Moving Picture World (Jun 1919)

June 14, 1919 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1675 Robertson-Cole Names Its Pictures for Summer IN spite of the rapid approach of summer, which usually brings dull times for theatres, Robertson-Cole officials announce that they are looking forward to no material let-up in their production activities, nor Exhibitors Mutual in their selling efforts. Working in conjunction with the officials of Exhibitors Mutual, through which all its pictures are released, RobertsonCole has formulated a plan which will insure the exhibitor an unending stream of high class pictures during the trying period between now and the fall. Robertson-Cole has now definitely decided that the following productions will be released through Exhibitors Mutual in the course of the summer: "Sessue Hayakawa, in "His Debt"; Billie Rhodes, in "In Search of Arcady"; Henry B. Warner in the first Superior Picture, "The Man Who Turned White"; Bessie Barriscale, in "Tangled Threads"; William Desmond in "Bare-Fisted Gallagher," succeeding "The Mints of Hell," a big snow picture which will make an ideal summer attraction; "Better Times" second of the Brentwood series by King W. Vidor, creator of "The Turn in the Road"; and Beatrice Michelena in "The Deadline." These offerings comprise but a part of the list of exceptional attractions which Robertson-Cole plan for summer distribution through Exhibitors Mutual. Then there are "The Love Call," with Billie Rhodes; Henry B. Walthall in "Modern Husbands," Beatriz Michelena in "Just Squaw," Bessie Barriscale in "Josselyn's Wife," and William Desmond in "The Mints of Hell," which are now producing big results wherever they are exhibited. There is a strong mixture of lighter vehicles for the Robertson-Cole stars, with a heavier vein of drama, making a combination of offerings that is destined to satisfy the most varied type of audience. Color Effect Simulated in Latest Tom Moore Picture AN unusual use of the spotlight is responsible for the blush that appears on Tom Moore's cheek in his new Goldwyn picture, "The City of Comrades," a picturization of Basil King's Saturday Evening Post serial. Tom Moore, as a regenerated "downand-outer," is on the verge of declaring his love for Seena Owen, the girl who has been responsible for his redemption. She is seated beside a table; Moore is on a settee near a large curtained window. A few commonplaces are exchanged; the girl gives him the necessary opening for an avowal of his love. He is about to follow the dictates of his heart, when a sudden realization of his former degradation renders him speechless. He gulps once or twice, tries to speak, but shame has tied his tongue. He turns his head away; the girl knows that the big moment has passed, and tries to lighten his embarrassment. In the acting of this scene, shame is mirrored on Moore's cheek, which is shown in profile, just as vividly as though a touch of "darkener" had been quickly applied during its taking. The star's acting has much to do with the effect obtained, but cameraman George Webber had a weak pin-hole ray from a spot play upon Moore's countenance until the moment when his repressed emotion reached a climax. Then the light was shut off; and the slight shading of his cheek, timed perfectly with the acting, brings the man's sense of shame to the observer with a power out of all proportion to the simple methods used in portraying it. the mark achieved, but is taking an occasional spurt beyond its own unique figures. The Antonio Moreno-Carol Holloway serial company, which is making the picture will return to Truckee. Cal. to stage the concluding episodes. While the opening scenes of this play, taken in the same region, evidenced a wintry aspect, the final scenes will show the same locations grown green and under the gentle influence of spring. Plan Big Advertising for Select Film in Chicago SELECT announces that the showing of Olive Thomas' first Selznick Picture, "Upstairs and Down," in Chicago, will be accompanied by a big advertising campaign. Fred C. Aiken, Select's Chicago branch manager, has already completed plans for two units in the big campaign, and other arrangements are now in the works. Mr. Aiken's first step in the Chicago exploitation of "Upstairs and Down," was to interest the management of the Paradise Dancing Academy in a plan whereby it is to hold an "Upstairs and Down" night on the evening of June 12. Mr. Guyon, the owner and director of this amusement