The Film Daily (1918)

7/eBftADSTREET of FILMDOH Authority Vol. VI, No. 53 Saturday, November 30, 1918 Price 5 Cents LOSANCO SUPER -PLAYS LAUNCHED J. W. Early is Director General of Los Angeles Concern — Dramas and Short Subjects A new producing company, known as Losanco Super-Plays, Inc., has been organized in Los Angeles for the purpose of producing superior picture-plays based upon thejpolicy that "the story's the thing." Its officials believe that in the future the general public will be more interested in strong dramatic stories in which all the characters are given a full opportunity for expression, than in plots arranged to show a "star" in the majority of scenes. J. W. Early, an experienced producer, is the director general of the new organization, and its policy has been largely dictated by the fruits of his experience. In Mr. Early's opinion "the industry is now entering a new standardized era in which only the makers of the highest grade photoplays can hope to survive." The Losanco Super-Plays, Inc., plans to partly supply the public demand for better pictures by featuring all the members of its casts instead of the star alone, by selecting its stories with the greatest care and insisting that they carry a message and be free from disagreeable "suggestions," by casting in each part actors and actresses of proven ability who are naturally the exact type for the part, by sparing neither time nor expense in making each production superior and by working in close touch with the public's wishes. Production has already been started upon a satirical two-reel comedy and the Losanco banner will include the products of two five-reel dramatic companies, two two-reel comedy companies, and one one-reel comedy company as soon as they can be put into operation. H. M. Gilliam is business manager of the new firm, Everett C. Maxwell heads the scenario department, Carl Stearns Clancy is writing the continuity for the first "super-drama," and Clyde McCoy will direct it under Mr. Early's supervision. Harl Mclnroy, a writer and director of repute will produce a series of one-reel comedies. Robert Phelan is head cameraman. Theodore Kleine is technical director, and Clarence W. Fry the location man. Lillian Hackett will have the leading role in the first five-reeler, Crete Carton, formerly of the Rolin studio, will be the head-liner in the two-reelers, and Glory Raye, who came to this country after playing Wendy in "Peter Pan" for two seasons in London, will be the most important member of the one-ree^omedy company. The general offifces of the Losanca Super-Plays, Inc., are in the Citizens' National Bank building, Los Angeles. Plans for a new studio are being drawn up. The company is temporarily operating under its first corporate name, the Pekin Feature Film Co. Another Ascher Theatre CHICAGO.— With the lifting of the ban on building material the Ascher Brothers announce that plans are being drawn for the erection of a new moving picture theatre in Chicago's "loop" district, to seat 2,800 and to cost approximately $700,000. The exact location of the new picture house has not been disclosed. Lesser Coming East According to advices received by M. S. Rosenfield, of the State Rights Distributors, Inc., Sol. L. Lesser left for the East last week. He will probably stop in Chicago for a day or so, reaching New York about the fifth or sixth of December, where he will arrange for the purchase of films for his territory. Read All Sides Adolph Zukor, John D. Williams, W. W. Hodkinson, present their views on the Producer-Exhibitor question in Wid's Daily, Sunday, December 1st. Don't Miss It. Useful Information Australasian Films, Ltd. Sydney, Australia Oct. 26, 1918 Wid's Daily, 71 West 44th St., New York City. Gentlemen: — Keep Wid's Daily coming. It contains very useful information and a very accurate insight into the value of films, and also it has a very good line on the manufacturers' aspiration, and always points out the nigger in the wood pile. Yours very truly, Australasian Films, Ltd. Fair Play Asked Theatres Should Have Same Rights as Churches CHICAGO. — Sunday Church moving pictures were assailed at a meeting of the North End Improvement Association in Evanston recently, when Alderman H. McCullogh, of the Sixth ward, declared if the matter of "Sunday movies" were to come before Council he believed the members would lift the ban and Sunday shows would be permitted. "If 'movies' are to be prohibited Sunday, let's prohibit them all," said Alderman McCullogh. "At least the camouflage of picture shows in churches and schools and the ban on them in the theatres should be done away with." Some time ago the town council rejected a proposed ordinance introduced by Alderman Roberts, which provided for Sunday operation of moving picture theatres. Alderman Topliff, of the legal committee, however, decided with his committee that they were illegal and discriminatory. For this reason the ordinance was rejected. It provided for an amendment to the city code lifting the ban on Sunday amusements, so far as moving pictures are concerned. Al Lichtman, general manager of distribution for Famous Players-Lasky Corp., has returned from Lakewood, N. J., where he went to recuperate from an attack of influenza contracted during his recent tour of the exchanges.