Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1916)

1160 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 13. No. 8. ESSANAY CAMERAMEN FILM PAINTED DESERT AND PETRIFIED FOREST Through the enchanted land of New Mexico and Arizona, over the mysterious trials of ancient America, a corps of Essanay cameramen have just traveled and the results of their efforts in filming the beauties of the extreme Southwest will shortly be released. The picture will form another of the two-in-one reels, with Cartoonist Carlson's Canimated Nooz Pictorial as the other five hundred feet. Over the famous Enchanted Mesa the cameramen traveled filming its grandeur. The petrified forest of Adamana, Arizona, the Painted Desert, Canyon Diablo, St. Michael's Indian school and trading post, all were visited and caught by the camera. By motor and pack mules the cameramen visited some scenes which were fifty miles from a railroad. Not the least of the interesting features of the films are the studies of the cliff dwellers' homes in the rocks, the Pueblo Indians, the Canyon De Chelley and Canyon Del Merto. William Farnum a Fighting Man in "Fighting Blood" Story of Life in Kentucky Mountains, Directed by Apfel for William Fox, Presents Star in a Strenuous Role — Film Was Made on the Coast OVEY BACK ON RELEASE CHART WITH "JERRY'S MILLIONS" After a week's absence from the Mutual schedule of releases, due to the introduction last week of Billy Armstrong as the Cub Comedy star, the name of George Ovey again returns to its accustomed place on the release chart in connection with the Cub Comedy "Jerry's Millions," which is to be released February 11. "Jerry's Millions" is a typical Ovey subject with the irrepressible Jerry, the character played by the star, constantly being drawn deeper and deeper into trouble until no longer able to combat increasingly strong opposing forces, he seeks refuge in the calaboose. Director Milton Fahrney has staged the story of Jerry's complications in his best style, and for Ovey's support he has provided a large cast of Cub players, including Louis FitzRoy, Jefferson Osborne, Gordon McGregor, George George, Arthur Munns. Harry Jaconson, Joseph Von Meter, Belle Bennett and Janet Sully. "CIGHTING BLOOD," starring William ■T Farnum, which William Fox will release on February 20, is a drama of the Kentucky mountains. Oscar C. Apfel, who wrote and directed the picture, spent several weeks in the mountains of that state, absorbing the atmosphere and observing the life of the mountaineers. Mr. Farnum, it is said, outshines all his previous efforts in his fighting scenes, which are among the most striking in the production. In one he ejects a mob of toughs from church. In another he "licks" the bully of the mining camp. The making of these was witnessed by Jess Willard, heavyweight champion ; Barney Oldfield, automobile racer; and Frank Chance, one time famous first baseman. The Fox publicity department reports that each was enthusiastic over Farnum as a specimen of fine physical manhood. Many of the scenes were made in the Mojave Desert, Cal. ; others were made in the San Bernadino mountains at Skyland, altitude 5,800 feet. Street views were taken in Redlands, Cal. In support of Mr. Farnum appear Dorothy Bernard, Fred Huntley, Henry J. Hebert, H. A. Barrows, Dick Le Strange, and Willard Louis. The story concerns itself mainly with Lem Hardy, a Kentuckian (Mr. Farnum), who comes from a long list of fighters renowned for courage. Hardy is sent to prison on a false (charge, and after his release becomes a minister. Meantime the real thief marries Evie, with whom Hardy is in love. Hardy's first church service is interrupted by a gang of toughs, whom he proceeds to eject from the church. Later, when he is preaching in a saloon, the camp bully orders him to quit. Not until he has licked the bully, who afterwards becomes his staunch supporter, is he allowed to continue the service. Hardy eventually meets Blake and Evie, in what are said to be highly dramatic circumstances. El Dorado Feature Company Is New Film Concern Production of 5-Reel War Picture Is Planned Under Direction of Forbes, Former Stage Manager for Late Charles Frohman, with Players Headed by Neva Gerber Ogden Crane, Rena Carlton, and others. Pasadena, Cal., has been decided upon as THE El Dorado Feature Film Company, a new concern headed by Bruce F. Bundy, has under way a five-reel feature which deals with the present war from a somewhat different angle and in a manner which can in no way give offense. Mr. Bundy, while an ardent golf enthusiast, has found time to study the producing end of the film business and intends to produce pictures of a high standard. Harris L. Forbes, who has stage managed productions of the late Charles Frohman and H. B. Harris, and who also is experienced in film producing, has been secured as managing director ; having under his direction a capable company headed by Neva Gerber, who is supported by Lamar Johnstone, Rex Downs, May Cruze, Harry Thanhouser Makes Bid to Stage Heavyweight Fight Film Magnate Proposes Holding Fist Battle Between Jess Willard and Frank Moran in New Rochelle Arena — "Ruby" Negotiates for Event a producing center though companies will be sent to various parts of the country to secure the correct atmosphere for the plays and novels which the company will produce as a part of their policy, featuring noted stars. The present executive offices are located at the studio, 40 West Mountain street, Pasadena, Cal. In the forthcoming release of the El Dorado Director Forbes was fortunate in securing the use of the exclusive Cumnock academy of Los Angeles which is an exact replica of Shakespeare's home at Stratfordon-Avon. In addition to the use of the academy the graduating class of 1914, comprising the daughters of many wealthy southern California families, played prominent parts in the scenes, and the proper school atmosphere was successfully secured. TO his activities as theatrical manager and film magnate and producer, Edwin Thanhouser, now wants to add fistic laurels. Mr. Thanhouser has communicated with Tex Rickard, the promoter of the forthcoming championship battle between Jess Willard and Frank Moran, with a view to staging the fight in a New Rochelle arena. Rickard has offered, and the fighters have accepted a purse aggregating sixty thousand dollars, and the only details now to be arranged concern the time and place for the event. Although it is reported that Madison Square Garden had already been arranged for, it is said that Mr. Thanhouser is prepared to over-bid any offers thus far made. Even if the Garden should have been en gaged, he can make sufficiently attractive financial motions to change the minds of all concerned and swing the big fight to New Rochelle, so reports go. Mr. Thanhouser is now out of New York City, and the negotiations are being carried on for him by Leon J. Rubinstein. "Ruby" has full authority to raise the ante to a notch which will make Thanhouser the victor in the bidding. The entire populace of New Rochelle is behind the plan, and the procedure indicates a determination, with the co-operation of the New Haven Railroad, to break all attendance records for a championship battle. At the time of going to press Mr. Thanhouser is awaiting Tex Rickard's next HOOPS NOW WITH METRO, IN "SOUL MARKET" Arthur Hoops, well-known screen and legitimate leading man, has signed an engagement with Metro, and has begun work on his first feature for that company, "The Soul Market," in which Mme. Petrova is starred. Mr. Hoops was with Famous Players for nearly two years. Later he was starred with Betty Nansen in "The Song of Hate" and played the lead in Fox pictures. Recently he was seen in the stellar roles in George Kleine's "The Danger Signal" and "The Final Curtain." Before going into pictures Mr. Hoops was a leading man in important Broadway and road productions.