The New York Clipper (December 1914)

December 5 THE NEW YOBK CLIPPER. 13 TIMELY PICTURE TOPICS- REPRESENT ATI VKS OP THIRTY- TWO FILM CONCERNS HAILED TO COURT AND PAROLED—F1HE COM- MISSIONER ADAMSON, OF NEW YORK, DECLARES FILM COM- PANIES LOCATED IN WORLD'S TOWER BUILDING MUST OBEY OR- DINANCES OR VACATE. Friday, Not. 27, representatives of thirty-two Sim concerns, doing business In the World's Tower Building, 110 West For- tieth Street. New York, were bailed to court and charged wltb violation of the Are laws by Oscar J. Mendel, an Inspector of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Mendel based .Us numerous complaints on the ground that there is an ordinance for- bidding the storing of inflammable Sims In a building within fifty feet of s theatre. There are two theatres within the specified limit The Fire Department claimed further, that the film corporations cited to appear before Judge Barlow In ihe 'Yorkvllle Court, had no permits for the storing of films on the premises. Fire 'Commissioner Adamson, corner of the globe, and jab been variously designated as tho Frank C Bostock Jungle, the Bostock Arena, the Bostock Menagerie. etc. It was purchased by David Horslcy, of sr hex 1? Ccnt aur Pita Company, together with • all of Its names and titles, from the widow ,. . _ ; of the late animal king, the sale being ar- Idca of-facilitating, If possible, dlstritiiloa ran s"«d by Uarry J4 Tudor, who bas repre- sented Mr. Bostock for many years. About seven hundred feet of film was made of tho animals as they were landed from the ship at tho Atlantic Transport Pier, and transferred to the six seventy-foot baggage cars which, floating on Oat scows, awaited them at the opposite side of the pier. The animals had been on a very light diet during the voyage, and their ravenous at- tack upon the great elabs of beef which rerved as their feast of welcomo to America furnished some most unuaual material for Dig Pill Rclnhnrt. the camera man, to work on. One trainer was caught off guard by a huge Polar bear, whose nimble paw made It necessity for him to borrow Mr. Horslcy's ulster until a new pair of trousers could be procured. Cleopatra, the Alexandrian elephant, who Is now almost as famous ns her namesake of old Nile, refused to be coaxed down the gangway, although a special flooring had been billt to accommodate her unusual avoirdupois. A rope was Anally adjusted of the Alco program. ROBERT T. KANE CONTINUES AS ALCO EXCHANGE MANAGER. Robert T. Kane continues as supervisor of exchanges. He will visit, as heretofore, the branches throughout the country and bring them into better relations with one another ana tbe pnrcut company. Uarry Cohen becomes the new manager in place of AL Lichtman. He was for years the feature manager of the General Film. Company, and established for the General laany branches over the country. Mr. Cohen continues bis relation with Popular Plays and Players. Many of his duties with that organization are taken over by an assistant who is promoted fop the purpose. With the opening of court Monday morn- Infg, Nov. 23. Judge Learned Hand dismissed the equity suit brought by William Slcvers. John D. Duulop, prominent financier and btnkcr, well known In the downtown finan- cial seet.on of New York, has entered the directorate of the" Alco Fill it is said, bas declared he will order the grg^g.•» _'■■.»» « > ,/Wt Cwwtfao, around her queenly neok. said rope then being j»g»g«»*gg» v~*ar*_mm s^J&^sss £s^ %s^^s >«MfT&5g% ■#* *Sr*c*<« a ?Q people, who constitute a large majority of its tenants, unless tbe fire statutes are speedily complied with. The defendant film corporations' representatives were paroled by Judge Barlow. The penalty provided by law for violation of the ordinance, as alleged, is one year's imprisonment and a fine of {500. 