The billboard (Dec 1911)

DECEMBER 16, 1.911. T h e I* I I I U> o a jfe H 15 WEEK THROUGHOUT THE W (Miib GAUMO NT CO. ACTIVE Big European Film Manufacturer Who Recently Withdrew From the Moving Picture Patents Company Busily Pre- paring for Exploitation in Independent Market Rumor baa lone been rife as to the policy flat Gaumont would puraue after tie explra- tton of their contract with the Motion Picture Patents Co. the end of this year, whereby their releases were distributed through toe licensed channels. The separation of this reputable Eu- ropean manufacturer from Geo. Klelne Is un- doubtedly one of the most Important events that has been chronicled In recent film history and It has been with the keenest eagerness that the first word concerning the Initial release date naa been awaited. Announcement to this effect Informs us that the first Gaomont Inde- pendent release wlU be put out the Brat few days after the 15th of January ■ The outpnt of the Gaumont Co Is eight reels per week and from this total the most meritor- ious three will be selected for American distri- bution At least one weekly of these will be a monorell hand-colored feature accompanied with two sheet posters. Theslgnlflcance to the Inde- pendents of the fact that they, can now and bawl-colored films available should not be under- estimated. It really marks an era. as It were, for heretofore the licensed exhibitors hare had the exclusivity on these films subjected to the expensive process of chromatic printing- Gau- mont and Pathe are the only two who have se far accomplished the color process, which necessitates the employment of 200 hands. A Gaumont Weekly portraying the topical events of each week the world over will be among the releases. A special topical film of particular grandeur and timeliness will be that of the Delhi Durbar, a faithful reproduc- tion cf tbe crowning of the King of England as Emperor of India, eclipsing in magulficence and interest the Coronation of last summer. . Amongst the early releases will be a two- reel subject," The Outcast, as well as .the fclfe and Adventures of Rob Hoy. founded on Scott's famous romance and taken In the exact WeWand territory of Scotland as described In the book. The Cripple's Courtship. The. Water- Film Company Changes Name The Independent Moving Pictures Company of America (Familiarly known as tbe Imp) has called upon the courts to change its name to The Imp Films Company. "Because, -explained Mr. Laenrmle. president of the concern.- "nobody ever took the trouble to call us the Independent Moving Pictures Co. of America. Tbe name was too cumbersome and I considered It folly to keep advertising a name that nobody would use. "I will venture to say that of the hundreds of letters we receive every day. not one per cent addressed us by our fnl! title Most of the letters came addressed to tbe "Imp Films Co.,' so we adopted the name as the most natural for the people to remember. Others merely addressed as The Imp' or 'The Imp Co." "Of course," concluded Mr. Laenrmle, "onr films will continue to be known as Imps, but onr new trade mark. -Just registered, will con- tain the name Imp Films Co. In the form of a circle, while the little figure of in Imp hold- ing a banner bearing the word Imp win still appear In the center." man's Bridge and The Village Idiot will be given early distribution. The Gaumont Go. intends conducting their business In accordance with their own Indi- vidual plans. At present tbe manufacturers are nnallied with any distributing organisa- tion and it is possible that their films may be exploited in the open market. In which case any and all can be purchasers of their products. This extends the possibility to Independent theatre owners of being able to secure the far- famed hand-colored pictures. INCRE ASES O UTPUT Majestic Film Company Will Release Two Films Each Week Beginning in January—Two Stock Companies Will Produce Pictures in California New York, Dec. 0 'Special to The Billboard). —Tom Cochrane announces that about the mid- dle of January the Majestic Company will begin releasing two Alms each week instead of one. The two companies have been working to such good advantage that many negatives have been prepared in advance and Mr. Cochrane sees his way clear to being able to easily keep np the pace of two a week. Hundreds of letters hare been received at the Majestic offices praising the first releases and MILDRED HOLLAND. FIRE WRECKS THEATRE. Davenport, la., Dec. 4 (Special to The Blil- koard).—The Royal Theatre, located at 1ST Hast Third Street, by B. O. Brown, was partially destroyed by lire when the moving picture ma- chine, situated over the main entrance, ex- ploded and enveloped the little playhouse In names. The machine exploded without warning, after tbe celluloid film came In contact with toe burner. This no -doubt was possibly doe to the shutter need as a protector from possible ex- , Plosions, beta* left open. The complete 4.000 feet of aim were destroyed and the machine la irtotal wrert. The entire front of the-build- ma-Is a complete loss and will have to be re- oullt. The explosion occurred lust before the final performance, and the audience which was '.* n »»; experienced little trouble In leaving the wilding although the room waa tilled i with smoke before the final exit was made. NICKEL 8HOWS TO BE INSPECTED nPllS?* 0 .- °t 6 (Special to The Billboard).— ,«ea th Commissioner Young of this city re- cently announced that a more tborongh Inspec- i„™°»'nK Picture bouses by officers of the henith department will be made. To this end ;!>.' ?. Troy has been appointed to de- KiTo.M 1 " time to this doty. This Is Mmelhlng thai has been needed a long time in Chicago, and If It Is carried out as thoroughly as Commissioner Young states It will. It will h«i .-T. *?'■ Improvement to the thestres, .