The New York Clipper (July 1914)

THE NEW YOEK OMPPEE. July 18 MOTION PICTURE DEPARTMENT HARRY ENN19, REPRESENTATIVE. CURRENT FILM EVENTS. RT HICK. -Mcz/nxjuuzas N. A. MYLES. "THE EAGLE'S MATE" (B REELS), FAMOUS PLAYEHM FILM CO. RE- VIEWED AT THE sTRAND, .\. Y. ota: Anemone Brcckeurhlgc M«y I'lekford Lninfj iloiiie Junes Klrkwood Sullv Brcckcurlilge Ma Waterman A buc-r ill n.f KoU-rt brodtrjilc Flsbrr Morne Harry 0. llmwue Hacur .Morno Helen Qllraore Myra Momr KsMcllc Klut.y l.ilke MlNnorlli It. J. Henry itev, Uotcuklw IIuuh'U Basset t The Story, The Mornes of Virginia ere a lawless mountain olun, a strong, Hcrce folk, gcoraful of any law save ubat writ large In their own hearts. They dwell on a nearly Inaccessible peak, called the Eagles' Byrlc, and because of their craggy abode rind tbolr fierce na- tures are called the "Bogles." Lancer, son of the leader, baa been aent to college by Anemone's aunt, .Mrs. Breckenrldge, who is a Morne herself, though Anemone, her petted and cherished niece, la Ignorant of this fact, an are the rest of the townspeople. Lancer's father is arrested for moonshlnlng, and Lancer shakes off the shackles of civilization and leads the clan to the rescue of his father, Joining the Mornes in their lawlccs life in the Eyrie, Fisher Morne, the brutal and uncouth cousin of Lancer, falls In love with Anemone, and, being repulsed by ber, abducts ber and carries her off to the Eagles Eyrie. Lancer and Anemone have met and have felt an irresistible attraction for each other. When Anemone finds Lancer at the Eyrie she begs him to save her and send her back to the valley. Itut with the wild daring of his clan, Lancer tells her he Intends to have her for himself, fights Fisher for ber and conquers. Anemone marries Lancer to save her aunt from paying the Immense ran- som Flsber would exact for ber return, but tells Lunccr she bates him—and finally con- vlnccs him that she does. In anger, Lancer replies that he will never speak a word of lore to ber until sho asks him to, and they live In the Eyrie ns strangers. .Fisher shoots Lancer and accuses Anemone of the crime. The wounded Lancer demands that Anemone he returned in safety to her aunt, declaring she is innocent. Ancmono learns that the sheriff is leading a posse up to the Eyrie to attack the Monies, who have been betrayed by tho traitor, Fisher. And sho returns to lead the clan aculnst tile representative of the law, for (-lie huB learned to love lancer and now longs to he herself considered 1111 "Eagle." She reaches the clan la time to warn them, and the battled posse returns. Anemone's aunt, at the crucial moment loynl to tho Mornes, comes to the Eyrie, and shows them, through the action of the trnltor. Fisher, the folly of outlawry and Its enevitablo end. Lunccr, now the acknowledged' loader, through tho sweet Influence Of the noble little Anemone, recog- nizes the truth of his aunt's words. Tho Monies promise no longer to rebel against their State. Lancer and his bride begin their honeymoon In the Iflyrle, and Anemone Is nt last truly happy as the Eagle's mate. The producing end has been excellently taken care of. While the story, which 4s in- teresting and ■contains numerous stirring; climaxes mid dramatic situations. Is rather conventional, It provides Mary Flckford with a first rate vehicle for -hex admitted, superla- tive talents as 11 screen actress. As the do- mure mountain lass Miss Flckford. Is seen, at her best. James Klrkwood, as Lancer Morne, ttresents a virile characterization, and Harry Irowne makes a desirable "heavy." All In all, a fascinating and exciting scries of in- cidents finely visualized. Kick. FOURTH EPISODE OP «T.HT2 MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY"—Til AMIOl'SKIl SERI AL-WH AT HAPPENS IN REELS SEVEN AND bight. •' oast: Stanley IIOTsrcovcs, tho millionaire. .Albert Norton .tones, liargreavfs'.-butler Sidney liracy Florence Ovny, Hnrgrvnvua.' daughter ■ v '• Florence LaJlaiUo Countess Oljta Marguerite Snow Juttica Norton, a newspaper reporter..-lames Oruzo Susan, Florence Gruys companion.. .. I.Hi Clavier Bralne, one of the coiun-lrutont. .Frank FarrUigton Working on tho theory that Florence Gray, the eighteen-year old daughter of Stanley Ilargreavea. the hunted millionaire, knows where her father's money Is hidden the lilack Hundred conspirators determine to trap her In their rooms and there force her to reveal the secret she Is believed to possess. In carrying out this plan they arc aided by their knowledge that Florence Gray never has seen taer father, a circumstance which, obviously, would enable one of their number to (HpsuJbo himself to impersonate Stanley Hnrgrenves and thus ingratiate himself Into the guileless child's affections and confidence. limine—aptly named, for ho is the Intelli- gent, driving force behind, tho Black Hun- dred's plot to get Ilargreavea' fortune— drafts a note calculated to appeal to the father-lore of tho simple ooaratng school graduate. The conspirator's uoto reads as follows : "My Darling. Daughter: ,.