4'be sudden activity of the Fire Preven- tion Bureau is ascribed to the fire which occurred .In the Forty-fiftfh Street Ex- change Building, which caused losses to the building and three film concerns on the sixth floor estimated variously at $30,000 to 160,000. The following picture producing any firm of similar activity In tbe field .v ., Du 1 lo P' ?. nen secn *t tbe offices of the Alco I Urn Corporation, expressed bim- ??'' as bighly gratified at the condition of the Alco Corporation, and said he was enter- ing the film field only after having subjected the company to,the most rigid scrutiny. "TILLIE'S PUNCTURED NIGHTMARE," MARIE DRESSLER KEYSTONE SIX- REEL COMEDY, TO BE DISTRIB- UTED BY ALCO FILM CO. The newly organised Alco Film Corpora- tion, under the presidency of Walter Hoft Seely, began Its career this week by announc- etretcbed, by a team of horses down on the pier. But this Cleopatra proved to be as stubborn as her royal predecessor, and braced her bead list on the gangway between her front feet to resist the captive mar:h. Just at that Instant someone on the ship gently applied a goad to her then most elevated section. Tola sudden and most unexpected indignity caused her to execute a double somersault, which landed her In a sltttlng posture at the front of the plank. Cleopatra expressed her displeasure In a sound which sent the gaping crowd scattering in all di- rections, but Harry Tudor, whose sneestors were als> In the king and queen business a a if POPULAR PLAYS AND PLAYERS CO. PRESENTS , THE BRILLIANT DRAMATIC ARTISTE * MADAME OLGA PETROVA In m Tale of Intrigue, Romance and Revenge THE TIGRESS Dated on the Thrilling' y Interne Dnm* of the Sumo Nam* RELEASED DECEMBER 7 ON THE REGULAR ALCO PROGRAM NOTE--Now Playing In All Unsold Territory UNA CAVALIERI In tbe Symphony In Artistry Manon Lescaut" ALCO FILM CORPORATION 218 W. 42d St., Aloo Bldg., New York WALTER HOFF IKELEV, Prra, BRANCHES THROUGHOUT AMERICA .. « following picture producing con^ ™..,,, »« s - u <u > .., cu lu .u new or hj mc- -n <• > ... . ■■ —.-...,.. . cerns and film distributing organizations Ing that the franchise of the California Mo- centur y « r two ago, and who therefore; under- located In. the World's Tower Building tlon Picture Corporation was allowed to Rtbn ° 8 'be legal temperament, whispered received the court summons: Metropoll- lapse and that in future, another well known S or ™ w "ich caused her to rise graciously, tan M. P. Co., Bllnkhorn Photoplay Co., producing company would replace the West- " .S 0 * gracefully and follow him. Titan Film Co., Equitable Film Producing ern organization. • Marlt Antony, her ponderous consort, hesl- C©., Benna Film Co., Eclectic Film Co, Mr. .Seely and his associates unon the re- r* ted ,°i tD .°. h i? d ot tne gangway only until Broadway Film Co., Gt. Northern Film Co, tlrement of certain other directors began a hf sple " ol °- clc0 ftt lhe foot ' * aA then, a " Variety F F. Co., Gramascope Film Co, campaign to procure several other producing history also records of his Illustrious nnme- Inter-Contlnent Film Co, Picture Playhouse Arms of the quality of Life-Photo Film B A ?*?> .followed his warlike mistress without Film Co., Paramount Picture Co, Sunbeam F. F, Co7, Tflsmet Picture Co, Greene's Photo- play, Inc., Mlttenthal Film Co, Bryant Fil<n Co., Leemand Film Co, Colossus Film" Co., Theatre Film Co, Commercial Film Co, Vlco- pbone Co.. Whyte'e M. P. Enterprises, Char- tee Feature Cor All Star Film Rental Co, Gaumoar Co. Vlctus Photo Co, Jay Elm Slim Co, Hopworth American Fl'm Co, Lucky Vwa Producing Co, Benifax Talking Pietures_Co. CALIFOrSKA M. P. CORPORATION NOW RELEASING THROUGH WOULD FILM CORPORATION. The California M. P. Corporation, until re- cently releasing their feature productions on the Alco 'Film Corporation program, will hereafter distribute their pictures through. the medium of the World 'Film Corporation's nation-wide system of exchanges. "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cafbbage Patch," In five reels, will be the initial release through the World Film Corporation. It Is scheduled for Jan. 14" 1916. "iMJgnon," In a