The New York Clipper (February 1913)

FEBBUABY 22 TJHLJfi NEW YO-RK. CLLIPP-EB. Oh, you Ballad Warblers! No matter how high or low you wish to sing—this 24-karat ( solid gold musical gem will make you "sparkle" on any bill! By COOD1Vl.fi .HcCAUTlLV ana PI.VNTADOSI LEO.FEIST i "FEIST BUILDING" INC., 134 West 37th Street i New York. 1 i Western Office 145 N,Clark Street Chicago 8-W -8 and MB. Gk M. ANDEBSON »' <« Character Creation BRONCHO BILLY" ESSANAY FILM MANUFACTURING CO., SW'SKK'.irAlIt: CHICAGO KLEINE-ECLIPSE FEATURE FILM Released March 3, 1013 SHYLOCK Copyright 1619, by GEORGE KLEINE A Splendid Two-Reel Production Adapted from Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice. 11 Special Heralds One, Three and Six-Sheet Patter* SELIG NEWS. FILMS REVEWED. ■Across the Great Divide" (Esannay). Released Feb. 13. Four characters stand oat prominently In JdIb Western drama, and each was commend- lbly acted, the story Is built around Walter Jordon, bis wife and two children, who itart ont in their house-wagon to tod a ipot in the West where chances for living Took more prosperous. The wife is taken II on the plains and Jordon goes In search tf water. The scene switches here to a Western *>wn's post office, where a ne'er do well sees ■ mall messenger given a valuable package Id carry to another sown. With an accom- plice he waylays the messenger, rob him of the money and escape on horseback. The; tome upon the three year old daughter of Jordon, who Is searching for her father. The child tells tho robbers that she cannot ■waken her mother, and when the outlaws leach the wagon they find the woman dead. Sot knowing the circumstances they deter. vine not to abandon the little ones and start off with them and the body of the aother, run Into a pursuing: posse headed by the sheriff and the mall carrier. After Jor- *>n Is found and the news of his wife's ftath broken to him the outlaws willingly lake their place in the jail feeling that they •re not all bad. Beautiful outdoor scenery features this food story. Tod. "Bill's Birthday Present" (Sell*). Released Feb. 13. A Western comedy, with Myrtle Stedman and William Duncan In the principal roles. It was written and produced by Mr. Duncan. The picture opens in Lottie's home, where we see her write an Invitation to BUI and the other cowboys to attend her birthday sjarty that night. After overseeing the shoeing tf a broncho BUI sneaks off to the town and furchases a present for Lottie In the shape «f a dainty pair of white slippers. Returning to his room he writes a note stating that he knows the contents of the box will tit he*. During hit absence from the room to wash tjp, Joe. one of the cowboys enters. Investl- Ktes and substitutes a pair of Bill's old ota for the slippers. Bill presents them to Lottie before the party hour arrived, and tesldes being as surprised with the sight of fhe old boots as Lottie Is hurt, he Is the re- cipient of the present across his head. Hot inder the collar, he fights with Joe, and then goes to his room and falls asleep. Lottie It clearing the room of her house for the dance, when the lamp Is found to be without oil. With her pet dog she goes to the barn to refill the lamp, falls down a trap door la the barn's floor and sets fire to the hay. The dog rashes off, awakens BUI, who rescues his sweetheart and, when Joe comes around with the slippers and an apology, Lottie sees the Joke and also seizes Bill E a halt-Nelson love hold. A word of praise to Billy Duncan's knowl- edge of producing a picture. He picked some beautiful country scenes for that ride he made to the village for those slippers. Les- ter Cnneo didn't nave much to do, but did it as usual—good. Tod. "A Father's Lesson" (Blogrnph). Released Feb. 13. If the Blograpb Company have ever put ou a more ridiculously produced and acted pic- ture, "A Father's Lesson" surpasses it In that respect. The little family of four, father, mother and two children, was a happy one until he came home drunk one day, and mussed up the others' personality as well as their feel- lags. The mother is called out to a sick neighbor, and father very carelessly sets the living room on fire and goes off to sleep. (Could anyone sleep with such a terrific fire roaring within their reach as Is shown here?) It's laughable. In the mean time one of the children, dur- ing their play In an adjoining room, gets Into a large wardrobe box, and the other can- not lift the lid, which