New York Clipper (Nov 1915)

38 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER Nove m be r 13 MOTION PICTURES UARRY EN'MS, MOTION PICTORB BDITOIt. FREDLER BUYS AUKEN^S MUTUAL HOLDINGS. DEAL m VOLVES $720,000, MUTUAL FREsmerr now holds cortsollirg interest in big film DISTRIBUTING CONCERN. A final step In the rMllennait of forces In tbc Mutual Film Corporation Is Indicated In the an- nooncemCDt made during tbe week of tbe purchase of 1720,000 of the stock of the corporation by Jobn B. Freuler, president of the concern. Tbo stock acquired bv Mr, Freuler In this den^ was that he^d By □. E. Altken, former president ut tbe Mutual, and br tbe Majestic Motion Picture coicpany and the Bellance Motion Picture Cor- poration. Tills constlttTtes an important addition to tbe Freuler holdings in Mutual stock. It Is a flnancial sequel to tbe operations wblcb culminated In the election of Mr. Freuler to the prealdenc; Of tbc corporation, suceeedlng Mr. Altken In Jane. Marked changes of policy In the Mutual film service to exhibitors have been Instituted by tbe Freuler admlnlstiatlon, with resulting extensions of the business calling for the estaolishment of seven ne^ branch offices In the United States and renewed activity In Psnadn The Mutual now has a total of sixty-eight branches In the TT. S. and the Dominion of Canada. The field forces of tbe com- Damr have been practically rc-organlzeU, and tbo . fernce to exhibitors all over the country baa been placed In more direct connection with the home oiOce la New Tork. The present system Is calculated to be blgb'.y responsive to conditions as they arise from time to time with reference to any particular territory or the nation. Each branch manager re- uortj) to and deals with the home office directly Inste&d of through a district manager as In tbc time before the present administration took charge. Ifany of tbe modlflcatloDs and readustmenta made may be traced tq the experience of Mr. Frcnler as an exhibitor of motion pictures. He Is still an exhibitor, besides lialdlng large Interests In the dlltrlbotlon of films. He now controls a number of theatres In important centres. He begun in the motion picture business with a small thea- tre In the West, and bas grown up through all ttan experlenc<>3 of a successful exhibitor. Mr. Freuler's increased Investment In the Mutual is takm by film men to Indicate his high degree of confidence In the future of both the Mutual Film Corporation and the film industry, it u itrobable that no other man in America has such Important holdings in an.v one film concern. tJnder Mr. Preulvr tbe Ifutual Is now committed to a poltcey of film service to the exhibitors of motion pictures calling for an expenditure of ap- proximately $8,000,000 In the current year—Whence rhc new Mutual slogan, "Tbe $8,000,000 Mutual Program," The spending of this great sum Is made necessary to give the Mutual program tbe high salaried stars and expensive prodncuona which Mr. Freuler has put Into the program for the t>enefit of tbe several thonfands or theatres using Mutual pictures^ FAMOUS P UYER S ON BELASCO'S **WM . BirrrERFLY** ANROUNCE- MENT. Commenting on the statement of David Belasco t'j the effect that the motion picture adaptation of John Lnther ling's "Mad-ome Butterfiy,''^ produced by the Famous Players Film Co., lus ao connec- tjoa with Mr. Bclasco's dramatic version of the MmlUar story, Daniel Frohman, mana^g director of the film company, .<:ajd: "It vould, Indeed, be regrettable and unjust to both Mr. Belasco and Mr. Long If the su]»oAltlon aiose that Mr. Belasco's play formed the basis of .the screen adaptation, nor has It been the Inten- tion of the Famous Players In any way to create that impression. "Long's original story, to which, we obtained the Tights over a year ago. contains suQlclent dm- matlc-plctorlal action to fill all the requirements of the pbotcplaj-. The 'Butterfly,' wlilch Mary Pick- ford portrays on the screen, will be an adaptation of Long's story, Just as tbc Belaaco play and the I'ucclnl opera were adaptations of the story. Mr. I'elasco, himself, is not more eager than I to cor- onet ax^ erroneous impression cdncemlng the aonree of the motion picture version of the sub- Jict."' SIGNAL COBPORAnON TO FEATURE HELEN HOLinES IN NEW SERIAL. Helen Holmes Is to be featured In "The Olrl and the Qame," a film novel In chapters, to be pro- duced by the Signal Film Corporation, tbe first release of which will be Dec. 13. The story Is from tbe pen of Prank Hamilton Spearman, whose storle."; have appeared In Mc- Clore's, CoUlcr's and other publlcqtlons, esrnbig for hlffl a reputation for literary virility that few Authors of the day possess. J. P. MrOowan will produce this latest scr'»en novel under the general supervision of Samuel S. nnteblnscn, the master prodncer of "Tlta.Dla* tnocd from the Sky." and President John' R rrru'pr, of Mutual Film Oornoratlon," for which organization "Tbe Girl and the Oame" wlU be a ''special fpsfure," wUl have general direction of the