Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1916)

2528 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 13. No. 17. ''llllllllllilllllllllllllliEillllillll lllllllllillllllllllllllllllllllllllliliilililll ■■■^^■■■■■liEiBiiailMBIMBll Film News From Foreign Parts liiir Australian Made Films Seldom Go Out of Country special to Motion Picture News. Sydney, N. S. W., March 15. SPEAKING to Alfred Rolfe last week about the difficulties of producing pictures in Australia, he remarked that one of the chief setbacks was the impossibility of securing a foreign market. "Pictures made in this country," he said, "rarely, if ever, find their way to the English and American fields. Four prints are sufficient to supply the needs of local exhibitors, sometimes even less than that." Mr. Rolfe said that in his opinion the only chance, at present for Australian pictures to compete with the foreign and English trade is for a well established firm in either England or America, to establish a branch here and release through the regular programs in the forementioned countries." Mr. Rolfe has had twenty-five years' experience on the stage and pictures and in the latter profession has produced some very worthy subjects. Four or five years ago he was associated with the Australian Photoplay Company, and with him in this firm were Stanley Walpole and Ethel Phillips, who have both been successful in the United States. Alfred Rolfe was with Fraser Films previous to joining the Australasian Films, Ltd. He is now working on a series of industrial films for this concern, and shortly leaves for the "outback" to take necessary scenes. The pictures will show the industries of the Commonwealth, such as wool-growing, stock-raising, timber-getting and mining. Speaking of the Triangle Films Mr. Rolfe said that in his opinion they were the "acme of perfection." The authorities in Hobart, Tasmania, have decided to allow a continuance of Sunday exhibitions provided that suitable subjects are screened. Triangle Goes Well The publicity matter distributed by the Australasian Films, Ltd., in connection with the Triangle Pictures will take a lot to beat, for it is perhaps the best of its kind yet handled by any film concern in this city. Several scenes of the crowds attending the "Triangle Trade Show" last week at the Palace theatre were "shot" by the Australian Gazette cameraman. An important announcement came from the Fraser Film Exchange last week, stating that it has secured the rights for Australia to Universal Red Feather Features and Bluebird Photoplays. There has been no definite announcement as to the first subjects so far. The smaller subjects of the Universal Company are handled jointly between the Fraser Exchange, and Co-Operative. The latter firm also controls Metro and World Feature Films in this state. Eraser's are at present erecting a new picture theatre in George street, Haymarket, which is to hold 2,000 and it is probable that Universal Red Feather Features will make their initial bow at the opening of this new house. On Thursday and Friday last, the 9th and 10th inst., Australasian Films, Ltd., gave an introductory screening of the longawaited Triangle productions at the Palace theatre. Many members of the trade were present and after a short speech by George Portus, on Thursday afternoon, the pictures were screened. Thursday's program consisted of "The Coward" and "Crooked to the End," Kay-Bee and Keystone productions, respectively. The Keystone was received like a drama, the audience groaning when the "villains" were successful and clapping the hero. But everyone in the whole audience roared with laughter at the wonderful comedy stunts provided in the last five minutes of the Sennett creation. "The Coward" was received very well, and proved a decided contrast to the uproariously funny Keystone which preceded it. Several members of the audience, who probably have brothers, fathers or relations at the front, burst into tears, so wonderfully realistic was the production. "The Golden Claw" and "The Submarine Pirate" provided Friday's entertainment. "The Golden Claw" is a high-class production, but I think the majority of the audience Hked the first Ince picture better. "The Submarine Pirate" was wonderful — a real comedy. The mechanical eflEects — like in "Crooked to the End" — were extraordinary. If the future Triangle productions maintain the standard of the first four screened at the trade showing, their welcome in this and other cities of the Commonwealth is at once assured. The historic Lyceum theatre has been remodelled, and renamed the Triangle Playhouse. The first public showing will be conducted here on Saturday next, the 18th inst. The Fox Film Corporation (Australasia) Ltd., are now comfortably located in their offices at 194 Pitt street, Sydney. Judging by the genial expression of Lieut. Jim Anderson's face, the firm seems to be doing good business. "Carmen" and "The Kreutzer Sonata" have been enthusiastically received at the Empire theatre, Katoomba, N. S. W. This town is the holiday resort of wealthy Sydneyites, and is situated among fine scenery in the famous Blue Mountains. The summer population often exceeds the twenty thousand mark, so the Fox productions should always be sure of a hearty welcome. Rasmiond Longford and a company of artists sail shortly for New Zealand, where they will take such scenes as are required for their new spectacular production. The management of the Theater Royal (J. C. Williamson, Ltd.) gave to their patrons at the matinee last Saturday one of the longest picture programs yet submitted to the public, the two star features being "The Nigger" and "The Thief," both Fox features. The former has been cut down a great deal, and as it now stands, contains nothing likely to be offensive. Farnum's acting again won applause from the spectators. "The Thief" was a very poor picture judging by the standard of previous Fox pictures. "The Nigger" was rendered more attractive by the orchestra, under the direction of Gustave Slappofski, giving some fine plantation melodies. The program at this theatre next week will be Betty Nansen in "Should a Mother Tell," and "The Devil's Daughter," with Theda Bara. George Mathieson, business manager of the Royal, has just returned from a flying trip from Melbourne, in the company's interests. Making War Cartoons Harry Julius, cartoonist for various local papers, and also for the Australasian Gazette, is at present working on a lengthy cartoon, dealing with the war, for Australasian Films, Ltd. This will be the first picture of its kind made in Australia. Barrington Miller, general manager of Union Theatres, Ltd., has secured a large block of land in a prominent position in Sydney, and intends to build a new theatre shortly. Negotiations are also under way for the securing of sites in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. Hal. H. Carleton. EXPECT 15 CENT PRICE LEVEL IN MARITIME PROVINCES Special to Motion Picture News. St. John, N. B., April IS. Conditions have been changing rapidly in the amusement world of the end of the country, with the result that whereas the universal price of admission to film houses has been until lately five cents, it is now, except in four cases, fifteen cents. It is strange that these four cases of backward policy, or holding to old customs, should be in St. John itself. One of these houses is the Unique, now being reopened, and it is expected that there will be only three left of the Old Guard by next month in the whole of the three Maritime Provinces.