Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 21 BIGGEST AND BEST MARKET IN HISTORY OF FILM INDUSTRY SEEN BY FRANK HALL Shares Belief of Many Financial Experts Country Is Entering Era of Unprecedented Prosperity; Condition Reflected in State Rights Trade That the state rights market is reflecting the beginning of a tremendous business boom is the opinion of Frank Hall, who is closing contracts with buyers of territorial rights for the special Edgar Lewis production, "The Bar Sinister," and the A. H. Jacobs Photoplays, Inc.. Jane Grey feature "Her Fighting Chance." "When the country decided upon conscription" said Mr. Hall in talking over conditions of the market, "a sudden check was noticed in the closing of contracts for territory. A spirit of indecision seemed to be prevalent for a short time, but it was really remarkable how quickly business settled back into its usual channels and buyers became even more active than before the slump. Sees Big Business Judging from the live interest now being shown in the disposition of territory for "The Bar Sinister" and "Her Fighting Chance," the independent exchanges of the country are equipped to take care of a large number of new state rights pictures and are preparing for a strenuous midsummer drive for business. While pictures with a special advertising angle seem to appeal to buyers most strongly, producers making all high class features should have little trouble selling them at a fair profit. 'T share the belief of many of our leading financial experts that this country is entering upon an era of unprecedented prosperity and since the show business is one of the first to profit by good times, it is natural that motion picture men should be preparing for a rich harvest about to be reaped. "With everybody working and a great amount of money in circulation it is a foregone conclusion that the capacity of our theaters will be inadequate to hold the crowds seeking relaxation and amusement. Exchanges will quickly profit by the prosperity of the theaters and the large demand for good pictures will keep the state rights buyers continually on the alert for new ones. "With this condition in mind, many successful exchange men are preparing for a marked increase in business and are therefore showing an interest in state rights offerings which is exceptional for this season of the year." SENSATION FILM FOR 1918. IN SCENARIO. IS DONE BY NELL SHIPMAN Author-Player Returns to U. S. from West Indies with Big Story Material for Forthcoming Film Xell Shipman, author and star of a score of screen dramas, has just returned from the West Indies where she has been preparing the manuscript of what will be one of the biggest screen sensations of 1918, it is said. She now is sojourning in California, but expects to return to New York very shortly to personally direct and supervise her story. It is safe to say that no other woman in the industryhas achieved the marked success in such widelv divergent fields that she has. MISS NELL SHIPMAN (Williamson Brothers) Following her successful work with Greater Yitagraph, Fox and Lasky productions, she received many offers to continue her work before the camera, but the lure of writing drew her. to the West Indies which proved to be a most fertile field for material' for book, stage and screen. Activities do not start upon her big picture until September, when she sails once more for the West Indies. MUTUAL ISSUES PRESS SHEETS WITH AIDS FOR LATEST FEATURE FILMS Two unusually attractive press sheets have just been issued by the Mutual Film Corporation advertising Mary Miles Minter, in "Periwinkle," and Jackie Saunders in "A Bit of Kindling." These sheets contain price lists of advertising accessories, music cues and catch-line ads. as well as valuable program suggestions. JANE GREY, THE STAR IN "HER FIGHTING CHANCE" THIS POPULAR STAGE FAVORITE ACHIEVED A NOTABLE Sl'CCESS AS A SCREEN STAR IN THE LEADING ROLE OF THE DRAMATIC FILM NOW BEING PUBLISHED BY FRANK HALL PRODUCTIONS. INC.