Moving Picture World (Dec 1917)

1964 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 29, 1917 Harry Rapf. Harry Rapf— A Man of Constructive Capacity His Career Presents a Remarkable Rise to the Top of the Manufacturing Element in Three Years' Time. BUT three years ago, Harry Rapf, a producer who needs no introduction to our readers, turned over his vaudeville agency and producing interests to the keeping of his partner. Lew Colder, and embarked into the producing of motion pictures as president of the Premo Feature Film Co., ]1 East 14th Street, New York, until then the long-time office of the Biograph company. His product was successful from the start, a fact which promptly catapulted him into the limelight. Thi^ condition was no mere luck. On the contrary Rapf succeeded because he put the money into each picture, not lavishly, but judiciously and generously. Furthermore, he succeeded because he employed capable directors, featured popular stars, supported them ■with a cast that moulded itself with harmony and adaptibility, and because what is essentially a Rapf intuition, fitted the story to his star, and the star to the production. The result proved the salability of Premo wares, even though they were independently produced, quite as many of the other state right pictures of the current day. During the year and ten months of the existence of the Premo organization, Harry Rapf surrounded himself with such standard directors as Harry Knoles, now head director for William Brady, and later Ralph Ince, who is now the directorial authority for the output of the Advanced Film Corporation, Leonce Perret, and James Kirkwood, just returned to Paramount. As for stars, the Premo list included Robert Warwick, Adele Blood, Ethel Clayton, Nat Goodwin, Cyril Maude and Carlyle Blackwell. Of the product, "The Supreme Sacrifice," "The Devil's Toy," "His Brother's Wife," "The Master Hand," and "The Greater Will," the four first-mentioned were released through The World Film Co. during 1915 and 1916, while the last named was distributed through the Pathe Exchange.. By this time, Mr. Rapf was ready for a bigger step, and so organized the Robert Warwick Film Corporation during the last half of last year. Success again accompanied the move and such productions (all featuring Robert Warwick) as "The Argyle Case," "The Silent Master," "The Mad Lover," and "The Accidental Honeymoon" resulted. As leading ladies, Rapf engaged such favorites as Anna Little, Olive Tell and Elaine Hammerstein. The war and the star's patriotism abruptly interrupted the further activities of this company — for now it is Captain Robert Warwick at Camp Dix, New Jersey. However, before beginning training, the star had the satisfaction of knowing that "The Argyle Case" and "The Silent Master" were consigned to the Selznick enterprises, and "The Mad Lover" to the state right department of Pathe. "The Accidental Honeymoon" has not as yet been given to any concern for distribution, but the bidding for it is said to be quite spirited. Mars only diverted Harry Rapf's capacity to a greater effort, which brought about the engagement of Florence Reed as star and Ralph Ince as director. The result was one of the standard productions of the period, and one which deserves the longevity that its artistic merit will achieve — "To-day." This feature is one of the best profit-making subjects on the market, as Tom North, head of the state right department of Pathe, will doubtless agree. The reception accorded the film prompted Mr. Rapf to signMiss Reed for four more pictures, the first of which, entitled "The Struggle Everlasting," is now finished and had its tradeshowing at the Shubert theater Sunday evening, Dec. 16, the review of which will be found in next week's issue. The trade is willing to accept that it will be a winning production, though it will have to be measured against the high and critical standard of the last Reed offering. In the supporting cast appear Milton Sills, Wellington Player, E. J. Ratcliffe, Fred Jones, E. N. Hoyt? Albert Hall, and Irving Cummins. James Kirkwood directed the production. This is the record that Harry Rapf has already made. It will not be surprising to find that his personal representative, Louis Jerkowski's, prediction that "The Struggle Everlasting" will surpass every previous Rapf undertaking," will be substantiated to the fullest. "THE WHIP" SALES CLOSED OUT. Hiller & Wilk, who have been the selling agents for "The Whip," the Tourneur picturization of the successful Drury Lane melodrama, feel highly gratified at the completed American sales record of this production, because it has vindicated their faith in "The Whip" since the first time they