his a snap lock to it The free chnd rushes to Its "spirited" father, who again abuses blm (half smiling), and the fire still roars rrmotlced, . At last the boy convinces his "daddy" that there Is something wrong, snd even he (father) cannot "lift tho lid" that will save Us child, He goes not fthe fire is still est- ktg a bole In the floor), and steals a crow- Mr from a shop window, and When Inter- rupted by a policeman and the owner of the •nop, he tells them hit story (the Ore .Is ■till roaring). Back Into the tenement the father rescues his little daughter from her aMJkfat prlticv wtttt the cop and the shop owner extinguish the Ore with a toblo cover—so simple—and the wife and mother returns to find that father has learned a lesson. No need of going Into (he details of this picture's demerits, for there is nothing en- tertaining in It. Tod. STROBRIDGE BILL STARTS SOMETHING*. That the moving picture Interests of the State of California are preparing to make a hard fight on proposed legislation affecting their business was Intimated at Sacramento Feb. 7, by C. W. Qoddard, president of the Sacramento Moving Picture Exhibitors' Asso- ciation, who applied to Secretary of State Jordan for five hundred copies each of the senate bills 928 and 1,126, introduced by Senator E. K. Strobrldge, of Hayward. Bill 1,126 proposes to establish a State Board of Censors, which must approve all films before exhibition. No. 926 would prohibit the making distributing or exhibition of pictures of Immoral character, or of those portraying prize fights, murders, robberies or holdups. The measure also prohibits children under sixteen years attending moving picture shows after eight o'clock at night during tho months from November to March, Inclusive, but allows them to stay as late as nine o'clock during the rest of the year. , An "antl-spooning" clause Is also a feature of the bill, which requires sufficient light to make features distinguishable at all times, except for brief dramatic effects. "Mayor Gajnor, of New York, vetoed a city ordinance establishing a similar 'board of cen- sors last December," said Mr. Qoddard, "on the ground that It violated the constitutional rights of a free press and free speech. "Every exhibitor of moving pictures is bis own censor, and knows that to produce a film depicting Indecent or basely criminal scenes would hurt his business, and for that same reason the moving picture theatre Is not a harmful place for a child less than sixteen years old to spend his evenings. , "The moving picture men of the State will fight both bllls.' r The bills are said to be Identical with ones Introduced two years ago by Senator 8trobrldge, which never got out of committee to be debated on the floor of cither house. PRESIDENT TAFT VETOES "MOVIE" BILL. The following bill failed to find the Presi- dent's favor: "An act to authorize the Commissioners of tbe District of Colombia to prevent the exhibition of obscene, lewd, indecent, or vulgar pictures In public places of amuse- ment In tho District of Columbia. "Be it enacted by the Bcnate and Houio of Representitivei of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, in addition to the police powers now vested In them, be, and they are hereby, empowered and directed to prevent the exhibition of obscene, lewd, indecent, or vulgar pictures In any theatre, moving picture show, or other public place of amusement in the Dis- trict of Columbia, and to make all needful and necessary regulations for such purpose. "Sec. 2. That no picture film or picture intended for exhibition in any such theatre, show, or other public place of amusement shall be exhibited without previous mthmlx- slon to die said commissioners for In- vestigation and approval and be approved, found, and determined by said commis- sioners, after opportunity to be heard not to be obscene, lewd, indecent, or vulgar. Every violation of this act or of any regulation made tinder the authority here- of shall be punished by a fine not ex- ceeding forty dollars, on prosecution by in- formation In the police court of the District of Columbia, filed In the name of said Dis- trict of Columbia by tho corporation counsel or any of bis assistants." President Taft gave as his reason for not approving of the Dill that " It is not only unnecessary hut Incapable of enforcement without unduly encroaching upon tbe ser- vices of the police forco of the District of Columbia." t A FORTUNE FOB "(*U0 