Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

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EXHIBITORS HERALD 31 PRODUCER SHOULD CONSULT AUTHOR, SAYS MAIBELLE HEIKES JUSTICE Noted Writer Called to Conferance by Wm. N. Selig on Cutting and Assembling of Film Version of Her Story, "Who Shall Take My Life?" Sees Advantage in Co-operation. Miss Maibellc Heikes Justice has returned to New Fork to resume her literary work after several weeks bent in Chicago, where she has been in conference with ne Selig Polyscope Company. Before she left for the ast Miss Justice spoke interestingly of her work. She aid : "There is a feeling of satisfaction and pride on the 'art of an author in viewing a finished production after laving had close co-operation in the work of both producer and director. The making of 'Who Shall Take My Life?' has been a pleasure to me rather than a work. ?rom its very beginning I have watched and worked nth the production step by step. Says Author Should Be Consulted "Under the personal supervision of William X. Selig d the fine production of Colin Campbell the picture was ught to a point where the author was called in. and r several weeks of co-operation in cutting and assemng the picture now is ready for publication. "Many of the final and important decisions in assemling the film were left entirely to the judgment of the uthor. This courtesy on the part of the Selig Polyscope "ompany is one that should be accorded every earnest, orking photodramatist by every film company. By such co-operation there must unquestionably be the production of greater stories and better films. "The usual plan of taking a photodrama from the (hands of the author and not giving him a glimpse of his [brain-child again until it has been pruned and often disported by everybody else down the line and becomes to [the originator an unrecognizable screen product is all (wrong. Author Summoned to Front Ranks "All directors, no matter how conscientious, might not 'interpret an author the same. A manufacturer should | consult with both the former and obtain their best ideas. I The day has been here for some time when the author, |by long experience in fiction writing, has been summoned to the front ranks of screen portraiture. On the [author — and he must learn to be a photodramatist able to write the whole drama — must rest the future of the original screen story. Give him encouragement and the privilege of working on his own production, and I grant that before long, in wealth of real story material, the screen will be speaking a new language. The author will not lay aside his pen with disappointment and heartbreak and turn to other things if his rather hard, work is cheered by the light of appreciation. "'Who Shall Take My Lifer' was written for an object— the abolishment of capital punishment on circumstantial evidence. But with no attempt at propaganda, the story itself was left to teach the lesson. And now since the film has been completed and exhibited at private showings to many great prison reformers it has been a great pleasure" to the author to sit back and watch the impression of the story on these men and lawmakers who would no longer tolerate capital punishment. Story Convincing. Says T. M. Osborne "The Hon. Thomas Mott Osborne, former warden of Sing Sing and the great prison reformer who would never himself witness an execution, was one of the latter who viewed the film with me. At the close he said: ' 'Here is a story whose argument is absolutely convincing. Such a thing could happen to ariy man: that he be charged with crime, tried, convicted and executed, notwithstanding his innocence. While warden of Sing Sing it was my duty to arrange for the death of several men I believed innocent. But I left the prison during their execution, because no law could force me to see them die.' " EDWARD NELSON, NEW PRESIDENT OF SHERMAN-ELLIOTT CO. OF MINNEAPOLIS, ADDS ANOTHER BANKER TO INDUSTRY Announcement was made some time ago of the change of officers in the Sherman-Elliott Companv of Minneapolis, which is handling William X. Selig's film, "The Crisis," a picturization of Winston Churchill's book storv of that name. Edward Xelson, the new president, makes another attorney to enter the motion picture field. Mr. Xelson has made a thorough study of the motion picture business and has had considerable practical experiences with the buying and marketing of feature films. David H. Beecher, the vice president, is an investment banker and heavily interested in many Xorth Dakota banks. F. H. Peterson, the treasurer, is president ot the Union State Bank of Minneapolis. Both of the last named men have for some time been interested financially in the great films of the past years. Last fall the company purchased from The Selig Polyscope Company the rights for the United States and Canada for "The Crisis." To date all the United Mates territory east of the Mississippi has been disposed of including Missouri, California, Arizona and Xevada, together with the right for Canada. The rich middle western territories are still open and buvers should communicate at once with the president of the company at 8o4 McKnight Building, Minneapolis, Minn Lon^ and successful runs of this film have been achieved in many of the larger cities of the country and the play has proven itself a great box office attraction. VIVIAN MARTIN HAS STELLAR ROLE IN -A KISS FOR SUSIE," SCHEDULED ON PARAMOUNT FOR AUGUST 2 "A Kiss for Susie," which has been scheduled for publication by Paramount August 2 with Vivian Martin in the stellar role, is notable for its simplicity The story which was written by Paul West, centers around such "a homely and everyday occurrence as the construction of a building, and the people who play the most important parts in the story are the simple commonplace members of a bricklayer's household. It is a romance such as might occur in any house in any community and is therefore of especial interest and calculated to entertain wherever it is shown. The photoplay was arranged for the screen from Mr. West's story by Harvey Thew and was directed by Robert Thornby. Among the important members of the cast are Tom Forman, who plays opposite Miss Martin, John Burton, who has played so many characterizations in recent Paramount pictures, Chris Lynton, Jack Xelson and Pauline Perry. Vivian Martin is Susie Xolan, the daughter of one of the best bricklayers in the union.