Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS 29 OH, IT'S AN INTERESTING LIFE! Punctuated by GEORGE D. PROCTOR DON'T overlook that humble creation known as the comic picture. Just as the comic section is no inconsiderable part of the Sunday newspaper, so the comic film must be reckoned with by the exhibitor who makes up his program. Ofttimes I think the exhibitor is more aware of this than the manufacturer. The worth of the comic film is more deeply impressed on him. He sees it on the screen and hears the audience laugh. He knows that means that they like the show and he figures the worth of the show direct with the comic pictures. On the other hand the manufacturer sees the comic picture from the producer's end, at which stage it usually looks like a bunch of junk. By the time a manufacturer has produced several comedies he usually becomes satiated with them and wonders why the public falls for them. But as long as the dear public cares for comic pictures, just so long it will be worth one's while to make them. All this was brought to mind by a talk with William P. Oldknow, the president of The Consolidated Film & Supply Company, of Atlanta, Ga. "Comic pictures are what the exhibitors in the eleven states I cover are demanding right now," said Mr. Oldknow. "Down South, where we handle films mostly on the lock reel system, when an exhibitor gets a show composed of a three-part feature and a single reel or four-part feature, he usually comes back at me with a kick, I find. He says, 'give me comedy.' If I could get two comedies a day I can use them all and would be tickled to death. By that I don't mean slap stick stuff. I mean what is properly called refined comedies. "The trend of taste of pictures swings back and forth much like the pendulum of a clock. Western pictures in my territory are dead now. Comic pictures are what the exhibitors want and the money lies in comic pictures." Mr. Oldknow's remarks are surely worth pondering over. Covering, as he does, practically the entire South and keeping in close touch with the exhibitor, he knows whereof he speaks. And don't forget that he says refined comedies and not the slapstick order. ule. Charles G. Pathe, head of Pathe Freres and Charles Jourjon, head of Eclair, both got in from Paris during the week and are very much occupied, absorbing the intricacies of the situation here preparatory to making new moves. We have with us to-day the smiling face of genial Jule Burnstein. Most everybody who has ever been in film business in New York City or state knows Jule. He is an old timer WE HAVE WITH US TO-DAY and one of the men whose years of business have acquired for him a large clientele of faithful friends. Jule started several years ago with Kessell & Baumann in the exchange end. Then he went with the Mutual Film Corporation as manager of the New York exchanges. Now he is over with The World Special Films Corporation, as the head of the Booking Department. Jule is one of those fellows who never perspires but he gets there just the same. He has the happy faculty of accomplishing things without undue friction. In his present position he and his company are making an enviable reputation for themselves and hundreds of exhibitors in New York City, and Moe Streimer, wish him all the luck in the world. Frederick F. Schrader and Lyman O. Fiske have acquired a controlling interest in the Dramatic Mirror. Mr. Schrader will continue as editor and Mr. Fiske as the business manager. America with which concern he has been connected since its start. Mr. Sawyer has opened an office of his own at 15 East Twenty-sixth Street. It is understood that a big combine on which he has been working for a long time will soon eventuate. This involves a big book publishing company and a big theatrical company; the publishers to supply the material for production and the other folks the theatres. The national advertising campaign of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company will be inaugurated with a big splash on January 14 according to John W. Grey who is at the head of the campaign. On the date mentioned the first bit of copy will be released in all the big cities of the country. These are busy days at the Screen Club. Christmas saw many festivities, of course, including a Christmas tree on the twenty-third and an informal good time on Christmas itself. Last Saturday night the first of the "Reel Nights" was held. The real feature of the evening was a little talk by Burr Mcintosh. Burr waxed very eloquent on motion pictures and on the stage. Incidentally he took a hard crack at detractors in general and also at what he considered objectionable films. His remarks on white slave pictures were distinctly appreciated. As the first of the "Reel Nights," the occasion was a noteworthy one. John Bunny presided and the fun flew fast and furious. More of these are coming and everybody is glad. Paul S. Lewis, one of our best little advance men, press-agents and bookers is up in Schenectady, New York, handling the "Inside of the White Slave Traffic," which is running at the Mohawk Theatre. Mr. Lewis held the picture over there a week longer than it was expected to stay. For once people have arrived from the other side on time as per sched Albert H. Sawyer has resigned from the Kinemacolor Company of David F. Cowan dropped in New York last week for a few days breathing space after a trip of several thousand miles in the interest of Simplex Projection machines. Mr. Cowan has been covering territory through the southwest, Mexico and the Pacific Coast. He found business good everywhere and is now off again on another trip which will take him out of town for about six months.