Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

/30 EXHIBITORS HERALD JOHN J. McGRAW HAS LEADING ROLE IN "ONE TOUCH OF NATURE" FILM, SHOWING GIANTS IN GAME A ball game between the Giants and the. Phillies at the Polo Grounds, New York, at which there were 22,000 spectators, was filmed in Thomas A. Edison's photoplay, "One Touch of Nature," in which Manager John J. McGraw has a leading part. Three fast innings are shown in the film, and the star of "One Touch of Nature," John Drew Bennett, had a chance to show that he could play baseball in fast company. In the ninth and deciding inning, when he is supposed to bat out a home run and win the game for the Giants, there are many exciting moments and incidents that will please baseball enthusiasts. Viola Cain has the leading feminine role. Manager McGraw proves that any time he gets tired playing baseball there is always a field open for him as a film actor. He registers well and his acting is good. "One Touch of Nature" will be published through K-E-S-E. DOUBLE OF NOTED RUSSIAN GENERAL APPEARS IN "FALL OF THE ROMANOFFS" After a search lasting more than two weeks, during which time George Hall, casting director for Herbert Brenon, interviewed 200 film players, an exact double of General Korniloft", the famous Russian officer who led the new revolutionary troops to victory in the recent offensive against the Austrians. has been found and will play an important role in "The Fall of the Romanoffs." In the original scenario of the picture General Korniloff was named as one of the characters who is in all of the scenes depicting the recent revolution. A well-known actor has been engaged for the role, but when General Korniloff leaped into the limelight by his sensational victory of a few days ago, Mr. Brenon decided that the actor he had engaged would not do. as he wanted an exact duplicate of this important personage. Mr. Brenon would not be satisfied with a made-up Korniloff, but insisted upon the real thing. So Mr. Hall, casting director, was set on the task, and after two weeks' search secured the man he wanted — a noted Italian actor who is as like Korniloff as a twin brother. The Italian has been working at the studio for a week now and is in nearly all of the big scenes. A DOG IN THE MANGER" IS NEXT SELIG-HOYT COMEDY THROUGH K-E-S-E One of Charles Hoyt's very best comedies, "A Dog in the Manger," will be the Selig offering through K-E-S-E service Monday, August 6. It is a two-reel farce and is declared to be one of the best of the Selig-Hoyt comedies yet issued. The cast includes William Fables as A. Jackson Bright; James Harris as Colin Early; Amy Dennis as Gay Somers, the landlord's daughter; Edgar Murray Sr., as Boniface Somers, the landlord; Fred Eckhart as Mr. Grump, a star boarder. J. A. Richmond directed the comedy. The plot concerns two inventors who come to grief when their bogus sausage machine goes to pieces and they only escape from pursuing policemen by a very close margin. The two arrive at a hotel where all employees have gone on a strike. Both fall in love with the landlord's daughter. Mr. Grump, the star boarder, has the gout and his ailment is not relieved any when the hotel strike breakers wait upon him. He rides in his invalid chair out of the hotel and down the walk. Fearing the loss of his star boarder, the landlord orders a pursuit. The ^tar boarder's chair rrever stops till it plunges into the lake. The strike breakers dive in after the star boarder, w ho failed to hold his breath as instructed. BUSTER COLLIER TO SUPPORT J. PICKFORD IN "TOM SAWYER," A MARK TWAIN TALE Buster Collier, son of William Collier, noted comedian, has been especially engaged by the Famous I'layers-Lasky Corporation to appear with Jack I'ickford in its adaptation of Mark Twain's coined), "Tom Sawyer." The production is already under way at the Lasky studio and will be announced for publication by Paramount within a few weeks. Buster Collier is by no means new to the screen, having starred in "The Bugle Call," which marked his first appearance on the screen. 500 EXHIBITORS SEE PRODUCTION OF ESSANAY FILMS CONVENTION WEEK Five hundred, exhibitors took advantage of the invitation of George K. Spoor, of the Essanay Company of Chicago, to inspect the studio during the National convention. In order to make their trip worth while arrangements had been made for five companies to be at work. With all preparations made so that work could progress without a stop, it was a very interesting trip to the many who had never before watched the production of pictures which they would later sec on their own screens. Many were the expressions of pleasure at the opportunity offered to meet Taylor. Holmes who had been unable to attend the convention. Through the courtesy of President George K. Spoor, Mr. Holmes had been appearing in "Seven Chances," a stage comedy which is playing at the Cort Theater in Chicago. Milwaukee, Wis. — The Merrill Theater reported the largest business in its history when it recently showed "Skinner's Dress Suit," and expects to duplicate this record with "Skinner's Baby." Lincoln, Xeb. — The Colonial, under the management of E. E. Duncan, will be opened soon writh "The Man Whc Was Afraid" as the feature attraction. Detroit, Mich. — John H. Kunsky, one of the foremos exhibitors of Michigan, has signed a contract with th< Goldwyn pictures for the entire year's output, to be showi in Mr. Kunsky's chain of theaters. He will secure th< first run in Detroit. New York. — Jerome Abrams, personal representativ of the M. H. Hoffman, Inc., who returned to New Yor. after a tour of Pennsylvania and New York, reports 'tha business is exceptionally good on "The Bar Sinister, "The Sin Woman," "Madame Sherry" and "Her Fightin Chance." He secured some desirable contracts for th; HoffmanFour square pictures. St. Louis, Mo. — M. H. Hoffman, Inc., formally openej its first branch office here in the Empress Building la. week. The St. Louis branch will be in charge of Sidne J. Baker, a well known salesman of the middle west, fo merly identified with Bluebird photoplays. The states <\ Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska will be served fro St. Louis. Springfield, 111. — The Aladdin Theater recently pu chased by Harry Jewell and E. J. Cunningham was SO; to F. G. Williams, manager of the Jefferson Theater. Erie, Pa. — William Gairgraves, owner of the moti' picture theater at 907 State street, will build a new fro to his theater to cost $750. L