The New York Clipper (May 1914)

THE NEW YGBK CLIPPER; M&Y20 MOTION PICTURE DEPARTMENT 1IAKRY EVS1S, REPRESENTATIVE. ACTIVITIES OF THE WEEK. BY QUI7.Z. makeup nnd pose, many thing!) have crept Into tho new art of picture making that are really new to the Thespian. There has been such a grand rush for -moving picture* that many types engaged have come from (lie walks of private life. Occasionally these people hnve made good and advanced to prominence, but in the vast majority of in- stances they drop out after a languorous period of merely playing supernumerary or substituting. SELIG ACTRESS IN DEMAND. Hence Kelly, of -the Sellg Stock, In Chicago, who Joined this organization at the conclu- sion of the run of 'The Speckled Hand" in this city, has, since that time, received numerous offers to return to the stage, hut has preferred the new art work—motion pic- tures. One day last -week Miss Kelly was PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION ORGANIZED TO DISTRIBUTE FEATURE OUTPUT OF FAMOUS PLAYERS, LASKY AND BOSWORTH CONCERNS-NO COMBINATION OF PRODUCERS INTERESTED EFFECTED IN M ANUFACT URING. DUKE OF MANCHESTER VISITS THANHOUSER STUDIO AND WHi fS&MSE£EGtt BE SEEN IN "MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY."—BIG SERIAL READY FOR MARKET --SELIG ACTRESS IN DEMAND. R CO. RESTRAINS DORMET FI "JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHERN LASKY FEATURE PLAY CO. AND CELEBRATED PLAYERS PRESENT RELATIONS-MARGARET MAYO, AUTHORESS, ASKS INJUNCTION AGAINST PUNCH FILM CO.'S PRODUCTION OF "POLLY OF THE CIRCUS." EVELYN THAW ENTERS PICTURE BUSINESS-EXPOSITION GRAND CENTRAL PALACE TO BE "TUNG OF BEAUTY," ETC. CO. AT June Keltb. _ city, who nod been especially engaged for a leading role, heard that Miss Kelly was in tie audience she concluded to abandon the company, and did so without warning. Cllmb- —_____ lng into her automobile and speeding back to LIEBLER CO.RBTRAIHS DORHEI FM CO-SCHH VERSIOHOF Sr__3s_-Sj&__5 '" PATTvlP^ I TTTflATTflK Thereupon MUs Kelly W09 prayerfully pre- l»_Ui>_*J laiiUAllUU. vaJled upon to appear and help them out of the hole. Being a quick study, she mastered the role and appeared In the evening. The company then journeyed to Milwaukee, she rerunning to Chicago and working during the day, then going to that cltv and appearing In the evening. The next two days she >w»s not In the cast of picture plays nt the Sellg plant, and continued to nil her part in the piece merely to help out the management, who claim they had re- ceived sanction for her Bervlce from W. N. Sellg, who Is In California. The double da- ilies of trying to appear In pictures by day, rmd then traveling considerable distances by night to appear on the stage, was entirely too arduous: so Miss Kelly told the manage- ment It would he absolutely imposlbl'i for her to make further appearances ir. "The Call of Youth,'' and that the eo-rnHed understudy, ■who has had three days to prepare, should bo readv- to serve them. Every effort was advanced by the management to retain MI99 Kelly, but she resolutely declined, proclaim- ing her loyalty to the Sellg contract. DORMET FILM CO. RESTRAINED PROM PRESENTING SCREEN VER- SION OP "JOSEPH AND HIS BRETH- REN" BY LIEBLER CO.—PRODUC- TION ADVERTISED FOR LOCAL SHOWING LAST WEEK. The Liebler Co. secured a temporary in- junction last week from -Justice Pbllbln. which had the effect of stopping for the present the advertised public exhibition of the motion picture version of "Joseph and Mis Brethren." The Dormet Film Co. bad announced the presentation of the picture at the Broadway Theatre, Brooklyn. Imme- diately on receipt of the information, George McWelty, of the Liebler Co., instructed Mar Josepbson. the theatrical concern's attorney, to apply for a restraiulng order. Herman L. Itotb, counsel for the Dormet Film Co., in reply submitted briefs stating that for soma thirty odd years past there have been nu- merous books published and plays produced under the name which the Liebler Co. con- tends they have exclusive right to use. - Inasmuch as the Lletilers have spent a, sum approximately |40,000, In order to cre- ate a reputation for the play, the judge up- held their contention: and granted the tem- j.oraTy Injunction. STRAIGHTENING OCT.THE WORK OP CHICAGO CENSORS' HARD JOB— LASKY FEATURE PLAY CO. MUST CONTINUE LEASING' TO ' CELE- BRATED PLAYERS' FILM CO. As an aftermath to the much