distribution. Helen Ilolmrs, as "the pin,"" will bnve abnndant opportunities to display tbc daring which Is ber proud possession, and which has brought more thrills to the motion picture patrons xhsm tbe work of any other actress on the screen. Tbe "game" Is society to-day, finance and Intrigue in- terwoven with a background ranging friyn tho marble pillared officers in Wall Street and the mansions of the elect to lamv lighted switch shncfes and smoke filled round houses with their coal eating gneats of iron. To produce "The Olrl and the Game" a special stodlo was erected, giving to the Signal the great- est railroad studio in existence. A depot was bum, practicable in every way, inside and out- Bid^ a switch tower was erected at a point on tbe trackage.Inld on the Signal grounds. Switches, semaphores and all the mechanical Eafeguards and hazards of the rails have been in- Btalled. £to complete Is tbe equipment at this new studio that In the actual taking of tbe £rst chapter Of the forthcoming novel, iMrector MeOowau, thirty minutes after tbe author's script was de- livered to him. had a train consisting of Pullmans, day coBcbefl, parlor cars, diner, baggage car and engine, ready for the camera. Doe of the first scenes to be taken was a col- lision, a freight train smaabed Into a siding, and a Cbrllling leap by Miss Holmes to safety. This Is all In tbe first chapter, making a sensational cas- cade of tense Bituatlons, red-blooded aod virile, tinged with a human expectancy all compelling and a femininity pretty and dainty as a debutante's frock. Mr. Spearman has In bis writings all of the romance of railroad making, from tbc secret in- trigue In the private offices of the magnate to the nerve-racked bnt cool-headed men whose skill drives the big iron horses over the great steel rails. There Is In his story the spirit of fight, a struggle for a purpose, with all of the ramifica- tions of the human tangle In the present day battle of man to man. He ia the authoc of "Whispering Smith," one of the most successful serials ever run in Amei- ican uewspupers. "Held for Orders," one of the most melodramatic oontrlbutloDS to American literature, came from bis pen, as did "Tbe Nerve otf Foley," "Dr. Bryson," "The Daughter of a >faaiate," "Robert Klmbcrly" and "Tne Monnialn IM^de." Altogether It Is predicted by Director M'-cGowan that "The Girl and the Game" will have more actual "thrill punches" than any plctnrlzed novel thus far produced. -He has set himself to outdo Director Taylor, producer of "The Diamond from tlie Sky," In the matter of thrlH making. ROLFE GETS SILVER SERVICE In recognition of his services (as managing director of the Strand Theatre, New York) during the remarkably soecesBful engagement of Geraldlne I-'^trar In "Carmen," last week, the'dlrectors of that tbeatro presented B. A. Rolfe with*a magnifi- cent sDver service. Gifts of monev were dis- tributed to the other members of tne executive staff. The "Carmen" engagement was a wonderful one, for more than 144.O0O people paid from 16 to 60 rents to sec IL Special performances had to be ulven to accommodate the overflow andleneea. Tbe doorkeepers and usbers worked like l>eaver8. It Ih e>itlmated that tbe Strand played to more tbnn 723,000 dr.ring tbe Farrar picture. The house^ seats about 3,500. At every performance there were more than COO people standing- STANLEY PiaURES ATTRACT COUN- TRT-WIDE ATTENTION* Many exhibitors throughout the country are tak- ing advantage of tbe oavertislng pos.°lbllItlc9 and couMquent drawing power of the "Stanley's Ad- Ttntureo in Africa;' series now being earned on In the Centaur Features. This series is founded on the trip of H. M. Stanley, a reporter, on behalf of The Xne York HcraM, to recover Livingston, ttie missionary, who was lost in the wilds of the South African Jungle. Stanley's mission was re- plete with stirring Incidents. At every turn he was'blocked by hostile natives-' Wild animals de- terred his Jonmey in variotis .^tcgrs; his aidoc were' stricken with fever, bis rankn dcrfieted' by death. In the face of' air he pushed on, and cnder the tnost heartreodlng drcmnstances, finally succeeded In tala qncct. It' 'Will be remembered that Stanley's trip was a big feature storr in tlie dally papers st the time, and thonsanda of readers wM recall its origin, the indaents - of the' Journey as It ad- vanced and lt0. final outcome. By calling atten'- tUn to this fact through advertising- and poMldty means, as the beels of the series, . an-added inter- est has been, worked up and financial gain to the eshlhltor doing so has been the result. - In putting on the Stanley series^ David Hors- ley, the prMacer.