prologue and four parts, to be released Jan. 19, 1915; "The Lily of Poverty Flats," '^Salvation Nell" and "The Price She Paid" will follow succes- sively. RENE ALEXANDRE, PATHE STAR, KILLED AT THE FRONT. It Is a remarkable coincidence that almost simultaneously with the telease of "More Than Queen," the Pathe colored picture In which Bene Alexandre starred,, comes the news from France that tbe talented actor has been billed In the great battle in Bel- glum. Co, Mr. .Seely and his associates upon the re- {*. te „ d „, n 5 tD £ b £? d °' «$ Co, tlrement of certain other directors, began a if , 8plcd , ol<1 Cleo at tl Co, campaign to procure several other producing hlatory also records of arms of the quality of Life-Photo Film, B. A. I*??" , follow .?.° Itolfe, Popular Plays and Players and the «''«">&■ .»? All Star Feature Corporation. "Mrs. Wiggs t" 1 ] 0 " 7 8nd . C J of the Cabbage Patch* was (9 have been t% * n *>l™W\ e i leased by ftl Afco concern this week but , £?SS5S t! the Spaniard, coming to America, decides to look up Mrs. Klnck, and rinding her, demands the four hundred owed bltu by licr son; no all her Ingenuity it taxrd to dodge the two creditors and keep her husband away from them until she shall And some means of ob- taining tbe money due. Hut the worst is yet to come! Son John falls in love with a pretty girl In England Itolfe, Popular I'Tays and ~PlayerY"and"the ' a,t * r,,, «'- When they were together again" and follows her to America, telegraphing bis Star Feature Corporation. "Mrs. Wlara A"] 0 "? » n d Cleopatra entwined their trunks mother on his arrival in New York that be when affairs came to a head and the newly installed officers decided on the new plans, it was thought best to substitute another fea- ture, and tbe California Motion Picture con- cern withdrew from the Alco program. President Seely. commenting on the radical change, merely said that an Eastern pro- ducer was ready to step Into the Alco pro- gram, and that this made the Alco consider- ably stronger and brought all tbe producing concerns Into direct touch with the parent company. The matter of shipping printing,' prints of the films, etc, from the Pacific Coast to the central office In New York, thence back to the exchanges, entailed too great an expense and too great a possibility of delaying releases. That tbe Alco concern, under Its new board of directors and with their new policy, means to fortify Its clients with nn absolute money attracting program, was evidenced this week when announcement was made that Ad. Kossel, of the N. Y. M. P. Co, and Mr. Seely, of tho Alco, had arranged to release the great comedy. "Tlllle's Punctured Ro- mance," with Marie Dressier, as a regular unit on the Alco program. "TMUe's Punctured ltomance," In which Miss Dressier and Charles Chaplin played- tbe len.ilng roles, has undoubtedly caused .more comment In the industry than any other film within remembrnuco. Max Sen- net, the director, considers it bis best work, ard authorities claim it to be the most Alexandre was to the Pathe French drama highly amusing comedy fUm ever produced. what Max Linder (who wbb recently wound- ed) Is to the Fatbe French comedy. No man of mediocre talent could be the leading man at the Comedie Frau:aisc, or tbe winner of the first prize for tragedy at the Con- servatoire of Paris, and these are two of the honors gained by Alexandre during bis wnn- Tbe Alco Film Corporation paid Ad Kes- sel one hundred thousand dollars for tbo rights of "Tlllle's Punctured Romance," and will release It Monday, Dec. 21. Nine different styles of four colored pic- torial paper exist for'thla release, and when Mr. Seely wired his exchanges that the fa- derfully successful artistic career. Tull, mous comedy will be released Dec. 21, the broad shouldered, and notably dignified in bearing, he invariably played opposite his beautiful wife, better known to the American public as Gabrlelle Roblnet. Their partner- ship did not end with pictures, but