Motography (Jan-Jun 1915)

138 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIII, No. 4. Bertha M. Sinclair, better known as "B. M. Bower," author of the famous ''Happy Family" series of fiction stories, was an interested visitor at the Selig studios at Los Angeles last week, where she met Wheeler Oakman, Kathlyn Williams, Tom Mix and other stars who played title roles for the film adaptation of these western tales. Miss Mary Alden of Mutual is too busy to think of work. She received a new Cadillac for a Christmas present and ever since she has been riding around learning to drive. The Masterpiece Film Corporation has moved into its new home at 1339 Gordon street, Hollywood, Cal. The new plant covers half a block and all the buildings are to be of solid concrete painted white, to provide as much light as possible. On January 17 Colonel Jasper Ewing Brady of the Vitagraph will leave for San Antonio, Texas, as advance agent of the Vitagraph Company, which will spend the next three months in that part of the country producing some military pictures of unusual interest. The third World Film feature, in which Clara Kimball Young is to be starred, will be made from the famous novel "Hearts in Exile." This noted story deals with Russian life, and Miss Young will be perfectly at home, for she has demonstrated that she is especially adapted to parts in photoplays of the Russian type. Still another innovation in Selig comedy will be announced officially within a short time. W. N. Selig has made all arrangements for a series of fun-makers which will interest exhibitors everywhere. Noted authors are collaborating upon the photoplays. A six-reel picture featuring Joe Welch has just been completed by the Photo Drama Company. The production was made in the new studio of the Centaur Film Company at Bayonne. N. J. The Vitagraph theater will offer as its principal feature picture for the week commencing Sunday, January 10, "The Silent Plea," a three-part dramatic appeal for the widowed mother's allowance. It was taken in co-operation with Sophie Irene Loeb, member New York, state commission for the relief of widowed mothers. The World Film Corporation feature, "The Wishing Ring," was shown at the Indiana prison located at Michigan City, on Christmas day and was enjoyed by the 1,100 inmates. It was secured for them by Mrs. George Ohming, of the Starland theater, Michigan City, Ind. A contract was signed this week between the Life Photo Film Corporation and C. Haddon Chambers whereby the Life Photo purchased the motion picture rights to Mr. Chambers' foremost drama, "A Modern Magdalen," in which Amelia Bingham, Wilton Lackaye and Henry E. Dixey starred for many seasons. G. M. Anderson, who spent the holidays in Chicago, and Charles Chaplin, the Essanay comedian, danced the "Broncho Billy" waltz at a consolation party in the Windy City, appearing in their motion picture makeup. The dance was originated by Mr. Anderson and is one of the weirdest and funniest stunts on or off the stage. Had it not been for the new East Indian operation for cataracts, invented by Major Black of the British Army and used successfully by Dr. William Fisher of Chicago, Andrew Robson, noted eastern actor and one of the stars of the California Motion Picture Corporation, would have gone blind. Mr. Robson made the trip from California to Chicago for the treatment which saved his sight. A little studio mystery which has puzzled picture "fans" throughout the country during the past few months in connection with a new but familiar face upon the screen, under the Selig brand, has been explained. The lady is Miss Edith Johnson. Many inquiries have been received regarding this actress; most writers have confessed the features were perfectly familiar, but none could "remember" which company she formerly was with. Miss Johnson was the posing beauty for the Eastman Kodak Company previous to her advent into pictures. Her beautiful face, was seen everywhere in various poses, on the pages of leading magazines, upon beautiful booklet covers and etched upon folders of ' artistic design. If it is true that the European war is causing great depression in the American film market, there is certainly no evidence of the fact in the spacious studios of the Centaur Film Company in Bayonne, N. J. In addition to the eastern section of David Horsley's own forces, three outside producing concerns are busy there night and day. The latest part occupant of the Horsley plant is the All Coined}' Company. Western Manager Harry C. Drum of the World Film Corporation has been at it again. This time he has secured the contract for one of the finest theaters in San Diego, Cal., the first of the exposition cities. The theater is Clune's Isis. A vast ranch, presenting one of the most beautiful locations in the mountains back of Los Angeles and overlooking a valley with a snowcapped range in the vista beyond, has been leased by Bosworth, Inc., where work is now well under way on the forthcoming release, "Captain Courtesy." Dustin Farnum, the prominent legitimate star, who recently allied himself with the Bosworth forces, will appear in the title role of the production. A sturdy and independent little organization which was formed the past summer is that of the Eclair junior baseball club, named after the well known film company. The club, which is composed of New York youngsters, who are all ardent "movie" fans, decided to pay a signal honor to their favorite moving pictures and call . themselves the Eclair Juniors. George Broadhurst's famous comedy, "What Happened to Jones," is to be made into a World Film Corporation feature, and it will be released shortly on its program. Bosworth's special representative, Carl H. Pierce, left for Richmond, Va., last week to attend the opening of the new Strand theater there. The Strand is backed by the Norfolk capitalists, J. C. and H. C. Hofheimer, who are opening this house with the Paramount program. The skin-clothes aggregation is creating something of a sensation at the Selig Jungle-Zoo, where Director MacGregor is putting on "The Clam-Shell Suffragette." Believing the cave-period drama to be "hogging" the screen to an undue extent, William E. Wing has written a comedy, with settings worthy of the most realistic, as relating to the prehistoric age. During the run of the feature, "The Sins of the Mother," and the playlet, "What the Moon Saw," at the Vitagraph theater, a number of compliments were received regarding the work of Paul Scardon, who appeared in both the sketch and the picture play. For an actor to "look" different, as well as act different in each new characterization and do it so well that his identity can only be learned by referring to the cast of characters, is a mark of distinction that stamps him a consummate artist deserving of mention. Seventy-five of the two hundred and fifty scenes in the World Film Corporation production of "Wildfire," in which Lillian Russell stars, were taken at Charleston, S. C. These scenes included a race in the morning in which five or six of the thoroughbred horses took part. In the afternoon pictures of the crowds, the paddock and other scenes were taken. Benjamin Cohen, until recently a member of the staff of Lewis J. Selznick is the latest recruit to the force at the headquarters of the Alliance Films Corporation. Mr. Cohen will assume charge of the auditing department when alterations now under way are completed. ROLL OF STATES. COLORADO. T. R. Mulvany will have his motion picture show in readiness about the middle of January. It is located in the Ball building on Main street, Alamosa. DELAWARE. Cross-Keys Theater Company, Philadelphia. Capital stock $2,000. To own and operate places of amusement of all kinds. Incorporators: F. R. Hansell, Philadelphia; George H. B. Marin, S. C. Seymour, Camden, N. J. Genero-Film Company, Wilmington; $150,000. FLORIDA. A new picture show, seating six hundred, has been opened at West Palm Beach. The proprietors are J. E. Chambers, Vincent Oaksmith and W. E. Ruff. ILLINOIS. The Colonial moving picture theater, located at 1809 Second avenue, Rock Island, which has been operated for the past four years by W. N. Powell & Son, has been disposed of to a local company headed by George Guiffre and Leo Victor. United Film Service company of Chicago. Chicago; capital $200,000; manufacture and assemble, construct and deal in moving picture machines ; incorporators, D. H. Chatkin, A. A. Chatkin, W. E. Franck. C. Baker has purchased the moving picture outfit that Otter & Howard were operating in the Perkins building, Tolono, and announces that he will show first class pictures.