Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1917)

464 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD April 21, 1917 PUBLICITY IDEAS FOR EXHIBITORS. Every exhibitor of motion pictures is constantly on the outlook for new methods of publicity for his house. Anything that is a little different or a little better than the ordinary publicity mediums now in use is always welcome. The Cahill-Igoe Co. of Chicago has done a great deal to help the busy exhibitor with his advertising problems. It furnishes a complete service to all its subscribers, which consists of a series of twelve different designs for programs and the advertising write-up for each picture shown. The write-up service is furnished free. Another item of interest to Paramount exhibitors is the "Filmette," which is produced by this same company. The "Filmette" is a new style of folder, designed to take the place of the customary heralds furnished by" the producers. It is absolutely original in design, and contains, besides pictures from the play itself, a curiosity-rousing write-up of the picture. These "Filmettes" are furnished on Paramount releases only. HAROLD LOCKWOOD RE-SIGNS WITH METROYORKE. Following the return of Fred J. Balshofer to California from the East, and the announcement that Harold Lockwood would be featured in several big Metro-Yorke productions in the near future, comes the news that Lockwood has signed a new contract. It is to run for two years, during which Harold Lockwood will be starred in a number of pictures, which will be bigger than any in which the popular star has yet appeared. During the time Lockwood has been associated with Mr. Balshofer, a number of prominent Metro-Yorke successes have been filmed. Some of these were "Pidgin Island," "Big Tremaine," "The River of Romance," "The Masked Rider," "Mister 44," and "The Promise." "The Hidden Children" has just been released through the Metro organization, and "The Hidden Spring," which will be known on the screen as "The Secret Spring," has been completed at the Hollywood studio. That all these pictures are successes is evidenced by the anxiety of Mr. Balshofer to sign Lockwood for another term of work under the Metro banner. "THE SAINT'S ADVENTURE" WALTHALL'S NEXT. "The Saint's Adventure" will be Henry B. Walthall's next Essanay feature. This photodrama, presenting the great emotional actor in an entirely different characterization from any in which he has yet been screened, will be released May 7. Exhibitors may see trade showings of the picture now at the Kleine-Edison-Selig-Essanay branch offices. Mary Charleson again appears as Mr. Walthall's leading woman in this production. This little actress has just garnered in for herself a nation full of praise for her latest Essanay feature, "Satan's Private Door." It was the first picture in which Essanay has featured her, and its great success has won for her a big following among photoplay patrons throughout the country. This fact should play no little part in paving the way to success for "The Saint's Adventure." The story for Mr. Walthall's forthcoming production was written by Willis Brown, former judge and a nationally known figure in sociological and child uplift work. "GOD'S MAN" HAS AUSPICIOUS SHOWING. More than three thousand invited members of the motion picture and theatrical profession virtually crowded the famous Rialto theater to the doors on Wednesday morning last to witness the professional pre-release showing of the Frohman Amusement Corporation's newest superproduction, "God's Man," in which H. B. Warner is starred. With one accord, practically, this audience proclaimed this new nine-reel subject the greatest dramatic offering which has been made in motion pictures. It was undoubtedly the most pretentious and successful trade showing of a motion picture which has ever been held in New York city. Under the direction of Managing Director S. L. Rothapfel, a special musical setting was arranged and rendered under the leadership of Conductor Hugo Reisenfeld with the full Rialto orchestra of fifty pieces. "THE SILENT MASTER" COMPLETED. Robert Warwick's second Selznick picture, "The Silent Master," is now complete, and was shown privately to the Selznick department heads last week. It will be released in a few days. Harry Rapf, president of the Warwick corporation, has staked heavily upon the success of this picture. In addition to engaging Leonce Perret, the noted French director, as head of his producing department, he recruited his cast from such screen and stage notables as Olive Tell, Anna Little, Donald Galaher and Henri Valbel. Besides the array of important players supporting Mr. Warwick, the production boasts a variety of unique phases. CHANGE IN ART DRAMAS RELEASE DATES. "The Inevitable," the Erbograph-Art Drama