>„ "I must see you tcnlght. Come' lo -78 Grovo Street, top floor, at 8 o'clock. Confldo In no one If you would not seal my death warrant Your loving father." That night Dralne, unwilling to trust any of his fellow conspirators with so delicate a mission, creeps Into the park surrounding the house and climbs In bis stocking feet to the roof of the veranda upon which Florence Gray's bedroom, window, opens. Bralne makes his way across the shingles until he reaches the window. It does not readily open to give htm opportunity to alio the note beneath It, so liralne uses a knife to force the warped eash. - Florence, only half asleep, hears some one tampering with her window. - • ■ • Too terror-stricken to scream, she never- theless leaps from her bed Into the middle of the room and then to the -window. Bralne, his object attained, his gone. Florence picks up the envelope and tears It open. .-Its con- tents have not the ring of sincerity, bat Florence is too eager to clasp her father in her arms to long consider what she believes may only be her owa false suspicion. • Down at the entrance to the mansion Jones, the butler, opens the door to find A. Leo Stevens, the aeror.aut with a message for htm. Bralne, creeping across the lawn sees the balloonist talking -with the butler, but la his hurry to escape attaches little importance to the circumstance. Prevented fey the note's caution from con- riding her doubts to Miss Farlow, her eom- I<anlon Florence Is undecided as to what to do. Iter desire to see her parent wins over her suspicions, however, ana that evening a, heavily veiled young -woman steals through the grounds of the Hargreaves mansion to- ward the address named In the note. She finds 84 Grove Strret an apartment house In a secluded and .■unpretentious neighborhood. She makes her way from landing to landing until she leaches the door leading Into the apartment on the top floor. A knock coon brings what appears to be a venerable old man to the door. Florence is undecided: what to do. bat as the old man bears a striking resemblance <to the painting of her father the girl does not resist when he clasps her In his arms. Florence's meeting with the man who pur- ports to be her father is attended by con- straint Something is lacking in the warmtji of the other's' greeting. Something rings false and tbe timid girl Is quick to sense the dissonance. Ber suspicions arc verified only too quickly. From commonplaces the conversation, avoiding; all personalities, too quickly passes to the subject of Hargreaves' ■wealth. "How shall I know you are my daughter if you cannot tell me where my money Is hidden?" demands Florence's supposed father. The question convinces the girl that she has been trapped, that the man to vrJiom she is talking is a cleverly disguised lmposter. While the latter'shack is turned she stealthily tries a door behind her. It is locked. When she tries another door in the room the stranger leads her away from It, while a benevolent smile plays upon his features. Despite her repugnance for the man who has professed to be her father, Florenco could not provent him from embracing her without revealing her suspicion of him. While he had his arms about her Florence was horrified to see in the mantel mirror five fares peering through a door. Florences' opportunity 'to escape came soon after. -The false father leaves the room. Bhe hears -Mm Tilaanlng with the conspirators to torture her Into a confes- sion. She sees one of the men struggling with a writhing python which 1b to be freed In the room with her Jf she does not tell them what they wont to know. Quickly all pretense of friendship or pa- ternity Is dropped. The false father seizes Florence by her throat et the moment that the conspirators enter with -tho writhing python. Florence seizes a cbalr with which &ho smashes the only lamp in the room. While the conspirators grope about, the girl quickly shuts herself In a cabinet built into tho wall. The gangsters believe, when they discover her absence, that she has thrown herself from the window. But, as