Involved Mate of affairs cieatcd by the action of tha Chicago Board of Censors in ordering nu- merous cuts In the Lasky Feature Co.'s pro- tection of "Brewster's Millions," Judge Mayer, In the U. S. District Court, last week, issued ail order restraiulng the producing film concern from leasing "Brewster's Mil- lions," or any of their other photo-features to any distributing exchange, other than the ■celebrated Players Film Co., of Chicago. When "Brewster's Millions" was shown In the Western metropolis lust month, the cen- sor board looked It over, nnd decided It needed several amputations. Seme of the strongest scenes were thus eliminated. This immediately started nil sorts of complications. The Celebrated Players, so l_aky's Chicago representatives contended, had tried hard to put the picture over despite the actios of the censoring salons. However, the Lasky people in New York teemed not of the same mind, end meanwhile, during the heat of the discussion made arinngcmcnts to lease '"Brewster's Millions'' to the Famous Players Film Service, a competitor of the Celebrated Players. liwlng accomplished this, the Lasky Company enjoined the Celebrated Players from renting the "Squaw Man." basing their plea on the ground that the Celebrated Flayers Co. had abrogated their contract In refusing the censor modified version of "Brewster's Millions." Judge Mayer untied a few, at least, of the tangled skeins, last ■week, however, when he reviewed the latter nture himself, and opined that the Chicago rd had been over zealous In ordering cuts. As a result of the personal review of the tilm, Judge Mayer issued the injunction, which will cause Lasky to continue releasing through the Celebrated Playors. In case the plaintiff (Lasky) flies a satisfactory bond indemnifying the defendant (Celebrated Players) against loss, the Injunction may be suspended. In the event of which, if you care to wade through the above again, will possibly—moke it harder. MARGARET MAYO ASKS INJUNCTION AGAINST PUNCH FILM CO—"POLLY OF THE CIRCUS" IN DISPUTE. Margaret Mayo, through her attorneys, Ernst and Calu, began an action last week against the Punch Film Co., of which it la said Ernest Shlpman is the executive head. ■ It seems, according to the complaint, that the film company has a motion picture fea- ture the rights of which the court papers allege were nought from a German concern, that is entitled ^'Polly of the Circus." This Jilcture, Miss Mayo contends, contains Inci- lents of circus life nnd, while not Infringing the story of the well known plav which she wrote, entitled "Polly of the Circus," and in which Mnbcl Taliaferro starred for several loasono, the title is apt to mislead the public. Justice I.elirnnn, acting on MIbs Mayo's allegations contained in her affidavit, granted a preliminary order to Bhow cause why nn Injunction shouldn't be granted. This the film company miiBt answer within the speci- fied time according t-> law. Last week the Punch Film's "Polly" was to be shown at a New York house, but the opening was post- poned pending the result of the litigation. EVELYN THAW TO BECOME PICTURE STAR. EMm Nosblt Thaw, who obtained a- slight modicum erf publicity, to say the least, PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORA- TION FORMED TO HANDLE PRO- DUCT OK FAMOUS PLAYEHS, LASKY & BOSWORTH FEATURE OOXOKRSS —EFFECTIVE PLAN OF DISI'IIIII- II IN*. FILMS I'ERI i:< I I II— XI COM- BINATION OF INTKHKS'I S IN PRO- DUCING END—COMPANIES WILL CONTINUE TO MANUFACTURE IN- DEPENDENTLY. What on the face of it appears to be the most muHlodonlc atlMlalion of feature film organizations ever conceived and matcrallzcd in the history of the Industry as far ns the distributing end of the business goes, was consummated hint week when, through joint arrangement among Uie Jesse L. Lasky fea- ture Film Co., the Famous Players Film Co., nnd Ilosworth, Inc., a combination was af- fected whereby an entirely new factor In the distribution of feature film productions was created A collective distributing agency for this allied program, known ua Paramount l'lc- lurcs Corporation, with offices throughout the world, has been organized and incorpo- rated with the following offices: President and rencral manager, William W. Hodklnson; Vice president. JamcB Steele, of the Va- nious rlayerB Film. Service, Inc., of Pitts- burgh, Pa., and Chicago, 111. Secretary and treasurer, Raymond