extended to the Comedie Francaise also, where lime. Alexandre is leading woman. The French Pathe actors and employees ale acquitting themsce'ves With credit In tbe titanic war wblcii Is convulsing Europe. So tMX Q^-itmor list is as follows: Rene Alex- SS3re killed. Max 'Linder wounded and M. Escoffler decorated. In addition to these men, two employees of the Jersey City studio who went back to fight, have written to friends to this country that they are suffer- ing from wounds—Jlenc Monca and M. Tri- cot. ROHAINE FIELDING PERFORMS QUADRUPLE PRODUCING FEAT. To commence four big features, two of them of five reel length, and produce them practically simultaneously, Is a feat that is seldom attempted or encouraged among film producers. Romalne Fielding, producer, au- thor and leading man for the Lubin Corn- pony, has a:campllshed this feat, however, end this. In spite of the fact that be Is not a believer In rushing films through. "In the Hour of 'Disaster." In five reels; "The Dis- aster," In five reels; "The Brute In the Jug." in two reels, and "The Valley of Lost Hope." in six reels, are the titles of the plnys la question. Tbe two first nnnied have Just oeen completed, and will shortly be relcosd by the Lubln Company. The last two are still In prepaiation. All the plays were com- menced Sept. 7. Mr. Fielding plays the leads in them, besides being the director. NEW CAPITAL FACILITATES ALCO RE-ORGANIZATION — TEMPORARY RECEIVERSHIP DISSOLVED AFTER ONE'DAY'S DURATION. Tbe Infusion of new blood and new capital Into the Alco Film Corporation has been a natter for general congratulation through- out: the film Industry. Film men have been quick to grasp the significance of tbe suit ill equity which was brought by Wllllara Slevcrs, of 8t Louts, as treasurer of tbo Alco Film Corporation, and which resulted temporarily in the appointment of a receiver. The prompt discontinuance of the suit, and prar j„ 0)c p| cturc . the equally prompt purchase oy President Ji, nree 0 f Charles M Walter Iloff Seelr and his associates of tlie n n " a Mfl n at Fort I stocK held try Wi'lHam Slcvers, Al. Ucbtmnn atld their associates. Rpecdlly put an end to any misunderstanding which may have ex- isted in any quarter as to the stability of Alco. The Alco Exchanges throughout tbe coun- try have telegraphed to President Seely ex- pressions of their entire confidence la him, his associates and in Alco. They ore going ahead vigorously distributing the Alco re- leases, ag well as the radium gold fibre screen and other tupplles which are bandied by the Atsco department of Alco. Tho releases of Alco wlfl be added to by the freeing or much material already owned by the producing companies, and many Im- portant emr« are held In reserve. Work upon these new releases Is aircaay begun, and de- tails wUl be announced at the proper time. The impetus which has been given to the releasing corporation bv nddltlonnl capital Is being felt by the producing companies allied ,with Alco. These are kefyg ahead, ■working vigorously upon their respective pliotoplny productions. , : . '. Reorganixnauin is going forKfir^l with the exchanges'doubled their printing orders and announced their intentions of billing it like a Icgillrunte, production. The releases directly preceding and fol- lowing »hat of Dec. 21 will be Mabc' Talia- ferro, in B. A. llolfe's production of the well known btage success, "The Three of Us," which is now in Its final stages, and the Life Photo Flint Corporation's creation of Frederic Thompson-Klaw & Erlangcr's suc- cess, "Springtime," with Florence Nash in the leading role. Olira Petrova, tho brilliant dramatic star, will be seen Dec. 7. in the Popirlnr Plays and Players Company's "Tho Tigress." Jane Conic, in "The Garden of Lies," follows later. KINETOPUOTE OPENS CANADIAN OFFICES. The K. C. Rooking Co, Limited, has been formed, and has opened unices In Montreal, Can. The company will handle all of tho Klnctopbnte features in Canada, Including such