they peer out, a noise behind them makes them turn, only to see Florence dash through tho open doorway into tho hall, She locks the door behind her and flees to safety. DAVID HOlt SELY MAKES IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT — WILL PRODUCE SEVEN FILM COMEDIES EVERY WEEK—TO MARKET SAME THROUGH W O R L D-W IDE EX. CHANGE ORGANIZATION. David norscly's announcement that he will -produce seven one-reel comedies each week and distribute them through twenty- nine especially organized offices, covering the United States, Canada, Europe and South America, marks one of the most important developments in the world of motion pictures during the current year. Coming from David Horscly. such an an- nouncement assumes unusual significance. Mr. Jlorscly has long been noted for the seemingly unerring skill with which he fore- sees the future turn, of conditions In the film industry. His actions are .therefore closely watched by all whoso Interests are tied up In motion micturcs much as tho barometer Is studied by all men who follow the sen for a living. • David Horscly was the founder of tho Centaur Film Co.. the oldest in the inde- pendent ranks, and has Invented, many de- vices, accessories and machines, which are now ess(ntlal to the mechanical side of mo- tion picture productalon. "I have been working on this plan for the last six months," said Mr. Horseloy when inter- viewed nt his big glars and concrete studio in Bayonne. N. J., iast week, "and I am confident, after mature thought and consid- eration of the subject in hand, not to men- tion weeks of preparatory physical endeavor on 'the part of myself and associates, that our proposition of manufacturing and re- leasing comedies will mark an epoch In film making and marketing annals. We will re- lease comedy every day. Celebrated newspaper writers will be engaged'to create genuinely hu- morous single reels. . "With the one-reel comedy plan, I am building for the future as well as the present Comedies have always been in great demand, but the supply has never been adequate be- cause so few of the manufacturers have solved the problem of production. One of the greatest manufacturers in the licensed field recently declared to me that he had always been afraid of comedies. I would rather spend $25,000 on a big feature than $2,500 on a little comedy—tho risk with mo Is not so great," ho said. "There arc several reasons for this condition. In the first place, manufacturers do not study their source of supply. Few writers, however excellent they may be In other lines of authorship, aro ablo to write comedies. Those who are have as a rule amply demonstrated tlielr ability through the medium of the - stage or press. Such authors uiuuut toe taunted into the scenario Held with the paltry mm that Is usually considered sufficient to pay for a 'single.' And when the producer does get a likely comedy script he turns it over to one of his -versatile director*, who la (opposed to be 'good on comedies, too,' and to actors who have bad no particular -training for this •eemdngly easy but actually most difficult ot acting. The result is a dull, often ama- teurish picture, and not infrequently the author Is blamed for the failure. HAS MANY ORIGINAL COMEDY SCRIPTS. . "My new plans are already completed and the work of production and office or- ganization Is well under way, and the first releases will be made In the early Fail. "I have many original comedies,' secured from especially engaged writers, bat the basis of my plan is the '.famous comic series Which (have been running in the great dally newspapers. These comics, such for In- stance, as 'Babbling Bess,' are In high favor In every nook and corner of the land. The demand Is already established. The bead of my scenario department will be one of the ablest and best known humorists and ■scenario writers In America, whose name, when It la finally made public, will cause considerable comment and astonishment. I have also under contract several di- rectors who are 'specialists,' and whoso names and demonstrated ability will in- sure -tho successful working out of tie senarlos. The actors Are being picked from the ranks of the trained 'screen comedians, and from a certain class of theatrical en- tertainers whose line of work fit them pe- culiarly for broad, yet artistic, motion pic- ture comedies. "I am after the best of the big exchange managers, and have a scheme of operation which will make tbetr work more than unusually profitable. All of the work of production will be tnaide