Exhibitor's Trade Review (Sep-Nov 1924)

Page 50 Exhibitors Trade Review The <Biq Little Feature "Eve of Revolution" Creates Sensation at Lexington, Mass. "The Eve of the Revolution" created a sensation at its world's premiere recently, when it was shown at Lexington, Mass., under the auspices of the Lexington Historical Society. "The Eve of the Revolution" is one of a series of 33 films being produced by the Yale University Press for Pathe release under the general title of "The Chronicles of America." The film depicts the most significant incidents of the decade from 1 765 to 1775 and relives such highlights in American History as the reaction of the people to the Stamp Tax, the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Sales Assembly, which voted to send delegates to the First Continental Congress at Philadelphia, the rides of Paul Revere and William Dawes, Jr., the gathering of the Minute Men, the clash between the British troops and American patriots on the Lexington Green and the fight at the Concord Bridge when the advance guard of the British was halted and began its disastrous retreat toward Boston with the Americans harassing every step of the way. Among the outstanding historical figures portrayed in the films are John Hancock, Sam Adams, General Thomas Gage, Major Pitcairn, Earl Percy, Revere, Dawes and Captain Parker, who commanded the Mintue Men at Lexington. The original script of the production was written by Professor George Pierce Baker of Harvard's "47 Workshop" fame and Mr. James P. Munroe, Ex-President of the Lexington Historical Society. This film is the first motion picture which authentically visualizes all of the important events leading to the actual outbreak of hostilities with England. Brief addresses, outlining the scope and importance of the work which the Yale Press is doing, explaining the manner in which the Society assisted and endorsing the spirit and portrayal of the films were made at the preview by Mr. James P. Munroe, Ex-President, Mr. S. R. Wrightington, President, and Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, corresponding Secretary of the Lexington Historical Society. A distinguished audience included guests from Boston, Concord, Cambridge, New York and other cities. IF THE FEATURE DOESN'T PULL— To be worth program room, short subjects should pass this test: Will it draw patronage — if my feature fails me? Exhibitors may be certain that short features so selected will undoubtedly satisfy every patron. Century Engages Jesse Robbins Word has just been received from Julius Stern, president of Century Comedies, now in Hollywood supervising next year's product, of the engagement of Jesse Robbins, to direct Wanda Wiley, Century star in her new series of two-reel comedies. These are to be made from stories by the well known French humorist, George Fouret. Robbins directed many of the "Fight and Win" series for Universal and also made comedies for Century a few years back with signal success. Production of the special Wanda Wiley series will start within the next two weeks. * * * Sixth Anniversary of Fox News Reel An important milestone in motion picture journalism was passed last week when Fox News began its sixth year of serving the public with the most important, most interesting and the latest world news in pictures. Vol. 6 No. 1 of Fox News finds this news reel an American institution of worldwide importance. The national edition and the special editions, issued for foreign countries are seen every week by more than 40,000,000 people. More than 1,000 Fox News cameramen are operating throughout the world. There are 40 staff men and correspondents covering the United , States ; more than a score in Canada and other trained men following important new events in Hawaii, the Philippines and the Panama Canal Zone. In every state in the Union and from the Gulf of Mexico to Alaska, Fox cameramen are ever on the alert. There's a rich flavor of romance and high adventure about the vast picture news gathering organization in foreign fields. Fox News cameramen are located at 35 capitals and principal cities of Europe, affording 100 per cent coverage of that territory, Fox News is represented in every European country except Soviet Russia. Fox News cameramen are active throughout Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand and Africa. Strong Fox News forces are operating in the Near East and Far East. 3fc % % Wanda Wiley Back on Century Lot Wanda Wiley, Century star, who was injured when her horse bolted and threw her during the making of "On Duty," has completely recovered and is back on the Century lot once more. The accident was so severe Miss Wiley was forced to spend two weeks in the hospital and two more at her home in Hollywood convalescing. In the meantime production on "On Duty" had to be held up. * * * "Short Change" in Premier At the opening of the Senator Theatre, Sacramento, Calif., the new million dollar house erected by the West Coast Theatres, Inc., the Short Subject selected for the opening program was the Educational-Walter Hiers Comedy, "Short Change." This was the Western premier of the two-reel comedv. The feature attraction on the bill was "The Only Woman," with Norma Talmadge which was the world's premier showing of this subject. * * * When Is a "Still" Not a "Still" Malcolm Strauss, the Pathe-serial producer, is having his troubles. At the present writing, he and his director George B. Seitz are wondering how they can get away with a revenue raid in New Jersey. According to the Jersey laws anything slightly resembling a "still" is on the taboo. According to the story they are now making, which will feature Allene Ray and Johnnie Walker, there must be a "still." Who can suggest something that looks like a "still," but isn't a "still."