The billboard (Dec 1911)

DECEMBER 16, 1911. 15 WEEK THROUGHOUT THE WORLD GAUMONT CO. ACTIVE Big European Film Manufacturer Who Recently Withdrew From the Moving Picture Patents Company Busily Pre- paring for Exploitation in Independent Market Humor has long been rife as to the policy that Gaumont would pursue after the expira- tion of their contract with the Motion Picture Patents Co. the end of this year, whereby their releaswj were distributed through the 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 'Aim history and It has been with the keenest eagerness, that the first word concerning; the . Initial release date nos been awaited. Announcement to this effect Informs us that the first Gaumont inde- pendent release will be put out the first few davs after the 15th of January. The output 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. Thestgnlflcance to the Inde- pendents of the fact that they, can now find hand-colored films available should not be under- estimated. It really marks an era. as It were, for heretofore the licensed exhibitors have bad the exclusivity on these films subjected to the expensive process of chromatic printing. Gau- mont and Pathe are the only two who have 9s far accomplished the color process, which necessitates the employment of 200 bands. A Gaumont Weekly portraying; the topical events of each week the world over will be anions the releases. A special topical film of particular grandeur and timeliness ' will be that of the Delhi Durbar, a. faithful reproduc- tion of the crowning of the King of England as Emperor of India, eclipsing In magnificence and interest the Coronation of last summer. , Amongst the early releases will be a two- reel subject,' The Outcast, as well as the Life and Adventures of Hob Hoy. founded on Scott's famous romance and taken In the exact highland 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 the Imp) has called upon the courts to change its name to The Imp Films Company. "Because, .explained Mr. Laemtnle, president of ■ the concern,- "nobody ever took the trouble to call us the Independent -Moving Pictures Co. of America. The 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 full title Most of the letters came addressed to the '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. Laemmle, "our films win continue to be known as Imps, but oor new trade mark.-lust registered, will con- tain the name Imp Films Co. in the form of a circle, while, the little figure of an imp hold- Inn a banner bearing the word Imp will attll appear In the center." FIRE WRE CKS THEATRE. Davenport, la.. Dee. 4 (Special' to The Blll- hoard).—The Royal Theatre, located at 127 Bast Third Street, by B. G. Brown, was partially destroyed by fire when the moving picture ma- thlne, situated over the main entrance, ex- ploded and enveloped the little playhouse In flames. The machine exploded without warning, after the celluloid film came In contact with the burner. This no -doubt was possibly doe to the shutter used a* a protector from possible ex- . Plosions, being left open. The complete 4,000 feet of film were destroyed and the machine is a total wreck. The entire front of the-bulld- 3o. ls *_«™plete loss, and will have to- be re- ran t. The explosion occurred lust before the anal performance, and the audience which was i J: ♦xperleuced little -trouble in 1 -leaving the J"?'? 1 "? although the room was filled with smoke before the final exit was made. 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 the manufacturers are unallied with any distributing organiza- 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 OUTPUT Majestic Film Company Will Release Two Films Each Week Beginning in January—Two Stock Companies Will Produce Pictures in California New York. Dec. 9 'Special to The Billboard). —Tom Cochrane announces that about the mid- dle of January the Majestic Company will begin releasing two films 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 up the pace of two a week. Hundreds of letters have been received at the Majestic offices praising the first releases and MILDRED HOLLAND. NICKEL SHOWS TO BE INSPECTED nft'.'?^ (Special to The Billboard).— Health Commissioner Young of this city re- «J?"r "nnomieed that a more thorough Immec- J" ovll, K nlctnre houses by officers of the »e«ith department will be made. To this end George S. Troy has . been appointed, to de- ■21? *'« entire time to this dutyT^Thls Is •omething that has boon needed a long time .» <?j£i£?' f n<1 lr K carried out as thoroughly Sot Commissioner Tonng states It will, It will h?,i „.m ■? * """a* Improvement to the theatres. »? eSert n Tmnont. h n * Alttia * , thU ,oem flroT' „5' rf m, 5 n ' £• R - °=« °f *»• »f tie iumw Is « •*•• Jackie, moving picture supply t™ W ™2!.v N f* . York <« at-present on a 47 hE^2 tn * % ln *** West Indies In behalf Khu™toS n T l. 1 ? 