Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

February 9, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 283 who is playing "The Two-Gun Man" at his Strand Theater, states: "I turned them away my first two days, and expect to do a land office business for the balance of my run of this production." Although the rights to New York have not yet been sold, the W. H. company states that requests are coming in every day for bookings. New Serial Abounds in Thrills Preliminary inspection of the first six episodes of "A Daughter of Uncle Sam," released through General Film Company, reinforces the produce's confidence expressed some time ago that this new serial is to be the thrill sensation of the year. Each episode is crowded with tense and dramatic situations well calculated to hold the fans glued in their seats. Besides, many of the German spy outrages figuring in the serial are among those dealt with in the columns of the Providence Journal during its stirring series of exposures. Jane Vance, the heroine of this exciting serial, is a daring sportswoman whose feats will endear her with fans who are looking for new sensations. A few of the many exciting events in the early chapters of "A Daughter of Uncle Sam" are : A race on ice between an automobile and an ice boat, a collision at sea between a yacht and a motor boat, the theft of the government secret code by spies, the destruction of a munitions plant by bombs planted by a German agent, the arrest of the plotters and their escape from jail with the aid of explosives, the ingenious attempts of plotters to obtain the secret of the theoscope, a marvelous war invention, the rescue of the inventor from a rock rapidly being enveloped by the tide, a disastrous fire started by German agents, an attempt to "get" the hero by cutting down a tree from which he is making observations, the roundup and capture of members of the spy gang, a saw mill scene in which the master spy puts the heroine at the mercy of the machinery, a fight atop an ice-covered rock between the hero and the master spy and the former's thirty-foot fall into the arms of soldiers below, a clever ruse by which the heroine throws the enemy off guard and sends a wireless call for help, and the capture of members of the gang in their secret cave. The final episodes of the last half of the serial are nearing completion. General Film exchanges report a heavy inquiry for the film in every part of the country. Foreign Rights Sold First A deal has been consummated between Charles H. France, president of France Films, Inc., and Sidney Garrett, president of J. Frank Brockliss, Inc., through which the latter concern has acquired the entire foreign rights to the France Filmsproduction, "The Natural Law," recently shown to the trade at the Broadway Theater, New York City. Considerable significance is attached to this sale in that the exploitation of a state rights production is usually begun, and often is quite well under way, in the United States before attention is given to it by exporters. In this instance, the sale of the foreign rights was made prior to any for the states, Ernest Shipman, who is handling the sales of the Shorty Hamilton series for the W. H. Clifford Photoplay Co. which augurs well for the quality and strength of "The Natural Law" as a production of merit. Another outstanding feature of this deal is the fact that it was consummated within fifteen minutes after the picture was privately screened for Mr. Garrett — without a doubt a record sale. Following the sale of the foreign rights, the first state rights were sold to the Elk Photo Plays company of New York City, which was given control of distribution in New York and northern New Jersey. Sales by W. H. Productions The W. H. Productions company announces the following sales: The rights to William S. Hart as "The Two-Gun Man" in "The Bargain," in six reels, to Max W. Herring, Pittsburgh, for western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The rights to William S. Hart in "The Bandit and the Preacher," in five reels, to Max W. Herring, Pittsburgh, for western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The rights to William S. Hart in "The Hell Hound of Alaska," in five reels, to Max W. Herring, Pittsburgh, for western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The rights to The W. H. Productions company's twenty-eight two-reel Keystone Comedies to Consolidated Theaters Company, Cincinnati, for Ohio and Kentucky. Big Features for Canada W. H. Clune's two big feature successes, "The Eyes of the World" and "Ramona," will have the most elaborate presentations throughout Canada of any pictures that have been sent into the Dominion, according to Charles H. Haystead, representative of the A. J. Small Circuit of Canadian theaters, who is in New York completing plans for the exploitation of the pictures. Both features are to be shown with special scenic, musical and lighting effects in all the principal theaters. The plans for the exploitation of the Clune successes were arranged by the Arrow Film Corporation. Loew House Thrives Since the Princess Theater at Memphis, Tenn., was taken over by Marcus Loew, business has been above normal. The formal opening took place December 23. The house, which formerly operated on a 5cent scale, has been changed to 10 cents for all seats, including the war tax. It has one of the largest theater auditoriums in West Tennessee, and the $10,000 pipe organ, just rebuilt, is a big feature. Sells Foreign Rights Carle E. Carlton, president of Crest Pictures, announces the sale of the rights for Great Britain on "The Lust of the Ages." The transaction was closed by Robertson & Cole through Grands, Ltd., London. Mr. Carlton . likewise has closed the rights with the Monet Film Company of Paris for "The Lust of the Ages," which will place the big Lillian Walker feature in France and Spain. Passes Up Films for Fruit R. S. Bell has severed connections with the Montreal office of Superfeatures, Limited, the largest exclusive state right holders in Canada, to go into the wholesale fruit business. Bell is taking up work in which his father has been very successful. Oklahoma Exhibitors Meet The Oklahoma state branch of the American Exhibitors' Association is holding its sixth annual convention at the Lee Huckins hotel in Oklahoma City. All members of the trade, as well as exhibitors, are in attendance. A. B. Momand, of Shawnee, is president of the branch and L. W. Brophy of Muskogee is secretary.