. New York" Sherman Had the Right Dope The Masses ha« mvt and left us flat on t*e lot must struggle along without our favorite magazine. 39 Now we