Motion Picture News (Apr-Jul 1915)

64 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 11. No. 24. Western Gallantry Inspired by Universal Beauties Los Angeles and San Bernardino, Susceptible to the Influence of Feminine Charm, Will Open Gates to Carload of Fascinators from East CENTAUR ASSETS DOUBLE IN 12 MONTHS At a special meeting of the board of directors of the Centaur Film Company, of Bayonne, N. J., held recently in the company's offices, the following officers were elected: David Horsley, president; James Horsley, vice-president; Chester Beecroft, secretary; J. T. R. Proctor, treasurer; George J. Lounsberry, assistant treasurer. The semi-annual report showed a remarkable advance in business transacted over the previous report. Three new inventions of David Horsley's, the double exposure camera, the Hosley step printer and the full reel duplex printer, with automatic light shift, were reported completed. This double exposure camera has already demonstrated its capabilities and, commencing with the June 25 release, will be used in the production of MinA films. The Horsley single printer has been in successful operation in the Centaur factory for three months, and the duplex automatic printer will be ready for use at the Centaur in two weeks. The new Horsley studios at Horsley Park, adjoining the Bostock Arena in the heart of Los Angeles, are now completed, and two companies, under the direction of Milton H. Fahrney, have commenced production. In one of these releases, the famous Bostock trained wild animals, now owned by David Horsley, will be used. The financial report showed that the assets of the Centaur Film Company had more than doubled within the year. Chester Beecroft was re-appointed general manager. HINKLE MADE ASSISTANT TO MAGIE Special to Motion Picture News Los Angeles, June 7. Under the management of H. P. Caulfield, who succeeded George Magie at Universal City, additional innovations are being introduced that tend to improve the production possibilities of the mammoth plant. C. V. Hinkle, who has been here since the opening of Universal City serving in capacity of business manager of four of the companies, has been made assistant to Mr. Caulfield. Mr. Hinkle is a pioneer of the film industry, and several years ago startled the members by making a multiple reel feature. He has been manager of several studios, head of several companies, and has served in' every capacity in the making of pictures. He is particularly well qualified for the position he has now been given, as he has a very thorough and systematic manner of conducting a motion picture plant. TWO WELL-KNOWN AUTHORS COLLABORATE ON A BALBOA William Elliot and Ruth Roland are to play in a five-reel masterpiece called "Comrade John," which is to be produced at the Balboa Pacific coast studios for the Pathe exchanges. Two well-known authors, Samuel Merwin and Henry Kitchell Webster, collaborated on the scenario. Both writers are the authors of numerous successful novels. Special to Motion Picture News Los Angeles, June 7. ALL plans for the entertainment of the chaperones and young women from the eastern States who make up the party of the Universal Beauty Special have been completed by Moe Jonas and Buck Masse of the publicity department of Universal City. The plans are very elaborate. The party will be met at San Bernardino by a reception committee from Universal City and Los Angeles, and accompanied to this city, arriving at the Santa Fe at three o'clock. Accompanying the Beauty Special will be Carl Laemmle, Joe Brandt and H. H. Van Loan, in charge of publicity of the special. The reception delegation from Los Angeles will consist of a Glee Club, Floral Boys, and officers of the Universal company, attended by the mayor and members of the chamber of commerce of San Bernardino. Arriving in Los Angeles the visitors will be greeted by Mayor Rose and a committee of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and immediately taken to the Clark Hotel, which will be their headquarters while in the city. Friday evening there will be a theatre party at the Orpheum, and Saturday morning a reception will be tendered the visitors by General Manager Caulfield of Universal City. THE second six-reel series of the Dorsey expedition pictures began its engagement at the Studebaker theatre, June S. After Japan, China was the next stop of Dr. Dorsey and his party. The pictures taken in China make up the second set. The United Photo-Plays Company, which is financing this expedition, received a shipment of films from India where Dr. Dorsey is now sojourning. India is the subject of the third series. What Mr. Dorsey did there is told rather interestingly in a letter which came with the film to Wilbur Bryant, president of the company. "I 'had the honor of being the guest of His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad, on a cheetah hunt planned in honor of His Highness the Aga Khan," reads Dr. Dorsey's letter, in part. "Hyderabad is the largest native state in India. The cheetah is a cross between a wild dog and a mountain lion. You can by this description imagine what sort of a thrilling picture we could obtain under the circumstances, with this royal dignitary as a host. "His Highness was also kind enough to let us photograph his menagerie. This is his hobby — the collecting of strange animals and birds. He has a number of white elephants, which, I think, in our country would be valued at about $50,000. When I was looking over this collection I could not help but think of our friend, In the afternoon a supplementary set of unusual richness will occupy the main stage, and there a number of local notables will act as judges, selecting the most beautiful girl, who will become a star for Universal company. In this the local committee will be aided by Mrs. Champ Clark and other members of the party chaperoning the special train. On Saturday evening a ball will be given in honor of the beauties by the 1915 Committee of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce at the Shrine auditorium. On Sunday there will be automobile rides to various places of interest about Los Angeles, with an elaborate dinner in the evening at the Nat Goodwin cafe at Santa Monica. Monday has been set aside as Universal Day at the San Diego Exposition, and members of the party and Universal friends and officers will go to the California Panama Exposition on Sunday evening, remaining until Tuesday morning, returning to Los Angeles by Tuesday evening. The guests of the Universal will be entertained with a theatre party at the Burbank Tuesday evening. Wednesday morning the party will depart for San Francisco, where three days will be spent at the Exposition, following which the special will leave for the East. J. C. Jessen. Cy de Vry, and what joy it would be to him if the Nizam would but donate the Lincoln Park Zoo a few animals. "I expect to finish with India in about forty days more. While here we will join in a tiger hunt and an elephant hunt. In fact, this will take place next week." This shipment and letter started for Chicago the latter part of March. HADDOCK MAKING "TRADE SECRET" FOR GOTHAM William F. Haddock began work May 20 upon a melodramatic and sensational five-reel photoplay which will be entitled "The Trade Secret." The scenario is adapted from a short story of the same name which appeared in the "All-Story Magazine." The adaptation was made by John B. Clymer in collaboration with Mr. Haddock. Two well-known thespians are to be featured in this production. Betty Marshall will be the leading woman and the leading male part will be played by Frederick de Belleville, who is now appearing at the Empire theatre, New 'York, in Charles Frohman's revival of "A Celebrated Case." There are many possibilities in the story for a photodrama of the most sensational character. The story lends itself unusually well to photoplay production and the scenario contains a number of climaxes. Mr. Haddock is putting on his production for the Gotham Film Company. Dr. Dorsey Visits White Elephant Collector Head of United Photo Plays Expedition in Trip to Domains of East Indian Potentate Sees Animals Valued at 150,000