Moving Picture World (May - Jun 1918)

June 8, 1918 ["HE MOVING PICTUKK WORLD 1407 do justice to their subjects because of the improper recording of color values. Prologues of tins sort are useful in getting the audience into a proper frame of mind, and are by no means unusual; out more daring was the recent experiment of stopping the film to play a scene with living figures. This was clone and 'Poleon Singing "The Call of the North," Prelude to "The Barrier." very successfully with the Goldwyn production of "The Auction Block." The film was started upon the screen, but when the ancient slave market scene was reached the screen was taken up and in its place the scene was enacted as shown, then the screen dropped and the run of the film was resumed. The experiment might not be so successful where players in their own character are to be reproduced, but this scene was extraneous to the play proper and its actual enactment made for effect. The special production is featured in the newspaper advertising, as may be noted in the many examples of Mr. McCormick's work shown in Advertising for Exhibitors; but r-7 ^^^^\M fV ^j^^Bmh ■ ■ — > w, ^BPj I t *"*'i 1 1* r An Interpolated Scene with Living Actors in "The Auction Block." it is never permitted to overshadow the film announcements, nor, save in the case of some notable musical star, to gain equal prominence. It is treated merely as the Circle's way of showing film, and explains why Circle productions make for regular and satisfied patrons. MRS. McCONNELL PLAYING WITH METRO. Mollie McConnell, widow of Will A. McConnell, former editor of the Xew York Morning Telegraph, is playing in her second picture with the Metro forces at the company's west coast studios in Hollywood. Mrs. McConnell at present is in the support of Bert Lytell, appearing before the camera in the role of Mrs. Brayton in "No Man's Land." I\cd Cross Drive "Over the Top" Allied Theatrical and Motion Picture Team, Led by William Fox, Doei Heroic Work. Till total amount secured by the Allied Theatrical and Motion Picture team is not available as this the Moving Picture World goes to press, but it > tain that the forces led by William Fox have rolled up a sum toward the national proceeds of tin second Red i drive. Various entertainments were held throughout the week ending May 25 and on Monday evening. May 27, the operatic festival at the Metropolitan Opera House brought the drive to a brilliant conclusion. Sunday evening, May 26, there was a carnival of vaudeville at the Century theater; Saturday evening, May 25, the gold ballroom at the Hotel Astor was the scene of a ball and fashion show ; Friday evening, May 24, at Madison Square Garden, a boxing carnival was held, and on Thursday evening. May 23, "Cheer Up" was revived for one performance at the Hippodrome. In every theater and motion picture house throughout the boroughs of Greater Xew York special efforts were made, every afternon and evening, to swell the totals secured through volunteer contributions. The grand ball at the Astor was the most popular of all the entertainments provided by the William Fox team. To attempt an adequate description of the event would require a skillful force of fashion experts and to list the names of those in attendance would call into requisition a directory of the theatrical and Metropolitan fraternity. It was observed, however, that screen stars outnumbered and outshone their sisters from the legitimate stage — and it was a big night for "pictures." HARDEN SELLS E. & H. INTERESTS TO ENGLER. Ownership of the E. & H. Film Distributing Company, of Atlanta, Ga., changed hands last week when Charles W. Harden arrived in New York City. In order to devote his entire time to another end of the industry, Mr. Harden disposed of his holdings in the E. & H. toP. A. Engler, another of the old southern film men. R. Sidney Drew Falls in Battle Machine Driven by Talented Young Actor Makes Safe Landing in German Territory. CORPORAL R. Sidney Drew, son of Sidney Drew/and a nephew of John Drew, who enlisted in the French aviation corps in 1917, was shot down in a fight with an enemy plane inside the German lines on May 23, according to information received in New York. It is believed that he is a prisoner, as his plane apparently landed safely. R. Sidney Drew is thirty years old. Three months before the United States entered the war he was working for the Metro Pictures Company as a director and player in leading parts. He joined the French ambulance service and went to France and had not been there long when he was moved to write his father the result of his experience with an expression of his intention to get into the "action." After what he had seen he said he felt ashamed to be in the ambulance service and he announced his intention of asking for active service with the Lafayette Escadrille. He was accepted for training and in the course of a very short time he was with the fighting planes. Since last April he has been in continuous service. The younger Drew had risen quickly in the moving picture field, which he entered at the beginning of his career. For many years he was acting in and directing Vitagraph productions. His mother was the late Georgia Cameron, long known as a player and also a writer of note. Major Funkhouser Suspended Second Deputy Superintendent of Police and Censor of Pictures of Chicago Relieved from Duty — Charges Not Revealed. Chicago, May 26. ACTING Chief of Police Alcock of Chicago, with the sanction of Mayor Thompson, suspended Major Funkhouser, second deputy superintendent of police and morals censor of Chicago, on Saturday, May 25. * Two of Funkhouser's aids in the morals department were also suspended. William H. Luthardt, secretary to the Chief of Police, was named as second deputy to succeed Funkhouser. The charges against the second deputy are kept secret for the present. Acting Superintendent Alcock has thirty days in which to file them before the Civil Service Commission. Alcock has hinted that Major Funkhouser was not giving him proper support in police matters connected with the morals department. Major Funkhouser also refuses to make any statement until his trial comes up. PETE LOBRAICO JOINS CANADIANS. Pete Lobraico. who has been in charge of the poster department of the Canadian Universal Film Company. Ltd., for some years, left on May 11 to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The staff of the Toronto office presented him with a military wrist watch on the eve of his departure.