corporation, is one of Chicago's biggest advertisers, and he has a contract for two one-sheets on every elevated station platform in that city. In connection with the "Upstairs and Down" night at the Paradise, the arrangements include an agreement by which Mr. Guyon will advertise Olive Thomas, "Upstairs and Down," and the Selznick Pictures Corporation on every one-sheet at his disposal. An additional line will give the names of the first run theatres where "Upstairs and Down" is booked for Chicago engagements. On the evening of the "Upstairs and Down" Night at the Paradise, there will be distributed 1,000 photographs of Miss Thomas, on the backs of which will be printed the name of every theatre in Chicago and vicinity where "Upstairs and Down" will be shown. Other plans for additional advertising made by Mr. Aiken include an arrangement whereby several of Chicago's leading restaurants and cafes will use photographs of Miss Thomas for menu cards. Sherry in "Tiger Lily" Cast. J. Barney Sherry, the character actor, has returned to the American studios, following a flying trip to Los Angeles to appear in some scenes with Dustin Farnum. The latter was being delayed in pushing through one of his productions, pending Sherry's arrival to continue a performance he had begun, and through courtesy of the "Flying A," Sherry had leave of absence to finish the job. Now he is once more appearing as "Philip Remington" in support of Margarita Fisher in "The Tiger Lily." Rotogravure Stills on Christie Specials. Realizing the importance of theatre lobby displays for comedies, as well as feature productions, the Christie Film Company is supplying all of its exchanges with a new series of rotogravure stills to accompany its two reel Specials. The first of these sets of eight 11 by 14 pictures accompanies "Rowdy Ann," the second Christie Special. Moreno-Holloway Serial Near Completion. "Perils of Thunder Mountain," Vitagraph's aptly-named adventure serial, which has already set a new high mark for Vitagraph bookings of that description, is not remaining stationary around Start Work on New Moon Comedy. The Sunshine Film, Inc., 126-132 West 46th street, New York, is now making a comedy entitled "Trouble Inn," featuring "Funny Face" Ascott, Jennie Edde and Pierard Collos, a wrestler. The picture is being directed by Emil Harder. The Sunshine company releases are known as Moon Comedies. "Somewhere a Voice Is Calling." He must be an aviator, judging from Mabel Normand's uplifted eyes in her Goldwyn, "When Doctors Disagree." Announce Remainder of Cast for May Allison Film AS recently announced by Metro, Beauty, Truth and Love have been brought together in a reunion as It were, with the production of the story for May Allison, called "Free," and published in the Saturday Evening Post from the pen of Wallace Irwin. The same Beauty, Truth and Love who made such ~ lasting impression in Henry W. Savage's stage production, "Everywoman," with May Allison as Beauty, Kathleen Kerrigan (J. Warren Kerrigan's sister) as Truth and Pel Trenton as King Love are all together again in Metro's "Free." Besides these players are many wellknown screen artists among whom the name of Alfred Hollingsworth stands out prominently. Mr. Hollingsworth has a strong part in this story of the test of Bolshevism. The other principals are Howard Gaye, Lois Woods and Caroline Rankin, all of whom have their own following on the screen and who will be seen in well-fitting roles in this piece. The story was converted to the pictures by George D. Baker. "Free" is a story of the masses, the same "four million" of the late O. Henry fame, with several millions added since the demise of the distinguished writer. Herbert Blache is the director. Exhibitors Acclaim "A Bachelor's Wife." Strong praise is being received from theatre owners for "A Bachelor's Wife," American's newest offering starring Mary Miles Minter. They are enthusiastic not only over the production itself, which takes rank as a special attraction — but over the well-chosen title. They are unanimous in declaring the title a drawing-card by reason of the way in which it piques curiosity. Hattie Delaro in "April Folly" Cast. Hattie Delaro is in the cast of Marion Davies' new starring vehicle, "April Folly," now being screened at the Biograph Studio. Miss Delaro has forsaken the path of grandes dames and "maternal women" to play a woman of uncertain age and temper. Miss Delro was the original American "Pitti-Sing" in "The Mikado."