Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1917 - Jun 1918)

X H I B R H R D jYn This is an Open Forum for pB 1 1| the trade whereall persons in lejs *De industry — especially ex PJBB II hlbitors — have an opportnnity HpUg II to register suggestions or [TTrB complaints. Every signed lULj communication will receive 1 careful attention. □ the Voice of the Trad "Whatever Yob Want To Know" — For any information yon may require about films, theatre accessories or any motion picture subject, write this department. Your inquiries will be answered below, or by letter if of a private nature. % &z s*% sfe. s Daniel Frohman Objects ■ [To the Editor, Exhibitors Herald] In reference to the enclosed editorial from Exhibitors . Herald: "The Birth of a Race" has been using the names of Charles • Frohman and Daniel Frohman in a specious way in their circulars to attract purchasers. Xeither of us has ever had any Ironnection with that company or firm in any possible way and ml hope you can state this fact for us. Very truly. Daniel Frohman. Influence of the Screen To the Editor, Exhibitors Herald] In your December 15th issue is an editorial headed "Screen nfluence" and I quite believe that you must have had in mind "The Eagle's Eye" as a potential factor for patriotic proparanda in behalf of the Government. This recognition of the screen coming from without as . director and moulder of public thought and opinion" remains ;o be justified by some striking example of the possibilities of he screen as an agency of that character. The example best uited to the purpose should be a specific one. The subject of "The Eagle's Eye" is essentially specific •ecause it concentrates entirely on the subject of Imperial iermany's spies and their plots and crimes against American ives and property. I am sure that you will find it interesting o watch the development of a more intense aversion than ven now exists against the German rulers by Americans, as Tie full extent of their depredation is revealed. This increased intensity of feeling, which is certain to esult after the serial has been on the market for several nonths, is going to provide positive proof of the power and influence of the screen as a factor in forming and moulding public opinion. Very truly yours, Wharton Releasing Co., C. V. Henkel, Manager. Exchange Ethics [To the Editor, Exhibitors Herald] After I have stated the facts in the case will you please tell me if this was a square deal? I have asked several exchange men and a couple of exhibitors and received as many different answers, some saying I received the advantage and some that I was treated rather rough. After being turned down by a house twice as large as myself and within one block of me. a certain exchange sold me a series of six war pictures entitled. "The Retreat of the Germans." After spending about fifty dollars advertising the series I got a fair crowd. Now on the day that I run the last of the series the same exchange booked to my competitor another war picture entitled, "The German Curse in Russia." Regardless of the fact that the other house has the better location and prestige was this a fair deal? I have stated the fact as briefly as possible and would like your answer as soon as possible, either through the pages of your publication or by letter. Yours truly, A. Gordon Francis, Hyde Park Theatre. Chicago. REPLY: It is our opinion that in the case recited the exchange should have accorded the exhibitor proper co-operation by not booking another war picture of a similar nature in the opposition house while the first exhibitor was running the war series. However, the exchange was within its rights in accepting the second booking. — Editor. Jessie Barriscale Completes Film "Maid o' the Storm" at Paralta Plant "Maid O' The Storm" has been completed at the Paralta udios in California, where it was staged under the direction Raymond B. West. Both the play and the screen version the story are from the pens of J. Grubb Alexander and ed Myton. who collaborated in writing it. In the "Maid O' The Storm." Miss Barriscale undergoes complete and striking transformation in costume and char:er. The story opens with her as a castaway on the coast cotland and at the climax she is the premiere danseuse of London Opera Company. The production gives Miss Barale an opportunity to display a wardrobe more varying d beautiful than in any of her previous Paralta productions, is said. Miss Barriscale will commence as soon as preparations e completed upon her next play which is to be undertaken the Paralta studios. The story was written by R. D. Kidd d Jane Holly and was prepared by Julian Louis Lamothe the Paralta staff. In this production also. Miss Barriscale mays the role of a Scotch girl. As "Patricia Haldine." a i with patriotic sympathies, she is found in a situation which Is strikingly with love and war. Charles Gurin. well-known screen devotee, will suprt Miss Barriscale in this production. Raymond B. West direct the picture. It is expected that the filming of this oduction will commence next week. Xiles Welch to Appear in "Reclaimed" Niles Welch has signed a contract to co-star in a new iy to be made by the Harry McRae Webster Productions, c He will appear opposite Mabel Juliene Scott of "The Bar rier" and "Sign Invisible" fame. The title of the new piece is "Reclaimed," and the scenes are laid in Mexico and the United States. The author is Richard F. Carroll. Mr. Welch plays the part of a young American who falls in love with a Mexican girl, the latter being portrayed by Miss Scott. Production started on March 4 at the Hudson Studio under the active direction of Mr. Webster. The new WelchScott picture, on its completion, will be published on a state rights basis. Select Changes Title of Film Another change of name has been decided on in regard to Alice Brady's latest Select production, which has been going forward under the working title of "Ruthless Russia." The new title will be "At the Mercy of Men." "At the Mercy of Men" was arranged for the screen by Paul West and was directed by Charles Miller. It is a story of modern Russia in the days preceding and following the Russian revolution. Miss Brady, it is said, has a powerful, emotional role in which she is ably supported by Frank Morgan. General to Issue Five Comedies The sixth series of Jaxon Comedies concludes this week with "Which Was Lucky?" a one-reel subject dealing with the adventures of two trouble finders. General Film announces a new series of Jaxon Comedies consisting of five subjects: "The Omcial Maneuver," "What Occurred on the Beach." "An All Fools Day Affair," "Beating Him to It" and "Forced Into Matrimony." 43