The Film Daily (1918)

tejtcf^ DA1L.Y Fri( December 27, 1918 IN THE COURTS On the ground that th; amount of the verdict is too small for the injury sustained the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court has reversed a judgment for $250 and ordered a new trial in a suit by Esther Siegel against the Comet Amusement Corp. and the Solwill Amusement Co., lessee and owner respectively of the Boulevard Theater, the Bronx. The plaintiff sued for $10,000. The Vitagraph Co. of America has filed an application in the Supreme Court for a bill of particulars in a suit of Richard Carle and the Witmark Musical Library against the Vitagraph for damages because the plaintiff named one of its plays "The Tenderfoot." Believes Censorship Unnecessary. Evanston, 111. — Samuel T. Atkinson, owner of the Hoyburn theater, appeared before Chicago's new censorship commission and told them he did not believe in any form of consorship of films other than the existing laws against immorality, was necessary. Twenty-nine middle west states with a population of 35,000,000 look to Chicago for its opinion on motion pictures Mr. Atkinson informed the commission. That is the reason the commission should frame a new censor law which will meet all requirements, he averred. Frances Marion Reaches the Rhine. The first American woman to reach the Rhine, according to word from France, was Frances Marion, formerly Mary Pickford's scenario writer. She was with the American army of occupation which recently entered Coblenz, Germany. Several months ago Miss Marion gave up her position with Miss Pickford, sacrificing u salary of five figures, to do her bit for TJncie Sam. The government sent her to France to direct propaganda pictures, the purpose of which was to show women's activities in tbe war. She was engaged in this work when the armistice was signed. Nate Ascher Plays Santa. Chicago. — Nate Ascher, senior member of the Ascher Brothers, played Santa Claus to his 200 odd employees on Christmas day. Following the last performance at the various Ascher theaters throughout the city the corps of managers, operators, ushers, etc., with their families, collected at Nathan's home. All kinds of entertainment, except moving pictures, was provided. Mr. and Mrs. Ascher leave this week for an extended trip to the west coast, the return of Max Ascher from the army having relieved Nate of the management of part of the long string of Ascher houses. To Handle Supplement Educational to Release Film Made by Photoplay Magazine. Douglas Fairbanks, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, John Emerson, Anita Loos and other star players and writers will be among the star releases of the Educational Films Corporation beginning the second week in January. Obviously these folk aren't booked in feature productions, but in journalistic reports of their home and studio activities. James R. Quirk, publisher of Photoplay Magazine, caught 'em off their guard in imposed attitudes |nd self-directed personal doings and snapped 'em. As the result contracts were signed whereby the Educational will distribute a Photoplay Magazine Screen Supplement each month. Each one will be a thousand-foot intimate portrayal of world-famous screen stars. A novel form of advertising will consist of sixty-foot trailers offered to exhibitors the week preceding the showing. Bray Cartoons Wanted by President. A cable from France from Charles Hart, ordering eight cartoons from the Bray Studios, Inc., to be shipped immediately to him, has been received* These cartoons have been selected f>y President Wilson himself who is desirous of showing them to his guests as evidence of the masterly work of Americans in this line and the important part animated cartoons have played in influencing public opinion. "Flu" Reports Encouraging. Reports indicate the "flu" scare is improving rapidly. Mobile, Alabama, is again open. Special reports filed with the local Boards of Health in Denver and Colorado in general show that the "flu" is on the wane. Foxboro Mass. — Schools and moving picture theaters here are closed again on account of the "flu". Schenectady — Moving picture theaters here were permitted to open last Sunday for a benefit performance. Waukegan, 111. — During the recent influenza epidemic here, a movement was started for the purchase of war savings stamps at all picture theaters. Chrhalis, W. Va. — Orders have been issued to prevent children attending moving picture shows here. The schools are closed on account of the "flu" and children flocking to picture shows. NEW THEATERS Wichita, Kans.— The Wichita Theater opened. C. C. McCollister, Manager. Los Angeles.— The Symphony Theater has reopened. B. C. Steele, Manager. Duluth, Minn.— Orpheum Theater opened. Martin Beck, Manager. Norwich, Conn.— Moving picture theater to be built by Walter T. Murphy Amusement Co. of New London, Conn. Buffalo.— The Shea amusement interests are planning the erection of a larze picture theater here. Want Losses Repaid. On account of the "flu," theaters in Sault St. Marie, Canada, have been closed for the past two months. Theater managers have asked the city council to reimburse them for losses sustained. The Clifford c£r,£ixv Urbana' 6-:T^ « Theater conducted by Chas Vollmer, formerly manager of the Columbia Theater, has accepted the management of the Washington Theater, Belleville, 111., owned by Joe Erber, of Erber s Theater, East St. Louis, 111! Edna Gladys Brown. In tendering his condolences to the parents of Edna Gladys Brown, formerly secretary of Herbert Miles, of Topical Films Co., Doctor Leonard S. Sugden included the following original verse : An appreciation of Edna Gladys Brown. Doctor Leonard S. Sugden. Of wisdoms spring she deeply drank, And used her knowledge, doubly well, And we who knew her, e'en must thank The Lord our God who gave the spell She cast around with lavish hand; Too wasteful of her generous store She starved herself at our demaiJ. Fox Doings. M. J. Weissfeld, former assistant manager of Fox's Minneapolis exchange has been made manager. D Leo Dennison former manager has resigned. The new Virginia Pearson Fox production now in the making has been called "The Love Auction." It is adapted from a magazine story by May Edginton and is being directed by Edmund Lawrence at the Fort Lee studio. Jean Acker makes her return to the screen in support of George Walsh in "Tough Luck Jones" which is now being filmed at the Eclair studio. Miss Acker played in the early days with King Baggot. and she will go south after the holidays for the exteriors. Ithaca Wants Sunday Shows. Ithaca, N. Y. Merchants and citizens here have signed a petition to the Mayor and common council requesting that motion picture exhibitions be allowed to operate on Sunday.