Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

958 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 17. business early in April in its new quarters, corner Central avenue and Third street, Marshfield. Seats for 500 persons will be installed this week. The theater has steel ceilings and steel crossbeams, an attractive tan glazed wall finish, suitably decorated, and is well supplied with exits. The exit doors have an automatic release which permits their opening upon the slightest pressure from within. A commodious lobby, ticket booth and two toilet rooms are finished in mahogany. Twenty-two chandeliers, done in ivory finish, supply indirect lighting. The pictures will be projected from a fire-proof booth of the latest type. A POEM FROM PEACOCKE. Captain Leslie T. Peacocke, author of "Neptune's Daughter" and a number of other feature films and who is now scenario editor with the California Motion Picture Corporation, sends some verse to Motography and tells of the work and plans of his company. An excerpt from his letter, and the verse follow : I beg to enclose a few "would-be-humorous" lines, entitled, "The Waning Star," which I worked out of my system after having viewed a recent so-called "feature" on the screen, in which a stage luminary of an ancient vintage was starred. If you think the little effusion is worthy of a space in your pages, will you please accept it as a small free-gift offering from a long-time enthusiastic reader of Motography. This company is hard at work on their coming release, "The Woman Who Dared," which I adapted from Mrs. C. N. Williamson's book, and it is full of thrills and suspense. Miss Beatriz Michelena has had some wonderful gowns made for the production. After' that production this company is going to spring a big surprise in the way of their next production, which is to remain a secret for the present; and then we are going to do "Kismet" in 12 reels; and that is full of bigger possibilities for screen production than any play it has been my pleasure to tackle for film adaptation. We expect Otis Skinner out here very shortly, and I believe he will have a deal to say in the selection of his supporting cast; I am working on the scenario now, and from the way the working script is evolving it looks as if 5,000 people at least will have to be employed in the production, besides a great number of camels and wild animals of various sorts. The building of the City of Bagdad will be quite an undertaking, but we have unlimited space here and an army of willing workers. "THE WANING STAR!" BJy Captain Leslie T. Peacocke cenario Editor, California Motion Picture Corporation.] She was old and long bedridden, and to Hope had said "Goodbye," Watching for the end to come, and quite • prepared to die. Her name, long since, a household word, and out upon Broadway Had flashed in great electric signs, when life was young and gay. Her voice had long deserted her, her hair was grey and thin, And nothing now can stir the feeble heart that beats within. Then comes one day a manager, with "Movies" on the brain, And hunts up all the Stars that had been long upon the wane. So, one morning came a hurried call which brought her from her bed, And she tottered to a studio, much less alive than dead. Of course she scorned the base idea of acting for the screen, And insisted that she play the roles of maidens — seventeen ; They worked her into "Features" and they advertised her big; And they showed her on the posters in a blonde and curly wig. The public said, "She must be fine! She played upon Broadway!" But they wished when it was over that they hadn't had to pay! She fought with her director till he quit and took to drink, She argued with the next one till his mind refused to think. She "knocked" our well loved favorites, that all fans idolize, And their style, and dress and acting never ceased to criticize. She scorned sweet Michelena, Mary Pickford and the rest, And claimed that only Broadway Stars. like her, could stand the test. She's still appearing on the screen and driving people mad, And helping all she can to put good "Features" to the bad. It makes one think the managers must all have gone insane, To see them forcing on us these old Stars upon the Wane. Oh! Feature, please, our movie stars, our favorites of the screens! And bore us not forever with these sad old once-have-beens! Plans are being completed for a handsome theater to be constructed by remodeling the store building of Mrs. Nancy Patterson, 113 and 115 West Main street, Owasso. The two stores are to be utilized for a theater that will accommodate about 900 persons. There will be a spacious balcony and box seats. The ceiling will be dome-shaped in order to afford best accoustic qualities. Fred J. Patterson, son of Mrs. Nancy Patterson, who has been in the moving picture business for several years in Portland, Mich., will have charge. It is expected that besides moving pictures vaudeville attractions will be shown. Walter Hildebrand has been appointed manager of the Butterfly theater in Milwaukee. £ J Scene from "The Daiu/ci' Line" — Essanay. 'The Invisible Enemy" — E-K-0 Film Company.