Moving Picture World (Jul 1917)

July 28, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 635 Xflanover Film Company, Inc. — 701 Seventh avenue, New York City. Historic Features Corporation — 200 Fifth avenue, New York City. K-E-S-E — 720 Seventh avenue, New York City. Metro Pictures Corporation — 147G Broadway, New York City. Moss, B. S., Pictures Corporation — 72!) Seventh avenue, New York City. Mutual Film Corporation — 222 South State street, Cricago, 111. Paramount Pictures Corporation — 4S,"> Fifth avenue, New York City. Pathe Exchange, Inc. — 25 West Forty-fifth street, New York City. Peter Pan Film Corporation — 729 Seventh avenue. New York City. Selznlck, Louis J., Enterprises, Inc. — 729 Seventh avenue New York City. Seng, Frank II.— Times Building, New York City. Triangle Film Corporation— 145!) Broadway, New York City. Universal Film Manufacturing Company— KiOO Broadway, New York City. Vitagraph, Greater— 1(500 Broadway, New York City. Williamson Brothers 1478 Broadway, New York City. World Film Corporation 126 Went Forty-sixth street, New fort City. THE censorship question here is still far from being settled, and this, together with the shortage of freight space, is causing exchanges much worry. Several films have been censored during the last few weeks, including "The Innocence of Lizette" and "As Man Made Her." From the beginning of March until this week 404 films arrived in Sydney from overseas. They include 129 features, 45 serials (episodes), 140 comedies, and 62 scenics. Of these, 333 have been passed, while five features and two comedies have been banned. As yet no decision has been given in regard to the remaining 44 pictures. * * * The Federal Board's remarkable action in connection with the film, "The Mormon Maid," has seriously disturbed importers generally, and caused much controversy in the press. This film was held up by the Board at the request of the Hon. Simon Bamberger, Governor of Utah, who cabled asking that the Board hold the film till the arrival of a written protest by mail against the showing of the picture in Australia. The censors, however, after some delay, decided that the film was not in any way objectionable, and therefore passed it. The Sydney press was indignant over the hold-up. and wanted to know if the Governor of an American State was going to be allowed to dictate to the Australian public what they should see. * * * Considerable activity in moving picture production in Australia is being manifested, and all studios are busily occupied. This has been influenced to a large extent by the entry of America into the war, and freight difficulties, both of which seriously threaten the maintenance of a regular supply of films from oversea. * * * "Australia's Peril," a six thousand-foot production, is undoubtedly the best film ever made in this country. In every way it is as good as American pictures, the photography and settings being very fine indeed. The theme is similar to "The Battle Cry of Freedom," showing Australia being invaded by a German army, which is eventually driven out. Of course, there is the usual "love story" running through the picture, though this is not given any great prominence. For the battle scenes several thousand men in the Liverpool camp were placed at the disposal of the producer, and these scenes are therefore very effective. Illustrated subtitles are also used, with a large measure of success. The credit for "Australia's Peril" is due to W. Franklyn Barrett. * * * While the show was in progress at the Boomerang Theater at Coogee, near Sydney, one night last week, a fire broke out in the operating box at the back of the dress circle, but, although flames showed through the opening in the front of the box, and the glare filled the building, the large audience took things quietly and remained seated. The blaze occurred just before the interval as a result of something going wrong with the machine. The film ignited, and before the flames were subdued with the aid of chemical extinguishers about 4,000 feet of film and the machine were damaged. The damage, which was confined to the interior of the operating box, is estimated at £200. The audience behaved splendidly, there being no suggestion of panic or excitement at any time. When the glare filled the theater, the manager (H. W. S. Bray) went into the body of the theater and announced that although a fire had broken out there was no need for alarm, as the operating box was fireproof. He also told them that they could leave if they wished, but there was no need for them to move. Consequently only four persons went out, the remainder retaining their seats and watching the manager and operator extinguish the flames. * * * The Film Renters' Association of Queensland has been formed, and includes all the firms and individuals in the exchange end of the business in the northern State. The initial step taken by the new association was to assist in enforcing the policy of the Federated Picture Showmen's Association with regard to the passing on to the public of the amusement tax. * * * * (wing to the need of money for war purposes, it is very probable that the Amusement Tax will be extended to sixpenny and perhaps even three-penYiy tickets, according to an announcement by a member of Parliament this week. * * * The Progressive Film Service, Australian distributors of Mutual films, are at present making extensive alterations at their head office in Sydney, where, in the course of a few days, a very modern "theaterette," as their publicity manager terms it, will be opened. This is for the mutual benefit of the firm and exhibitors. A Power's 6B bioscope is being installed, and the seating of the "theaterette" will be sufficient for about 120 persons. * * * The first episode of "The Secret. of the Submarine" was released this week in Adelaide, South Australia, and opened there to exceptionally big business. * * * John F. Gavin has finished his 3.000-foot comedy, "An Interrupted Divorce," .which features Fred Bluett, a very popular English vaudeville artist. This film will not be released until the beginning of July, owing to the shortage of raw film in this country. Gavin is making preparations for the production of another feature, and work is beginning on this almost immediately. * * * In the death of Clement Mason, the Australian motion picture industry has lost one of its foremost pioneers. Mr. Mason succumbed to pneumonia at his residence at Watson's Bay, Sydney, this week. For many years he has been a popular figure in cinematograph and theatrical circles, and five years ago founded the Clement Mason Cinematograph Company, of which he was the head. * * * E. J. Carroll, who has been in America for the past few months, has purchased the Australasian rights of two fine films, "The Barrier" and "The Deemster." Mr. Carroll writes that "The Barrier" is the finest picture he has ever seen. THOS. S. IMRIE. Sydney, N. S. W., Australia, May 20, 1917. PARKE AGAINST MECHANICAL THRILLS. William Parke, the Pathe-Astra director who produced "The Last of the Carnabys," which is Gladys Hulette's latest Pathe feature, to be released July 22d. gives a tip to photoplay authors in a recent interview. "The old-fashioned stage melodramas went out of existence because they ran out of mechanical thrills," says Mr. Parke. "Everything had been done and if motion pictures are to depend on mechanical thrills, I believe that they will not last. I think a story should be about real human beings, who say and do human things and that optimism and happiness should be the keynote. I firmly believe in the motion pictures because it is the entertainment of the millions and it has democratised the theater. I think that pictures must go on improving and that in three or four years results will be such as to make the present day films look very cheap in comparison. KATHLEEN O'CONNOR ENGAGED BY ROLIN. Kathleen O'Connor has been engaged by the Rolin Company to plav opposite Toto, the Hippodrome clown, in Pathe comedies. Miss O'Connor was born in Dayton, Ohio, twenty years ago and gained her theatrical experience by playing in stock on the speaking stage for a number of years.