VADI8." A moving picture company of London. Eng., recently told a film of "Quo Vndls" for {38,000. This included fifteen copies and the exclusive rights to show it In England for two years. t Thb sciiooi. board of Jollet, IIL, recently sent out an order, endorsed by Mayor Allen, forbidding all theatres admitting children during school boors. On Feb. 24 tho Sells Polyscope Co. will release a one thousand foot comedy, entitled "The College Chaperons." Two college boys Invite two out-of-town girls to attend the annual prom. The chaperono Is suddenly taken 111, and In order to go through with their plans, the toys prevail upon a chum to Impersonate "Aunty, the chaporone. The chum docs his best, out his Identity Is dis- covered and the plan ends In disaster—for the chaperonc. "Tiw Flamiwo Forob" Is the title of tho Impressionistic drama to bo released Feb. 25. The story Is a simple but appealing tale of -picturesque English village life, suggested by Longfellow's poera, "The Village Blacksmith." "Yankee Doodle Dixib" Is the name of a one reel comedy to bo released Feb. 26. The story might well be called a tnle of Inhar- monious harmonies. It tells of two old sol- dier friends, one a Federal, tho other a Con- federate. They are both musicians, but they cannot agree upon tho tunes to be played. One demanding "Dixie," while the other In- sists upon "Yankee Doodle." The situations that develop are laughable In the extreme. Hobart Bosworth and Wm, Hutchinson play the steUar roles. "The Bank's Misssexobb" is a strong drama of life In tbe West. It tells of the thrilling experience of an express messenger and a band of bad men. William Duncan nnd Myrtle Stedman are seen to advantage. It will be released Feb. 27. Stobiks of stage life are always exception- ally Interesting when portrayed In motion tlctures. "Tbe Understudy," to bo released eb. 28, pictures the uphill battle of an ambitious girl who enters the theatrical life In an effort to find her actress mother. Heart throbs and comedy are Included in plentiful proportions, and the picture contains many unique stage settings and effects. On March 5 tho Sellg Polyscope Co. will re- lease an exceptionally splendid picture, en- titled "The Story of Lavlnla." The story was written by the famous author of girl stories Marjoric Benton Cooke, and was pro- duced by the Sellg Los Angeles forces under the direction of Colin Campbell. Tbe theme Is dramatic in the main, but contains an un- dercurrent of delightful comedy. Lavlnla Is a country girl, shy. Innocent and poor. She wins a schohvrghlp and Is sent to a fashion- able girl's college. Here she Is snubbed and mistreated by the richer city girls. She turns the tide of affairs, however, when she risks her life and sustains serious Injury, while rescuing another girl from the second story of a burning dormitory. The scenes of tho rescue are unusually thrilling, and Besslo Eyton accomplishes one of the best "falls" ever attempted In pictures. DimiNfl the past week Los Angeles, Cal., newspapers have devoted n great deal of space to articles, photographs and measure- ment tables comparing Kalblyn Williams, one of the popular leading women of tho Sellg Polyscope Company's Los Angeles studios, with the historic Venus do Mllo. With An- nette Koilcrmann, Just declared tbe Venus of Australia, and Miss Watson, proclaimed tbe Venus of England, this country's laurels have fallen, according to many artists, among them Robert Wagner, upon Kathlyn Williams. Miss Williams Is undoubtedly one of the most perfectly developed young women In this country, she Is one Inch shorter than tha Venus do Mllo, and weighs eleven pounds less, thus balancing the difference In height by n proportionate difference in weight. Her cheat measurement Is five inches larger than that of the Venus, being thirty-eight instead of thirty-three. Miss Williams' waist Is less thnn one Inch larger than that of tho model, while her hips are two Inches larger. This marks the development of the athletic motion picture actress, whose very life Is noted for out-of-door existence and athletic achieve- ments. THE HOUSE OF SELIG SELIG'S FIVE-A-WEEK THE LNVLNCBLE PROGRAM THE NAME SELI6 ON A PICTURE IS QUALITY INSURANCE ANOTHER WEEK OF WONDERFUL, BOOKINGS March 3 THE DEPUTY'S SWEETHEART The dramatlo story of a Western U. S. marshall and his thrilling rescuo of stolen government bonds. Prodnced in Arliona, with William Duncan, Myrtle Stedman, Lester Cunlo, and