Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

X H B I O R H R D Goldwyn to Issue Mary Garden Film "Thais" to Exhibitors at Regular Rental Price Quarter of Million Dollar Production, With Noted Star, to be Published December 30 at No Advance to Customers Goldwyn Pictures Corporation makes an announcement of interest to exhibitors everywhere, with the statement that its next production, "Thais," in which Mary Garden makes her screen debut, will be delivered to all contract customers of Goldwyn at no advance in prices above what they pay for other Goldwyn Pictures. "Thais," well under way in the Goldwyn Fort Lee studios, will be published throughout North America on December 30. Goldwyn's action in making a quarter of a million dollar production with one of the greatest of stars and then issuing it to all regular Goldwyn contract customers at no advance in rental prices is unprecedented in the picture industry. This news will come as a welcome surprise to Goldwyn customers. Samuel Goldfish and his associates have from the beginning had this surprise in store for their exhibitors. They have felt that nothing Goldwyn could produce would, be too big or costly to give at regular prices to the exhibitors who have shown such confidence in Goklwyn and responded so liberally to the company's invitation to book its productions. Miss Garden herself, knowing that other big productions had been sold at high rentals and played to high admission prices, showed tremendous enthusiasm when told by Mr. Goldfish of this plan, declaring it to be her wish, as well that her production of "Thais" be played to the largest possible audiences and gain for her an introduction to all of the people of the country trom the start, rather than having them wait until months after the initial release date to see the picture played in popular price houses. This determination by Goldwyn makes "Thais" come as a valuable Christmas gift for the exhibitors of North America. H. Lubin Recovers From Operation and Leaves Sanitarium General Enterprises, Inc., Officer Will Leave N. Y. This Week For Rest at Palm Beach, Florida Herbert Lubin of General Enterprises, Inc., owners of "The Warrior" and other large film spectacles, has recovered from the operation which he recently underwent for appendicitis. He was removed this week from The Stern Sanitarium in New York City to his home. Owing to the undue severity of Mr. Lubin's case, it will be necessary for him to remain away from his office for another few weeks and he will leave New York this week for Palm Beach, Florida. He will remain at the southern resort until his strength is fully regained. During Mr. Lubin's absence from his offices at 1000 Broadway, Arthur H. Sawyer, also of General Enterprises, Inc.. has been handling the entire affairs of the company. He reported this week the sale of several important territories for "The Warrior," which stars the giant actor-soldier "Maciste," the hero of D'Annunzio's "Cabiria." Augustus Thomas, Dean of Playwrights, Joins Raver in New Picture Concern Will Write Original Stories for Production, Supervise Matters of Picking Casts, Scenic Investiture and Staging; Distinguished Dramatist Has Written Score of Stage Successes "Exploitation Guide" Issued on "Warrior" Contains Aid Ideas In order to fully equip all buyers of "The Warrior," the film spectacle starring the Italian giant, Maciste, with a complete service for the exploitation of the picture, Arthur H. Sawyer of General Enterprises, Inc., has added to an already comprehensive list of aids, an additional eight-page "Exploitation Guide." This book is nine by twelve in size and contains among other things, several styles of synopses \o suit all needs, a biographical sketch of Maciste, the star, and an unusual quantity of especially written newspaper stories and program fillers. The various styles of scene cuts are well illustrated and a complete resume of the wonderful comments on "The Warrior" by the New York dailies, theatrical critics, has been so compiled as to be readily available for reprinting in the exhibitors' newspaper advertisements and circular matter. Mr. Sawyer has caused a specially orchestrated musical setting by M. Winkler to be incorporated in the "Exploitation Guide" in the belief that it can be more conveniently used by the theatre men than an individual folder. Ketty Galanta, WilT Appear in Brenon's "Empty Pockets" Film Ketty Galanta, who made her screen debut in Herbert Brenon's production, "The Fall of the Romanoffs," has been re-engaged by Mr. Brenon for the role of Maryla in "Empty Pockets," now being produced at Hudson Heights, N. J. Miss Galanta is dividing her time between the studio by day and the theatre by night, as she appears as a dancing girl in "Chu-Chin Chow," playing at the Manhattan Opera House, New York City. By the terms of an agreement, the final details of which were arranged last week, Augustus Thomas, the dean of American playwrights, becomes associated with Harry Raver in the formation of a new motion picture producing organization. Augustus Thomas, in addition to writing original stories, which will be visualized on the new concern, will also act in an advisory capacity, with respect to all scenarios accepted for production and will generally supervise all matters relative to the selection of casts, scenic investiture and staging. Twenty-five Years a Writer Mr. Thomas has achieved a place in the hearts of the American theatre-going public equaled by few contemporaneous playwrights. For more than twentyfive years he has contributed consistently successful offerings to the stage and his fame as a dramatist is world-wide. Augustus Thomas has been accorded many honors in the form of decorations by literary bodies of the highest standing, but the honor he prizes most highly is that conferred upon him by the American Society of Arts and Letters, whose recognition of his notable achievements as a dramatist was recently expressed in the presentation of a medal of solid gold. Mr. Thomas is the only American dramatist who has ever received this mark of honor from the Society of Arts and Letters. Was a Newspaper Man Before the field of play wrighting attracted him, Augustus Thomas was a newspaper man. In 1890 he wrote "Alabama," a play which started a vogue, which resulted in a veritable flood of similar offerings. "Alabama" was a great success and established the young playwright forthwith. Then followed "Mr. Carter of Cartersville" and "In Missouri," the latter play representing Nat Goodwin in a new type of role, which added greatly to the reputations of both dramatist and actor. "Arizona," one of Mr. Thomas' most successful plays, appeared in 1900. This ran for two seasons on Broadway and later toured the country with great success. Among his better known plays are "Colorado," "On the; Quiet," "The Earl of Pawtucket," "The Harvest Moon," "As a Man Thinks," "The Education of Mr. Pipp," "The Embassy Ball" and "The Witching Hour." "The Witching Hour" was not alone an unusual stage success, but from an artistic and financial standpoint duplicated its record as an exceptional boxoffice attraction on the screen. 24