which was scheduled to be released on April 5, has been postponed to April 12, on account of the slight illness of Anna Q. Nilsson, who was unable to finish the last few scenes of the picture on time. This will make a change In all following release dates. The new order will run as follows: "The Inevitable," April 12; "The Great Bradley Mystery," April 17; "A Mother's Ordeal," April 26; "The Auction of Virtue," May 3, and "The Mystic Hour," May 10. A change in title has also been announced. The picture which went under the working title of "One Woman's Ordeal" has been changed to "A Mother's Ordeal." This is a Van Dyke production starring Jean Sothern. MARION SWAYNE MAKES ART DRAMAS DEBUT. "Little Miss Fortune" is the title selected for Marion Swayne's first feature with the Erbograph company, releasing on Art Dramas program. The story was written by Clarence J. Harris, the prominent scenario writer, especially for the star. In support of Miss Swayne are Hugh Thompson, Bradley Barker, Lucile Dorrington, Anna Day Perry and Charles Macdonald. Joseph Levering is directing the production, which is rapidly nearing completion. Miss Swayne plays the part of a poorhouse girl of unknown parentage who is known; as "Sis," for want of a better name. In the small town where she lives she is snubbed by all the other girls, and life is made generally miserable for her. It is her ambition to be a famous actress, and when an opportunity for escape comes she takes it and goes to the city. ASTRA COMPLETES TWO MORE FEATURES. With the completion of two more features for release on Pathe's Gold Rooster program, in the near future, George Fitzmaurice and William Parke, directors of the Astra Film Corporation, have started work on two new features. Mr. "Fitzmaui ice's latest picture is entitled "Fifth Avenue." Mollie King is the featured player. The cast includes Donald Hall, Adaine Dalmores, Ernest Lawford and Paul Everton. The cast of Mr. Parke's picture has not been announced. Mr. Fitzmaurice's next picture will be a secret service story. A society drama has been selected for Mr. Parke. Work is progressing rapidly on the two serials which Astra is making for Pathe. One of these, "New York Nightsj" featuring Pearl White, is being directed by George B. Seitz. The other, with Mollie King and Creighton Hale as the featured players, is under the direction of Theodore Marston. GEORGE OVEY ON SCREEN AS SELF. In "Somewhere in the Mountains," the Cub comedy scheduled for release through the Mutual Film Corporation on April ID, George Ovey appears on the screen as George Ovey, minus all character make-up, for the first time since his association with Cub comedies. The picture opens with George Ovey entering a picture show. There, on the screen, he sees himself playing his character of Jerry in a story which takes him Into the moonshine country, where he has a series of thrilling adventures. When the story fades out Ovey is discovered in his seat, asleep. The show is over and a pretty girl usher taps him on the shoulder, awakening him. "THE MYSTIC HOUR," FORTHCOMING ART DRAMA. "The Mystic Hour" is the title of the Apollo-Art Drama which is to be released on May 10. Agnes Fletcher Bain is the author of this, and the direction is in the hands of Richard Ridgely. Alma Hanlon and Edward Ellis are the featured players. The story is a mystery tale, taking up a subject seldom touched upon in pictures — dreams and their relation to the waking life. It is based upon the studies in dream psychology and the subconscious made by Dr. Sigmund Freud, whose book, "The Interpretation of Dreams," has attracted worldwide attention from scientists recently. "THE GREAT SECRET" FOR WORLD-WIDE SHOWING. Contracts have been signed by which "The Great Secret," Metro's serial in which Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne are co-stars, has been released to the exhibitors of Japan, Mexico, Dutch East Indies, India and the Philippines and Straits Settlements at one of the highest prices ever paid for a serial picture. This world-wide showing establishes a new record for a screen serial of New York life. Offers also have been received from exchanges covering all of South America, Cuba, Australia, Spain and other European countries. JANS GETS JERSEY RIGHTS TO "20,000 LEAGUES." Herman F. Jans, president of the New Jersey Metro Film Service, has just bought the New Jersey rights for "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Mr. Jans returned only a short time ago from a trip to Florida with his wife and daughter. PATHE ANNOUNCES NEW MAX LINDER COMEDY. Pathe will issue on April 29 a one-reel Max Under comedy never before released — "Max Wins and Loses." It is a laughable burlesque on the famous "Exploits of Elaine" serial, and shows the famous comedian at his best.