KInetophote masterpieces as "The Spirit of the Poppy," "Tne Span of Life," "Tbe Coming Power" and others. "Markln; or. The Destruction of Carthage," the Am- broslo production which the KInetophote owns. Will also be booked through the Mon- treal company. WILTON LACKAYE VISITS CHICAGO- SCENES TAKEN IN HOARD OF TRADE FOR FILM VERSION OF "THE PIT." Many prominent.traders In the wheat pit of the Chicago Board of Trade became mov- ing picture actors temporarily during tho past week, wben Wiltjn'Lacknyc took various sceno9 In the room of the famous hoard for the photoplay version of the stage success, '^t'hc Pit,' In which he Is being starred by the World Film Corporation. In addition to scenes In ■ "The Pit," Mr. LacUa.ve posed before the Auditorium, at sev- eral of tho large wheat elevators and tho Chicago Stock Yards. Panoramic scenes were tnken from the Auditorium tow it, showing the line of skyscrapers in "tbe loop" district. Accompanying Mr. Lackayc on his Chicago Jaunt were Mnurlce Tourneiir, the director; Chester Harnett nnd Alec Francis, who np- Toe party was In Morgan, of the World Lcc. While In Chicngo, Harry Weiss, manager of the Chicago branch of tbe World Film Corporation, saw to it that tho newspapers of the Windy City wero aware of the presence of the famous stage star, and he also arranged to have motion pictures taken by various photoplay re- porters. BOSTOCK ANIMALS LANDED SAFELY IN AMERICA—WILL FORM ZOO FOR HORSrjLY PICTURE PRODUCTIONS. The S. S. Jfln'iciciwia, ns she made fast to her dock In New York Inst week, proved to be a reproduction, with certain glaring modernisms, of the good ship "Ark." which Captain Noah lost control of in the cosmic ocean In some Indefinite period before tho Christian Era. Each ship carried tbe most wonderful col- lection of wild nnlm.nl* In existence, at their respective time- of willing, the principal dif- ference being In the motive power of the Vessels, and iu the fact that Noah's animals were non-pcrfnrinlng stock, while the Bostock animals arc nil cnrefullv trained. The Bosfofk, collection has shown In every Joyously, !ofC> are one hundred and six- teen trained animals In the Bostock collec- tion, all of which, with the exception of a puma, born on the voyage, perform extraor- dinary tricks individually and in grouos. One of the lions rejoices in the classic; ratronym of Apollo. He Is considered the handsomest animal of his kind in captivity, and will figure as the hero In a scries of pictures in which every part will he played by an animal. The Polar bear with the penchant for disrobing trainers has been cast for the villain of tbls sories, and Yorlck, the comical chimpanzee, who has made more peoplo laugb than any circus clown, is first comedian. Yorlck Is Bald to be the most Intelligent wild animal of this species ever exhibited. Starting, mounting and riding a motorcycle and blowing a bari- tone born are a few of his marvelous accom- plishments. In acquiring the Bostock Show, David Horslcy adds the title of "Animal King" to that of "Oldest Independent Film Manufac- turer," and takes ponsession of the Inrgest end most ifsmous aggregation of trained wild beasts in the world. The entire zoo. in charge of nnrry Tudor end twelve trainers, was rcshlpped by rail to Lo9 Angeles, where Ilorsley i'ark will soon be opened up for their accommodation. In conjunction with tho now Centaur studios where Mr. Horsley' expects to produce a line of single and multiple reel anlmai fea- tures, which will Bet a new nark In this most popular kind of motion picture. MAYBE THIS 19 WHY JUNE RAN AWAY. • What is said to be the xnost elaborate and wonderful wedding ever staged bas just bpen •completed in tbe new serial, "itunnway June," which is now being made by tbo lteliunce Motion Picture Company. Contrary to the usual method of conduct ing these affairs, the orldcsmalds and guests in this particular wedding were not taken from tho moving picture field, but were jlected frc N The gowns