Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

32 EXHIBITORS HERALD EDWARD NELSON, SHERMAN-ELLIOTT CHIEF, TO OPEN TERRITORIES ON "THE CRISIS" FILM Head of Minneapolis Concern in. Chicago with David Beecher, Says Best States Not Yet Sold; Powerful Dramatic Play in Big Demand Edward Nelson, president of Sherman-Elliott, Inc., together with David Beecher, well known banker, came from Minneapolis, Minn., last week and spent several days in Chicago on business. Both are cn-thusiastic over the campaign to dispose of the remaining territorial rights of William N. Selig's film, "The Crisis." "We consider the" states yet unsold as among the choicest territory for this great American drama," said Mr. Nelson. "It was finally decided to offer the territory for sale because exhibitors and others were asking for the pictures and objecting because 'The Crisis' was cashing in for theaters in adjacent states. Realizing the justice of these complaints President Nelson decided to relinquish certain plans concerning the reserved territory and to offer the territory for sale. The states include Wisconsin, Iowa, Arkansas, Montana, New Mexico, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas, Idaho, North Dakota, Kansas, Oregon, Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Washington, Utah and Wyoming. Receives Many Inquiries He announces that since the territory was offered for sale that a very large number of inquiries has been received from state rights buyers and others. According to reports, "The Crisis" has been cashing in wherever pre sented. The American story, written by Winston Churchill, has a direct appeal to patriotism. There is a representative cast of players, including George Fawcett, Bessie Eyton, Thomas Santschi, Marshall Ncilan, Eugenie Besserer, Frank Weed, .Matt B. Snyder and others. The film carefully presents the history and atmosphere of the ante-bellum days and the days of '61-65. The entire National Guard of Mississippi participated in the filming of scenes in and around Vicksburg. The battles were staged on the historic ground where the engagements were fonght during the war between the states. Fort Sumter was also visited for necessary local color. Realistic Lincoln Appears One of the greatest of the details of "The Crisis" is the very human Lincoln. William N. Selig has on file a number of letters from Civil War veterans and others who knew Lincoln and they all attest to the excellent characterization of Abraham Lincoln in "The Crisis." The role was enacted by the late Sam Drane, who had made a life-long study of Lincoln. Even the little whims of the martyred President are perfectly reproduced. The role is enacted with life-like care. Drane's "Lincoln" is the only one that has ever merited a close-up. The battle scenes in "The Crisis" also are true to historic data. Even the old fortifications and entrenchments used in the siege and battle of Vicksburg are shown and were used by the troops in the pictureplay. JAMES AUBREY TO STAR IN TWO -REEL COMEDIES FOR SMALLWOOD FILM CO. Producer Plans to Make Artistic Comic Subjects in TwoReel Lengths James Aubrey, the comedian, has signed a three-year contract with Arthur N. Smallwood of the Sniallwood Film Company, New York, to appear in a series of two-reel comedies. JAMES AUBREY (Smallwood Film Company) His salary under his new arrangi ment, it is said, will be $1,000 p< week for the first year, with a stipi lation that he is to receive an h crease over this amount for the se ond and third years. Believing that there is a big ma ket for good, clean comedies, Arth N. Smallwood is prepared to ma his forthcoming productions techi cally and artistically perfect as w as funny. FRANK J. SENG SEES "PARENTAGE" FILM BIG MONEY-MAKER; SETS RECORD IN NEW YOR New York and Chicago film theater patrons have endorsed "Parentage," the thought film produced by Hobart Henley and presented by Frank J. Seng on the state rights market. This production had its premiere at the Rialto Theater, New York, July 8 and played to more people than any feature attraction has ever drawn into that motion picture theater. Exhibitors and film buyers are familiar with Mr. Seng's declaration that "Parentage" is not a $2 picture, also with his reasons for selecting the Rialto Theater of New York in preference to exploiting Hobart Henley's film in a dark stage house. If the results of the Rialto at box office prices ranging up to 50 cents be taken as a criterion, "Parentage" should i found an excellent box office attr M tion. Mr. Seng, while in New York 'fa week, said: "The success of our op ing vindicates absolutely my faith n such a picture as 'Parentage' — pictus that are clean, that entertain anckt the same time drive home a spleild moral lesson. I know that every I hibitor (and I am one, you know) |U make money with 'Parentage' whejit reaches them through the state ri;l* buver." Vancouver, B. C. — E. T. Wright Calgary, who was handling "The > rier" for Canada, is in Vancouve ? business.