Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1915)

March 6, 1915 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1429 Doings at Los Angeles SKIDDING rapidly on the wet pavement, Lillian Peacocke, leading woman with the Joker players, in endeavoring to avoid hitting an old woman who was about to board a street car, crashed her automobile into the oar, wrecking it and injuring herself and the occupants of the machine. The most seriously injured 'was Harry Carter, who played the heavy in "The Master Key," who was cut on head and shoulders. Ella Hall, the heroine of the same company, escaped without a scratch, and her mother was only bruised and shaken up. Miss Peacocke is sufifering from a badly dislocated shoulder and will be unable to work for several weeks. The party was rushed to the Children's hospital and later to the institution in Universal City, where they were cared for over-night and the next day. Their escape from death is said to have been nothing short of miraculous. * * * Laid up for ten days with writer's cramp is the record made by Editor Del Ruth of the Keystone outfit, whose stenographer wrote so fast and furiously for a week that he lost control of his short hand. No wonder Keystone buys no scenarios! * * * Rumor, sometimes tricky, and again true, but startling, now has it that Henry B. Walthall, formerly with the Mutual, and lately joined Balboa, has closed with his old company and will return to work there in a short time. This comes from good authority says the rumor, but time must tell. * * * Turning turtle on the narrow beach road to Inccville when the axle of his car gave way, Charles Ray came near being killed, and if he had not jumped into the sand, he would have been crushed beneath the car. * * * The tide of big men is still ebbing and flowing here. Manager Samuel Goldfish, of the Lasky firm, has departed for New York, and will beat this letter. Mr. Adolph Zukor, of the F. P., also has returned home. Mr. Louis J. Selznick, of the World Films, after spending a week here, has gone to Salt Lake. B. A. Rolfe, of the firm which bears his name, arrived here on the 18th from the East. * * * G. P. Hamilton, of the Albuquerque, left for the East on the same day to re-arrange releases on account of new program changes in the East. He will be gone three weeks. Production at that studio has ceased until he returns. Car! Laemmle should be here shortly after the first of March, for his new city will be opened on the 15th. * * * Los Angeles is not only the production center, but the exhibition hub as well, for this week the theater ads in local papers are given over almost exclusively to moving pictures. W. H. Clune. magnate of filmplays in Southern California, is seeing the highest tide of attendance in the existence of moving picture theaters in this part of the countrv. When Griffith made the "Clansman" he did something. If he had not put over a picture which had the goods, the people would not wear out the pavement in front of the house, trying to secure seats. From opening to closing of box office, a continuous line-up, half a block in length, is to be seen waiting, and at times it even reaches around the corner. This big film is to start its third week, and the outlook is for a record that will stand. Hardly running second is the record of Stanley H. Twist and the famous Williamson submarine pictures at Trinity auditorium, managed by L. E. Behymer. Mr. Twist, who took the California state contracts for this wonderful and startling lecture-picture, says that he is really surprised at the phenomenal attendance. Rain has no effect on the picture-mad. for the line actually extended out into the storm one day this week. These films are startlingly realistic, and the local press has given much space to them. At the theater the following was overheard, spoken nrobably by a man who knows something about pictures: "Thev have put everyone on the screen but the cameraman — who TOOK those pictures down there under the water?" The question deserves some comment certainly, for how must the light have been way down there? * * * The birth of an iceberg, dangerous even to the tensely watching spectator, followed by the splash and wash of monster seas, is the feature of the "Lure of Alaska" films bv Dr. Leonard S. Sugden, now running to record crowds at the Mozart theater. Leaping salmon, and other animated pictures, crowned by the doctor's daring run down the rapids. are all gripping and intensely exciting scenes in this big film lecture. The photography is surprisingly free from static, and the framing is well done. One strip of film showing the voyage of a river steamer is actually pasted in upside down, for the ripples on the water are discovered in the sky. It is one of those mirror-like river scenes, where land is reflected in water. About two thousand educators were entertained with the lecture this week. * * * The "Griffith Rangers," the western photoplay army, are mobilizing here for coming raids on the picture fans throughout the land. Recruiting is going on speedily and re-enlistments are expected momentarily. F. J. Grandon, who deserted Seligs, has been enticed by this company and is signed up. He put on "The Adventures of Kathlyn," the pattern picture series which has since been made so many times. He will shortly "don" his puttees and start out with a "crisp" new scenario. What! * ♦ * Bosworth has competed "Help Wanted" and will probably go on a short vacation. Fritzi Scheflf may be seen in "Mile. Modiste" if she can be retained at the Morosco studio for a few weeks more. * * * The Black Box players with Herbert Rawlinson and Anna Little have gone via boat to San Diego for a twenty-four hour work day. They took scenes on the dock before the boat sailed. During the voyage they shot water stuff and at night under the glare of Cooper-Hewitts they did cabin and saloon scenes. This took all night and the next day they worked on the dock at the exposition city, returning that afternoon without having taken in the big Panama show. That is record work indeed. Soft? Oh, yes! — * * * Picture millionaires may be tacked to the players of the Crown City Co., in Pasadena, for they all are buying automobiles, and Pasadena is a well known millionaire's city. The latest to buy a naphtha cart is Allan Fralick, leading comedian with that company. He recently created much excitement in a fashionable hotel when he ran pell mell out of the lobby, made up as a woman tourist, while doing a long shot scene. Several millionaires nearly fainted when the "lady" picked up her skirts and ran. * * * It is said that the Williamson brothers may come west to take undersea pictures along the south coast. The marine gardens here are perfectly gorgeous and thousands of tourists have visited Catalina island where the rocky formation affords wonderful sights. The water is as clear as the air, almost, and photographv should be excellent. ■* • • At last water has been piped to the Glendale Kalem studio and the players are thankful. Formerly they had to go to the well for water. James Home is finishing "The Tattooed Hand," the fifteenth of the detective serial. Arthur Shirley, of Australia, is the latest addition to this company. « * « Cead Mille Fai'the, said by Douglas Gerrard to mean in United States talk, ten thousand welcomes. Anyway, that was the sign over the toastmaster's chair at the club this week when he presided. It might as well have meant a million hellos, for everyone enjoyed Mr. Gerrard's entertainment. The dinner was a record breaker, lasting from seven until aften ten. Members of the Athletic club were present and the "Mayor of Rowansburg" with his cabinet, superior court judge and a scientist sat next to each other while tankers and wealthy men also enjoyed the dinner. Gerrard comes from Dublin, and the national colors were used extensively in decorating. Orpheum stars and cafe entertainers helped make the evening one of merriment. * * * Smuggling uncut diamonds in the hollow handle of an umbrella and trying to get away on board ship is the fun germ in a comedy being staged by Ed Dillon and a cast of Mutual players including Fay Tincher and Chet Withey. The title is "Caught by the Handle" and is by Withey who plays Schly, a sleuth. * * * "The Devil" and "On the Night Stage" are two multiple reel features which are being held in reserve for the new brand which Messrs. Kessel and Baumann are about to announce, according to Thomas H. Ince. producer for the New York firm. In the former. Edward Connelly and Bessie Barriscale have done wonderful work. The stage story features W. S. Hart, Robert Edeson and Rhea Mitchell. Soon all Ince features are to be released under a special brand, and these will probably he the first to come out. The Satanic picture is wonderful, and the stars are supported, or kept company, bv others, including Arthur Maude, J. Barney Sherry, Clara Williams, and Rhea Mitchell.