Motion Picture News (July-Aug 1918)

912 Motion Picture News Coming, ^Program Offerings* Omaha Has All-Goldwyn Week Strand and Rialto Find Business Good with Unusual Programs Starring B i g Favorites — Managers Want Star Series List GOLDWYN'S summer releases, with three of its most popular stars, held the center of the stage of the silent drama at both the Strand and Rialto theatres, Omaha, last week. Goldwyn productions held forth at the Strand theatre the entire week, the first half being given over to Mabel Normand in her Goldwyn comedy-drama, " The Venus Model." The latter part of the week featured Mae Marsh in Goldwyn's modern drama, " All Woman." While these two productions were drawing capacity houses at the Strand, Madge Kennedy in the stirring patriotic drama, " The Service Star," was magnetizing the box-office of the Rialto. H. M. Thomas, manager of the Rialto, was quick to take advantage of the patriotic " punch " contained in " The Service Star " and ran full double-column newspaper advertisements, with specially designed patriotic borders. The hand-lettered head-line of the ad. arrested attention with : " A Message to YOU from the Rialto theatre ON the Most Important Subject In All the World." This was followed by an eloquent editorial on " The Service Flag as the Insignia and Emblem of the Heart," and a brief outline of the story of the play. The newspaper advertising was supplemented by other vigorous forms of exploitation and the press was most generous with write-ups and notices. Mr. Thomas reports : " ' The Service Star' batted 1,000. The people stood up and yelled, so intensely thrilling was the action of the play." EVIDENCE that Universal is paying special attention to its short subjects is said to be evidenced in " Roped and Tied," a two-reel Western drama scheduled for release on August 17. Featuring such players as Neal Hart, Eileen Sedgwick, Joe Rickson and Lola Wright, the newest Universal short subject, is declared to be full of dash and vim that went so far towards popularizing the subjects some years ago. It tells the story of the adventures that befall Dide Lewis, a wealthy young cattle baron who comes to Hell Gate, Montana, in search of recreation. A visit to the dance hall run by Minnie Ralston results in a meeting with Lola Dorn, one of the girls in the place. Lewis falls earnestly in love with Lola and so arouses the jealousy of Minnie, who in the meantime falls in love with him. Matters are complicated when Roddy Mae Marsh, Popular Star in Goldwyn Pictures The Strand also did excellent business with Mabel Normand in " The Venus Model " and Mae Marsh in " All Woman." The fact that the Strand and Rialto were playing Goldwyn pictures simultaneously gave the amusement page of the Omaha newspaper the appearance of being a Goldwyn press sheet. The large advertisements of Goldwyn attractions dominated the page and the effect of such a broadside obtained exceptional results. So gratifying were the results of " Goldwyn Week " that the directing heads of the Strand and Rialto have declared their intention of booking Goldwyn pictures under the new Star Series plan, which is in practice the coming season. Jensen, a hanger-on, also falls in love with Lola. The men declare war on each other. Minnie takes a hand by warning Lola to steer clear of Lewis because of her prior claim. Minnie's story soon spreads over Hell Gate and is generally believed. Lewis is justly angry and determines to clean up the town in revenge, knowing that nothing would so irritate the lawless element as much as a wave of reform. In the meantime Roddy, determined to win Lola at any hazard, frames up on Dide in an endeavor to shake Lola's faith in him. With Lola's help Lewis sets about to reform Hell Gate and succeeds in closing permanently the dance halls and gambling houses. It is cited that this production is only one of the Universal short subjects to which special attention is being paid. General Scores on Oakdale Bookings Advance bookings and inquiries for the Oakdale Productions featuring Gloria Joy have been enthusiastic, General Film Company announces this week. " The Locked Heart," the first Oakdale to be released, has been booked for the Loew houses in New York City. Other important bookings in New York are reported by Branch Manager J. A. Hammell, while other managers are reporting that their facilities for handling the Oakdale series will be taxed to the utmost. One feature of the Oakdale Productions which is said by General Film to be winning the approval of exhibitors, is the entire absence of objectionable details, such as booze scenes and domestic incidents of a risque nature. " No Children Wanted," the second release in the series, presents the child star in a sympathetic and highly entertaining story of domestic life for which General Film predicts unusual success. " Unchastened Woman " Does Well in Ohio " The Unchastened Woman," the first Rialto-Deluxe feature, has caused quite a sensation in the Cincinnati territory, according to reports received by Motion Picture News from J. F. Brett, manager of the George Kleine System branch at Cincinnati. Mr. Brett advises that Cincinnati was slated to get the picture September 1, but since it was screened for the principal cities the exhibitors insisted upon a pre-release showing. The picture opened at the Dayton theatre, Dayton, O., July 7, for four days. On the opening night the house had a holdout for two hours, it is said. The theatre seats 2,600 people. Other bookings are the Walnut, Louisville; Circle, Indianapolis ; Alhambra, Cincinnati ; Charleston, Bluefield, Huntington, all in W. Va. ; and Chillicothe, Marietta, Springfield, Ohio. Another print has been ordered to take care of other bookings. Stewart's Own Play on Triangle List The U. S. Mexican frontier forms the background of " Cactus Crandall," the featured production offering Roy Stewart and scheduled as the first release on the Triangle program for the week of August 11. A production which strikes a patriotic keynote, " Shifting Sands," is the second release for the week, and features Gloria Swan son. " Cactus Crandall " was written by Roy Stewart himself and he plays the hero in this production, which is described as a Western thriller. Nestor Announces a Laugh William Franey in a modern version of " Young Lochinvar " entitled, " The PieEyed Piper," is the Nestor comedy scheduled for release on Monday. August 19. Franey is supported by Zasu Pitts. Lillian Peacocke and Milton Moranti in this burlesque on the old poem. Universal Proves Its Interest in Shorts