The New York Clipper (July 1917)

32 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER July 18, 1917 HARRY SHERMAN GIVES DINNER TO PRESS OUTLINES HIS NEW COMPANY Harry Sherman, the big film operator, gave a dinner to the trade journalists at tbe Hotel McAlpin on Tuesday evening of last week and it was a real live event in tbe social history of the moving picture industry. Its purpose, that of introducing Mr. Sherman to the press representatives and effecting an intimate acquaintanceship, was accomplished with great success for before tbe evening wag over everybody present was addressing the big fellow from tbe West as "Harry." With Harry Sherman in the gnesfs chair, the dinner started as decorously as an affair of state, but, after a couple of songs by the negro entertainers, everybody warmed up and when "Harry's" personal- ity began to make itself felt tbe party was on in real earnest. Milton Goldsmith, of the Sherman Pic- tures Co., acted as toastmaster and filled tbe post with one hundred percent efficiency honors. Harry Sherman did not make a speech. He explained that, as an after dinner speaker he made a fairly good film salesman, bnt he told of bis hopes and aspirations in the Eastern field in an en- gaging manner that was more effective than volumes of studied eloquence. He said that it had been his ambition to come East and get into the "thick" of things ever since he built the first fire- proof theatre in Minneapolis, seven years ago. He said that be had been successful in every film venture thus far undertaken, and that be was going to make a strenuous effort to maintain an unbroken record. He stated that a policy of treating every- one fairly and at the same time seeing to it that he is treated fairly is tbe surest foundation on which to build hopes of permanent success. And "Sherman is Right." "PARENTAGE" BREAKING RECORDS Blase 1 New Yorkers and "show-me" Chi- cagoans have unqualifiedly endorsed "Parentage," the thonght film produced by Hobart Henley and presented to the world by Frank J. Seng, via the State rights market. On Sunday, July 8. this unusual production had its premiere at tbe Rialto Theatre, New York, and drew enormous business to that temple of the motion picture art. Throughout all last week the record-breaking attendance kept up. forcing Managing Director Bothapfel to throw open his doors at 10 o'clock each morning. Exhibitors and film buyers are familiar with Mr. Seng's startling declara- tion that "Parentage" is not a $2 picture; also with his reasons for selecting the Rialto Theatre of New York in preference to exploiting Hobart Henley's entertaining message of home life environment in a "dark" legitimate house. If the results of the Rialto at box office prices ranging up to fifty cents be taken as a criterion, "Parentage" is the biggest gross money- getter ever made, with tbe possible excep- tion of "The Birth of a Nation." BUYS RIGHTS FOR 20 STATES A most important deal was closed last Friday, when M. H. Hoffman, Inc., bought from the Frank Hall Productions all the remaining unsold American territory for the "The Bar Sinister." In addition to New York State and Eastern Pennsyl- vania, which M. H. Hoffman, Inc., had previously acquired, this progressive con- cern now finds itself in control of the entire United States and Canada, with the ex- ception of the South, western Pennsylvania and New England. REICHENBACH GOES TO FRANCE Harry Reichenbach, publicity purveyor at random for motion picture stars left on Saturday for France, where be will make arrangements to bring back to America motion pictures taken on the fir- ing line. Reichenbach states that he will also do newspaper work while abroad. WALTHALL IS SUED FOR *5,000 Anthony P. Kelly, the author, has in- stituted an action in the Supreme Court against Henry B. Walthall, the motion picture star and director, to recover $5,000 which he claimed to have paid the de- fendant to perform certain services which it is alleged he failed to fulfill. On June 9, of this year, Kelly states he deposited $3,000 with the Commercial Trust Co., as security for an option on Walthall's services for certain picture work. When Walthall accepted the offer, it is claimed, be obtained the money from the trust company and was to have begun work on a picture. At the time the cast was being selected Walthall's business manager, N. William Aronson, insisted that a woman named Charlton be given the title role opposite tbe star in the picture. William L. Sherrill, who was producing the picture in conjunction with Kelly, stated that if she came up to the require- ments and her salary was suitable that she would be accepted. Aronson then in- formed him that she desired $500 a week. This demand was too much for Sherrill, and he informed the manager that he would get a more acceptable person for the role at a lesser figure. Aronson is then alleged to have stated that Walthall would have this woman or no picture would be made. Sherrill and Kelly stated they would meet their con- tract with Walthall, but they would not engage the woman. This is said to have caused Walthall to walk out after which demands were made for the return of the money, but which Walthall is said to have refused to relinquish. House, Grossman & Vorhaus represent Kelly in the action. WHARTON, INC., MUST PAY Wharton, Inc., must pay Cyril V. Nich- ols $3,119.12, according to a decision of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, handed down last week, although the com- pany appealed to that court in an effort to escape paying the judgment of the lower court. Nichols brought the action upon an as- signed claim, which he received from Ed- win Hunter Arden, who testified that be had been engaged by the Whartons to play the star part in "Hazel Kirke." He said it had been agreed that he should re- ceive $750 per week for four weeks, with additional money for expenses. After some time bad elapsed, it was claimed, the Whartons wanted to pay him that amount for only one week He sued and recov- ered. Tbe judgment was then appealed, but the Court refused to reverse the de- cision. VIRGINIA PEARSON CO. POSSIBLE Since it became generally known that Virginia Pearson's contract with William Fox is about to expire, the popular star has received several flattering offers from well known producers who are seeking her services for pretentious film productions. Although Miss Pearson would neither deny or affirm it, the rumor that she is con- sidering an offer which will place ber at the head of her own producing organiza- tion, releasing through one of the big distributing concerns appears to be well founded. Miss Pearson has been appear- ing under the Fox banner for more than a year, and has become one of the most popular box-office attractions in the indus- try. ALLEN GETS MOTOY COMEDIES With the return of H. C. Allen, presi- dent of the Peter Pan Film Corporation from Chicago, where he has been for the past week, the announcement is made that the Motoy Comedies have been taken over by the Peter Pan Film Corporation, which company will move the studio from Chicago to New York where the comedies will be made in the future. CARLOS GOES WEST AGAIN Abraham Carlos, general manager of the Fox Film Corporation studios in Los Angeles, left Sunday after a two weeks' visit to New York to resume his duties. Sidney Reynolds was acting in his stead during his Eastern visit. Mr. Chapin as "Tom," the Father of "Abe." The Greatest Moving Picture Success since the "Birth of a Nation" is Benjamin Chapin's soul stirring, "THE CALL TO ARMS" Which consists of the enjamin Chapin Cycle of Lincoln Photoplays "My Mother" "My Father" "Myself" AND "The C all to Arms" STATE~RIGHTS After July 15th all sections of territory will be open for state rights sales. The first to come with the right kind of a proposition in any territory will be the first to receive the opportunity of a lifetime. July 22nd will mark tbe two hundred and thirty-fifth performance of this feature at the Globe Theatre, New York, when it will close, to open again in New York early in the Fall, the longest run of any picture play in New York this season,—the "survival of the fittest." Does this interest you) CHARTER FEATURES CORPORATION BENJAMIN CHAPIN, Proaidont RIDGE FIELD PARK. N. J.