in" particular were of special design l>y Norma Phillips, who plnys the bride In "Uunaway June," and were made by Madame Jeanette, the Fifth Avenue modiste. The bridal gown which Miss Phil- lips wears Is in original and uulque design, nnd Is said to have cost a fortune, and the six bridesmaids' costumes arc particularly unique, Inasmuch as they rcprcent tho American ideas rather than the Parisian In tuis respect. A Fifth Avenue florist concern furnished the decorations and bridal bouquets, and contrary to the general practice, real (lowers were used throughout tbe entire set, even to the decorations on tbe stairs. It was neces- sary to photograph each individual bouquet of flowers In order to properly duplicate tnern lor the exteriors and re-takes. Three days were spent In taking the wed- ding Bccnes alone, after about two weeks of rcheiirsa;. •'MRS. BLACK IS HACK" (FOUR REELS) FAMOUS PLAYERS FILM CO. PARAMOUNT PROGRAM. c»sr. Mrs. Black May Irwin Prof. Newton Black Charles Lnno lvmlly Mason Clara Blandlck Tom Lirkcy Wellington A. Play tor Jack DdngcrfltId Elmer Booth Major Thome James Hester llrnmley Bush Cyril Chadwlek Prlscttla Black Marie Pavis Mrs. Block, formerly a plump and good- l.atu-od wliinw, tells Professor Black, her newly made husband, whom she. adores and fears, that »be Is twenty-nine, Instead ot thirty-six, her real age, thus neatly knock- ing off seven years from the sum total. To further convince him of her youth, she him also that her son John, whom he never seen. Is aged ten, when "Little Johnny' is in reality a liusky young fellow of seven- teen, in school In England. Ho Is fully six feet tall, brond sbouldered, and quite up to date, even to bis Irish valet, Larry Mc- Mntius. Not being able to tell the profesior this, Mrs. I'lack Invents a mythical "Aunt Prue," living In New'Knglnnd, with whom Johnny Is supposed to be staying. Tbe pro- fessor has to curb his Impatience to eee his new son, and meanwhile vents his fondness In buying toys for "the child." Ho does the professor h class of gushing young girls, who look forward with equal eagerness to seeing "Professor's Little Johnny. tn order to regain the sllmness of licr youth, Mrs. Black takes reducing exercises from a physical culture teacher, Tom Larkcy, lint loses more money and patience than flesh. As Hon Johnny writes he Is In need of money, and wonts to come home, she takes the four hundred dollars due Larkcy, which she sends to her beloved offspring, telling him lie must stay 1a England, and finish his college course. The professor decides he needs liulldlng up, and sends for an instructor to teach blm the proper exercises. The In- structor proves to' lie I.nrkoy. who adds to Mrs. Black's trouble! by hounding her for the debt due him. Meanwhile bor son Iisb promptly lost the money sent him in poker, nnd gives n Span bird an I. ((, II. for four hundred dollars on the 'bnck of an envelope addressed to his mother, Mrs. Black. Pedro, will soon be with her. And Mrs. Black has Jus* learned from her dlgullled husband that he never forgives a llarf Then things begin to l.appon, with Mrs. Black as the prima factor. Jack and his volet arrive; ibo valet li presented as "Aunt Pruc's" busbaipl, pjid Jack masquerades first as tbe gas man mid finally as Mule, the row cook. Of course the fatal truth at lost comes out, and the peultent Mrs. Black leaps Into an auto, about which she understands nothing, nnd rum away. Her frantic husband sees the machine smash, and when, after believing her gone from htm forever, ho learns that she escaped Injury, lie Is so glad to find "Mrs. Black Is Back" that be readily for- gives her deception, welcomes son Jack, and the comedy ends, with all bauds satisfied and happy. There is quite a noticeable tack of action In the first two reels. In as much as tho forepart of tbe photoplay version of Geo. V. llolart'8 comedy la largely given over to pre- paring the spectator for an almndaucc of comic complications of a distinctly humorous