Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

282 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 6 Latest News of State Rights Productions UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INDEPENDENT FIELD Original Sales Scheme Is Success Sawyer and Lubin Book "Mother," for Boston House and Prove Drawing Power Before Selling New England Rights ON THEIR RETURN to New York from Boston, last week, Arthur H. Sawyer and Herbert Lubin reported the successful consummation of an entirely original sales scheme, which they placed in operation in the interests of the feature, "Mother." The two executives of General Enterprises, Inc., reversed the usual procedure of disposing of the picture to New England buyers by first booking it in one of Boston's leading photoplay theaters in order that its drawing powers might be fully tested. This six-part feature, starring Elizabeth Risdon and directed by George Loane Tucker, was played at the Tremont Temple and following the first day's run immediately established itself as a box-office attraction. Messrs. Sawyer and Lubin were literally swamped with bids from many prominent New England film purchasers who witnessed the success of their sales innovation. After due consideration of the various offers, "Mother" was disposed of for the entire New England states to the Boston Photoplay Company, represented by Edward Golden, pioneer exchange man and well known throughout the territory. The picture will be exploited on an extensive scale by Mr. Golden and he states that he considered it a decided addition to his program. Messrs. Sawyer and Lubin reported that their Italian war spectacle, "The Warrior," had created a sensation during a week's run at the Boston Theater. The management of the Boston has contracted for another seven days' booking for "The Warrior" on the strength of the remarkable showing made by the General Enterprises feature, thus establishing what is said to be a record unequaled heretofore by any state right offering. Messrs. Sawyer and Lubin are now preparing to distribute the latest addition to their string of state right successes, "The Crucible of Life," a seven-part melodrama of the great war, starring Grace Darmond and Jack Sherrill, and adapted from the famous stage success, "Fairfax." This picture has been presented in New York for the first time at the Park Theater in order to give it the prestige of a Broadway run. Jester Sales Announced That the Jester Comedies, featuring Twede-Dan, the international mirth maker, have met with approval by territorial buyers can be attested by sales made to the following: For the state of New York — Photo Drama Co. (Ben. Title, rep.), New York City. For southern New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania — Masterpiece Film Attractions, Philadelphia, Pa. For western Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia — United Business Association of Pennsylvania, Inc., Cleveland, O. For the state of Michigan — The Strand Features, Detroit. For southern Illinois and northern Wisconsin — Unity Photo-Plays Co., Chicago. For Minneapolis — Standard Film Exchange, Minneapolis. For Omaha — Standard Film Exchange, Omaha. For Kansas City, Mo. — Standard Film Exchange, Kansas City. For St. Louis — Standard Film Exchange, St. Louis. The above sales were reported by William Steiner, founder of the Jester Comedy Company, who is now on tour with the first two releases: "The Recruit" and "His Golden Romance," giving special screenings pursuant to the show-you policy of Jester. Plotting the sinking of the Lusitania in the Whartons' serial, "The Eagle's Eye: "The Bargain" Pleases Fans According to reports received from the various exchanges throughout the country by the W. H. Productions company, the company's first Hart super-feature, in which Hart appears as "The Two-Gun Man" in "The Bargain," is meeting with wonderful success. T. E. Larson, manager of Favorite Feature Company, who controls the rights for Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, says: "Our success on 'The Bargain' has been exceptionally good as to date we have closed practically every big town and the future looks very bright to us." Harry Bernstein, manager for the Jake Wells organization in the south, states that "bookings are coming in very steadily on this Hart production, and four salesmen are now combing the territory. We are quite satisfied this will be one of the biggest money makers the exhibitors have had for a long time." Tom Moore, of Washington, D. C,