Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1916)

April 29, 1916. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 2531 MARGUERITE COURTOT LEADS BALL IN JACKSONVILLE The recent motion picture ball held for the benefit of the Actors' Fund and a local charity at Jacksonville, Fla., was opened by' Marguerite Courtot, of the Gaumont Company, who led the grand march with ]\'Iayor J. E. T. Bowden. Myers and Rosemary Theby at Work on Vims in South FURMAN LEAVES PATHE J. A. Berst, vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., announces that R. T. F'urman, who has been connected with that company for the past twelve months, has severed his connections. Actor, Who Gained Reputation as Producer Series for General Program — Studio Dele HARRY C. MYERS and Rosemary Theby arrived last Monday at the Vim Comedy studios in Jacksonville, Fla., and started work immediately on the first of a weekly series of "refined" comedies to be released under the Vim brand on the General program. Mr. Myers, who has an enviable reputation as a producer of high-class comedies, is directing. The famous comedy team last week signed a two-year contract with Mark Kaufman to Direct Pauline Frederick for Famous First Production Under His Hand for Company Will Be "The Great Gamble," an Adaptation of an E. Phillips Oppenheim Story — Director Was Associated with Frohman of Successful Comedies, Will Direct a Weekly gate Meets Stars on Arrival in Jacksonville Dintenfass, of the Vim organization, under whose management they worked during their long regime as Universal stars. Speaking of his plans, Mr. Dintenfass said: "We have always been proud of the Vim program, but the weekly release of a refined comedy, featuring two such popular artists as Harry Myers and Rosemary Theby, is a matter for congratulation. Both Mr. Burstein and I consider that ire have secured the biggest drawing card in the comedy field, and the biggest bargain, too. This team AN addition has been made to the producing staff of the Famous Players Film Company in the person of Joseph Kaufman, who has severed his connection with the Lubin Company, for which he has been directing three, four and five-reel productions for the last three years. His last film made under the banner of the Philadelphia concern was "Dollars and the Woman." Mr. Kaufman's first production for the Famous Players will be an adaptation of E. Phillips Oppenheim's story, "The Great Gamble," in which Pauline Frederick is to be starred. Robert G. Vigimki, wlio has JOSEPH KAUFMAN presided over Miss Frederick's last three film appearances for the Paramount Program— "The Spider," "Audrey" and "The Moment Before" — is to direct the film debut of a celebrated Broadway star who is soon to make her first appearance on the screen in a Famous Players production. Through Mr. Kaufman's connection with the Famous Players he will again come in official contact with Hugh Ford, as the former appeared on the stage under the direction of Mr. Ford over ten years ago. A native of Washington and a graduate of Georgetown University, Mr. Kaufman first appeared on the staare in a big stock company in the Capital City, and then played in stock in Denver, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit and New York City successively. Mr. Kaufman spent seven years in association with Charles Frohman, during which time he was stage manager for Maude Adams, William Collier, Mrs. Patrick Campbell, Virginia Harned, and acted as Marie Doro's first stage manager. During the latter part of his connection with Mr. Frohman he worked on productions in conjunction with the manager. Joining Cohan and Harris, Mr. Kaufman played in "Brewster's Millions," "Wallingford," "Forty-five Minutes from Broadway" and other successes before allying himself with Frederick Thompson, for whom he played the wireless operator in the famous drama, "Via Wireless," which scored such a hit at the Liberty Theatre, New York. He later starred in "Brewster's Millions." After playing "The Country Boy" for a season under the management of H. B. Harris, Mr. Kaufman went to Philadelphia to act as co-director with Frank Reichner at the Little Theatre. It was here that he attracted the attention of Siegmund Lubin while playing a dope fiend. The film manufacturer was looking for someone to play the leading role in "The Drug Terror," and he found in Mr. Kaufman the answer to his problem. That was three years ago. After acting in films for a year, Mr. Kaufman took up the direction of feature productions, and has been engaged on that work ever since. TWO BILLIE BURKE PICTURES STIR OHIO Special to Motion Picture News. Cleveland, O., April 15. Although the big exhibitors in Cleveland are still bidding against each other for first run on the new Billie Burke motion picture novel, bookings throughout northern Ohio are said to be particularly gratifying. Record prices are evident all along the line. Billie Burke's "Peggy" broke all records at the Metropolitan Theatre, Cleveland's best photoploy house. Although several houses are competing for first run of "Gloria's Romance" in Cleveland, it is generaly expected that the Metropolitan Theatre will outbid all its rivals. The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the most influential paper in northern Ohio, will run "Gloria's Romance" in narrative form. HARRY MYERS ROSEMARY THEBY has achieved a deserved popularity during several years of co-starring, and Mr. Myers is a wonderful director, an artist in e\ ery way. Although their contract calls for salaries of four figures, we consider them cheap at the price." Mr. Myers came into pictures seven years ago, after a successful career on the stage. He joined the Lubin compan}' and was quickly recognized as a screen comedian of the first water, although he was at first cast for drama. During his long association with the Lu'oin forces he began playing with Rosemary Theby, and the co-partnership has lasted for four years. On their arrival in Jacksonville, the co-stars were met by a delegation from the Vim studios, headed by Louis Burstein, in personal charge of direction; "Babe" Hardy and Billy Ruge, of "Plump and Runt"; Elsie MacLeod, Bob Burns and Walter Stull, of "Pokes and Jabbs." It was a real welcome, for the majority of the Vim players are old stage companions of Mr. Myers and Miss Theby, having played with them in stock before coming into picture work. For his first release, shortly to be announced, Mr. Myers has chosen a story which offers opportunity for some elaborate effects as well as sparkling comedy. • He practically owned the outdoor stage last week, and this gives some idea of the scope of the work; for the stage comprises 35,000 square feet under cloth diffusers. No date has yet been set for the first release, but advance bookings have already been received from many parts of the country, especially from the Far West.