1 " nr 5* ««<>m>lng rlnoo was at •laiSSrSi ?»*»*•««• whence be will.take In the mi™ "."J'^Ef nt centers in Haytl. Santo Do- S.i'^.^Cirb*- -Mr/;Smith'Is making nse of I. ^lS!? bn ' '»"covering these towns as-much It v^nj^ Ho will return by the beginning Well 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 the most exciting and hair-raising incidents In the races. PASSES CHILD LAW. The State of Connecticut baa passed a law which goes into effect on January 1, forbidding the admission of-children under fonrteen years of age to movhur picture shows, unless accom- panied by an adult. ' John ' R. Cumpson appeared In his-first Imp picture last week. Billy's Seance being .the subject. It Is: a. unique little comedy with the celebrated fun-maker In the title role. The picture Is for release December 18. Sing Sing Pictures Fine Chicago, -See. 0 (Special to The Billboard).— The latest release of America's Feature Film Co., Twenty Tears ln Sing Slug was recently exhibited at Michigan City, Ind„ where it was enthusiastically received by a large audience. It Is claimed by many that Michigan City la one of the most difficult towns to play to. Is view of the 1 fact, the Sing Sing picture -must, contain much merit, inasmuch , as It was re- ceived with much appreciation by those of that crtr who viewed It. The many vajo 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 the film is one which com- mands'Interest whilst the photography is-clear and-brings out the.details very deafly. .'- ■ ... This picture seems to be finding much tartar amongst the state-right - purchasers and It fs tbe claim of "this firm that tnelr choice terrl- tsty Is rapidly finding willing buyers. there seems to be no doubt about the popularity of the Majestic stock companies and the quality of their work. About the first of January the two companies will start for Los Angeles, CaL, where the winter win be spent ln taking pictures under the wonoerful atmospherical advantages offered by the California climate. CHICAGO FILM NOTES. Mr. Tom CjnlU of the World's Best Film Co., has returned from an Eastern trip, where he went In the interest of the Crusaders which picture this company has been promoting.- Much Interest Is being evinced ln this picture by the exhibitors throughout the conn try and many of them are booking It direct. Several more camera men have been added I? tlle _' orce °* the Industrial Moving Picture Co. This extra force Is dne to the orders which they are receiving from the many na- tional advertisers who have seen their product at the land show which held' forth at the Coli- seum and at the exhibit which was held lh St. Paul. This company Is the first in the'field of this line of endeavor and. : have passed' the stage of experience which Is evidenced ! ln the Quality of the goods they turn out- The Braytou Manufacturing Co. now list amongst their holiday -slides two of the most beautiful slides ever offered to the 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 : a term SLiK;"" <!; e lower floor of the Fraternity Building. Winchester, Ky, and fitted it up Into Lyric The house opened December 6 and will use only arst-class licensed pictures A Remarkable Indoor Picture New York, Dec. 6 (Special to The Billboard). —The new Pennsylvania Station, New York, the largest railroad depot in the country,. has been stormed by the moving-picture man. -'The Thanhouser people.' who composed the attacking force, did the filming right ln 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 16 per second, with a (Continued on page 50.) CRANE A COMET DIRECTOR. 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 Thanlionser Company, has joined the Comet forces as director. Crane's face was perhaps, more familiar. to theatre-goers than any other Independent actor, as he appeared In the New Rocbelle- 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- has prepared many vaudeville and stage pro- ductions and actedr as .temporary director for- Thanhtiuser - last summer. ■ But' he becomes a permanent director with the Comet and most of this brand or film will be from his hands. The. first, is The Late Mrs. Early, released De- cember "lr and. the'second. Just■ -' in Time for- Dinner. Mr. .Crane' "has conceived some new Ideas relative to producing of The-PIcture-As-It- Ought-To^Be;.. and bis. Comet." .work ! la. being watched with, Interest ..by bis. many! ,admirers amongst the'.' Independenttneatre?:.men^ - Crane distinguished.'himself In the leading- -role* of such of.the, Tj^hftgser. ^'■classtes'*. as ^uncle Tom*8 Cabin, rKfa : yights In 'aCBafrrOopV, Bip Van Winkle. Jomf Halifax, vjehtleman? Old- Curiosity Shop and Silas Mamer.