Motography (Jan-Jun 1917)

782 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XVII, No. 15. panies were limited in number and the pictures of temporary interest only. The development of the 'release' system and the use of the now obsolete word were natural. Every company was striving to please the public by giving prompt service rather than good pictures. Distributing companies emphasized to exhibitors the advantages of using first-run pictures on the very date of their 'release.' "However, the featuring of the word 'released,' and the date that invariably accompanies it, tends to make exhibitors and public believe there is more merit in a picture that has just been placed on the market than in one that has been available for some time. The word 'published' does not convey this impression to the slightest degree. "In making Conquest Pictures we are not going to use topical themes. We are not going to put out productions that will be any less interesting in Oshkosh a year from now than they are in New York today. Any exhibitor can start using Conquest Pictures at any time and can begin with any group of pictures that has been published. These pictures will be attractive for an indefinite period with absolutely no regard for the date of their 'release.' * " 'Released' is an obsolete word and encouraging exhibitors to secure first-run pictures a relic of bygone days -and methods." Arizona Lunches George Siegmann The Arizona Film Company of Chicago entertained thirty-five of its stockholders and other guests at a luncheon at the Hotel Sherman, March 29, in honor of George Siegmann, director of the big new feature which Arizona has produced, and news concerning which will shortly be given out through Motography and the other channels. Mr. Siegmann was David W. Griffith's right hand man in the production of "Intolerance." He also played the negro lieutenant governor in "The Birth of a Nation." The luncheon was attended by the following distinguished Chicago citizens, members of the Arizona family, and representatives of the press : Edw. F. Mandel, George J. Dehn, W. W. Lill, Prof. James Smith, Henry Bach, Gordon C. Thorne, Dr. Jeno, P. Brushingham, John P. Garner, Dr. Wm. H. Reid, the last three members of Mayor Thompson's cabinet, T. W. Beam, Stanley H. Twist, representative of the Exhibitor's Trade Review, Theodore Mead of the Motion Picture News, A. E. Curtis of Motography, Bob Reel of the Chicago Evening American, Walter Howie, Chicago Examiner, A. L. Blunt, E. A. Schmidt, Richard A. Colby, M. L. Horner, Jr., Dr. C. C. Quale, Joe MacDonald, Leo Austrian, E. T. Evans, C. L. Packer, E. E. Dubbs, John J. Wade, H. E. Rice, Sr., Messrs. Swan, Burford and Whipple of the Crystal Photoplays Corporation, Hugh Comer Winter, Rev. Elisha A. Hoffman, Mr. VanDyke, assistant director to James Young of Essanay Company, Jimmy O'Shea, Mr. Siegmann's assistant director, George A. Siegmann himself, and Harry E. Rice, Jr., secretary of the Arizona Film Company. Kolb and Dill Cause Uproar J. W. Page, exhibitor at Sigourney, Iowa, reports: "I ran Kolb and Dill in 'A Peck o' Pickles' and it is the greatest comedy I have ever shown in my house. We packed them in and as they left the theater I was on the door and this is what I heard : 'It's great/ 'When will you have another?' and 'Mr. Page, you are to be congratulated on getting such service as this,' and many other such remarks which made me feel that the audience was better satisfied with this picture than any I had run for a long time. One continual uproar from start to finish. "I have used three of the Mutual Star Productions and I wish to say that they are great. I have used service from five other feature companies and I find that the Mutual star productions, so far, have proved better features, with more drawing power than any service used from other companies." New Erbograph Art Dramas Company A second company of players, headed by Marion Swayne and directed by Joseph Levering, has been organized by Erbograph to produce features for the Art Dramas program, according to announcement made this week by Ludwig G. B. Erb, president of Erbograph. Work has already been started by this new company on a play written especially for Miss Swayne by the Rev. Clarence J. Harris, the prominent scenario writer. In this story Miss Swayne, long one of the most popular screen stars, is given an opportunity to enact the sort of characterization which has made her such an admired player. Photoplays are not, and ought never to be, imitators of the theater. They can never give the esthetic values of the theater; but no more can the theater give the esthetic values of the photoplay. With the rise of the motion pictures has come an entirely new independent art which must develop its own life conditions. Luncheon and reception tendered George Siegmann, former Griffith right hand man, on March 29 by the Arizona Film Company of Chicago.