Motography (Jul 1918)

July 13, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 59 Roosevelt's Books to Be Filmed COLONEL WILL DEVOTE PROFITS TO WAR CHARITIES EVERY exhibitor in the country will be interested to know that a deal has been completed whereby some of the literary works of Colonel Theodore Roosevelt will be produced for the screen. The picturization of the Colonel's books will be under the supervision of Frederick L. Collins, president of McClure Pictures, Inc., and the Petrova Picture Company, and publisher of McClure's Magazine. Royalties that go to the Colonel will not be retained by him, but donated to such war charities as the former president may designate. Only with this understanding did Colonel Roosevelt consent to have his books adapted for the screen. Industry Is Honored How important this announcement is will be understood when it is realized that Colonel Roosevelt is one of the foremost men of the nation and one of the foremost men of the world. Even his foes admit his greatness. Thus the motion picture industry receives a signal indorsement. Looking at the announcement from a box office angle only, those who will recall the receptions the Colonel has received upon his many tours of the country, the devotion of his thousands of followers and the fact that he commands universal attention, can readily imagine what a great appeal the Roosevelt pictures will have. Viewed from the patriotic standpoint, the announcement is equally important, for war charities stand to be enriched by thousands of dollars and countless hundreds of persons will gain renewed enthusiasm in their devotion to country and in their desire to help win the war. Statement By Roosevelt Colonel Roosevelt made the following statement in regard to the deal: "Several of the more important producers of motion pictures have approached me with plans for films based on the books that I have written. I have never considered any of these offers seriously until recently, when it occurred to me that large sums might be realized for the American Red Cross or other war charities through the production and exhibition of such pictures. I have therefore consented to the production of a limited number of pictures, to be produced and exhibited in accordance with a properly co-ordinated plan, on the definite condition that all of the royalties received by me during the war may be devoted to such charities as I may designate. "Knowing very little about the film business myself, I have placed my motion picture affairs in the hands of Frederick L. Collins, publisher of McClure's Magazine, who already has wide interests in the motion picture field, and who is, I believe, in a position to produce these pictures or to secure their production under his supervision in a dignified and successful manner. "I shall be very glad to co-operate in every possible way with Mr. Collins and his associates in the hope that a considerable sum may be raised to help meet the war needs. The final success of the undertaking, of course, depends not upon me, but upon the consideration and support of the great motion picture public. Exactly to the extent that the motion picture public approves these pictures it will help to provide additional means for backing the men at the front." Statement By Collins Mr. Collins made the following statement: "It is true that I have at last been fortunate enough to convince Colonel Roosevelt of the desirability of adapting his books and writings to motion pictures. When the matter was first broached to him he was not at all favor " £*£ ' <*\ ^ * ** ] 'J able to the plan, but when it occurred to the Colonel that thousands of dollars for the Red Cross and other war charities would be raised by the production of such a series of patriotic pictures at this time, he began to see the matter in quite a different light. "The uppermost thought in Colonel Roosevelt's mind today is to win the war, so he has very generously insisted that he should have the privilege of designating certain war charities to which the royalties which would normally go to him should be donated. With this end in view he has promised his hearty co-operation in making the films as successful as possible. "My associates and I have not, as yet, decided whether we will produce all of these pictures ourselves, or arrange for their production, under our supervision, by other producers. Probably one film, based on one article of Mr. Roosevelt's, will be produced by a different firm. In fact we have not determined, finally, the order in which the pictures should appear. Autobiography May Be First "Some of Colonel Roosevelt's more recent patriotic writings of a non-political character, such as 'Fear God — and Take Your Own Part,' 'Put the Flag on the Firing Line,' and 'The Hun Within Our Gates,' should certainly be among the first films to be produced, although a picture of a more general character, based on 'Theodore Roosevelt — an Autobiography,' may be the first production to be released. "Every attempt will be made, in the production and distribution of these pictures, to have every detail comport with the dignity of the Colonel's position and with a full realization of the opportunity for patriotic service which his generosity has made possible." Margaret Shelby, sister of Mary Miles Minter, who will appear in all forthcoming American productions in support of Miss Minter. Miss Shelby is studying for opera and pians to make her debut soon. Hodkinson Denies Rumor "J. Warren Kerrigan will not go to Paramount, as stated recently." This is a statement issued by the home office of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation. It is said that Mr. Kerrigan is under contract and will continue to release his pictures through the Hodkinson corporation. Mr. Kerrigan's latest production, "One Dollar Bid," is now available for booking and he is hard at work on "Burglar for a Night." The usual strong cast is employed, headed by Lois Wilson.