Pnw- li'y, of the Famous Mayers Exchange, As- 1 ury Park, N. J. • Directors: Hiram Abrams, of the Master Productions Film Co., Boston. Mass.: Will- iam L. Sherry, of the U, L. Sherry Featuro Film Co., of New York. The,capitalization of the organization was given as being sufficient to conduct a mem- moth program of feature film productions, . the amount covering the requirements of the new corporation law and being absolutely Insignificant as regards the actual capital- ization and scope of the company. As has long been known, Bosworth, Inc., producer* of the film versions of Jack Lon- tlon's celebrated works, the Famous Plovers Film Co.. with their program of leading (•tors In recognized dramatic suicesscs, ana the Jceho L. Lasky Feature Film Co., pro- ducers of well-known dramatic successes and Impious novels with recognized stars at tha head, have been making the most representa- tive and elaborate f suture productions ob- tainable. The features of the three above named companies have been tbe backbone of the feature film buslmss of America, and were primarily responsible for the growth nnd development of this branch of the trade. With the object of delivering the subjects of these three big producers, dlstrlbutuig through Hie one channel the magnlflent pro- ductions of these three cwntivo companies, .adding to this number the subjects of other ■master producers, which measure up to the standard set by the three companies nbova mimed, and thus allowing the exhibitor to se- cure f"om the one central point a program of sufficient calibro and consistent standard, this combine was formed so that the ex- hibitor can go on day after day showing pictures of nn absolutely assured sterling rim, never varying In quality, never vary- ing In point of pretentiousness, and ever con- tinuing a standard now difficult to maintain under the present disorganized condition of dstrlbutlon. The standard set by Lasky, Hoflworth ami the Famous Players must be met by ether producers If they would have a place on the program to be distributed by the Poir.iniount Picture* Corporation, an 1 as tbtse three companies <-antcnrplatc the crea- tion of only 101* productions a venr the Paramount Pictures Corporation will have t'XIierts in all the leading producing marts cf the world seeking out mntorlnl of suffi- cient strength to be affiliated with tlfe pro- ductions of the Famous Players, llwwiUt and Lasky, thus completing a comprehensive program. The primary purpose of the Paramount Pictures Corporation) is to supply the ex- hibitor with a program of such advanced gnnlzed, co-operative system established for the production and distribution of the high- est class feature program, and Is tbe cul- mination of Fcveral years of experience and observation on the part of the various mem- bers of ttie organization. When representa- tives of the press called upon Messrs. Lasky, Kukor nod (iarbutt for a statement of what had brought about the combination, they replied as one: "A desire for the uplift of I lie Industry and the further prestige of the feature film." The heads of the three pro- ducing firms modestly refused to be Inter- viewed on the subject, and implied that the Influence of their concerted act could bo Judged by the Increased merit of their future productions. DUKE OF MANCHESTER VISITS THAN- HOUSEU STUDIO AND APPEARS IN. SOEXH OF "MILLION DOLLAR MYS- TERY"—BIG SERIAL READY FOR MARKET. The Duke of Manchester has gone into pictures. England's titled son appeared In a scene of "The Million Dollar Mystery," at the Thanhonscr studio last week. It was the distinguished foreigner's first view of the moving picture making. He likes it. C. J. Hitc, president of the Thanhousor Company, escorted him through the studio. When the party arrived at the East building, where some of the "Mystery" scenes are being taken, Mr. Kite called Howell Hansel, director of the big serial, to one side and told hi— to put the duke Into a scene. It was no sooner sold than done. Almost before the English- man realized what was happening, -Director Hansel was photographing him. The duke laughingly told Mr. Hltc to "crank the camera. The visitor proved such an adept Hint nn actual Bcene was taken, showing him aiding Florence La Badie, the heroine of the forthcoming serial, to escape from .the ma- chinations of the Countess Olga, Marguerlto Snow, and her band of conspirators. SELIG SNAP SHOTS. SOME