Hex Itosselll In leading parts. March « THE COLLECTOR OF PEARLS Relating the comical experience of * gem collector who Is mado the Innocent target for a press agents stunt. Written by Oilson Willow with Lylllan Lelgblon and John Lancaster In leading roles. March S THE STORY OF LAV1NIA Ad excellent feature from tho pon of Marjorlo Donlon Cooko. A comedy drama of modern college girls. Kciillstlo, beautifully acted, atmospheric and carrying with It a swong moral. Hook this sure, llosslo Lyton and Wheeler Onkman in strong parts. March 6 THE SPANISH PARROT GIRL A modern Spanish romance containing plonty of thrill and cxcltemont. ilaro'd Lockwootl, George Hcrnaudoz, Kugoulo Hcssoror and A). Ernest Uurola play leading parts. March 7 A HUSBAND BY ELECTION A dramatlo story of oorrupt politicians and • young lawyor's fig lit. against them lu which he wins tho orllce of mayor and a wife. Wlnulfred Uruouwood, Charles c.urr, George L. Cox and William Stowell play the principal p..n». Watch for "ALONE II THE «LE." It is Coining THE SELIG 20 East Randolph St. POLYSCOPE 00. CHICAGO, ILL. OKLAHOMA M. P. LEAGUE) FORMED. Tha Oklahoma State Branch of tho Mo- tion Picture League of America was organ- ized Feb. 11, at the Sklrvln Hotel, Oklahoma City, Okla., with the election of tho following omccrs: National vice president, Carl Oregg, Tulsa; president, R. W, Wirt. Enid: first vice-president, J fiteinson, McAlester; aecond vice president, 0. McLean; secretary. It. Do Bueler, Oklahoma City; treasurer, William Smith, Tulsa; directors—W. D. Brophy, S. H. Jones, 11. T. Gardiner, Lcroy Dickie and A. R. ZImracr. O. H. Wiley, of Kansas City, aided National Deputy Organizer In the organization. Besides those named there are attending: C. M. Lane. Oklahoma City; J. K. Truax, Mollis; H. E. White, Lawton; W. O. McCon- nell, l'nwhuskn: J, C. Do Walt, I'onca City; Tom Wubkcr, Chlckesha; A. B. Hornby, Pauls Vclley; Charles Blyelne, Henrietta; Frankel Brothers, Jobn Slnonoulo, Oklahoma City; C. P. Anderson, J. L. Carr, Kingfisher; J. C. Murray, Lawton; L, K. Donahue, Oke- tnah; S. H. Jones, Altus; T. H. Boland, Okla- homa City; A. A. nhllketr. Nowata: O. T. Stapleton, Guthrie; Hugh Gardiner, Holden- vllle; C. C. Harklna, Coiilgatc; D. L. Walker, El Reno; J. N. Nesbltt, Norman. Tho session closed with a banquet evening of 12. NEWSOME'S NEW ONE. One of tho most beautiful photoplay houses in the South, owned by H. St. Newsome, was opened in Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 10. Mr. Newsome, who also owns the Bonlta, Amuse- U, and Princess theatres, In that city, spared no expense on this new house which Is to be named this week by the public. The house has a seating capacity of 700 Includ- ing the boxes. The lobby Is of marble, ample fire exits have boon provided, and five large exhaust fans will Insure good ventilation. Adorning the wall are twenty-four life sized portraits of famous actors and actresses who have starred in Shakespearian plays. A 15,000 pipe organ has been Installed, and the entire place breathes an air of elegance and refinement. Mr. Newsome will uso licensed films only. t —— AFFIRMS OBDER AGAINST "MONTE CBI9T0" FILMS. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, New York, on iv-b. 14, affirmed an order granting James O'Neill, the actor an Injunction restraining the General Film Com- pany from continuing to produce Its version of "Monte. Crlato" until the trial of the ac- tion O'Neill has brought against the pic- ture company to recover damages for the film company's production of the Dumas play, to which be claims the sole right of produc- tion. s C. A. Wurorrr's moving plctnre and vaude- ville show, trained dogi and doves, crossed the Hudson River at Tarrytown, and are working up tho We.it side. The show will open under canvas about May IS. Oood business. A FILM of "Quo Vadta" was sold at auc- tion, la London, Feb. It, J tor 138,000. CAPT. BONAVITA ATTAOKBD. On Feb. 11, at Tampa, Flo., whllo taking Ssrt In a moving picture company's preten- tion of a scene In a Roman coliseum, Capt. Jack Bonavlts. tho well known animal trainer, was attacked by a lion called Brutus and suffered severe- lacerations on the right leg, between tbe hip and the knee. He was taken to a hospital, whero his condition was announced as serious. Capt. Bonavlta lost his left arm several Scars ago when he was attacked by a lion i the Bostock Show at Coney Island, N. Y. IIINKEL DROPS BUT AGAINST