Moving Picture World (Feb 1917)

February 10, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 845 THE exhibiting end of the picture business throughout Australia is seriously dislocated by the strike of the coal miners, and the consequent shortage of coal. Matters are most acute in Sydney, where all power has been cut off from the theaters since Tuesday last. The proprietors were given only two days' warning, and in that time many installed private plants. Others, however, did not do so, and were obliged to close. # Even the shows that are open have a very "dead" appearance, not having any exterior lighting. In Melbourne the Council has enough coal to produce electricity for another week, and picture showmen have been given till December 2 to install private oil or motor plants. The attendances have been much affected all over the country, as fewer trains and tram-cars are running. * * * Owing to the increased Income and War Profits Taxes, John F. Gavin is seriously considering producing his big feature picture, "The Birth of Australia," in California. Mr. Gavin says that under the present state of affairs he can only clear eight per cent, profit on his total outlay. Unless some arrangement can be made with the Government Mr. Gavin intends to take a trip to America early in the new year to study conditions there. * * * Mr. Fuller, the new Chief Secretary for New South Wales, has taken in hand the problem of film censorship, and will submit the question for Cabinet determination at an early date. It was several months ago that a large deputation representing the religious organizations waited upon Mr. Black, who was then Chief Secretary, to urge a more rigid censorship of moving pictures. Mr. Black took the matter to Cabinet, and a sub-committee was appointed to investigate and report. The Ministers forming this sub-committee have now disappeared, as a result of the Conscription Referendum and the rearrangement of the portfolios, but they have left a report embodying suggestions for dealing with the subject. Mr. Fuller will seek authority of his colleagues to give effect to the most valuable suggestions of the Cabinet committee. * * * "Where Are My Children?" has had the phenomenal run of a month in Sydney, during which time nearly 100,000 people have seen the picture. It is now having a very successful suburban season, and will be presented in the various state capitals very shortly. * * * Harry Julius, who has been contributing topical cartoons to the Australian Gazette for the past year, is leaving for the United States shortly to obtain a similar position there. Mr. Julius is one of the foremost cartoonists in this country, and has drawn for every publication of note. * * * "The Life of Adam Lindsay Gordon," a five-part feature, made in Melbourne, was released in Sydney two weeks ago. It is a very good picture for an Australian production, and is of great value from an educational point of view. "The Bondage of the Bush," produced four years ago by Charles Woods, was reissued this month. When first released this picture was considered a masterpiece and, although it cannot be considered such now, is of fair dramatic interest. The series of educational and interest subjects made by Alfred Rolfe for Australasian Films, Ltd., are now being released. These are the best films of their kind yet made here; they will be shown in America in due course. * * * A late arrival from the U. S. A. was Lloyd D. Willis, assistant general manager of the Fox Film Corporation, who is here to superintend the presentation of the Kellermann feature, "The Daughter of the Gods," in addition to making a general survey of conditions. The big picture is expected to have its premiere in Sydney during Christmas week, probably at the Theater Royal. * * * The death in London of T. J. West, after an operation for appendicitis, caused much regret in the picture trade throughout Australasia. The late Mr. West may be well described as a pioneer of the moving picture business in this part of the world. He arrived in Dunedin, New Zealand, about twelve years ago, with a combination called "The Brescians." After touring New Zealand for twelve months, where a phenomenal success was achieved, he came across to Australia. In those days "pictures" were not altogether a great proposition, but Air. West's faith was strong, so he opened a show at the Lyceum, Sydney, and later at the Glaciarum also. At this stage big halls were built throughout Australia, and after retiring from the business about six years ago, left for London. Mr. Wrest in private life was a very reliable, unassuming and refined man. gifted with considerable charm of manner. He revisited Sydney two years ago to meet old friends, and at a luncheon given in his honor described, with unaffected emotion, the romance which had crowned the later years of a hard-working life. % ^ ^ Mr. Findlayspn, speaking in the House of Representatives this week, declared his abhorrence of the modern picture theater as typified by the American ^rama. "American drama," he said, "with its runaway marriages and obvious fakes, is to me simply repulsive." He thought the pictures, which were now being largely shown, had such an effect on the young mind as to be responsible for many of the departures from moral rectitude which were almost daily reported in the newspapers. He hoped the government would take the cuiestion up with the object of purifying the picture theaters. THOS. S. IMRIE. Sydney, N. S. W., Australia, November 28, 1916. NEW LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR METRO STUDIO. At a cost of more than $50,000, one of the most elaborate and expensive lighting systems in the East has been completed in the Metro-Rolfe-Columbia studios, 3 West Sixtyfirst street. The interior scenes of the screen adaptation of Edward Sheldon's play, "Egypt," were the first made under the new lights and the photography obtained with them is said to be of the highest grade. The installation was made under the supervision of Chief Electrician Frank Detering of the Metro-Rolfe-Columbia studios. The overhead system is so arranged that each unit is in an indicated automatic contact. There are twenty-five overhead "banks" of Cooper-Hewitt lights of 3,000 watts each. Each of these banks weighs 400 pounds. They are on five tracks and on each track are eleven contact spaces. These contacts are indicated by white paint. By shifting the light a few inches either way, light is obtained for the deepest sets used in the studio. BUCK LEAVES WHARTON, INC. J. Whitworth Buck, for the past two years general manager, secretary and treasurer of Wharton, Inc., and associated with the Wharton moving picture interests of this city since the firm began operations here several years ago, has disposed of his stock in the concern to Leo D. and Theodore W. Wharton. Mr. and Mrs. Buck will leave Ithaca this week for New York City, where Mr. Buck will engage in business. The annual meeting of Wharton, Inc., was held in Ithaca, N. Y., Monday, Jan. 15, at which time the transaction transferring Mr. Buck's interests to the Wharton brothers was consummated. Leo D. and Theodore W. Wharton will henceforth conduct the business alone. Mr. Buck said that he was as yet unable to make any definite announcement regarding his future plans, save that he would locate in New York City, and has several business propositions under consideration at the present time. PATHE MANAGER GIVEN A SURPRISE. Manager Abeles, of Pathe's New York booking office, and his assistant, Mr. Hammel, were tendered a surprise party by the employees of that office the other day. Seats had been secured at the Palace theater, and after the show the party adjourned to a well known restaurant where an excellent supper was enjoyed. At the supper table Mr. Abeles was presented with a gold pen knife inscribed with the emblems of the Elks and Masons, of which organizations he is a member. Mr. Hammel was given a handsome cigarette case. The usual speeches were made in which every one pledged himself to do his best to make 1917 a record year for the rooster. JAPAN TO HAVE "CIVILIZATION." "Civilization." the Thomas H. Tnce $1,000,000 cinema spectacle, is on its way to Japan in charge of E. R. Champion, who has recently been exploiting the picture in the Southern States.