nature, that occur naturally, and arise from tho situations contiguous to the story, in the third and fourth roels tho quietness of the Introductory portion Is quite readily over- looked la the tolllcklng fun that follows. There Is one thing in particular that ecrccn adapter and director may be com- plimented on. The story is well sustained nnd coherently told, the aforementioned dull- ness of reels one and two being necessary If the play was to be followed without too cxtflnslvo liberties being taken with tho original. It would have been, possibly an risy matter to have incorporated consider- able horse-play and dlsh-smashlng Into the cpenlng session, but the results attained In iii-y&Sm&SS Ot a geii«Ul<; Ulfbt comedy r.creen entertainment, which penliiusiy Dof- ders on broad farce at times, Justifies tho legitimate handling of the preliminary events and the omission of extraneous business. Then there is May Irwin, who plays as If , - she had been acting continuously as o pboto- -jlected from the most beautiful models lu P'«y actress all of her long theatrical career. Cew York today. The thousands who hove seen May Irwin ■ - portray the role of the quick-witted widow, In the stage play, will want to sec her on the screen, and together with the tbouBands who have not but who will see her only In the plcturj version, will arrlvo, collectively, ot an unanimous verdict, to wit: May Irwin on stage or screen It always unctlous. Jolly and full of personal magnetism, and "Mrs. Black Is Back," as a motion picture entertainment, tnken all In all. Is delightful, well staged, competently noted and contains numberless Inughable BituutloiiB, that for spontaneous humor can not be benten. Whllo tho cast Is uniformly good flic work of Klincr Booth, who seems to pnssesn Iho faculty of making the most ordinary comedy business seem like brand now material, Is particularly commendable. Tho settings nro of tho usual convincing Famous Players Ilrondwuy production stand- ard, and the photography par excellence. •TAINT FAIR TO PAN THE DIRECTOR, SAYS EMiAll. Rdgnr Lewi's, the moving picture director, offers a plea In behalf of the persecuted di- rector, lie says, "every critic Is roady to Jump on the director, when, In mnny cases, it Is not tbe director who Is to blame for the faulty production, but the conditions iinder which he works. Critics either do not know, or do not consider bow tho director may bo hampered by tho management. They ncouso the director of Inability to under- stand the sulject at hand. When inoro often the director Is doing very well wlili Iho material at hand. Before denounc- ing the director for his poor selection of nctors or meagre setting, It would be only fair If the reviewers would inquire Into the matter further: Often the point Is that tho <x>ooooooooooo< socially notify nil proprietors of moving pic- ture theatres, I will esteem It a favor If jou will notify jour puirvns. . • Blank fortni upon which tvluta m „ Bt „, rnnS6 can Be procured lit this office. (Hlgnodl Ji'i.ihh V, Hjun-ANKA, Vullevtor of Intcrnut ttevenue, 423 Federal Bldg,, Chicago, 111. VAUDRVILLB FAVORITE, URACIC ill II HULL, ENTISRS PILTURUS. Grnco Burrcll, well known in vaudeville. as the "1'vraounlity Girl," bas signed up Willi ouo of the big producers of motion plot lure features to piny lending lngenuo rolcs v 'I ho muue of tho company cannot be di- vulged at present owing to the fact that Miss Burred, who Is said to hnvo tho most wonderful pulr of eyes over screened, prefers to surprise a waiting world with the glad tidings In a. week or so. Ho you soe you •will just hnvo to control your curiosity for the time being because—Miss Burrcll say* so, that's nil, nnd far be it from yb scrlbo tox displease so fair u ludye. IJVI.IIOA (illTTIMJ IIKAIIV TO TURN OUT QUANTITY AND UUALITV. liming signed contracts nils week to fur- nish at least five thousand foot ot Int ciMi film every seventh day lo u great murkciliig' eeruorallon, the Bullion Amusement