Motion Picture News (March 1917)

1852 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 15. No. 12 gillie I LIVE NEWS FROM THE PRODUCERS 1 liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Public Names "Thais" as First Mary Garden Film "Salome" Comes Third in Picture Fans' Balloting — Opera Star to Evolve New Dance for Her First Goldwyn Subject "'"THAIS " is to be the vehicle in which Mary Garden will make her screen debut. Announcement to this effect was made by the Goldwyn organization following a tabulation of thousands of letters received from motion picture patrons and theatre owners in every section of this country and Canada. South American and British exhibitors also indicated their preference. Coupled with this announcement is the statement that Goldwyn, after negotiations by cable and with his agents in New York, has bought the complete world rights to " Thais " from Anatole France, the French author. Having created the role of "Thais," Miss Garden made both the opera and its title role famous throughout the world. When produced, " Thais " was the talk of two continents and made Miss Garden "Where Is My Mother?" First of New Essanay Series The first production of Essanay's forthcoming series, "Do Children Count?" is to be titled "Where Is My Mother?" There will be twelve of these photodramas in all, one to be released each Saturday. " The Little White Girl," " Steps to Somewhere " and " The Yellow Umbrella " will be the next in order as named. Mary McAllister, the Essanay child star, is to be featured in these productions. The screen time of "Where Is My Mother?" is approximately thirty minutes. Each production will be a complete photoplay, having no connection with any other in the series other than to promote the general title. Fresno, Cal., as Studio Site Representatives of the Fujiyama Motion Picture Company recently conferred with the business men of Fresno, California, regarding the establishment of a large studio in that city. It is stated that Fresno offers unusual opportunities for the making of pictures, with its scenic spots and climate. It is within easy reach of the Yosemite valley and within a few hours ride to San Francisco, hence is looked upon with favor by producers. Teachers Like Filmed Classic The Mutual secreen version of George Eliot's famous fiction classic, " Silas Marner," is being praised by school teachers and tutors as an aid in their literature instruction. Generally studied by high school pupils about this time of the year the Mutual company is making a campaign for special showings. the paramount operatic star in filmdom. For the first time in the history of the industry a company held a referendum " election " and permitted the public that makes picture successes possible to name the picture for one of the world's greatest stars. " Thais " was not selected without competition from the other operatic vehicles in which Miss Garden has appeared. The pathos and beauty of " The Juggler of Notre Dame " appealed to hundreds of persons who cast their vote for it. "Salome " came third in the voting. Goldwyn will adopt the same method of appealing to the public in the selection of Miss Garden's other pictures and be guided entirely by their choice. Miss Garden will evolve a new dance for her production of " Thais," according to Goldwyn. Wharton Feature Will Star Doris Kenyon Doris Kenyon, whose latest release is the Pathe feature, " The Empress," has been engaged for the star part in the first production to be made by Wharton, Inc., under their new regime as independent producers. The Whartons have but recently completed the International's serial, " Patria." The first of these features in which Miss Kenyon will be starred is entitled " The Great White Trail." It is a story of life in Alaska. The scenario was written by Leo D. Wharton, who is also director. Thomas Holding, Paul Gordon and Hans Roberts will be in the supporting cast. Mary Garden (Goldwyn) Marguerite Clark in Mary Roberts Rinehart Stories Another distinguished American writer was added to the list of those who have contributed to the motion picture screen; when arrangements were completed by which Marguerite Clark is to be starred by the Famous Players Film Company in an adaptation of the " Sub-Debutante " stories, written by Mary Roberts Rinehart, and now current in the Saturday Evening Post. Mrs. Rinehart is one of the few successful American authors who has thus far refused to permit any of her works to appear on the screen. The first release date for the first " SubDeb " picture will be announced later by Paramount. The popularity of Marguerite Clark and the huge circulation of the Saturday Evening Post, through which these stories have already been popularized, will, it is believed, make the " SubDeb " pictures of exceptional interest to exhibitors. There will be five stories in all of the series. Three of these have already appeared in the Saturday Evening Post and the other two are to follow. Big Scenario Staff to Shape 44 Fortune Photoplays " Headed by Will M. Ritchey, editor-inchief, a band of nine well known writers are preparing scripts for General Film's " Fortune Photoplays." Included in the number is Captain Leslie T. Peacocke, author of numberless photoplays and sponser of " Neptune's Daughter." Douglas Bronston, Luther A. Reed, Lela Lebrand, Frances Guihan, L. Virginia Waters and Sylvia Gibson-Gowland are other scenarioists. The acquisition of rights to the stories and novels appearing in the Street & Smith publications allows of a wealth of material for this group of General's photodramas. When it is stated that the General Film has the sole and exclusive rights to every story or novel that has appeared in Ainslee's, The Popular, People's, Smith, TopNotch and the other Street & Smith publications, it at once becomes apparent what a vast mine of dramatic material has been opened up. Virginia Pearson to Florida Instead of West Indies Instead of sending Virginia Pearson and her company to the British West Indies, as originally intended, William Fox has changed plans, and she and her supporting cast left for Florida instead. A party of twenty and two baggage cars of settings went on the trip. Besides Miss Pearson, the other principals in the company are : Irving Cummings, Nora Cecil, Grace Henderson, Nellie Slattery, Alex K. Shannon, Emil De Varney, Boyce Coombs and Charles Craig.