The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 931 Ministers Base Theme for Sermons on Mary Pickford's 'Tollyanna THREE different ministers here yesterday took 'Pollyanna' as their text for sermons. Ran first reel of picture in one church. Picture breaking all records at Clune's Auditorium." This was the message received by Hiram Abrams, of United Artists Corporation, this week from one of the company's representatives in Los Angeles. When "Pollyanna" was first published in book form, persons of all trades and professions gave it exceptional popularity, for it became the theme of continual discussions. At that time the publishers report there were over 1,000 ministers in as many pulpits who delivered "Pollyanna" sermons. Afterward, when in play form, the story again attracted public attention ; editorial writers and critics enthused over its philosophy, and now again, with the advent of this story in motion pictures, with Mary Pickford in the title role, the same unusual interest is being manifested. Prescribes "Pollyanna" Treatment. Probably one of the most enthusiastic believers in the philosophy of the "glad girl," and one who has heralded his belief broadcast from his pulpit and also in printed form, is Rabbi Joseph Krauskopf, D. D., of the Temple Keneseth Israel, of Philadelphia. In a discussion on "The Pollyanna Treatment" in his church, Rabbi Krauskopf said, among other things : "In every church there are people who are in need of treatment. There are people who are drugging themselves with all sorts of medicine, who need nothing but a new viewpoint of life, a new comprehension of the power of happiness that is within themselves and in others, a new knowledge of how to find the bright side even under the darkest trial, of how to eflFect regeneration through words of cheer and encouragement, of how to generate a spirit of resignation, even of gladness through the thought that, sore as the affliction IS, hard as is the deprivation It could have been much worse VVhat they need is the Pollyanna treatment. "Let them take that treatment, and no matter how deep-rooted their real or fancied troubles, no matter how many the attempted cures that have failed no matter how joyless or hopeless or helpless their outlook seems, their dark horizon will gradually brighten, and, in time. It will standt out resplendent in all the colors of the rainbow "I prescribe the Polyanna treatment pecause of a firm conviction that, were It generally taken, it would cure society of a thousand ills by which it is afThcted, and that were the treatment to be consistently kept up, it could come nearer than any other agency has thus tar succeeded in making our earth a paradise. Other "Pollyanna" Sermons. Other ministers who have delivered sermons on "Pollyanna" are the Rev. Joseph Herson, of the Scott Methodist Episcopal Church, of Philadelphia; the Rev. H. W. Block, of Fox Chase, Philadelphia; the Rev. Rutger Dox, of the Tioga Baptist Church, of Philadelphia; the Rev. John A. Goodfeller, of Philadelphia; the Rev. T. E. Bierbauer, of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, of Philadelphia; the Rev. Howard Preston McHenry, of Philadelphia; the Rev. Cole, of the Knoxville Christian Church of Pittsburgh ; the Rev. Ferguson, of the Bellevue Christian Church of Pittsburgh, and the Rev. Fulton, of the Swiss Vale United Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. Kaufman Given Desk Set on Leaving Famous Players IN appreciation of his long and loyal service to the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, the officers and directors of the corporation Tuesday afternocm, January 20, presented a beautiful siLer desk set to Albert A. Kaufman, who recently resigned his connection wilh the corporation to enter the field of independent producers. Mr. Kaufman was one of the original officers and organizers of the Famous Players Film Company and a director in the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The desk set consisted of thirteen pieces, each piece bearing Mr. Kaufman's monogram, and on the tray was this inscription : "To Albert A. Kaufman from the Officers and Directors of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, in appreciation of his long and loyal service. January 20, 1920." Following the presentation by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice president of the corporation in charge of producing, Mr. Kaufman made a few remarks in which he expressed his gratitude for the gift and also for the many kindnesses which he had received from the officers and directors of the company. "Behind the gift of silver," he said, "I know is a thought of gold. I want to thank you all very, very much— and espe. ally Mr. Lasky, for what he did for me last week. There was conference aficr conference, and through it all Mr. Lasky was very patient and made me many offers to stay— some of them more than reasonable. But although I appreciate everything he did, and the rest of yon did for me, I could not accept those offers, because I want to go out and see wnat I can do for myself " Those at the presentation of the gift, besides Mr. Kaufman and Mr. Lasky, were Adolph Zukor, president of the corporation; Arthur S. Friend, treasurer; Elek J. Rudwigh, general counsel; H. D. H. Connick, chairman of the fiiu,nce committee; Emil E. Shauer, gen^a' manager of the foreign department, Fr3nk Meyer and Ralph Kohn. Million Dollar Firm in List of Incorporations SIX concerns, one of which is capitalized at a million dollars, filed papers of incorporation in New York during the past week, for the purpose of entering into the motion picture business. The number includes the Wentworth-Livingston Company, $5,000, which proposes to furnish artists as well as directors formotion pictures. The company was formed by H. H. Wentworth, i5eulah Livingston and Edward S. Brophy, all of New York. Other concerns incorporating are Photolife, $25,000, D. P. and B. F. Howells and H. T. Clark, New York; Howells Cine Equipment, $50,000, with J P. and B. F. Howells and Joseph C. Hornstein ; Arthur S. Kane Pictures, $5,000, A. S. Kane, F. Lipnick and D. Shapiro; Poets Photoplays, $1,000,000, Maurice Adda, Louis E. Cooper, Louis L. Quasha, New York; Shannon Producing Company, $52,000, Samuel Klinger, William Grossman and Nathan April, New York. They Just Had to Make a "Set" Speech with This Desk Set to Al Kaufman. The "boys" who presented Mr. Kaufman with a desk set on the eve of his leaving Famous Players. Left to right: H. D. H. Connick, Emil E. Shauer, Adolph Zukor. Arthur S. Friend, Albert A. Kaufman, Frank Meyer. Jesse L. Lasky, Ralph Kohn and Elek J. Rudwigh.