-^s exercised great care Co re- tata the. histodcal accorccy of the trip. end. at the. name time to carry with U the "atmosphere" of the .Alrlcaii Jnaslea. The story follows the printed accounts of tbc trip, and tbe tottlags are truly tropIcaL A big cast of princlpalb has bcei: grovlded, and & larvc nundier of eztraa engaged fi,r onth African natives. To convey tbe Stanley ■wild animal scenes In the Jangles Uie .Bostock animals are i;sed to decided aaraiitage. Each release of tli« 3tenie7 series Is In two reels, and up to and including the release of Kov. 11, four episo()e9 will have been distributed Tbc first Issue wu called "Stanley's £csr<±. for tbe Hidden City," and I'ollowing this came "Stanley'3 Close CalL'^ "The White King ot the Zaras" and "Stanley In Starvatlun Camp," tho last named picture Dclnc tbe current release. While each episode is in itself a complete 'pic- ture, exhibitors have, In nanv Instances, adver- tised and shown U in serial form, and thus de- rived the benefit of continued advertising on one subject. Following 'Stanley in Starvation C:>mp," released Nov. 11, two, or possibly three, eplsodea win be released. NEW H0RSLE7 LEADING WOMAN. Mtss Bt. Aubonr Is now Oeorge Ovey'a leading woman In David Borsley's Cub comedies, taking the place of Goldle Colwell, 'Who tvas recently transferred to Mr. Uoreley's company, producing two reel Centaur features, after appearing In tbe comedian's anpport In over twenty releases, -Miss St. Aubour makes ber first appearance la "Tbe Double Cross," to be released Nov. 12 on Ibe ilutuol program, while Miss Cotwell makes her Initial bow In tbo Centaur feature on Nov. 4, wben tbe two reel drama, "When Avarice Roles," is released. BRADY TO RUN SUNDAY PICTURES IN NEW YORK HOUSE. Wm. A. Brady, It is reported, wUl run plctureA hereafter on Sundays, at the I^'ortr-elghth Street Tbeatre. The opening attraction wilt be the World Film feature, "The Butterfly on the Wheel." IHJTOCTIOV FOR. VKTVAlj. The legal department of tlie Mntual reports the xrentlne of another injunction against tne adver- flsemen't of a film, entitled "A Victim of Sin," a.^; a photodiama based on that great moral play, "Damaged Goods." This time the offendln:; nim appeared in Detroit, Mich. The injunction there Is igainst J. R. Eunsky, Inc., David Mnndstock and Jonas Rosen, who bad been supplied with the film and the 'Infringing advertising matter from tbc- Kew Tork concern against -which an Injur.rtlon Issued recently. One by one the Infringers arc being run down and prosecuted. Action In these coses is brought In the name of the American Film Company, the makers of tbo original and genuine 'Da-maged Gooda," with Rlcli- ,ard Bcmpett and his Broadway Cast of co-worke'S- .^ctlons are pendlnfr or shortly fee Instltated Id a number of other cities. .OLADDEN JABfBS SIG\9 WITH PEBRLRSS. Gladden James, formerly of the 'Vltagraph stock, has signed with the Pecilcss, to play- juvenile leads. He -will be co-starred 'with Orml Hawley. in a forthcoming pictorizatlon of "The Conntry QlrL" Well rounded stories of tbe great ivoods, womra who love, and men who do things have e compell- ing human interest to people, young and old. in every walk of Mfe. Sirch a story, rife with ro- mance an<l Intrigue Is "AlU-e of Hudson Bay." e two reel -'Flying A'* dranta. to be released on the Mutual Program, Nov. S. Director Charles Bartlrtt brings out the stoi? In a telling way. Kdwnrd Coxen. as Frank iloss, cf the Northwest Mounted PoHce, gives the screen a virile character ontlre'y worthy of the love >-t Alice (WintUfred Gre^awo-.d). Jolm Gale, a trapper (Chas. Newton), lives in tbe Northwest ba«kwood<: with his daugbt'T. Alice. Gale dlscoveia Baiph Martin robbing his traps, and recognizes in him a fellow clerk In the Kast twenty years before, when Gale was accused ot murder and fled, though Innocent. Alice-loves Frank Moss. Martin forcen his at- tentions on Alice, thereby Incurring the enmity of I'rai*. Martin notifies the police ot Gale's ^heri'- alouts, and Frank is sent opt to make the arrest. Alice Implores but Moss docs his dun. for which the girl turns against him. Later It develops tb-ic Martin is the murderer. «alc is released. M«^' li re-instated In the slrfs affections, and tbe tlory ends happily. Franclne Larrlmore never bad so great an op- portunity on Broadway to display her histrionic inlent as she has in the RIalto Star Feature, "Tb.! Devil's Darling," which Gatnnont -will release on the regular Mutual program Nov: 3- Iler role In "Some Baby," in which she Is noiv appearing at tbe Pulton Tliaatre, given opnortunll.v for tbe Ingenuous charm of a young girl, nut "The De'vil's Darling" takes both this chann and tbe evolution of a soul, .which grojva out Qt lgi>.or""<^ Into . £9Pbl3tlcatlon, ..and. finds itoejf c^nfroirted tvltli a -world old problem which has confronted millions of-wp;nen before, her. Miss'I^Rimore. arises n>iendld]y to tbe Qteflslon as. Alice 1 take, ^whoae vlrtve a Portugese jlren, Irma Cobrallo -(Plevla .trcnro), trips to fake, awa.v to give to the devil In return for her own youtb- Tbe picture Is fantastic,' almost hideously w'elrd. but'it Is stirring.'"'" -'■: -• •*' ' Bt Pemberton pleys the role of James Dodn, SIdnenr Afason is Pbllllp-Morse; the minister; wbo aids the conntry frirl, and John Reintaard appears l<^'ii lover. Tbe devil Is portrayed Iqr Curies W, Tnvla