The Film Daily (1918)

2feBRADSTREET of FILMDOM Vol. V, No. 133 7/fePKOCHlZED Authority Friday, September 20, 1918 Price 5 Cents Worth $100,000 THE AL JENNINGS PRODUCTION COMPANY Los Angeles, Cal. August 27, 1918. Mr. Wid Gunning, 71 West 44th St., New York. N. Y. My dear Wid: For two weeks I have been trying to write you a letter with sufficient "pep" in it to show my appreciation for your article, "Who's Your Boss?", which came out in your July 28th issue. If you get your deserts on this article the producers in the independent field, the big exhibitors everywhere and the independent manufacturers ought to make you a present of $100,000 cold cash, because that's what it would mean to them if they would let your gospel sink in to the fullest extent, and benefit therefrom. It was so in keeping with the address I gave to the M. P. D. A. out here that people would think we were working in harmony. Common sense doesn't need any harmony, it cuts its own swath, and thank God this business is now being built on common sense. Yours as ever, ERNEST SHIPMAN. Night Shows Closed CHICAGO— The all-night moving picture show is no more in Chicago. Acting Chief of Police Alcock on Monday night issued a police order instructing the men in his department to close all theatres at 1 o'clock. "The moving picture bouses come under the ordinance prohibiting all forms of entertainment after 1 o'clock," the chief said. "Some of the captains overlooked this when closing the 'dry' cabarets and permitted the theatres to remain open. That's the reason for issuing the special order." Theatres in the "loop" district to the number of six or eight come under the ban along with all dance halls that kept open 'till the wee small hours." BESSIE BARRISCALE STARTS SERIES Star To Appear In Brunton Productions For Release Through Hodkinson — "Two Gun Betty'' the First Bessie Barriscale is to make a series of Robert Brunton Productions to be released through the W. W. Hodkinson Service. The first of the series, which it is expected will number eight, will be "Two Gun Betty," written and directed by Howard Hickman, Miss Barriscale's husband. It is scheduled for release, November 25. Mr. Hickman will continue to write and direct the pictures for Brunton productions to be distributed by the Hodkinson organization. This arrangement sets at rest the speculation concerning Miss Barriscale's plans since the termination of her Paralta contract. She was to have made eight pictures for Paralta, but as that company stopped production, the subject that was to have been her eighth, "The Heart of Rachael," is to be released through W. W. Hodkinson, September 30, as a Bessie Barriscale Production. Gets Shumway Film Priest Takes Over World Rights on "What Becomes of the Children?" Robert Priest and Walter Shumway closed a contract yesterday whereby the former will market the latest Shumway made feature "What Becomes of the Children?", in which Corra Beach is starred. The picture was recently finished under the direction of John Stahl. Mr. Priest has already had several offers for an outright buy, but is holding the film until all bids are in. Hart on Way East LOS ANGELES.— Bill Hart left here yesterday, eastward bound, to start his speech-making tour on behalf of the Liberty Loan. FIGHTING INFLUENZA IN THEATRES After Conference with Sydney S. Cohen, Board of Health Decides Houses Need Not Be Closed ■ Instead of closing the theatres, as in the case of the infantile paralysis epidemic two years ago, Royal S. Copeland, president of the Board of Health in New York, has won the gratitude of all motion picture men by deciding to fight the present epidemic of Spanish influenza in another way. As a result of a conference in the Board of Health office yesterday, in wbich Sydney S. Cohen, president of the New York State Exhibitors' League, represented the picture interests, Commissioner Copeland announced that theatres would remain open as usual and the public would be educated in fighting the disease through slides, placards and announcements reading;: "To prevent the spread of Spanish influenza, please cough or expectorate, if you must, into your handkerchief. "There is no danger if you heed this warning. "By order of the Board of Health,. "Royal S. Copeland, "President." Mr. Cohen expressed himeslf as being highly gratified by the liberal attitude of Commissioner Copeland, which relieves exhibitors in what threatened to be a decidedly embarrassing situation. The placards and slides are being prepared for immediate use. Representatives of the transportation companies and legitimate theatres also attended the conference, and formulated plans that promise to be effective in preventing the spread of the epidemic. ft n^J