Motion Picture News (Apr-Jun 1917)

MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 15. No. 18 Ruth Roland as Seen in the First Two Numbers of Pathe's " The Neglected Wife " Tarzan of the Apes " to Be WILLIAM PARSONS, president of the National Film Corporation of America, with executive offices in the Steger Building, Chicago, announces that production will begin about the first week in June upon a super-picture which will be a dramatization of "Tarzan of the Apes," the novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Tarzan stories are now in their ninth edition, and it is stated that over 600,000 copies have been sold. Mr. Burroughs will assist in the production of the Tarzan picture. Mr. Parsons has been working upon his new film organization for about a year. He is well known to the trade as president of Picturized by National Film the National Film Corporation formerly with headquarters at Los Angeles, and for his later production of the Smiling Bill Parsons comedies. The National Film Corporation, through Mr. Parsons, has purchased the Oz Manufacturing Company's plant at Los Angeles, situated on Santa Monica Boulevard, where " Tarzan of the Apes" will be produced. Mr. Parsons expects to be in New York City within a week or two to interview directors and players. A number of prominent business men throughout the West are said to be interested with Mr. Parsons in his new production plans. Pathe Serial, Neglected Wife," Near Completion Announcement that Mabel Urner's stories, " The Journal of a Neglected Wife" and "The Woman Alone" were to be filmed by Pathe as a serial under title of " The Neglected Wife," has been received with interest by exhibitors and public alike according to reports from the producers. The production of the series is being completed by Balboa. Ruth Roland is the featured player, supported by Roland Bottomely. "The Neglected Wife" is in fifteen episodes of two reels each, and the story itself is said to have sufficient strength to sustain interest from episode to episode, Following are the titles of the various chapters; "The Woman Alone," "Weakening," "In the Crucible,'* "Beyond Recall," " The Crisis," " On the Precipice," " The Message on the Mirror,' " A Relentless Fate," "Deepening Degradation," "A Veiled Intrigue," "A Reckless Indiscretion," " Embittered Love," " Revolting Pride," " Desperation," " A Sacrifice Supreme." Christie Companies Actively at Work — May Releases Compson, Neal Burns, Stella Adams) ; May 21, "The Milk-y Way" (Margaret Gibson, Neal Burns, Eddie Barry); May 28, "His Last Pill" (Betty Con^nson, Eddie Barry, Xeal Burns, Ethel Lynne, George French). THE latest Betty Compson-Xcal Bums picture lias liccii finished and titled, " \ Hold, liud Kiiiulit," Tliis gives Betty ,111.1 N'ral Mi>iiMrtiinilii > l.i w r.ir ^omc fetchin)^ inas(|iirrade co-iumk'^, llii.' lattcr's being a suit of armor. Al. E. Christie is now directing Margaret Gibson, Neal Burns, Ethel Lynne, Harry Rattenberry, Eddie Barry, Stella Adams, in a picture to be called "A Lucky Slip." Margaret and Neal are in love, but Neal's father, Harry, disapproves of Neal's marrying at all, though Harry has never seen Margaret. Harry overhears an appointment of the young lovers — the park at two, Margaret's mother, Stella, also finds it out. She goes to tlie park, as does Harry, and Stella's slipping upon a banana-peel brings Harry to her assistance, so that they meet without laiowing that they are, respectivf ly, father and mother of the young people. The youngsters arc each sent off tt school, but it happens to be the same school, where enters Professor Ed. (Barry). Their clandestine meetings get thcni in trouble,' and the parents are sent for. They arrive, having already discovered a mutual interest, and, finding in each case that it is the other's offspring that their child wants to marry, a different face is put upon the whole matter, and both ci^upks are happy. The Christie Film Company announces ^lay releases: May 7, " Witli the Mummies'" ^ Help " , (Margaret Gibson, Eddie Barry) ;' May 14 " The Magic Maid " (Betty Ovey Seen as Ovey lu " Somewhere in the Mountains," the Ovey comedy release of April 19, George Ovey for the first time appears minus character make-up. In his support appear George George, E. A. Browne and Claire Alexander. Women Believe in Bernstein Clean Film Idea The " clean film " idea, which is the motto followed in Bernstein pmductions, has received a great deal of publicity in Los Angeles of late. Several women's clubs have been particularly vigorous in its cause. Once a month representatives from practically every woman's club in Southern California meet to discuss the situation and to lend aid to the producers turning out wholesome films. At the April meeting Miss Griffith of the Studio Club in Hollywood spoke of the influence of the moving picture oii American national life, and Florence Ryerson from Bernstein's told of that studio's fight for " Clean Films for the Clean Minded." Peggy Hyland Leaves Vita Announcement w^as made last week that Peggy Hyland, the popular little English screen actress, had severed her connection with Vitagraph for whom she has appeared as star in several productions including " The Chattel," " Intrigue," " Her Right to Live " and " Babette." Miss Hyland also appeared in " Womanhood," and her most recent picture "The Sixteenth Wife?" will not be released until May 14, The player's plans for the future have not been announced. Irvin S, Cobb, the Writer, Author of Goldwyn's ,Fjf8t Mac .Alar^h Production ■ New Erbograph Ready Marion Swayne has completed her first Erbograph picture, "Little Miss Fortune." This will be released on Art Dramas_ program on May 10. Joseph Levering directed the production, the story oi which was .written by the Rev. Clarence J. Harris. Plays Wanted for Pollard Star Pollard Picture Plays, through J. E. Hungerford, scenario editor, announced that it is in the market now and at all times for plays for Marguerita Fischer. High-class comedy-dramas, in detailed synopsis, are especially desired.