in tho Centaur Film Co. studio la Bayonne, which, I be- lieve, is destined to become the most im- portant plant In America," Chester R Beecroft. one of filmland's very best tale tellers, has been appointed •lubricity manager for the Centaur Co. Mr. Beecioit's record speaks tor itself. FOURTH ANNUAL CONVENTION M. P. E. L. OF A. HAKJ3S FILM HISTORY -S'EFP RETIRES AND H. A. PE.U1CE, OP BALTIMORE, ELECTED 10 PRESIDENCY OF LEAGUE— AMAL- GAMATION OP M. P. E. Lu OP A. AND I. M. P. B. ASSOCIATION FOLLOWS— ASSOCIATION TO HAVE REPRE- SENTATION OF FOUR ON EXECU- TIVE BOARD —CONVENTION DE- CLARES AGAINST GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP OF ANY SORT. The Fourth Annual National Convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America was opened as per schedule In Me- morial Hall, Dayton, O., Monday, July 0, by an address of welcome to the visiting dele- gates and their friends. Mayor Schrayer, of Dayton, in a few well chosen sentences, offered th» guests the freedom of the city, and President Neff replied for the Leaguers, thanking the Mayor for his felicitous re- marks, and Incidentally outlining the objects and hopes of the assemblage of film men. Mr. Neff spoke-of the censorship question, and the tenor of his speech seemed to Indi- cate that he had changed his attitude com- pletely on this all important subject. The president advocated organized opposition on the part of the exhibitor and outlined his plan for offeaaive and defensive tactics. It seemed to be tbe consensus of opinion among the delegates on tie opening day, however, that the censorship question would not come up for extensive debate during the course of the week's deliberations. The second day's doings, Tuesday, July 7, were notable for a plan which was Bet In motion looking toward the consolidation of tho M. P. E. L. of A. and the International M. )'. E. Association. (The latter body is composed largely of the exhibitors who se- ceded from the parent organization et the convention held last year, at the Grand Central Palace, New York. Sam Trigger Is tho moving spirit of the I. &L P. B. Associa- tion. The executive committees of both leagues held a conference Monday evening, July 8, but could not agree on a plan of amalgama- tion. t>am Bullock, an official of the Cleveland Branch of the I. M. P. E. Association, offered a tentative arrangement which called for tho resignation of nil the officers of both leagues and tho formation of a governing 'body con- sisting ot seven exhibitors to be chosen from tho ranks of the Association and a like num- ber from the executive committee of the League. These fourteen representatives of both factions, according to the plan suggested by Bullock, were to elect new governing offi- cials for the combined forces. M -8. Pearce, of Baltimore, L. W. Brophy, of Oklahoma, and J. J. Itloder, of Michigan, all experienced showmen and exhibitors with a known reputation for organization ability, were added to the executive committee, which was appointed to confer with the Associa- tion's peace envoys, Wednesday evenlnr. July 8. • ~"™ THE PASSING OF M, A. NEFF— MARION H. PEARCE, OF BALTI- MORE, ELECTED PRESIDENT M. P. B. L. OF A. AT SESSION HELD WED- NESDAY, JULY 8. Quite tho most astonishing event that transpired during the "whole convention oc- curred Wednesday, July 8, M. A. Neff, who hnd been placed In nomination for the office of -president, tn a lengthy speech, declined the honor and withdrew his candidacy for the executive office in question. Tills action on tho part of Mr. Neff was a complete surprise to his adherents as well as tho opposition, which was led by Secre- tary Wiley, who publicly apologized to "tho old warhorse" for his attitude. After a short debate Mourlon H. Pearce, of Balti- more, who seemed to •meet the presidential requirements very nicely, of all factions of the League, was duly elected president. The other officials elected for one year were: T. P. Fbinlgon, vice 'president; U. E. Cory, second vice president; W. E. Wilson, secro- tcry, and P. Juep. treasurer. Following the election the delegates of the International M. P. E. Association were extended tho courtesies of the convention, and several made speeches, declaring that the proposed plans of consolidation should surely meet with fruition now that the issue of the ex-president was a thing of the past LEAGUE DECIDES AGAINST CONSOLI- DATION. BIT RECONSIDERS AND AMALGAMATION OF FACTIONS 19 ACCOMPLISHED AT LAST. The session Thursday, Jaly 9, was prin- cipally taken Ui-with tie all Important and oft discussed subject of consolidating the M. P. E. L. of A. and the 1. M. I>. E. Association. After an Involved and lengthy discussion on all phases of the situation, the M. V. E. L. of A. decided to reject the consolidation proposition of the Association delegates. The executive committees of both organizations baying met In conference W'ednesday evening. SB 5 i l !?