Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD " MELISSA OF THE HILLS," MARY MILES MINTER'S NEW VEHICLE, TO BE PUBLISHED JULY 23 JEROME ABRAMS JOINS M. H. HOFFMAN CONCERJ Story with Dramatic Action of Tennessee Feuds and Big Romance Shows Star as Devoted Daughter of Minister; Magnificent Backgrounds Are Seen in the Film si Mary Miles Mintcr, in the stellar role of "Melissa of the Hills," an American film to be distributed to the theaters July 23 and thereafter, has the role of a daughter of a kindly minister of the gospel. As Melissa she is beloved of all the rude backwoodsmen and a smart city attorney, but all except the young attorney are ignored utterly that her time may be given to comforting her father. Miss Mintcr' s leading man is Alan Forrest, and Spottiswoode Aiken plays the role of the father in the picture. Another featured player is George Periolat as a skinflint with a soft heart. From the oilskins and middy blouses of "Periwinkle" Mary shifts to overalls, army shirt and hunting boots in this new story of Tennessee' feuds and old-time filial devotion, and the mountain fashions become her as strikingly as do those_of the sea. Samuel S. Hutchinson, in presenting the picture, calls attention to the magnificent backgrounds in the play. These were taken in the big-timber regions of California. The scenes revel. in the atmosphere of the Southland, and the story, by Mabel Heikes Justice, contains much dramatic action. Jerome Abrams, one of the known men in the distribution en the motion picture industry, has joififi the Foursquare forces of M. H. Hofi man, Inc. Mr. Abrams was the fir; special representative of the Bluebir features, and finding that he could d better service by styling himself J H. Hoffman's personal represcntatif he assumed that title. Mr. Abrams will have the same tit in his new association with MX Hoffman, Inc., and will devote bin self to organizing the eastern Foil square exchanges. LOIS WEBER WILL PRODUCE "K" STORY, BEST WORK FROM PEN OF MARY ROBERTS RINEHART Will Be Second of Productions Published Under New Arrangement with Universal; Star Is Lauded by Author Upon completion of "The Whim," which now is nearing its final scenes, Lois Weber will begin a screen version of Mary Roberts Rinehart's novel, "K," which created a big impression when published a season or two ago. This will be the second of the Lois Weber productions published under the new arrangement with Universal, film rights to the story having been secured from Mrs. Rinehart during the past week. Author Compliments Star Herself one of the most popular authors now writing English, Mrs. Rinehart paid a generous tribute to Lois Weber when closing the deal for the presentation of "K" in motion pictures. • "I have refused other offers for 'K,' " she said, "because I have been loathe to see my pet novel experimented with by companies who might wish to rework the story according to their own notions. But when I learned that Lois Weber wished to put it on the screen I just shouted with joy, because I knew that 'K' would receive the most artistic _and truthful presentation possible at her hands. Calls Miss Weber an Artist "For several years past I have admired the. work of this unusual wom an. I consider her one of the great feminine personalities at work in this country. She is a thinker and an artist, every atom of her. I would rather have Lois Weber film my book than anybody else, because I know that she will bring out every salient point in the character of 'K' with sympathy and vivid pictorial effect." BEN TURPIN STARRED IN BLACK CAT COMEDY FEATURE ON GENERA An innovation in llic Black Cat S ries of 25-minute features publish' through General Film is the appes ance of Ben Turpin, comedian. V of the Black Cat pictures have he comedy-dramas but Essanay, then ducer, made room for the Tt& coined}' in this series because of good comedy. The film is call "Two Laughs." A heart interest comedy drai which is another innovation, in lib it features as principals an old xa and a little boy, is "Seventy *a Seven," the Black Cat feature *f'i lowing "Two Laughs" and "A Con in Smiths." Julicn Barton pl< Hiram Beatty, an impoverislj Grand Army veteran, and Buddie, I little grandson, arc interpreted by \ lis Paul. SOL LESSER HEADS STATE RIGHTS BUYERS' ORGANIZATION; N. Y. TO BE FIRST MEETING PLAC Since the recent announcement of his plans for the launching of a national organization of state rights buyers, , which aroused considerable conjecture in the trade, Sol L. Lesser has been continually occupied with the development of his project, and it now is authentically announced that members of the organization will convene in New York City on August 7. ► The organization, which is the result of a careful and prolonged study of general conditions, is in a position to purchase the rights to feature productions outright for the entire United States and Canada, and propositions will be considered at the time of the convention. Practically all of the United St3S and Canada is covered, and the ntt identified with the enterprise are nM whose keen judgment and linan 11 success in the film industry deterrre unquestionably their desirability IS members of the organization. CLAMBAKE AND FROLIC HELD BY UNIVERSL The Universal Film Manufacture Company held an old fashioned cl%bake and frolic at Donnelley's Gr<e, College Point, Long Island, Satuny, July 7, at which a host of newspsir men and company employes enjo:d themselves immensely.