Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

EXHIBITORS HERALD 29 HIL LEWIS OF CHICAGO OWL FEATURES GETS RIGHTS TO "ONE LAW FOR BOTH" IN ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN SECTOR Negotiations were concluded this week between the >wl Features Company of Chicago and the Ivan Film reductions, under the terms of an agreement by which le Owl Features Company becomes exclusive distributor 'i the Ivan superfeature "One Law for Both" in the tate of Illinois and also southern Wisconsin. Phil i.ewis, while in New York City to close this deal, remarked that, in his opinion, "One Law for Both" was ine of the best box office attractions of the season. ' Mr. Lewis stated that he contemplates exploiting this i.-ature in a manner similar to the way it has been hanled in New York, giving it an extended run at one of le best downtown theaters in Chicago and co-operating •ith the American ambulance in Russia if they so desire. .NN MURDOCK TO BE SUPPORTED BY DAVID POWELL IN INITIAL FROHMAN PLAY ADAPTED TO SCREEN In beginning the making of Charles Frohman sucesses in motion pictures the Empire All-Star CorporaIon has set about the task with the expectation of maklig the picture versions of Charles Frohman's greatest ucccsses in every way worthy of the triumphs attained y the same plays on the speaking stage. I Not alone will the greatest Frohman stars lend their listrionic ability to recreating the parts made successful ly them, but Charles Frohman stage settings, properties. Iramatic works and costumes will be utilized in the forthoming motion pictures, and utmost care will be taken in .electing the supporting casts that will surround each star. , As an example of the sincerity of purpose of the -mpire All-Star Corporation in carrying out this last -lentioncd detail is cited the engagement of the popular flayer David Powell, who will play the leading role oposite Miss Ann Murdock in "Outcast," one of the forthoming Empire pictures,. Mr. Powell will be remembered y exhibitors as a featured player in the company suplorting Billie Burke in "Gloria's Romance"; as leading iian for Mary Pickford in "Less Than the Dust," and s the player who perhaps scored heaviest opposite Clara .vimball Young in "The Price She Paid." Previous to is motion picture career Mr. Powell had risen to fame s a member of Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's company t His Majesty's Theater, London. He first came to imerica in 1907 as leading man for Miss Ellen Terry, le supported Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson and creted the role of Christopher in "The Passing of the Third loor Back." In "Outcast" he is cast" as Geoffrey -Sherwood, the oung broker with whom Miriam (Mis Murdock) tall in . n e. RIPLE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXPOSURE IS A FEATURE OF "WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR? f A triple exposure which breaks the record for the umber of times necessary to make it to satisfy a direc)r is one of the many photographic features of "\\ ho's our Neighbor?" the sociological photodrama now bcin^ tate righted by Master Drama Features, Inc., 1493 Broadray, New York City. Laboratory experts say that this triple exposure is one |f the finest things' of its kind ever done. It is such a elicate piece of work, requiring such perfect timing to | ie fraction of a second and perfect synchronization. | lat it had to be taken twenty times before the result was 'atisfactory to Director S. Rankin Drew. j T. M. OSBORNE, EX-SING SING WARDEN, LAUDS "WHO SHALL TAKE MY LIFE?" FILM, PRODUCED BY SELIG COMPANY COAST PRODUCING COLONIES HIT BY U. S. DRAFT FOR GREAT ARMY; ' CHAPLIN'S NUMBER NOT CALLED The motion picture colony on the west coast was hit by the recent drawing for men to answer the first draft call. With considerable anxiety the lists were scanned on Friday last by the Los Angeles studio forces. Charles Chaplin's number was not among those drawn, although his press agent was called. Wallace Reid, the Morosco star, was the first of the screen notables to be drafted, although he may claim exemption on account of his wife aud baby. The Lasky Company had two actors drawn — Tom Forman and Lucien Littlefield. However, Mr. Forman had already joined the Coast artillery and Mr. Littlefield the ambulance service. In the Triangle ranks Charles Ray was an early selection. Mary Pickford's assistant director, Roy Marshall, was also drawn. George Walsh of the Fox staff will be given an opportunity ,to do some standing broad jumping over in the trenches, as will Victor Potel of Essanay. Charles Parrot, a director, and Ralph Spence, a scenario writer for Fox, were drawn. Charles Dazey's son, Frank, was drawn, as was Jack Blystone, director general of L-Ko Company. Jay Belasco of the Cristie Comedies was chosen, likewise Horace Davey and Neal Burns of the Horsley Company. Lynn F. Reynolds, a director now with Triangle, was drawn, as was Pliny Goodangle, husband of Mary Anderson. Universal City will lose William Francy, Milton Sims, Craig Hutchinson, Francis McDonald, George Marshall, Lloyd Whitlock and J. Webster Dill. Many in the technical departments of the various studios were drawn and the plants, as a result, will be seriously affected. William N. Selig is in receipt of a letter from London, England, to the effect that "The Crisis" is enjoying a long run at the Scala Theater. The London papers are of one voice in their praises of the spectacle. Hon. Thomas Mott Osborne, famous prison reformer and ex-Warden of Sing Sing prison, recently witnessed the film "Who Shall Take My Life?" in New York City in company with the author of the photoplay, Miss Maibelle "Heikes Justice, when privately projected by William N. Selig. Mr. Osborne was enthusiastic in his expression on the object and lesson conveyed by the production, after the picture was run. Later, he wrote the author the following letter under date of April 23, 1917: "My Dear Miss Justice: "Your moving picture film, 'Who Shall Take My Life?' which I had the pleasure of seeing the other day, in which is set forth with much skill and effect one of the strongest arguments against capital punishment— the possibility of executing an innocent man — is bound to be of considerable assistance in the campaign for abolition of the death penalty. W hat you have portrayed upon the screen might easily happen. Since I first came in close touch with the New York prisons several men have been executed whose guilt was open to very grave question. I hope the film will have wide publicity. "Thomas Mott Osborne, "Former Warden of Sing Sing Prison."