VALUABLE ANIMAL ACTORS. Wm. N. Sellg lust week received from the wUds of India some distinctive additions for bis wonderful wild animal collection. In four Royal Bengal tigers of tbe finest type, and a air of black leopards from the Himalayas. Itc a group of animals were collected-for e Sellg Polyscope Company-ln Calcutta and embarked from that point six weeks ago. Just before tha voyage was commenced a pair of black leopards sickened and died, and on the Indian Ocean a large chimpanzee died, likewise n number of rare golden pheasants. Otherwise, the shipment came through in fine order. The tigers are particularly fine specimens of their class, all being young and hardy animals and of extraordinary size for their act. The black leopards arc known as "freaks" and are Albinos of the negative lype, and are consequently very rare ani- mals. They have spots like other leopards, fcut the pelt is so Inky black that they can hardly lie seen, just as the spots on a dapple- bar horse are difficult to define In some, lights, it is understood that these animals are truly rare, and no traveling menagerlo has a specimen now in America. The one at Lincoln Park Zoo died some time ago, which will give the Sellg Zoo, at Los Angeles, pro- eminence In the possession of the rareBt members of the cat tribe. With the present addition, the Seltg Zoo will have over twenty lloy.il Bengal tigers, the largest collection in the world outside or the Hagcnbeck Gardens, at Stelllngen, Germany. OUT OF DOOR ACTIVITIES AT mu m . First class days of real sunshine find the big glass caimp etiidlos of the Sallg riant. In Chicago, well deserted, as far as the artists aie concerned. A long lice of automobiles fclnnds ready In front of Scllg's Square every morning at eight o'clock to convey the art- lvts out to choice locations In the country along the ICankiikec, to the primeval forests on the great Peterson, estate, through which runs n famous Indian trull, nnd the many t-tber picturesque points on the North Shoro / 30 f FAMOUS .FEATURE-! XAYEARy DANIEL FROHMAX PRESENTS The Eminent Dramatic Actor BRUCE McRAE In the Famous Political Romance ^30 ' FAMOUS } .FEATURES: V A YEAR J By CYRUS TOWN-END BRADY The Tale of a Courageous Man's Triumphant Battle with the Corrupt Forces of a Gigantic Political Ring IN MOTION PICTURES One of the greatest political dramas of the decade—the commanding personality and iplendid poise of Brace McBae- fit >"— peculiarly for the role he portrays. IN FOUR REELS RELEASED JUNE 1 FAMOUS PLAYERS FILM CO. I_^ f 30 , FAMOUS FEATURES < A YEAR.'; ADOLPH Zl'KOfl, President DANIEL FROHHAN EDWIN S. PORTER Managing Dlr. Technical Dir. Executive Offices! 213-329 W. 26th Street, lew York City 30 FAMOUS FEATURE- vAYEAR'-y =_-gjggi pali Qui the ctund—rd ss to elevate, dignify and perpetu- ate the exhibiting branch of the Industry In •» 'he lake and the Xorihwcttern part of the all parts of tbe world. city. One dnv last week Director Osrnr Ily placing It on this basis the exhibitor K»**e established a htqh water mark of ac- ts encouraged to conduct his show In n busi- nesslike manner. If he desires, for instance to run a week of celebrated plays and fa- mous novels, with notable stars, the Para- mount Pictures Corporation wHl be the cen- tral point through which he can obtain his Program, whereas at present it is necessary or the exhibitor at any given point to work through some half down distributing agencies when his program is Jeopardized by tho possibility of securing films of uneven merit. The Paramount Pictures Corporation will be the connecting link between the exhibitor nnd manufacturer, nnd Indirectly with tho public Itself. In that n program from the Paramount Pictures Corpora I inn Will be Con- sistent, of Rurh a standard thnt there will be no deterioration, nnd yet with suftlclent variety to appeal to nil. The combination of these three Important feature producers (With the Paramount llco turcs Corporation represents tho Jlrst-Or* co—pllshment, la traveling olxty miles with a company in an automobile and taking twenty-two scenes. Tho twen-ty-third scene was taken In tho studio and was the only one not O. K'd. 31 ANY IDLE! THESPIANS. Colin Held, who engages the talent for the Sellg Polyscope Co., To Chicago, states that ho Is fairly over-run with applications for employment nowadays,. and in many cases from actors and actresses of experience, who sre