Pro- ducing Compnny, of Long Beach, Cul.. has, fnit a largo crew of carpenters to work nn- urging tho ntudlo stage to more than twice. lis present sl/e. The dimensions of the old stnge arc 00 by 110, while tho new addition will have a door space, of 1H0 feet platform area one by i»r>. thus making tho platform area one of the largest singes In tho West. Tho plans of tho Improvements at the plant wore drawn by the company's architectural foreman, James W. I.oy, and he will Incorporate In, Iho structures several highly efficient sys- tems of li'(ht diffusion he Invented recently. One of the new buildings at tho studios, will bo a complete carpenter shop tbe ma- chinery of which will lie electrically driven, and will Include large band saws, planing mills, turning lathes and swinging saws. An- other new structure will bo erected as a. library lounging room for the players, nnd.' will be equipped with files of newspapers,' magazines, books and other reading matter, so that the Thespians can Intellectually be-' . t° m.runn™ "nffori the illr'eetor lust so jnilcll "" t"" 1 l"° ll'osiuans can Intellectually be- t E" s moncT ami 'time"to-do B f profion. Tho " ull » tbo times of waiting for the sotting of "*." V9*L* *& -HW- y.g- , -W , J!arg^r— IK scones, I'luns also hovo been drawn for a »nv" "mount of each Is seldom enougn to give no ,.,.„„.„„» „» .i, n .t.oiin. ♦»,« „„,„„„„„ »,, director free rein to his tmaglnntlvo ability. It Is not fair to hlarao the director for tboso things beyond his control." TREASURY DEPARTMENT I8HUF.H LKTTKR RELATIVE TO FEDERAL WAR TAX ON PICTURE 8IIOW8. Tho fol'owlng letter has been sent out to newspapers and trade Journals by the Treas- ury Department of the U. H. Government. It wou;d be well for all picture house manager 1 ! coming under Its requirements to rend and digest carefully. Th G Act of Oct. 22. 1014, Imposes a special tax upon proprietors of theatres, This will Include moving picture theatres. Tbo tax Imposed Is as follows. Heating capacity not exceeding 250. $25 a year. Keating capacity of over 250 and not ex- ceeding. tiOO. $r>0 a year. Heating capoelty of over 600 and not ex- ceeding 800. »7f> a year. Hentlnp capacity of ovcrSOO $100 a year. The period for which the tax Is due is for eight months only, thnt Is from Nov. 1, 11»14. to and Including June HO, 10t5, so thnt for all returns made during November but two-third of the year's tux need be paid. However, 1f the return for special tax Is riot made prior to Dec. 1, but Inter, a fifty per cent, penally, applies, which must be jmld at the same time the tax Is paid. As tbls oUlco, at present, is unable to pcr- rcstnurnut at the studios, the company to employ a culinary crew for tho preparation' of meals for all the concern's employees and. players. The Improvements wero mndn Irnpcratlvo because of tho Balboa cn'norotlon's nowly instituted policy of expanding Its business, as a remit of the great demand for Balboa * Ken lure Films, known 1n the trade as "Tho Pictures Beautiful." Contracts with new di- rectors are being negotiated, nnd mora than a score of talented pl.iyers arc sonn to begin work In the leading roles of three reel, four, reel and six reel productions of famous novels. Jf. M. Horkhclmcr. president of tho Halboa Co., will be director general of tho entire work of staging tho big dramas. CRANE WILBUR LEAVES PATHS. Crane WIHil.', for several years the repre- sentative male star of the Pathe American Company, and for the last year exploited as the hero In "The Perils of Paulino," has left the employ of Pathe Frcres, Mr. Wilbur severs his business relations with Patho t'roros with the kindest of feelings. Ills con- tract with the company has terminated with the last Installment or "Pauline," which Is. now completed. Crane Wilbur bns boon with Pathe Frercs nearly four years, never hav- ing appeared In pictures under the direction of any other company. It was in their ro- louses thnt ho gained Lis popularity as ■ screen actor.