Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

90 EXHIBITORS HERALD January 3, 1925 No matter where Jackie Coogan may go he finds his legion of admirers. In this instance they happen to be youngsters in Paris. They gathered to do honor to the star of Metro-Goldwyn’s “The Rag Man” during his welfare mission to the Near East. The Autobiography of Thomas H. Ince; Chapters 7 and 8 (Continued from page 47) to the property room, where the sets and furniture are made and put on the stages. A wardrobe list is made up and sent to the wardrobe department with complete specifications for all costumes needed. Simultaneously with these developments a careful selection is made of the cast, so that each character in the story may have a faithful portrayal. Before a single turn of the camera, the cast is rehearsed many times through each scene. When they are ready the actual photographing takes place. On the set there are the director, the assistant director, art director, members of the cast, electricians, property men, camera men and the script assistant. The latter is a very important factor in production. This position usually is held by a woman and requires the most minute attention to detail. Her duty is to see that each scene is faithfully carried out in accordance with the working script. In the production of every picture many scenes are retaken. In scene 152, for instance, a man may walk through the door into the next room. He may have on a plain necktie. Scene 153 would show him entering the next room. In the sequence of scenes no time would elapse, yet in the actual filming of those two scenes several weeks might elapse and in all probability the actor would forget that he had worn a plain tie and would appear in scene 153 in one with figures or polka dots. * ♦ * In the sequence of the story he would have had no time or opportunity to make the change, and the audience would be aware instantly of a glaring inconsistency. When production is nearing completion the titles are made in the art department, to be inserted later in the finished film. Each day the film that has been exposed goes to the laboratory for immediate development. After the day’s “shooting” is over these “rushes” are run off in the projection room, for minute inspection. The best shot of each scene is selected. If none of the “rushes” come up to standard I order a re-take, which means re-filming the entire scene. When the final “rushes” have been gone over and selected, the whole film is assembled and is run off again for the final cutting and titling. When the film is complete it is shipped to the distributing agents, who have headquarters throughout the country and who, in turn, ship them to the individual exhibitors, according to dates which have been prearranged, and thus the finished product reaches the public. (To be continued) Ball Fund to Provide Film Row Club House (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, Mo., Dec. 23. — Miss Mary Stewart, 18 years old, who represented the Kingsland theatre, was crowned Queen of the ball given under the joint auspices of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners’ Association and the St. Louis Film Board of Trade here, Friday evening, December 12. The ball was attended by many out of town exhibitors and proved a big financial success. The proceeds will be used to equip a clubroom for exhibitors and film men to be installed along film row. Atlanta* s Film Board Pays Tribute to Burke (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ATLANTA, Ga., Dec. 23. — Members of the Atlanta Film Board of Trade paid tribute to James J. Burke, Jr., former president of the body, in a resolution adopted at a meeting last week. The body extended to the bereaved family of the film man its sympathy, and forwarded it copies of the testimonial. Wildman Heads Omaha Exchange OMAHA, NEB. — Truly B. Wildman. former manager for Enterprise in Kansas City, has been appointed Omaha branch manager for Producers Distributing Corporation. He succeeds Herman Stern, resigned. Universal Will Award $5,000 in Prizes for Serial Exploitation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Dec. 23. — L niversal will gi\e $5,000 in prizes at the rate of $250 a week to exhibitors who do the best work in selling Universal serials to their respective publics. The weekly prizes will be a first prize of $100, second $50, and third $25, a fourth of $15 and six honorable mention prizes of $10 each. The contest will begin the week of January 12 and end on May 30. In case of a tie, the prizes will be duplicated. The prizes will go to exhibitors exploiting any of the five recent Universal serials, “The Ghost City,” “The Steel Trail,” “Beasts of Paradise,” “The Iron Man,” and “The Fast Express.” “The present contest,” says Fred J. McConnell, manager of short subjects, “will consider any form of exploitation. The first prize winner may be a novel lobby display or it may be a first rate newspaper campaign. Again, it may be a novel ballyhoo. Exhibitors are to send evidence of their campaigns to me at the Universal home office. This evidence should consist of photographs, clippings and other details. Each campaign must be accompanied liy a letter describing in detail what was done, and including evidence as to the success of the campaign. “The judges will be William A. Johnston, Motion Picture News; Joseph Dannenberg. Film Daily; Robert E. Welch, Moving Picture World ; Martin J. Quigley, Exhibitors Herald; and Willard C. Howe, Exhibitors Trade Review, and myself.” Newspictures (Continued from page 61) visit. — Poughkeepsie, N. Y., With total eclipse near, Vassar girls take great interest in the sky. — Tampa, Fla., A wedding on horseback. — Huelgoat, France, One of nature’s freaks is Brittany’s rocking rock.— Charleston, W. Va., Only surviving General of Confederate Army is John McCausland. — Waltham, Mass., William Callahan at 15 is the world’s champion typist. — Race for 1925 Title, Head Coach Miller puts Columbia crew through winter drill. — Buena Vista, Colo., Something new in pets is a giant eagle. — New York City, Willie Plant, America’s walking champion, holds his title by defeating big field in a 7-mile jaunt. — Niagara Falls, N. Y., First cold snap of winter transforms mist of falls into a lovely lace garb. — Tia Juana, Thousands of fans from the States go to Mexico. FOX NEWS, No. 22: Mexico City, Samuel Gompers with U. S. Labor Leaders visits new president.— Mt. Rainier, Wash., So devoted to their art are some followers of Terpsichore that they’ll dance barefooted in snow.— James B. Duke creates $40,000,000 trust fund for a Carolina university. — Chicago, 111., Here’s a chap who says he’s the strongest man in the world. — Mantucket Island, First storms of winter in the North Atlantic drive two schooners of the fishing fleet ashore. Lancaster, Pa. — Talk about a dog’s life ! — This is the way a pup in the milk belt works. — Hollywood, Cal., A Merry Christmas in movieland — Santa Claus visits stars, directors and “extras” on the “lot.” — Isle Grande, Here in the South Pacific dwell millions of white breasted cormorants. FOX NEWS, No. 23: The Soviet Government sends Krassin to France as its first ambassador. — Atlanta, Ga., Arthur Gottesman sets new record in mentality. — Montclair, N. J., At the old Yale Bam Eli grads gather for famed annual dinner to honor gridiron heroes. — Miami, Fla., Diamond back terrapins now being hunted in the Southern marshlands. — Hemp, N. C., Enough powder to take the shine off a million noses is dug from this talcum powder mine. — New York City, Society and turf leaders attend sale of Col. Ed Simms’ stables. In N. Y. City, 6 Eskimo puppies arrive safe and sound from Arctic. — Buck Hill Falls, Pa., Ice tennis is something new in sports. — Orkney Islands, Against big odds. British push ahead the work of raising the German fleet.