idle due to the closing of theatre* nnd theatrical companies In the Middle West It is estimated that (mm eight to teu thousand people associated with the the- atrical profession In various wavs make their headquarters In Chicago. In the days of Mock a decade ago, there was a shortage of fctorr. wherens there la now a plethora. n hllo stage experience Is of undeniable value In many ways, It does, pot alwavs signify thnt the actors are best adapted for moving picture service. . In ...mutters of technique, through the fact of being the wife of Harry K. Thaw, Is said to have announced her in- tention of starting a photoplay company of her own. Owing to the large amounts offered her by the producers Evelyn assumes she can make more money by producing herself, consequently, if rumor be true, she is going It alone. Wonder what those Chi. and Oheho censors are thinking of. SEND ALONG OUR SHARE OF THE PROFITS, ( HVllLIi;—OFFICF. HOURS, II TO (J, Charlie (Feature) Auroras' postals, de- scriptively of the numerous virtues of "The Muck Triangle." A card-ltoard missive re- ceived this week, via Uncle Sam's man in grey, recites the fact that there are "ten reels of clean, thrilling action compressed into Ave reels of the detective feature." Sort of com. prcssed cleaning arrangement Eh 1 Wot? As an addenda. ' Charlie naively suggests "Share the profit* with us," You can declare us in on the profits every time, Chas. GLEN WHITE ENGAGED TO PLAY LEADS FOR COLONIAL M. P. CORPORATION. Olenwood White, the debonair leading nun who formerly graced the screen productions of the Blograpb. Co., and who has Just closed with the concern which Is placing William J. BurnB, the detective, before the jHcture lov- ing public, has been engaged by Haves ren- ter to portray stellar roles in forthcoming Colonial M. P. Corporation releases, in addition to the possession of Inherent dra- matic ability, White has a finely cultured tenor robusto, which he has frequently used In musical comedy to advantage, notably in Lew Fields' production of "It Happened In Nordland." and more recently in several of Joe Hart's pretentious vaudeville tabloids. FRED. GUNNING WITH SID OLCOTT— TRIP TO KILLARNEY, IRELAND, THIS SIMMER ONE OP NUMEROUS NEW DUTIES. Fred Gunning, a picture man of compre- hensive experience, who recently resigned the film editorship of Warners Features, Inc., has been appointed an assistant director by Sid Olcott Gunning's new Job will entail numerous duties, chief among them being directing new screen productions, publicity and advertising, and last, but not least, a trip to the Lakes of KHlarncy, Ireland, whore the Sid Olcott Players will film dramas of "the ould sod" this Summer, "A MAN OF MANY PARTS" JOHN E. INCE TO PRESENT NOVEL SIL- HOUETTE PLAYS./ John E. Ince, the I.ubln actor-director, plaied his fiftieth serveu role In Lawrenco McCloskcy's wax drama, "In Old Virginia," the final scene of which was photographed last week. The varied list of parts assumed ty Ince since be becamo ldentu<ed with tho Lubtn dramas i.-ontalns a majority of West- ern heroes involved in conflicts of red blood end brawn. It Is in Mich, portrayals that luac Is In his happiest mood, and having always been cast for parts like Stephen Ghent in "The Great Divide," and as Mcsai'-a, In • iien-Uur," during his years on the stage, it is only natural that Ince should play parts of heroic stature In those photo-drama* which he directs. At present however, he Is making a departure from the usual In a script which orders that ouly tho silhouettes of the characters be projected on the screen. MARY FULLER SAYS IT ISN'T SO. Mary Fuller,' the particular bright star of the Edison Co.'s constellation, says she Is not going to marry a member of the company —or anyone else, In fact, at present. EXPOSITION WILL BE THING OF BEAUTY AND A JOY FOREVER. Manufacturers of the different branches of the motion picture art have so nobly come to the front In support of the coming exposi- tion to be held at the Grand Central Palace, New lork City, that, the management is obliged to extend their rental privileges to other and additional parts of the building They are displaying Buch a keen interest there Is no doubt thnt this year will see, dur- ing the week of June 8 to 13, one of the largest and most magnificent expositions ever held. Every one of the producers Is trying to outdo the others In the Introduction of