■ ™ utn .«llT «*reed that Jeacb faction ahoaia submit Its plea to the convcn- PRE8EPJTS THE FAMOUS ROMANCE OP OFFICIAL LIFE IN WASHINGTON TIE LITTLE GRAY LADY By CHA.TTNINO POLXOCK WITH THE NOTED ACTUS SB JANE GREY A DRAMA OF EVEBT-DAV LIFE OF EVERY-DAY PEOPLE IN FOUR REELS OP MOTION PICTURES iL» W 30 , // FAMOUS \ FEATURES RELEASED JULY 10 FAMOUS PLAYERS FILM CO. 213-229 WIST 26th ST. ADOLPH ZUKOR. President DANIEL FROHMAN EDWIN S. PORTER | Managing Director ^j__. Technical Director tktnites at Thursday's session for final con- sideration. The League after much debate, however, rejected the Association's proposal, which called for the increasing of the League's present executive board of seven to nine members. Tbe Association asked further for four places on the proposed larger board. The League's answer was a counter pro- posal to appoint two members of the asso- ciation to the present board of seven, and a fiat refusal to Increase the membership of said fcoard to more than the original designated seven. Consequently. It looked after Thursday's session as If, in view of the rejection of the association's peace plans by the League and the consequent refusal of the terms offered to the association in return, that ail bets are off, at least for another year, as far as uniting the warring bodies are concerned. Another thing that has stood In the way Is the attitude of the League on the censor- ship question. The association is flatly ad- verse to all forms of censorship, whether of State or local nature. Tbi League, up to Thursday, passed tbe buck very smoothly en the censorship question, and maintained a discreet silence on the subject, not committ- ing Itself one) vray or the other. The Leaguers claim that the association people asserted Neffs elimination was all they de- s'.red to make them completely happy. Mow the Leaguers complain the association is demanding several additional concessions, such as the size of the executive board and the above mentioned question for the League to come out boldly on the censorship ques- tion. Thursday a resolution was introduced and passed by the convention condemning cruelty to animals being shown In film productions. Tho writer having reviewed possibly over five thousand pictures and never having wit- nessed any cruelty to animals, bat often cruelty to actors, it is curious to know why the time and patience of an important as- semblage should be taken up with such Idle ddscussIonB. Why try to eradicate an evil that obviously does not exist, when go many far more Dnportant subjects are left undis- cussed, or at least unsettled? The resolu- tion was introduced, It is said, at the behest of several humane societies throughout tho country. ■ t AMALGAMATION - OF LEAGUE AND ASSOCIATION ARRANGED FRIDAY Z&J&.& Jb, 0F *• CONDEMNS CEN- SORSHIP OF ALL SORTS—ASSOCI \- TION SATISFIED "WITH CONCES- SIONS* Principally through the stand taken by the delegates of Michigan and Ohio of the League, what -seemed impossible Thursday become an accomplished leolity l-'rWay. The Association's demand that their body haTe a representation of four members on the executive board of nine was finally acceded to. and resolutions passed condemnine oil sorts of censorship. The Association, having secured what they deemed proper In the way of concessions, decided immediately after a committee met- ing to coalesce with the League. Of couree It will take some time to perfect the plans of consolidation, but It is now nevertheless aa assured fact "•«<-» R. Y. CITY'S NEW M. P. ORDINANCE The following comes from Commissioner of Licenses George H. Bell, of Kew York Citv Section 852G of the Moving Picture Ordl- nance charges the Commissioner of Licenses with the duty of preventing the exhibition of improper moving; picture displays in tho City of New lork. It reads sb follows: '•8620.