The Film Daily (1918)

ZfcBRADSTREET of FILMDOM DAIbYi xfeRKOGHlZED AUTHORITY VOL. VI. No. 80 Saturday, December 28, 1918 Price 5 Cents Teddy's Picture Done Director William Nigh Complimented by Frederick L. Collins. The first official announcement in regard to the long-expected Roosevelt picture comes from the office of Frederick L. Collins, head of the McClure motion picture and publishing interests, and personal representative of Colonel Roosevelt in motion picture matters. Mr. Collins' statement contains the news that the picture is finished and about to be released through the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. William Nigh, who made "My Four Years in Germany," with Ambassador Gerard, one of the most successful pictures of the year, was in personal charge of the directing and producing staff. "It was not an easy thing," states Mr. Collins, "to select just the right director for the Roosevelt Picture, for the story of the production contains almost every element to tax the skill of a producer, including 'kid-stuff,' western scenes, fist fights, cowboy stunts, behind-thescenes, Washington effects, the atmosphere of the White House and Sagamore Hill, and right-down-to-theminute war pictures embodying the experiences of Colonel Roosevelt's heroic sons. "It takes a good man to 'direct' Colonel Roosevelt ! "William Nigh appealed to me most strongly, not alone because of his varied experiences and his success with Ambassador Gerard, but because he seems to be the only man who has discovered the secret of making distinguished men and important public characters seem real on the screen." It will be remembered that Colonel Roosevelt is not making this picture for personal profit, but has distinctly stated that all the royalties received by him are to be devoted to the Red Cross and other war charities. Plays Purchased. Maurice Tourneur has obtained the screen rights to "The White Heather." Tourneur also bought "The Best of Friends" produced at the Drury Lane theater. "Good Gracious, Annabelle" and "The Rescuing Angel" bought bv the Famous Plavers-Lasky Co., for Billie Burke. "The Hollow of Her Hand" (George Barr McCutcheon) purchased by Select for Alice Brady. Books United Film. Contracts were signed yesterday whereby "The Light of Western Stars" Dustin Farnum's first picture for release through United goes into the Ziegfield theater, Chicago for an indefinite run commencing Jan. 28. An intensive local billboard campaign has been arranged. Kitty Gordon's first^ United production is set for release Jan. 26. King to Cuba. Charles R. King who has been office manager for Universal during the past six months is leaving for Havana where he will assume charge of the Cuban exchange and theater, succeeding Mr. Lichtig, the former manager who has been transferred to Rio de Janiero. Plunkett New Strand Manager. Joseph L. Plunkett has been made managing director of the Strand theater, by the Mitchell M. Mark Realty Corp. owners of the theater. Mr. Plunkett will take the position formerly held by the late Harold Edel. Seeking Members For the N. A. M. P. I. Rothacker Will Visit Coast. Waterson R. Rothacker, of Chicago, and chairman of the Membership Committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry has started work on an intensive campaign for new members on the Pacific Coast Mr. Rothacker leaves for the coast immediately after New Year's and expects to interest every company that is not now identified with the Association in the work that it is doing for the industry as a whole. Plans are under way for calling a large meeting of the executive heads of the producing companies located in Los Angeles soon after his arrival in that city. Chairman Rothacker will be aided in this work by Adclph Zukor, Sam'l Goldwyn, David Wark Griffith, Jesse L. Lasky, Frank W. Garbutt, Winfield R. Sheehan, William Sistron, Joseph W. Engel and others who are active in the councils of the organization, Walter J. Reynolds, secretary of the Producers Association of Los Angeles, will, it is expected lend a hand in this recruiting work. Improved Pictures National Board of Review Finds Much Better Pictures, Better Photography and Technical Handling. The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures has just distributed an important report based upon a ques-. tionnaire issued recently to its National Advisory Committee with a special regard to treatment by the board of pictures adapted from pictures, plays or magazine stories. The National Advisory Committee consists of one hundred citizens interested in "dramatic art and sympathetic to motion pictures, residents of various communities throughout the country who are in a position to speak with authority." The questionnaire includes the following points : "Is National Board of Review justified in making changes in or condemning photoplays which reproduce plays which have been accepted by the public when produced upon the legitimate stage? "Do you consider that in reviewing photoplays based upon themes which have become well known thru books or plavs. that any more liberty should be allowed to the treatment of the plot than is permited when reviewing photoplays constructed from original scenarios? "To what extent do you conceive that The National Board is justified in editing photoplays adapted from popular novels, magazine stores or recent successful plays? "Is The National Board justified in assuming the responsibility^ of requiring changes in or condemning productions based upon such material which has already gone before and been accepted by the public?" The report says that replies were received from 33 members. The consensus of the replies indicated that the Board was justified in suggesting changes and these, with the remainder of the interesting comment, have been forwarded by the Board to executives and producers with the suggestion that the information be placed in the hands of the scenario department and producing directors. The report declares that pictures shown during the year indicated a big improvement; better subjects, better photography and technical handling.