Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Robertson-Cole Company Ends First Year in Domestic Field Long Established Importing and Exporting Firm Celebrates First Anniversary in U. S. Film Trade on December 15 Robertson-Cole Company, division of films celebrates its first birthday in the domestic field of operations in the motion picture industry December 15. It marks the close of a year of expansion and development and the beginning of a new year with the company recognized among the important of the industry's factors. The past year has been marked by the continuous growth of the concern and in the past three months progress has been rapid. Although the first actual publication of Robertson-Cole occurred a year ago the firm had long been established among the leading importers and exporters of the United States. As brokers and exporters Robertson-Cole have achieved an enviable reputation with commercial interests in every part of the world, and in the last few years have played an important part in developing the foreign film market for American product. Firm's Initial Film The initial film in the domestic field was Martin Johnson's "Cannibals of the South Seas," and since its release on December 15, 1918, it has been played in almost every theatre in this country and in South America, Great Britain, and Continental Europe. It has been one of the successful offerings of the past few years. This big offering blazed the way for the series of pictures which followed with the result that today Robertson-Cole pictures are well received in the leading theatres of the country. Fifty-two feature pictures, one every week, have been published during the year and without exception they have met with the approval of exhibitors and the public. In addition to the feature pictures there were eight big specials, seventeen Strand Comedies issued at the rate of one a week, VIVIAN BROWN Much talked of young nirl of Brooklyn, N. V., who was one of the winners of the "Motion Picture Classic" Magazine beauty contest. She arrived in Los Angeles this week and will be seen In Universal pictures. and a second section of the Johnson pictures issued under the title of "Captured by Cannibals." Specials Prove Popular Leading the specials were tne Brentwood productions, "The Turn in the Road," "Better Times," "The Other Half," and "Poor Relations." In a list of ten best pictures of the year "The Turn in the Road" was given second place. The Maurice Tourneur production, "The Broken Butterfly," published a few weeks ago as a special, is one of the big pictures of the year, according to early comments. Among the other specials are "Man's Desire" with Lewis Stone, and "What Every Woman Wants." In the course of the year Sessue Hayakawa has steadily advanced in popularity until today his pictures are featured in more than five thousand theatres in the United States. Bessie Barriscale has scored repeatedly in her feature pictures. H. B. Warner, who joinea the RobertsonCole forces last summer, has also steadily increased in popularity although he was welcomed to the screen by a great host of admirers of his work on the speaking stage. Exchange System Installed The success of the stars and the special pictures was of course reflected in the business organization, and two months ago Robertson-Cole opened twenty-six branch offices in the United States and inaugurated their own system of exchanges. This brought into play the final touch in the basic idea governing the Robertson-Cole organization from its inception, the idea that complete success is dependent upon a thorough good will existing between the producing, distributing, and exhibiting elements in the motion picture industry. Immediately after the opening of the Robertson-Cole exchanges came a series of announcements which gave an indication of the extent to which the company proposed to go. Edith Storey was first announced under contract for a series of Haworth pictures, and soon after Lew Cody was added to the list of new stars. Mae Marsh was next signed up for a series of pictures to be made by L. J. Gasnier. Popular Comedian Signed Sessue Hayakawa and Bessie Barriscale in the new Robertson-Cole Superior Pictures will be featured in the coming year. "Chic" Sale, recognized as one of the popular comedians in vaudeville for his peculiar character portrayals was the next to come under the Robertson-Cole banner. He will be featured in a series of big special productions in the coming year. The last important announcement to come from the company was the purchase of the famous stage play, "Grumpy." It will be produced as one of the large special pictures in 1920. In addition to these, Supreme Comedies were inaugurated a month ago. With Molly Malone, Harry Depp, Gertrude Selby, and James Liddy playing the leads these comedies have achieved considerable popularity. A series of Adventure Scenics is embraced in the short subject schedule. An important element of strength in the ROBERT WARWICK In "An Adventure of Hearts." a ParamountArtcraft picture, adopted from "Captain Dieppe," by Anthony Hope and directed by Jaines Cruse. short subject schedule is the new series of Martin Johnson pictures, "On the Borderland of Civilization." They are ten onereel records of strange races and strange places in the South Seas. Other important announcements of the plans of Robertson-Cole for the coming year have been promised, and the indications are that the expansion which has marked the past year will be exceeded in the months to come. Noted Serial Star Signs Contract to Appear for Pathe Juanita Hansen, well known film star, has signed a contract to appear in Pathe serials, according to an announcement this week from Paul Brunet, vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc. Miss Hansen, who is noted as a beauty, has a wide following for her work on the screen. Her picture career has been with prominent producers and in every form of picture, features, serials and comedies. She is at present appearing in the Selig serial, "The Lost City," and one of her recent successes was in support of Bert Lytell in "Lombardi, Ltd." Among Miss Hansen's best known pictures are "A Royal Rogue," Fine Arts; "The Secret of the Submarine," American; "Whose Baby?" Keystone; "The Finishing Touch," and "The Broadway Love," Universal; "The Mating of Marcella," Ince-Paramount; "The Risky Road," "The Rough Lover" and "The Brass Bullet," Universal. The name bf Miss Hansen's Pathe serial has not yet been announced. Branch Manager Ends Trip James McCormick, manager of Select's Washington, D. C, branch, just completed a ten-day trip through the towns and cities of Virginia and North Carolina, reaching as far south as Wilmington. Mr. McCormick visited twentyeight towns — some of them with half a dozen motion picture houses. 60