saw the picture in the Paragon projection room. To the Superfilm, Ltd., of Canada goes the honor of being the first purchasers of territorial rights. They secured the right3 to the Dominion of Canada. Other holders of rights to "The Whip" are the American Feature Film Company of Boston (New England); Marcus Loew (New York); J. Frank Hatch (Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia); Sidney B. Lust of Washington, D. C, (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, District of Columbia and North Carolina); the Civilization Company of Newark (New Jersey); the H. Lieber Company of Indianapolis (Indiana); the Big Feature Rights Corporation of Louisville (Kentucky and Tennessee); the Special Features Company of Knoxville (Georgia and Florida); the Yale Photoplays of Kansas City (Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska); the Friedman Film Corporation of Minneapolis (Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Wisconsin) ; the De Luxe Features of Seattle (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana); the All Star Features Distributors, San Francisco (California, Nevada and Arizona); the Supreme Photoplays Corporation of Denver (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico), and Jones, Linick & Schaefer, Chicago (Illinois). SECRET SERVICE SERIAL IN DEMAND. Foursquare Exchange in all parts of the country are being delighted with applications for bookings on the new Wharton American serial supreme, "The Eagle's Eye," written by Chief William J. Flynn, of the United States Secret Service. Communications from M. H. Hoffman, now entour to the home office, 729 Seventh avenue, New York, report an unprecedented volume of applications in Detroit, Cincinnati and Cleveland where he has been during the past week. Manager Samuel Rubenstein, of the Boston Foursquare Exchange, writes that numerous New England exhibitors are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the release dates, and that the volume of business indicates that all serial booking records will be surpassed. Frank J. Flahery, of Chicago, and Sidney J. Baker, of St. Louis, are two Foursquare managers who find exhibitors in their territories appreciative of the qualities of this serial supreme — which is to expose the machinations of the Imperial German Government against the United States. In the New York Foursquare office, Manager Hy Gainsborg is receiving applications galore for "The Eagle's Eye." All other Foursquare offices throughout the country are experiencing similar inquiries from exhibitors, and hosts of contracts are being signed — even in advance of the trade showing. ANIMATED PRESS SYNDICATE ANNOUNCEMENT. The Cinema News Syndicate, who formerly released the "American War and News Weekly" on the General Film program, has been absorbed by the Animated Pre s Syndicate, who will issue the "Independent-American Weekly" beginning Dec. 20, and weekly thereafter. They report a staff of cameramen in all parts of the world, besides corresponding cameramen, and are gradually increasing this force. Frederick W. Brooker, who was the president of the Cinema News Syndicate, is in charge of the affairs of the new company, and all technical matters are handled by Russell E. Ball. Territory is being closed with great rapidity for all parts of the United States and Canada. When all details are complete, they assert that they will be represented by the cleanest and strongest exchange organization in the motion picture business. BRENON FEATURE OPENS NEW THEATER. When the new Forest Hill theater in Newark opens on Christmas Day, New Jersey will have its first glimpse of Herbert Brenon's "The Fall of the Romanoffs." The house is now receiving its finishing touches under the direction of its owner, Arthur W. Moore. It is one of the most magnificent, in points of architecture and modern improvements, in the East. The first New Jersey showing of the big Brenon historical production will be under notable auspices. Mr. Moore arranged with Mr. Brenon to present "The Fall of the Romanoffs" at a special invitation performance at the new theater on Friday evening, December 21. This opening will be attended by the foremost city officials of Newark and the leading exhibitors of all Jersey. A number of prominent New York screen men are planning to be present. HORGAN VISITS NEW YORK. Dan Horgan, general manager of the Hub Pictures Corporation, the state rights exchange, opened but six weeks ago at 53 Church street, Boston, Mass., visited New York during the past week on one of his buying missions. Several deals were entered into, the nature of which will be reported by Mr. Horgan upon his return to his New England territory.