The New York Clipper (July 1917)

July 25, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 35 HART AND INCE INCORPORATE FILM CO. CAUSES TILT WITH TRIANGLE The William S. Hart Productions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, capitalized at $1,000,000, with Thomas H. Ince as presi- dent aud general manager, was formed last week. Immediately upon the for- mation of the new concern Hart, under the supervision of Ince, commenced the production of a new picture which will be released by the concern on the Art- craft program. The new Hart studio is located just outside of Los Angeles. Be- sides Hart and luce, William Grossman of House, Grossman and Vorhaus, the New York attorneys, is interested in the cor- poration. Sir. Grossman returned on Monday from a trip to Los Angeles, where he had been in consultation with Ince and Hart. He stated that Hart would go ahead pro- ducing pictures despite any statements that might be made by the Triangle Pic- tures Corp., who claim that he has a two-year contract with them. He de- clared that this contract was void, »» it was made with the provision that Hart would stay with the concern only as long as Ince supervised his productions. And, as Ince has retired from this posi- tion, Hart claims he cannot be compelled to fulfill the contract with them. He stated that there was a ruling by the courts in a similar proceeding brought by this concern against Douglas Fair- banks, who had a contract which had the same wording as Hart's, with the excep- tion that D. W. Griffith was the person instead of Ince upon whose engagement Fairbanks' work was contingent. In the United States District Court to-morrow Judge Learned Hand will lis- ten to argument in a suit instituted by the Triangle people against the Artcraft Concern, asking an injunction to restrain the latter from distributing the Hart pic- tures. They claim that their contract is still in effect and that they notified the Artcraft concern of its existence prior to their making a contract with Hart. HUGHES RETURNS TO PICTURES Gareth Hughes, who has been appear- ing in the spectacle "Caliban" in Bos- ton, has concluded his engagement there and has returned to New York to begin his motion picture engagement with the World Film Corporation, under the direc- tion of William A. Brady. He will ap- pear in the supporting cast of Leo Ditrich- stein in a production to be released in the Fall. ROCCARDI HAS RECOVERED Albert Roccardi, who has been prom- inent in Vitagraph features, is again back in the field after a dangerous illness of eight months' duration. Mr. Roccardi con- tracted a bad case of blood poison through a slight scratch on the arm. The disease assumed menacing proportions, and finally necessitated a number of operations that confined him to the hospital for over eight months. HARRY C. DRUM IS PRODUCING Harry C. Drum, formerly sales manager for the World Film Corporation, is the newest comer in the independent produc- ing field. His first offering, a ten-reel picture featuring Tyrone Power, will be shown to the trade at the New York Theatre to-day. The production waa financed by F. M. Mason, a Western mining NEW TALMADGE FILM READY Constance Tulmadge will make her debut as a moving pic ture star in her own right at the Broadway Theatre, following the run of "The Lone Wolf." Her first pic- ture since she joined the Lewis J. Selznick forces, "The Lesson," has beeu completed and is now wailing for "The Lone Wolf" vim to end. A private showing of "The Lesson" was held for the executive staff of the Selznick Enterprises this week and all the high ex- pectations which have been entertained con- cerning this young star were more than justified. Charles Giblyn. in his adapta- tion of Virginia Terhunc Van De Water's story, has created one of the most en- chanting pictures in years. "* GOVERNMENT AIDS BRENON Xow that Herbert Brenon's latest pro- duction, "The Lone Wolf," playing at the Broadway Theatre, has scored it is in- teresting to note how the aviation scenes in this picture came to be taken. Lieut- enant Kennison of the U. S. Aviation Corps at Princeton, N. J., received special permission from the Government to delay his departure for France for two days in order to assist in the taking of the scenes. Government machines were used aud Lieutenant Kennison made the Sights him- self, taking up Roy Hunt, the Brenon photographer, who photographed the two planes shown in the picture from the ma- chine in which he and the lieutenant were flying. LOOMIS RETURNS TO VITA Frank H. Loomis, after an absence of several months, has returned to the Vita- graph studio in Brooklyn and assumed the position of studio manager and casting director. He has been connected with the- atricals for about twenty years, during which time he was associated with the late Richard Mansfield and William Har- ris. He was at one time assistant treas- urer of the Garrick Theatre, treasurer of the Criterion Theatre, and assistant man- age of the Lyceum Theatre under the late Charles Frohman. USES POSTALS AS ADS Chicago. July 21.