UNIVERSAL. Charles V, Henkel. a minority stockholder In the Universal Film Manufacturing- Co., who brought suit against tho company for an alleged misappropriation of $200,000 of the company's money, has dropped his suit. ^— ^—s- JOB BRANDT GODS TO CHICAGO. During the latter part of this month Joe Brandt, for sonv> time publicity man for tho Universal Co., will leave Now York to tskn charge of the Chicago Film Co., 11. J, Hudson will succeed Mr. Brandt in the New York office. JOLIET TO HAVE ANOTHER. Another first class ptcturo hnuso Is to be buUt In Jollet, IU„ work to be started March 1, and bo ready for occupancy June 1. The theatre will have a seating capacity of 1,260. -^—^— » i- A MOVINO PtCTDDt) TJIBATRB, to COftt about 125,000. will be erected on Lancaster Avenue, near Fiftieth Strcot, Philadelphia, Pa., by Max Iss?r and Mai Llnderman. The prop- erty Is SO by 228 feet. A triangular lot at Fifty-fourth and Parrlib streets, 20 by 110 h> 127, will have a flreprof moving picture house, erected by C\ White A Brother. Henry P. Schneider Is estimating on plans for an- other house of the same sort at Germantown Avenue nnd Doimton Street, on a lot 45 by IIS feet. At Bcrwrn, a one story brick the- atre will be erected for George R. Zimmer- man. Tin Amsbican Motion Picrraa Co. has been Incorporated by Perrjr A. Little, George B HilntirW tod Lewis B, WlUtt GEORGE KLElirc, Tho well known moving picture man, is one of tbe pioneers of the moving picture busi- ness In Chicago, Ho represents tho Clue* und Keltpso films. ♦ «» NEW YORK OPERATORS' BALI,. The Moving PIcturo Operators' Union, Local No. 1, of Greater Now York, gave a ball ut f, alm , fitt? cn i i' e .t 10 - , Jolm I,unn J »"<> Pearl White led tho march, and Mr. Bunny 5resented a loving cup to President Robert oldblatt, of tho union, Others present were; Harry Braham, Octavla Iiondworth, Chester Burnett, Win. Russell, Darwin Carr, Crano Wilbur, Alice Gardner, Hurry Mont- gomery, West and Simmons, Ralph Incc J. A. I,e Boy bad charge of tho stage for tlio entertainment. The officers of the union are: Prpildent. Robert Oolrtblatt; vice president, Jss. Dnlile; secretary and treasurer, Robert Levy ; record- ing secrotary, George Epstein ; scrgennt-nt- arms, lid Hplnola, and business representa- tive, Ralph J. Knastor. POWERS LOAVES UNIVERSAL. . P ^ "*i Powers hot resigned as vice presi- dent of tho Unlvorssl Film Manufacturing Co., and Is no longer connected with that company. Itecently Mr. Powers told his In- terests to Carl Laemmle and Wm. H. Swan- son. Brands of film In which Mr. Powers wns Interested will continue to he a part of tho Universal program. Also Mr. Powers' exchanges will continue to buy the Universal service, Mr. Powers his not announced his future plans. His successor as rlco president and raombiT of the board of directors will be elected In tho near future. ' i ROWLAND OBTAINS INJUNCTION, R, J. Rowland, last week, obtained nil Injunction ngsinst the General Film Co. This Injunction, which Is a temporary one, restraint tbe directors from dividing sow (200,000 surplus now in the company's treas- ury. Mr. Itowlnnd Is a preferred stockholder and It suing to prevent tbe directors of tho Film Co. from dividing tho surplus among tho manufacturers comprising the Ooncrsi Film Co. Ho Is alto bringing suit to compd tbeso manufacturers to return to the troiix- tiry, somo $8(5,000, he claims has already been paid to them. i ii i- ■■ EXHIBITOR FINED, Chief Justice Russell, In tho Court of Spe- cial Sessions, fined Abram Marks, proprlotor of a moving picture theatre at 10S Rlvinctun Street, Now York, (100 for allowing standees In his theatre. In bia ruling the Justice up. holds the contention of tho corporation coun- sel that the defendant It guilty of creating and maintaining a public nuisance. Ho goes on to say that natrons of moving picture theatre! aro entitled to every precaution to prevent Injury In case of panic or fire, and that people standing In tho aisles would un- doubtedly add to the danger.In such cases. t HIPPODROME RE-Ol'ENS. The Houston Hippodrome re-opened Feb. 16. Coroner Folnterg exonerated the own- ers, Minsk! « Stelner. The firm will build at 28-27 Second Avenue, a now marble front theatre, to seat six hundred, to open about Sept. 1. t Tut American Photoplay Corporation, has teen formed by Archibald Selwyn, Crosby Gaye and Philip Klein. 8. II. Cohn, Martha R. Schults and 0. C. Bene hare formed tho Roman Film £o.