Moving Picture News (Jan-Jun 1913)

10 THE MOVING PICTURE NEWS showing rails, backs, signs, etc., to be furnished free by the International Exposition Company will be sent to all those who have taken space. The Convention Committee appointed by President Trigger are holding meetings daily and plans to entertain the delegates and so forth who will attend the Convention are being arranged. Several have already sent in scenarios for the prize of $25.00 offered by the Exposition Committee for the best scenario of a five minute act suitable for either a man or a woman. None of them, however, are quite what the committee want. This competition will not close until the first of June, so those desirous of competing may send their manuscripts to Frank E. Samuels, Secretary of' the First International Exposition of the Motion Picture Art, second floor of the German Bank Building, Fourth avenue and Fourteenth street, New York City. PENNSYLVANIA SECOND ANNUAL STATE CONVENTION Until a short time ago the name of Philadelphia was synonymous of somnambulism. It is most gratifying to note the many ways in which this quaint old city, has not only taken hold, but is now running close on par with the most progressive cities of the world. This fact is well evidenced by the way those interested in the motion picture industry and art have displayed their enthusiasm over the coming Second Annual State Convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, which is to be held in Philadelphia on the 27th and the 28th day of May, at the Continental Hotel. On last Wednesday Messrs. Kerr, Walraven and Roth, of the convention committee were the guests of Mr. S. Lubin at luncheon at the Lubin plant, together with many of the Lubin producers and artists. Mr. Lubin showed great enthusiasm in regard to the coming convention, and will detail a number of his camera men to make a reel of film for the Exhibitors' League, under the guidance of the League convention committee, depicting the historic points of interest in and around Philadelphia. Also showing many of the various commercial industries together with the civic development of the city, as well as taking a picture of all the Exhibitors and their families. These pictures will be displayed in every civilized corner of the world, and strange as it may seem, this will be the first complete motion picture ever made showing the many points of interest in the city, which is looked on throughout the entire world as the birthplace of modern civilization. Elaborate arrangements will be made by Mr. Lubin to entertain the many out of town Exhibitors and their families, who Will wish to visit, not only the Lubin plant in Philadelphia, but the new $2,000,000 plant, which is nearing completion at historic Betzwood, outside of Philadelphia. Words are inadequate to describe this plant, as it covers over 500 acres of ground, laid out in parks, cattle ranges, mountains, etc., beside containing a mammoth studio with many stages, together with scores of other buildings for the manufacturing of the "Clear as Bell" films. IX THE SECRET SERVICE 101 Bison (2 Reel) War Drama. OSCAR C. APFEL Director Reliance Film Co. Oscar C. Apfel, as a typical director, gave me the following terse statement: "Left on Hamburg-American steamer Victoria Luise. Two days in Havana. Very romantic, moonlight, senoritas, mantillas, mandolins, etc. Queer narrow streets. Historic Morro Castle and Cabanas fort. Awful record of cruelties by the Spaniards. Also good cigars and several new drinks. Colon — Atlantic entrance to canal. Much hustle. Trip, through canal. Gatun Locks — Gatun Lake — Culebra Cut with the landslides — to Panama. Panama — Very old and interesting — churches, theatres, etc. Also more new drinks. Then Kingston and Jamaica. Beautiful harbor. Negroes gather and dive for coins. Scenery is gorgeous Wonderful drives up Rio Cobra Canon to Bog Walk. Beautiful botanical gardens with every known variety of tropical plant at Castleton Gardens and Hope Gardens. The roads are the motorists' paradise and kept up by the government. Many ruins of the earthquake in Kingston. Outside of Kingston you see very few whites — nothing but negroes and children by the million, with a calico slip on — sometimes. Banana groves of vast extent like our great corn fields of our Middle West. Also more new drinks. Return trip marred by sailor falling overboard and eaten by sharks. Life on boat delightful — dances, games, tournaments, etc. BILL HEDWIG A FATHER The first release of Mr. and Mrs. William Hedwig occurred April twenty-seventh. The title is Gordon Wilbur. Bill Hedwig, the popular and well-known superintendent of the Imp laboratory, smiled all over when he heard the news, and forgot all about film and prints and such unimportant details. "It's a boy," spoken with indescribable emphasis, seemed to be the total of his vocabulary. And what's more, it's a big, husky bdy. When interviewed, Mr. Hedwig said : "I wouldn't take a million dollars for it, and I wouldn't give a dime for another."