—Through Its Inspectors, as Srovlded in section 352B of tils srtlcle le Department of Licenses shall Ineoect tho character of exhibitions in moUon" picture theatrei, and said Inspectors shall report to the Commissioner of Licenses any offense against morality. £?h? nc Sh°» r ..? ubll S ' n ' clfarc - contained 7n said exhibitions. The Deportment of Licenses is In recelDt of numerous complaints againrt movlngDic- JUr^JSS? °S»^ h J*™ »•« subndtted for proper criticism but a few of which gJM been passed by the National Board of Ocnsorshlp. The nature of these romplaTms hVfoKl *t^r tt re<^L?. 00 £^ C e5 tut ft* mmTkSSfTiSmmWVi Us work well and only In rare instances Is It that the department has found something which has slipped through their rigid criti- cism. This condition will' he remedied by the plan of the Commissioner of Licenses by giving official support to "moral suasion' authority of the National Board of Censor- ship In Its campaign for the elimination of undesirable Alms. Where the National Hoard of Censorship deals with the manu- facturer of improper films, the License De- partment -will deal with the exhibitor direct. and it is believed co-operation of the tws forces will sp-eedliy be found effective In ac- complishing the proposed reform. The great majority of complaints which seem to have merit, concern moving pictures which are not submitted to the National Hoard of Censorship, but sre brought Into Kew York by unscrupulous -manilfactiirers, and In most esses ore Imported. These wild- cat films, as they ore called, constitute abmit five per cent, of. all the moving pictures exhibited la this city. The Commissioner of Licenses has appoint el a committee of seven people, oil of whom are vitally interested In the welfare ot tbe freater city, and all of whom have proves v their work that they are qualified and at the same time brood In then* views, whose duty it will bo to view the wildcat films as soon as their presence Is known fcy the Na- tional Board of Censorship or the Depart- ment of Licenses, and will report an each Ola as to whether or not It should be shown. ■With this report an additional report will be made by un Inspector of the Department of Licenses, in which will be contained the story of each film. On receipt of these two re- ports e representative of the Katlonnl Boarl of Censorship and a deputy commissioner of the Department of Licenses will file a report with the Commissioner of Licenses, srntlnj whether or not tbe film should be shown. Aa soon as an unfit film Is found throags this method, the Commissioner of License* will notify every moving picture exhibitor ri the City of New York that the film Is under the ban, and must not be exhibited under pain of suspension or revocation of the :noT- ing picture cihlbltor's license. Tbe same method will be followed (n handling com- plaints against Sims passed by the National Board of Censorship. The Committee of Seven who areto do this work is as follows: Hastings H. Hairt, Russell Sage Founda- tion; Director, Deportment of Child Helping. W. B. F. Roeers, lawyer. Seba E. Qdh-idee, BrooMyo Bureau of Charities. Mrs. E. S. rtlalxle, Neighborhood Workers' Association. Charles 8. Bernhchuer, Hebrew Bdueatloa Society, of Brooklyn; Brooklyn Neighborhood Workers- Association. Mrs. I. F. Real, nartlev House. Lester F. Scott, People's Institute, The Commissioner of Licenses Is now or- ganlring an advisory committee, witch will be made up of representative citizens of each section of the Greater City, whose duty It will be to watch moving picture exhibitions In their respective localities and report in- stantly any improper films. they may find. while some Improper films may not be with- drawn for two or three days under this method. It Is believed that tie practice of exhibiting Improper films will ceaso almost entirely Just es soon as It is found that tbe loopholes In the work of the Notional Boari of Censorship have been filled up, and that cioving picture house licenses will be sus- pended if Improper pictures are exhibited. The plan has the added advantage that Im- proper alms will not be advertised before their withdrawal as In the old plan, whlck Involved court procedure. 1 « "THE ROSARY" TO RE PRODUCED IN PICTURES RY SELIG. Out et Edendale, one of the suburbs of Los Angeles, where the big Selig studio to located there has been much discussion ana excited interest shown by the various mem- bers of tbe Selig Producing Company there. Mr. Belly made special arrangements with Rowland & Clifford for the production la pictures of their most successful play, "The Rosary." This play bas been staged In all Parts of America as well as abroad. «nd it fas been much discussed, especially by those Interested in church work. The production of "The RosamjVt rflAl* will be in .elaborate form and port?ayed^by tlcaUy^onfpillJcf celrtriU « s ' U « "■ P™*