nov- elties to make his booth the most noticeable nnd employing the most attractive construc- tions and arrangements that is possible for the decorators' Ingenuity to design, it is Intimated by some of the film producers that their players will receive in evening dress, others in Colonial dress, others lu UiiUorms and dress of their own conception. Each of the four great theatres built within the Palace will have its own uni- formed attendants at the entrances, each one of which will have Its peculiar style of ar- chitecture. The large exhibition hall will resemble a great Italian garden with trellises and ar- bors covered with trailing vines, nnmrai flowers, exotic's, ferns, palms and evergreens: with fountains playing and bands stationed hi different parts of the hall dlscou'-slng music from among the screen-like clumps of foliage. From this description we can get an idea of. what this exposition of the motion pic- ture art promises to he. Those whose In- terests and business will be set forth within its sphere, are all men, who> have shown the world what they are capable of accoin- pUsblog; therefore, we ran expect-them to do marvelous things and go the limit of their artistic posarblll'Jes and exercise their ideal- istic imagination* in making thU -year's ex- rosltton a thing of beauty and Joy.forever. SAYS THAT VILLA WOULDN'T FIGHT TILL DAYLIGHT. Someone on Film. Alley humorously inclined casually remarked a week or so ago that. General Villa, the Mexican Eebel leader, evi- dently only fought battles on clear days. Now comes a man, J. M. Woltz by name, re- puted to be an official of a Mexican Steel Co.. who asserts, according to a -New York dally paper, that Villa held up the battle of Torreon for several hours la order to fight by daylight Woltz charges that the delay, which he asserts was due to the fact that Villa wanted to make no mistake on the col- lection of his "movie" royalties, caused the loss of hundreds of rebel soldiers' lives need- lessly sacrificed. The story has not been verifled. A chanci: stay at a farmhouse last Sum- mer gave Russell E. Smith an idea that wai unnoticed for a long tkne, but finally came to Rght in the form of a eornedy. It seems that Mr. Smith was stopping at a farmhouse and there was a coucty fair la progress, and various prize fowl and other edible creatures were stored away at night and broke loose. Smith went out to kill a chicken fqr snpper, and was Just about to decapitate the strug- gling fowl when an out-of-breath farmer rushed up with the Interesting Information that the fowl was. a very valuahle prize fowl which had escaped from the county fair. The idea thus aroused has Just come to light in a Western comedy which Mr. Smith has written for Arthur Mackley, who la just completing It for an early Reliance relense, entitled "The Cowboy's Chicken Dinner.** Unless negotiations fall through, the Ed- win August Feature Film Company will ha In possession of several acres of very rte- slraulo land near Pasadena In a few days In which case a model studio will be erected on the site Edwin August is at this tuns prodixclng "The Hoosier Schoolmaster." In which are scenes taken in and around the Sells Circus, which he has the exclusive right to film. Tbe play is in three reels; and August is featured and supported-by an es- pecially strong cast. "Auuti Ikb" <Ed. Carney) has left tha Universal for good, it is said, but it is good to learn that the popular little actress, Louise Glaum, will continue under the direc- tion of Harry Edwards, who has turned out so many excellent comedies. In the absence of any fixed "star" Miss Gla«n will bo seen to much better advantage, for which every- one will be glad. Hebhebt IUwmnsox, falling in his effort to secure quick delivery of aa aeroplane from Glenn Mnrlin, has taken to aviation- via ' dirigible balloons. He has for the past- two weeks been taking dally trips with Hoy Knabenshue In the latter s one hundred and fifty foot dirigible. Rawllnson Is still Intent on having a llghter-than-alr machine, nnd declares that he will yet be numbered among those who can perform an aerial "loop the loop." Eddik Dillon, the comedy furnisher for Ihe Majestic brands, has Just flniBlied an- other one of Anita Loos' inimitable fares comedies, called "The Last Drink :of Whis- key," In wfjlfh the last drink In ascertain Jo^'n.Plays ^humorous havoc with; its thirty lnha-ltanta. **•-•:• *