Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

Thousand Pictures for Training Camps Chosen From Lists of Co-operating Firms Needs for Entertainment Such as the War Camp Committee Plans to Meet Shown by New York Judge The War and Navy Department Commissions on Training Camp Activities, and the War Camp Motion Picture Committee, of which F. A. Powers is chairman, have issued the first list of pictures selected by the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures for use in the training camps. The pictures, which have been chosen from the lists of all of the co-operating companies, are those released between the dates January 1 and March 15, 1918, and, therefore, are the most up-to-date pictures. Another list is being prepared covering the releases for the year 1917. The total number of pictures named is about 1,000. The lists, in addition to the name of the company, contain the name of the picture, the brand, the number of reels, the name of the star, a description of the character of the picture such as "Western Drama," "Modern Melodrama," "Love Story," "Farce Comedy," "N. W. Story's," "Romance," etc., and the date of the release. At the top of the list are the following instructions addressed to those who desire to exhibit the pictures in the camps: 1. Order from nearest motion picture exchanges from companies listed and co-operating. 2. Order only pictures from this and succeeding official lists. 3. Select three or four alternative choices. Specific new pictures may not always be immediately available. Only listed substitutes will be accepted. 4. Consult schedule of prices on accompanying list for the cost of any subject. 5. All business arrangements, payments, bookings, posters, transportation of films, etc., must be made between ex-changes and officials in the camp. Speaking of the need for good motion pictures in camps, Judge J. F. Mulqueen, of New York City, said upon a recent visit to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C: "The men at Camp Wadsworth need badly the kind of entertainment which the good motion picture can furnish. The camp is several miles from town. It costs thirty-five cents each way to get to town and twenty-eight cents to get into a show after they get there. Many of the men cannot afford to spend that money. They gave up good positions to serve their country. They receive only $30 a month, a large portion of which, rightly, goes toward the support of dependents at home. I talked with many fellows who had only forty cents in their possession after making deduction for their families, Liberty Bonds and insurance. They could not go to town on that, much less to a show such as they need in order to take therr minds off the daily physical grind of drill. "In the camp there were the Y. M. C. A. and Knights of Columbus huts where they could read and write letters. But they do not want to read and write letters allof their spare time. They want something which will relieve the tension. There was an entertainment tent, but I understand it had been blown down six times and there had been only one entertainment in it. An officer there was doing what he could to provide regular entertainments of motion pictures in the camp. Such a thing is a vital need." The plan of the War Camp Motion Picture Committee to make good pictures available under such circumstances and to meet such a need ought to be of assistance to Camp Wadsworth and the other camps similarly situated. It furnishes a splendid opportunity for the industry to do some patriotic work. Walthall Finishes "With Hoops of Steel" Henry B. Walthall, who has just completed his third Paralta play, "With Hoops of Steel," is already planning to commence filming the production which will follow it. "With Hoops of Steel" is a screen version of the story of the same title by Florence Finch Kelly, and places Walthall in a Western characterization with a plot that is entirely unlike any picture which he has yet made since joining Paralta, it is said. Mr. Walthall's delineation of the leading role is practically a screen conquest for him, inasmuch as it demanded versatility in a line which he has never undertaken. The picture was directed by Eliot Howe from the scenario by Thomas J. Geraghty. Mary Charleson, who has appeared with Mr. Walthall in all of his recent pictures, plays opposite him in this picture. THEDA BARA In a Scene From "Salome," Produced by William Fox Francis Ford to Return to Screen With Own Company First Film "Berlin Via America" Ready April 1 After an absence of nearly a year, Francis Ford has returned to the screen at the head of his own producing company. It was his first intention to devote all his time to the producing end of the venture and the management of his company, but his plans were altered and he will appear as the star of his first picture, entitled "Berlin Via America." This production will be completed and ready for distribution about the first of April. Mr. Ford has the role of a United States Secret Service operative who is detailed to ferret out German spies, whose machinations have been a source of danger to the government in the pursuance of its war program. To accomplish his purpose he purports to be opposed to the government. Through his pretended slacker activities he comes in contact with many of the same stripe and succeeds in gaining the confidence of a strong pro-German organization. The information he obtains is turned over to the government. His feigned disloyalty has its effect upon his friends. Their pleadings rebuffed, they rapidly cast off from him no longer speaking to him. Even his mother and sweetheart finally shun him. His next action in the service of the government is to leave for Germany, where he joins the aviation branch of the imperial army and becomes an "Ace." The Germans, conscious of a leak in the information concerning, their activities, finally locate him and he is sentenced to death. The production to follow this one will be "A Man of Today," written by Elsie Van Name. Mr. Ford will be supported by Edna Emerson and a strong cast. The company will leave for California about April 1. Jewel Carmen Completes "The Bride of Fear" Film Jewel Carmen has finished "The Bride of Fear" in the west coast studios of William Fox. In this picture Miss Carmen is seen in the role of a despondent girl who is about to commit suicide by turning on the gas. In the cheap furnished rooming house in which she tries to end it all, there lives a thief, and he discovers the smell of gas from the girl's room. He arrives just in time to save her life. She is grateful and agrees to marry him. Just after the ceremony, before the couple had started on their honeymoon, the bridegroom is arrested. With her husband in prison the bride gets employment in a rich man's home and there meets a profligate son. She reforms him, and, learning that her husband had been shot in an attempt to escape, marries him. Later her convict husband turns up and while trying to rob her and her rich husband is killed. The picture was directed by C. M. Franklin. 34