Canadian Moving Picture Digest (Apr-Sep 1918)

Page Twenty-Four THE CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST. STORIES OF THE PLAYS AND PLAYERS FRANK KEENAN, WELL KNOWN ON SCREEN AND STAGE. Frank Keenan, star of ‘‘Ruler of the Road,’’ a five-part Pathe play, was born in Dubuque, lowa, April 8th, 1858. His first appearance on the stage was made at the Boston College Hall in 1876. His professional debut was with the veteran actor, Joseph Proctor, at Lawrence, Mass. For some years Mr. Keenan has an extended experience in stock and acting with many players of repute derived all the benefit of such associations. Some of Mr. Keenan’s early success es were made in plays written by James A. Hearne, the author of ‘*Shore Acres,’’ In several of these he played the star part and made a particular hit in ‘‘tLearts of Oak.’’ ‘Later at the Boston Gpera House he scored heavily as agin in ‘‘Oliver Twist.’’ At that famous theatre he was associated with such sterling players as Joseph Harworth, Annie Clark, Sadie Martinot and William Mestayer, a company reputed to be the best stock company ever seen ir Boston. Among the plays in which he appeared at this period were ‘‘Rosedale’? ‘‘The Lyons Mail,’’ ‘‘The Hells,’? and ‘(A Texas Steer.”’ In the original production of ‘*The Christian’? Mr. Keenan created the part of Brother Paul, and also managed the reslistic mob scenes which James A. Hearne declared to be the best he hed ever witnesses on the stage. Mr. Keenan also staged the Liebler production of ‘‘The Musketeers.’’ His work attracted the attention of Sol Smith Russell’s manager, who selected him as Mr Russell’s successor in ‘*A Poor Relation’? and ‘*Peaceful Valley.’? On Mr. Russell’s retirement from the stage, Mr. iXeenan assumed his role in (‘The Hon. John Grigsby.’* Then Mr. Reenan went with David Belasco, and was identified with many of his most famous successes. Mr. Keenan began his screen career with Universal. Later he was featured in ep number of Thomas Ince produetions, including ‘‘ The Thoroughbred,’"? “The Sin Ye Do,’? (‘Tne Bride of Hate’? and ‘*The Crab.’’ Mr. Keenan’s fame as a screen star is secure. His masterly interpretations have made him popular wherever motion pietures are shown. Mr. Keenan scored a big suecess in his first Pathe feature, ‘‘Loaded Dice.’’ ‘Screen Telegram issues Nos. 18 and 19 are released Mav 1 and 5. American soldiers taking their places in the line to check the Hun offensive; Secretary McAdoo opening the Liberty Loan drive in Philadelphia; the visit of Marguerite Clark, the tiny screen favorite, to Chicago, to boost the sale of Liberty bonds; yaptizing the negroes in the chilly waters of the Mississippi at St. Loris: scenes from the training camps and up to-the-minute war pictures, are some of the features of recent issues of Screen Telegram that make for popularity of the Mutual news-reel. Digitized by Go gle FOUR GOOD SERIALS. Universal has enjoyed an enviable reputation for making serials that please movie fans, and fill the coffers of the Canadian box offices from St. John to Vancouver. Four of the most popular serials ever turned out by Universal are ‘““The Red Ace,’’ ‘* The Mystery Ship,’’ ‘*The Bull's Eye,’’ and ‘*The Lion’s Claw,’’ featuring such well-known serial stars as Ben Wilson, Neva Gerber, Kingsley Benedict, Eddie Polo, and Marie Waleamp. These four serials named have been run by many Canadian exhibitors with special results, but there are also many exhibitors in this country who have not availed themselves of the opportunity of showing these money-makers. It will pay them to get in touch with their nearest Universal branch and get particulars of these serials. Monroe Salisbury Bluebird Star ‘*HWearts or Diamonds,’ the first picture produced by William, Russell Productions, is the feature of Mutual’s schedule of releases for the week of May 13th. The hero of the story, Larry Hanrahan, is a collector of precious stones. He becomes infatuated with Adrienne Gascoyne, a beautiful girl, whose father poses as a chemist who has discovered a method of making diamonds. In realitv, Gascoyne is the head of a band of international diamond thieves. When Larry is robbed of his priceless collection of jewels, he traces the thieves to Gasvoyne’s house, where, after a thrilling fight, the crooks are apprehended. Adrienne is shown to be innocent of any connivance in the robbery and ignorant of her father’s criminal operations. The question of ‘*Hearts or Diamonils** is resolved for Larry in the culmination of his romance with Adrienne, Miss Charlotte Burton makes her reappearance on the sereen in the role of Adrienne, GREAT PRODUCTIONS. Superfeatures, Ltd., in Canada are handling three remarkably strong features of the U. S. Exhibitors’ Booking Corporation. They are ‘‘Just a Woman,’’ Eugene Walter's greatest drama since ‘‘Paid in Full,’’ which is a special Jules. Steger production; ‘‘Those Who Pay,’’ a Thomas H. Ince produetion, featuring that sterling star, Bessie Barriscale, who is so popular at the present time with Canadians, and ‘‘The Belgian,’’ featuring Walker Whiteside and Valentine Grant. The latter production is a wonderful film, and has had a tremendous run wherever shown. All exhibitors who are looking for real business-compelling attractions should get in touch with their nearest Superfeatures branch, and get their proposition. The Hoffman Foursquare productions are also another brand that has met with great favor at the hands of Canadian exhibitors, and although Superfeatures, Ltd., have not been handling this famous brand any great length of time, the business secured has been very gratifying indeed, says Mr. Charles Stevens, general manager. Superfeatures now have five of these Hoffman Foursquare Pictures: ‘‘The Bar Sinister,’’ ‘‘The Fringe of Society,’’ ‘“Whither Thou Goest,’’ ‘‘The Fighting Chance?’ and ‘*The Cast-Off.’’ Every cne is a box-office gem of the first water, and Canadian exhibitors should get the proposition of Superfeatures on these specials. It will be worth their while. WONDERFUL SINGLE REEL. Pathe will release shortly a single reel entitled ‘‘The Whispering Wires of War.’’ This reel shows how telephoning is carried on when big battles are raging. It should be of great interest to everybody, especially after reading in the dailies of amany Carfadians doing this kind of work in the trenches. WORK STARTED. Stuart Paton has started work, on the secon episode of ‘‘The Wolf-Faced Man,’’ the Pathe serial from the pens of W. A. S. Douglas and Lucien Hubbard. ‘The Record,’’ the picture the Baby Marie Osborne Company is now working on, has among its east Helen Cassidy, J. Harris Foster, Jack Connolly, Howard Crampton, True Boardman, and William Quinn. Everything The Motion Picture Theatre Requires J. T. MALONE MONTREAL Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY