Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

X H B O R H R A Film Men and Prominent Officials Dedicate New Pittsburgh Playhouse Harry Davis' New Grand Theatre Scene of Noted Gathering On Opening Day— Mayor Babcock Greets Patrons Snakeville Comedies Will Be Re-Issued Through General Go. The foremost exponents of the world of filmcraft, city, county and state officials, patrician and proletarian Pittsburgh, all witnessed the formal opening to the public of Pittsburgh's newest and most beautiful motion picture theatre, the New Grand Theatre built on the ruins of the old Grand Opera House. Manager Harry Davis, director of the Davis Enterprises, was congratulated pn every hand as having accomplished a real masterpiece in the conception of the new playhouse. Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, visited Pittsburgh especially to witness the premiere of the New Grand. Marguerite Clark, the newly-wed film star, occupied the eyes of a great jovial throng of Pittsburghers and suburbanites with her winsome beauty and then proceded to captivate their hearts with a witty acknowledgment of the greeting extended in no uncertain fashion by the audience. During the course of the evening several bouquets were presented at the Marguerite Clark box. Davis Introduces Mayor Harry Davis introduced Mayor E. V. Babcock, who proceeded to dedicate the new theatre to Pittsburgh's film world. Manager Davis delivered a terse few sentences himself, thanking the people of Pittsburgh for the immediate appreciation of his efforts. The loges and boxes were filled with beautifully gowned women and the khaki of the united services. The wellconceived and synchronized music, contributed by an orchestra of 24 pieces, enhanced the presentation of "Headin' South," the latest production of Douglas Fairbanks. Early in the evening pedestrian traffic between Wood street and Smithfield street was interrupted by long lines of first-nighters awaiting their turn at the box office. Mayor Babcock was greeted with enthusiastic applause. He said he congratulated Mr. Davis and his associates for their business enterprise in providing for Pittsburgh so magnificent a photoplay house, for in so doing they had done a patriotic service. Babcock Lauds Enterprise "Just now the world is filled with war," he said, "and our people, as those of every community, find it difficult to maintain th'eir spirits and not become cast down by the horrors of it all. Firesides deserted, families broken up mutely speak of the sacrifices that war is bringing and will continue to bring. How necessary, then, that there should be afforded places of amusement like this, of a refined and helpful character, that will enable us to forget, for a while at least, the depression which follows contemplation of the . strife in which we are engaged." Miss Clark did not make a long speech. She simply congratulated the people of Pittsburgh on their beautiful new theatre, and Mr. Davis for inviting her to its opening. As she ceased speaking and bowed her acknowledgment of her cordial reception she was again enthusiastically applauded. Mr. Zukor also congratulated Pittsburgh and Manager Davis on the magnificence and accommodations of the Xew Grand, and said it was a marvel of playhouse excellence. Then followed the regular picture program. Davis Receives Congratulations Mr. Davis was overwhelmed with congratulations, not only by the people of Pittsburgh and surrounding sections, but from all over the country came telegrams from prominent men and women of the theatrical world. There were immense floral horseshoes sent him as tokens of good luck, and great stands of American Beauty roses and baskets of the choicest blooms of the conservatory were seen throughout the corridors of the new theatre. The patronage at the New Grand was the greatest at each of the four performances on opening day — two in the afternoon and two at night — recorded at any theatrical performance in this city. More than 15,000 persons attended the four performances, and from 5,000 to 8,000 had to be turned away. Goldwyn Activities Increase at Studios With Return of Stars With the return to Fort Lee of Madge Kennedy, the beginning by Mae Marsh of a new production and the impending return from Florida of Mabel Normand, activities at the Goldwyn studios took an added impetus last week. Madge Kennedy, star of "The Danger Game," scheduled for publication April 7, came back to the studio after an illness of a week. Her absence did not materially affect the progress of the production, for Director Harry Pollard found himself able to photograph a series of short scenes in which the star had no part. With the completion of "The Face in the Dark," to be published April 21, Mae Marsh will at once begin work on a new production, which has not yet been given a title, from the story by Edith Barnard Delano, entitled "When Carey Came to Town." It is said to give Miss Marsh one of the most delightful roles of her motion picture career. It will be directed by Hobart Henley. Mabel Normand, who had been in Florida with George Loane Tucker and several players, making revisions in "Joan of Plattsburg" to conform with a government request that certain military material photographed at a training camp be eliminated, returned on Wednesday, ready to start her next production, which is to be made from a famous Broadway stage success. General Film Company begins witl the current week the distribution of ; series of re-issues of the popular Essan ay Snakeville Comedies of a few year ago. These one-reel subjects, featurinf the antics of Slippery Jim, will appeal once a week. The first ten subjects an nounced are: "The Snakeville Fire Brigade," "Thi Snakeville Sleuth," "Slippery Slim an( the Fortune Teller," "Slippery Slim an< the Green-eyed Monster," "When Mac beth Came to Snakeville," "Slippen Slim and His Tombstone," "Slipper; Slim and the Impersonator," "Whei ' Slippery Slim Met the Champion,' "Snakeville's New Waitress" and "Slip pery Slim's Dilemma." Steiner Enlarges Cliffside Studk Work on the reconstruction of Wil liam Steiner's studio at Cliffside, N. J. where Jester Comedies and other pic tures are made, has been completed With the new improvements, Mr. Stein er announces he is now in a position t< turn out anything in the way of pic tures from a one-reel to a ten-part iea ture, regardless of whatever elaborat settings may be required. A special house warming was givei last week to commemorate the-comple tion of the studio. Covers were sprea< for two hundred guests. The lunched was followed by dancing on the nt\ studio floor. 'The Life Mask" Set For Showing March 11 The publication date of "The Lif Mask," Mme. Petrova's third pictur made under her own management, ha been set by the First' National Ex hibitors' Circuit for March 18. The story is in six reels, was adaptd to the screen by Mrs. L. Case Russel and was directed by Frank Crane. I shows the Polish star in a strong emo tional role, it is said, against a back ground that shifts rapidly from the high er social circles of New York to th colorful atmosphere of Spain. Th photography of the production is sal to present many novel and pleasing fea tures. j Nora Bayes in Films Nora Bayes, now appearing in Cohan' Review, New York, and one of the m05 popular vaudeville artists on the stag today, will, according to Ed Rosenbaun Jr., her press representative, enter th picture field at the conclusion of the pres • ent theatrical season. She has alread selected a story for her debut, it is saic and is now seeking a producer. 44