« ^%n&^^ m " tif nD » tt,n * «"» ««- n,3 - 5- S""". one of the staff of the wL. r . H i. A - .M«ckI(>. moving picture supply t,™ m ot .???L. Ym * Cl, y- ,R Present on a • nt \ mo 2 tb " tr iP ,n tn » West Indies In bebalf ■ Kt.,2!l. nrn l-: *?'■' Dn,t stopping nlnco was at •'i.SSr2!"? l * l,,M ' whence he will, tske In the miZL 'J55"!2f nt *™ters In Hayti, Santo Do- ^'"^„«™ Ctrb". Mr. Smith Is making use of is „^ m .? bl,e J," * 0 Tr r,D ' r these towns as much J{ ?pSJ*| c - Hs will return by the beginning there seems to be no donbt about the popularity of the Majestic stock companies and the auailty of their work. . r About the first of January the two companies win start for Los Angeles, Cal.. where the winter will be spent In taking pictures under tbe woouerfnl atmospherical advantages offered by the California climate. Weil known legitimate actress, engaged by Powers Motion Picture Company, to appear exclusively in their productions. Savannah Race Pictures Finished New York. Dec. 7 (Special to The Billboard). —Mr. Herbert Miles returned to New York last week bearing much good news concerning the race pictures which he has personally super- vised the taking of. Conditions at the track favored the photographers and gave them ample opportunity for filming tbe most exciting and hair-raising incidents In the races. PASSES CHILD LAW. The State of Connecticut has passed a law which goeh Into effect on January 1. forbidding the admission of children under fourteen years of age to moving .picture shows, unleas accom- panied by an adult. John H. Cumpsou appeared In his first Imp picture last week. Billy's Seance being the subject. •■ It Is. a. unique lit tie comedy with tbe celebrated fun-maker In the title role. The picture la for release December 18. Sing Sing Pictures Fine Chicago, Dec. 9 (Special to The Billboard).— The latest release of America's Feature Film Co., Twenty Years In Sing Sing was recently exhibited at Michigan City. Ind.. where It waa enthusiastically received by a large audience. It Is Claimed by many that Michigan City la one of the most difficult towns to play to. IB view of the-fact, the Sing Sing picture -must contain much merit. Inasmuch, as it was re- ceived-with much appreciation by those of that clt«- who viewed It. The many -aim witnessed It with the expec- tation of seeing something that seethed with crime, were agreeably surprised with the nicety with , which the difficult situations are carried out..- The plot of tbe film.is-one which com- mands ? Interest whilst the photography Is .cleat and-brings out the details very clearly. ; This picture seems to' be finding much fsvbr amongst the state-right. purchasers and it is CHICAGO FILM NOTES. Mr. Tom Quill of the World's Best Film Co.. has returned from an Eastern trip, where be went in tbe Interest of the Crusaders, which picture this company has been promoting.- Much interest Is being evinced in this picture by the exhibitors throughout the country and man? of them are booking It direct. • ^ Several more camera men have been added t° the force of the Industrial Muring-Picture C k. k T ?J" ext ™ rorce ta doe *» the orders which they are receiving from the many na- tional advertisers who have seen their product at tbe land show which held forth at the Coli- seum and at the exhibit which, was held In ■ St. p *ul. This company IS the first In the field or this line of endeavor and: have passed' the stage of experience which la evidenced In the quality of the goods they torn out. The Braytoa Manufacturing Co. now list amongst their holidsy -slides' two of the most beautiful slides ever offered to tbe motion pic- ture exhibitor. The color work In -these slides Is a work of art and they are receiving much praise from all who see them. Phillips and Moss have leased for * term of years the lower floor • of the Fraternity Building. Winchester. Ky. and fitted it up Into Lyric The bouse opened December 6 and will use only . first-clas3 licensed pictures the ctaini of "this firm that their choice terri- tory hi rapidly finding willing buyers. A Remarkable Indoor Picture New. York, Dec. 6 (Special to Tbe Billboard). —The new Pennsylvania Station, New York, the largest railroad depot in tbe country, has been stormed by the moving- picture man. The Tnanhouser people.' who composed the attacking force, did tbe aiming rigbt in the interior minus the aid of any artificial light, an achieve- ment that ably demonstrates the go-ahead spirit of the present day motion picture photographer Many of the scenes were made at the lower train level In conditions that heretofore have never been thought favorable to the taking of a successful moving picture. As the pictures were taken at the rate of IS per second, with a. (Continued on page 50.) CRANE A COMET DIRECTOR. * r' ! - >-i' Frank Crane, who became one of the best- known of Independent leading men In the- course of his year and a half connection with, the Tfaanbouser Company, has Joined the Cemet forces as director. Crane's face was perhaps more familiar. to theatre-goers than any other Independent actor, as he appeared in the New Rochelle pictures from their very first Issue, and was the first Independent leading man to. lecture on the- pictures- he appeared in., Di- recting is not a new business to Mr. Crane, who bas prepared many vaudeville and stage pro- ductions and acted as temporary director for Thanhouser ' last summer. But' he becomes a permanent director -with the Comet and most - of this brand of film will be from his hands. The first Is The Late Mrs. Early, released De- cember 1, and. the second. Just In Time for Dinner. Mr, .Crane' has conceived some new Ideas relative to producing of "The-Plcture^As-It- Onght-T#-Be, and his. Comet, work* ' 1«, being watched, with Interest by his manyt admirers amongst the". ImJebendent theatre men. Crane dlstlngplshefl- himself: to the leading -rote* of such or the T^Mflset.v.'WassIes'V as ,Xmele Tom's Cabin, Ten JlttEhfa in a-,Bar-room, Kip Van Winkle. Johrf Halifax, 'OentlemanV Old- Curiosity Shop and Silas Marner.