—Twenty-five thou- sand post card views of different angles of the American Film studios at Santa Barbara wore distributed among the fans during the first five days of the national movie show in this city. These cards are done in color, and in the corner of each is inset the head of one of the American stellar shadows, Mary Miles Minter, Will- iam Russell, Gail Kane and Juliette Day. RIALTO SHOWS "AN EVEN BREAK" Olive Thomas In "An Even Break," writ- ten and directed by Lambert Hillyer, is being shown this week at the Rialto. In "An Even Break" Miss Thomas has a part that was especially written to fit her pecu- liar talents. She has the role of the cabaret girl in a big New York restaurant, who discovers that she prefers life in a quiet town with the man she loves. WARREN AND CLARK LIKE FILMS Warren and Clark, the out-door show- men of the middle west, report remarkable success attending their first venture as film distributors. They are operating in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, and de- clare that, encouraged by their first ven- ture, they will continue to exploit good features as a regular part of their busi- ness. CLARA YOUNG ENTERTAINS Clara Kimball Young last week made a flying trip to Saratoga In her new tour> ing car to attend the Governor's baJL Many State officials and up-State poli- ticians were the guests of Miss Yonng at Arrowhead earlier in the day. BIG FILM MEN REVOLT WHEN 0CHSJVINS NEW ASSOCIATION IS FORMED UKK'AOO, July 2M.—With the election of Lee A. Ochs, as president uf the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America to succeed himself, anil with the delegates to the minmi 1 meeting at the Coliseum form- ing into two parties and causing a split through developments of the election, the convention came to a close Saturday, after much strife within the ranks. The Exposition itself was ii huge suc- cess, and all exhibitors claim it was the best held in some time, and that much good to all concerned will result. About the election and business sessions of the League they are not so laudatory. The split came Wednesday, when the nominations of Herrington. Varner and Hrmbuscb for president were withdrawn and their supporters bolted the convention, revolting at the alleged steam roller tactics of Ochs, and setting up headquarters at the Hotel Morrison. Ou Thursday the bolters organized a new association, to be known .'is the American Exhibitors' Asso- ciation, with Jake Wells, of Richmond, Vn., as temporary chairman, and with rep- resentation in twenty-five states. Charles Pettijohn. of Indianapolis, was chosen to act as general manager, at a salary of $10,000 a year. William A. Brady, presideut of the X. A. M. P. I„ threw himself into the breach in an unsuccessful attempt to re- store harmony, und succeeded in getting the factions to agree to send committees of five to confer with each other, but even this proved of no avail after the returns indicated that Ochs had won the election fight. Leaders in the rebellion were A. P. Tug- well, S. H. Trigger and M. A. Cozinski. nnd officers elected for the new organiza- tion, in addition to Jake Wells, include Guy Wonders, vice-president, and Will- iam Kait, Jr., treasurer. The new association has announced its intentions of keeping up the fight in hopes of eventually outranking the M. P. E. L. of A. NEW ASS'N GETS QUARTERS The office of Sol. L. Lesser, 523 Long- acre Building, has been decided upon as the. temporary headquarters of the new Xational Organization of State Rights Buyers, which will convene here in August. The organization will buy Ca- nadian and American rights on features and then divide the territory among its members. Offers and propositions from producers will be taken up and acted upon at the convention, it is announced. FROHMAN COMPANY WINS SUIT In the suit ot the Charles l-'rolnunu Co.. Inc., against William Somerset Maug- ham, author of "The l.aud or Paradise" and the Famous Players Corpora I ion. the Supreme Court of New York on Tuesday of last week granted an injunction re- straining the defendants from producing the play in motion pictures. The pro- duction rights of the play were aruuired by the late Charles Krohniati. and the contract did not expressly give him the motion pictures. However. Justice Ilen- drick, la-fore whom the action was brought, decided that the producing luan- uger, and not the author, controls the rights under these circumstances. The decision is important Item use it hears upon many other contracts tor play pro- duction made at a time when screen pro- ductions were not contemplated. FILM STAR AIDS RED CROSS Ciilt-Aco. July 21.—Hue to the selling of the whntelm-iiiuy-call-nt. a imstcl- shaded pin cushion of silks and lace, made and donated by Mary Miles Minter. the American film star, the Red Cross is $'25 better able to do their humane duty at the front. A crush of several hundred at the Chicago Coliseum movie show did the bidding up from a few cents to the high selling point. The winner of the auction was u smartly gowned matron, who refused to divulge her identity. UNIVERSAL SIGNS PUGILIST George Marshall, director of Western dramas for Cnlversal, has added Al. Kauf- man, the well known pugilist, to his com- pany. Kaufman, who stand* six feet two inches high and weighs two hundred nnd live pounds, has had a large following in this country since 1!XU when he first gave evidence of real prowess in the squared circle. SUNDAY MOVIES HALTED SrilKXt-XTAKV. X. V.. July 22.—Sunday movies hnve received their deathblow here. Exhibitions ou that day have been running since April i:s under the protection of a restraining order, but Supreme Court Jus- tice Edward C. Whitmyer has declared the injunction vacated. M. P. MAN MARRIES COUNTESS Baltimokk. July 17.—The announce- ment is made of the marriage iu this city of 1-Mwaril Super, president of the Acme Producing Co., and Countess Rose Ernest. BUY PICTURE RIGHTS OF PLAYS The Famous Players-Lasky Corporation has purchased the film rights to "The Run- away" and "Arms and the Girl." in which Billie Burke will be presented. SELLS PHAX FILM TERRITORY Samuel Cummins has Mold Upper New York State territory for the Pbax Picture Co.'s feature "Race Suicide" to Joseph Hopper, of Corning. WILLIAM A, BRADY, Director-Genera/. WORLD-PICTURES Pr. CARLYLE BLACK WELL JUNE ELVIDGE "Youth" Cast including Muriel Ostrich* and Johnny Him. Story by Roy S. Sen»*baugh. Directed by Roma me Fielding.