Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

H B R H R D A SCENE FROM "THE DAUGHTER OF FRANCE" VIRGINIA PEARSON STARS IN THIS STIRRING WAR DRAMA WHICH IS REVIEWED FUIXV IN THIS ISSUE. (WM. FON) Brady Turns Crank Amid the Clouds for "Stolen Orders" In "Stolen Orders," William A. Brady's spectacular film production based on the Drury Lane melodrama, "Sealed Orders," are several scenes which show a big balloon somewhere over the Atlantic. These scenes depict an attempt at flight from a desolate spot somewhere on the Atlantic coast by an enemy secret agent, personated by Montagu Love. The balloon — one of the largest in the country and capable of long distance journeyings with four passengers — is his means of escape. A series of exciting episodes in connection with this fight, including a fight in the basket of the balloon, the fall of the fighters into the ocean hundreds of feet below, and the shelling and final demolition of the big sausage by anti-aircraft guns on the shore, were caught by a battalion of cameras. Mr. Brady, for one, it is said, will long remember the balloon episodes. During the filming of these scenes and when the balloon was high in the air, the advisability of having a camera above the huge gas-filled bag to shoot down and catch at close range the action in the basket became apparent. A hydroplane, which a few minutes later was to figure in the story, was handy, and with it an aviator. But there arose immediately the question as to which of the camera men would go up. No one stepped forward to volunteer. Mr. Brady, on the ground, sensed the situation. Time and light were fleeting and necessity great. Mr. Brady grabbed a nearby camera, stepped into the vacant seat beside the hydropianist and a few moments later was in the air above the balloon. The result you will see in "Stolen Orders," which in addition to enlisting the services of its producer as a high flying camera man enlisted those of six stars, Kitty Gordon, Carlyle Blackwell. Montagu Love, June Elvidge, George MacQuarrie and Madge Evans, to interpret its stirring story. "The Belgian" to Have New York Premiere Elaborate plans are being made, it is announced, for the initial New York presentation of "The Belgian," Sidney Olcott's photoplay depicting the tragedy of the little kingdom of grief. The production, which is being distributed throughout the world by the U. S. Exhibitors' Booking Corporation and its affiliated organizations, already has been presented in a majority of the leading cities in this country, but the metropolitan opening has been deferred to allow time in which to make fitting arrangements for the premiere. The production will be shown for the first time in New York City at the Eighty-first Street Theatre on the afternoon of April 18. It will be the principal attraction at that house for three days thereafter. As Miss Valentine Grant, who portrays the leading role of a simple Belgian peasant girl, is a great favorite among the members of women's theatrical and suffrage societies, a number of those organizations are planning to help in making the premiere a notable event. Miss Grant and perhaps Walker Whiteside, who also appears in "The Belgian," will attend the opening, as will Sidney Olcott, who produced the play, and Frank G. Hall, president of the concern by which it is being distributed. 34 Francis Ford's Film "Berlin via America" Rights Being Sold Having finished his first production, t "Berlin via America," which has been cut 1 and titled, Francis Ford announces thai] he is considering offers for territorial al 1 lotments on this story written by Elsie 1 Van Name. .Since the announcement I that he has become an independent pro I ducer, Mr. Ford has received innumer | able inquiries from state rights buyers,! theater men who in the past have sue1 cessfully played many of his productions, I and fans among whom he has long been I a favorite. Mr. Ford, in addition to his duties as I producer and director, enacts one of the principal characters in the story, an aviator in the army of the Huns, who is not all he appears to be. Edna Emerson, who plays opposite Mr. Ford in the role of an American girl, is doing her bit. The story throughout contains an element of mystery, it is said, which is not cleared up until the final scene; then, too, the sweet love theme which runs through the play has its final answer. Offers have already been received, the company announces, for various territories throughout the country. The picture has a punch from the start, it is said, and the name, "Berlin via America," has created quite a sensation. C. R. Seelye Meets Indiana Exhibitors Indianapolis — C. R. Seelye, representing the United Picture Theatres of America, last week met Frank Rembusch and the directors of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of Indiana at the Hotel Severin here, to present various features of the united plan. He followed Lee A. Ochs, president of the United, who visited Indianapolis to meet with the directors of the League more than two weeks ago. The meeting was held behind closed doors at the Hotel Severin and very little of what took place has leaked out via the directors. It is hinted, however, in film circles, that his visit had to do with organization plans and the appointment of a sales force. Whether or not these plans were carried out, is not known, though it is known Frank Rembusch, as well as the other directors of the League, favor a discussion of co-operative plans at the New York meeting to be held at the Astor Hotel, April 8. Hayakawa Offered Many Studio Sites Four offers of studio sites were made last week to Sessue Hayakawa, who soon will be his own producer and whose feature productions will be issued through the Haworth Pictures Corporation. One of the sites was at Culver City, two were in East Hollywood and the other was at Glendale. These and the various offers made previously are being carefully considered by the Japanese actor and his associates, who state that their decision regarding the selection of the most suitable site for film manufacturing purposes will be reached during the next ten davs or two weeks.