Variety (January 1916)

MOVING PICTURES rriL^*- HER GREATEST PRODUCTION EDWIN MILTON ROYLE Author of "THE SQUAW MAN" Prepared in Scenario by CAPT. LESLIE PEACOCKE California Motion Picture Cor- poration announces tins fea- ture as the second of a new series of wonder-film dramati- zations, with Miss Michelena in the stellar roles and pro- duced under the personal su- pervision of Alex. E. Beyfu after the standard par-excel- lant of "SALVATION NELL" Scene from "The Unwritten Law" with Beatrix''Michelena as Kate Wilson PICKFORD STICKS TO F. P. The Famous Players and Mary Pickford are one once more. Miss Pickford arranged with Adolph Zukor to remain as the big star of his com- pany, upon terms reported as the most liberal ever contracted for in the film business. Miss Pickford is in the possession of a guarantee, according to report, from the Famous Players that cannot bring her less than $250,000 yearly during its life. This amount will be divided into two classes, a definite salary of $104,000 and 50 per cent of all the profits se- cured by the F. P. from its Pickford subjects, that 50 per cent of the profits being underwritten by the F. P. to bring Miss Pickford at least $150,000 an- nually. The Pickford-F. P. contract is vir- tually an agreement giving little Mary Pickford $5,000 weekly for picture play- ing. It was superinduced on reliable authority through Willliam A. Brady making Miss Pickford a like offer, am- plifying it to the extent Mr. Brady pro- posed to form a Mary Pickford com- pany, depositing $150,000 in the bank at its formation to uphold all agreements made with Miss Pickford, and allow her to share equally in stock and earn- ings of the corporation named after her. Miss Pickford was in receipt of several other propositions, but her fu- ture place of labor resolved itself into a question of loyalty to the F. P., at any rate for first option, through Miss Pickfor^'s long association with the Zukor concern. In connection with the Pickford story of the re-engagement comes another report, that the Famous Players during 1915 paid 20 per cent in dividends. Of this amount of divided profits Mr. Zuk- or is said to have taken down $280,000 as his share of stock earnings. For a long while the F. P/s profits were represented by pictures on hand, the surplus going into new pictures, until, it is said, the F. P. carried on its shelves over $600,000 worth of unre- leased film, which represented earnings along with other necessary investments for the future conduct of the business. The Pickford contract, besides the salary and customary Pickford condi- tions concerning every little thing, means an additional and standing in- vestment of "dead money** to the amount of $200,000 continuously, while Miss Pickford is playing for the F. P. An "inside" angle to the F. P.-Pick- ford latest deal is said to be Marguerite Clark, a picture star who has shown startling powers of popularity on the screen. She is also a F. P. favorite, and is reported was an asset of the F. P. that could be used in Miss Pickford'* absence, which may have influenced Miss Pickfo/d's final decision to re- main with tha. firm. COAST PICTURE NEWS. Los Angeleo, Cal., Jan. 7. Eddie Foy, Mra. Foy and the seven little Foys have begun their suit to take from the Keystone Film company $6,000 for three weeks of acting that Foy and family didn't do. For had trouble with the directors and departed. Later: Foy and Mack Bennett were seen sup- ping together in a local cafe. Ethel May Abbott and Carl A. O'Bert were married New Year's Eve. A meeting of film manufacturers of Los Angeles and vicinity was held to organise a protective association for tbe motion picture Industry. "Ramona," the big picture play being pro- duced here, will be ready for exhibition early In February It has been six months In the making and no expense has been spared. Marie Doro has signed up with the Lasky, returning from New York In March to take up her work. Anita King has gone to Seattle to open the new Emporium theatre. Capt. Rose, watchman at the. Lasky, was killed by falling from a rafter at the studio. Constance Collier is to appear in a new play under the direction of Oliver Moroaco. Fanny Ward and John Dean, who have been playing opposite each other In pictures, were married here last week. Jack Sacker, formerly editor of Photoplay- ers' Weekly, has been engaged by Francis Ford. Stella Wiltermood, daughter of F. M. Wll- termood. Is playing in a feature film at Uni- versal City. Joseph Shlpman has sold his Interests In Shlpman, Inc., Studios, to devote all his time ti the exploitation of his new patented "still" camera and his new process of moving pic- ture film enlargement. The following. Mr. Thomas Melghan, Miss Francis Ring, Louise Vale, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. William Farnum, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Travers Vale, Mr. Sam Rork, Frank LamehllT, Jose Ruben and Kenneth Davenport were the guests at tbe wedding of Franklin Ritchie and Mrs. Esther Bamburg. Dorothy Glsh has returned from her visit to Now York. Jacques Jaccard is to take over the alrec- tlon of Sidney Ayres in the making of 101 bison western releases. Jay Hunt has been put In charge of the animal company at the Universal Coast studio. Jackie Saunders is leaving for her vacation, spending it In New York and Philadelphia. GOVERNOR WHITMAN DECLINES. In their over-anxiety, the Screen Club and Motion Picture Exhibitors' League committed a faux pas, in seek- ing advance publicity for an unconsum- matcd negotiation. They extended an invitation to Gov- ernor Whitman to lead their combined ball to be held at Madison Square Gar- den Feb. 19, and immediately sent out word to the newspapers that the state's chief executive would be on hand. It is understood he was favorably con- sidering the invitation when his atten- tion was called to the newspaper clip- pings. Then his secretary sent word that another engagement would pre- vent. VIRTUE TITLES CENSORED. Chicago, Jan. 12. The Chicago municipal picture cen- sor board last week ordered the fol- lowing subtitles cut out of the Frank- lin Co. feature, "Virtue": "Raymond breakfasts with his companion;" "To put her to sleep if necessary;" close-up of bottle labeled "chloroform;" chloro- forming girl and abduction in auto; all struggle scenes between men and women except one flash of each couple struggling; girl sitting on man's lap; all carousal scenes following subtitle: "One hour later," up to where girl is rescued by her sweetheart.