The Film Daily (1918)

ZfcBHADSTREET of FILMDOH Vol. VI, No. 47 DAIkY* JifeRKOSNIZED Authority Saturday, November 23, 1918 Price 5 Cents Feels Lost Wid New Gunning, York City. Dear Wid: Please change my mailing address to 16 Piedmont St., Boston. Feel lost without my copy of Wid's. Sincerely, Stanley W. Hand, Paragon Pictures, Inc. Henley Signs Contract To Direct For Goldwyn — Pauline Frederick First Star Hobart Henley has signed a longtime contract to direct for Goldwyn Film Corp. This follows his previous Goldwyn contract which lasted for nearly a year, during which time he produced six pictures, four with Mae Marsh as the star and two Rex Beach pictures, "Too Fat To Fight" and "Laughing Bill Hyde." Mr. Henley is now the dean of the Goldwyn directors. His first picture, to be commenced %pon, will star Pauline Frederick. Goldwyn has not disclosed the name of this production. "Retribution" Completed George A. Rush announces the completion of "Retribution," a new war story featuring an all-star cast which includes John Mason, Victor Sutherland, Peggie Shaw, Teft Johnson and others. The story was conceived and directed by George Hall, assisted by Jack DeLacy. ft will be ready for presentation November 30, and a Broadway showing is expected. "Mickey" Rights Purchased Rights to "Mickey" for the New England territory have been bought by the Boston Photoplay Co. of Boston. The Wisconsin Film Co. of Milwaukee has the Wisconsin rights, the First National Exhibitors' Circuit of New Jersey controls the picture in New Jersey and the Magnet Film exchange has the New York rights, including Greater New York. VITAGRAPH GO. GETS DECISION Court Rules Against Richard Lambert in Suit Over "The Blue Envelope Mystery An -important decision has been made by Supreme Court Justice Donnelly in dismissing a suit by Richard Lambert against the Vitagraph Company for $25,000 damages for using the title, "The Blue Envelope Mystery" for a film play, and in the decision the court held that mere prior use of a name does not carry with it the sole right to the name unless it became sufficiently well known to the public to cause confusion. Lambert alleged that he acquired the American rights to "The Blue Envelope," written by Frank Hatch and Robert E. Homans, and produced the play in 1915 in New York, but withdrew it after six weeks because of "unavoidable matters and accidents." He alleged that in the summer of 1916 the defendant, for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the publicity given by Lambert to his play, made a picturization of a magazine story of the same name and announced its production. The plaintiff objected and the defendant then changed the name of its film to "The Blue Envelope Mystery." Lambert said he put his play on again in the season of 1916-1917 but because of the defendant's act in taking the name it was not a success. He said the play cost $4,000, that he sustained losses of $5,000, and on account of the profits he didn't get his total damage was $25,000. The Vitagraph Company alleged that the sole reason the plaintiff withdrew his play in the first place was because it didn't draw, and the title never had a chance to become favorably known whereas the story written by Sophie Kerr and purchased and picturized by the defendant was published in a popular woman's magazine and became better known than the plaintiff's play. The defendant says the two were entirely dissimilar because the plaintiff's play was a oneact farce whereas the defendant's film was in four reels of 1,000 feet each. The court awarded $108 costs to the defendant. Joseph Hopp Resigns CHICAGO. — Joseph Hopp, who was appointed Chicago representative for the American Film Company, when that firm withdrew from the Mutual exchange, has resigned. Would Recover $1,777 The Acme Lithographing Company has filed suit in the Supreme Court against the American Standard Motion Picture Corporation to recover $1,777. The complaint alleges that between March. 1917, and May 31, last, the plaintiff on the defendant's order made posters for "Through the Panama Canal," "Souls that Meet in the Night," "My Country First," "Blackmailer," "Mystery of the Bouli Cabinet," and "The Wolf Girl." The complaint alleges that the defendant owes a balance of $1,477, for the posters and that the plaintiff lent the defendant $300 on July 2 last which was to be repaid in two months, but is still due. Lloyd P. Willis Promoted Lloyd P. Willis, supervisor of the eastern district for J. A. Berst, president of the United Picture Theatres, Inc., has returned from his trip, and has been promoted as assistant to Mr.. Berst. Mr. Willis is noted for his organizing abilities and at one time made a tour of Australia for William Fox. Doug Going to France Artcraft Star Will Remain Abroad Several Months Douglas Fairbanks, on completion of a new photoplay following "Arizona," will go to France to do a series of photoplays. He will be accompanied by his entire producing organization. It is quite possible that he will take his company on a complete tour of Europe for a special scenario which is now being written by Director Albert Parker. The Artcraft star has announced his intention of remaining in Europe for at least three months, which will give him ample time to obtain material for a number of pictures. The Fairbanks organization is now open for stories to be used as scenarios for Doug on his trip. John W. Grey and Arthur B. Reever author of the Craig Kennedy stories and numerous other works, have joined hands in writing serials for production by important manufacturers. Contracts have been signed for much of their early work.