Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

20 EXHIBITORS HERALD "REDEMPTION" FILM, WITH EVELYN NESBIT AND LITTLE RUSSELL THAW, DRAWS CAPACITY HOUSES WILBUR BATES, NOTED NEWSPAPER MAN, MADE PARALTA PUBLICITY CHIEF State Rights Picture Plays to Big Business in Chicago and New York, Despite Weather; Story on Screen of Star's History a Lure Even in the heat of midsummer, when the thoughts of theater-goers turn to the seashore and the mountains and theaters are temporarily forgotten, "Redemption," with Evelyn Nesbit and her son Russell Thaw, is proving a big attraction. The fact that the picture is playing to big business in every theater where shown, without exception, even at unusual prices for a photoplay attraction, proves its value. From the time that it stayed five weeks at the George M. Cohan Theater in New York, when only scheduled for two, until the present, when it is doing so well in Newark, Chicago, New York and various other cities, it has never failed as an attraction. In the Broad Street Theater, Newark, where big sta^e attractions are presented during the winter season, all records for the house were broken with "Redemption," and it is still very popular. At Keith's Alhambra Theater in New York, even after its run at the Cohan, it played to big business for two weeks. In the Colonial, Chicago, it ran as a feature attraction to unusual business, even for the summer time. It will open in various other big theaters in the fall and later in the summer. This picture has already proved its value as a state rights proposition by never failing to draw, and to please whoever sees it. The biggest men in the film world have already bought state rights, and invariably have already contracted for enough bookings to insure their profit, without tapping the full resources of their territory. The magic of the name of Evelyn Nesbit and her tragic story is still interesting and theater-goers want to see the story she tells from the screen. David Bernstein, 1493 Broadway, is handling the state rights sale of this feature. ENID MARKEY LEADS AN ALL-STAR CAST IN NEW CORONA FILM, "THE CURSE OF EVE" Company Adopts Policy of "The Story First" with Representative Group of Players as Opposed to Featuring a Single Star The Corona Cinema Company, producers of "The Curse of Eve," in stating their policy of production, have lined up with other motion picture producers who have come out in favor of the system of making the story, with an all-star cast, the primary consideration in picture making as opposed to the practice of featuring a single star and choosing roles to suit the talents of a particular player. Enid Markey in Lead With this aim ki mind the cast for "The Curse of Eve," which is the initial production of this company, was chosen with the idea of getting as many first rate players as possible to handle the various roles. The feminine lead in the production is played by Enid Markey, former Triangle leading woman. Miss Markey enacts the role of the modern Eve in the tense drama which is appropriately introduced by a biblical prologue. Opposite her is Ed Coxen, another well known player, who in this picture appears as the young hero. The heavy man of the picture is Jack Standing, one of the celebrated family of actors of that name. All Established Players Together with these three in the leading roles are Clarissa Selwynn, who appears as the feminine heavy; Eugenie Besserer, Marion Warner, Elsie Greeson, William Quinn, Arthur Allardt, G. Raymond Nye, Jack Lott and George Kuwa, the last named being a Japanese actor of known ability. Nearly all of these players have done commendable work in other productions before "The Curse of Eve." HELEN HAYES BROWN IS EDWARD WARREN'S "FIND" FOR NEXT PHOTOPLAY Edward Warren claims to have discovered a new star for the motion pictures and he predicts a great future for her. Her name is Helen Hayes Brown and she will appear in Mr. Warren's next production now being rapidly completed at his elaborate studios in Grantwood. Takes Up Work with New Concern After Wide Experience on Big Publications Wilbur Bates, general publicity man for the Paralta Plays, Inc., and the Bessie Barriscalc and J. Warren Kerrigan productions, has had a most interesting career as a newspaper and theatrical advertising man. Mr. Bates is a native of Boston. He' ran away from home at the age of 13 and secured employment in a Boston detective agency's office and at 16 became connected with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, on their detective staff. WILBUR BATES General Publicity Man for Paralta Plays, Inc. A year later he secured a position as reporter on the Boston Herald, where he remained three years and then joined the rcportorial staff of the New York World. Mr. Bates left newspaper work to take up pressagenling for "The Devil's Auction" and three years later joined the Leibler & Company forces, doing the newspaper work for "The Royal Box." In 1899 Mr. Bates joined Klaw & Erlanger as general press representative for "Ben Hur" and other productions, remaining nearly ten years with that firm. In May, 1908, he abandoned theatrical work and was special correspondent for Prof. Metchnikoff and his discoveries until he joined D. W. Griffith in exploiting "Intolerance."