Motion Picture News (May-Jul 1916)

4046 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 13. No. 26 " THE QUITTER," WITH LIONEL BARRYMORE, FROM METRO ON JULY 10 " The Quitter," a five part Metro-Rolfe film, in which Lionel Barrymore is starred, and Marguerite Skirvin is featured, will be released on the Aletro program July 10. The story was written by Izola Forrester, a special writer on the New York Evening World, and produced under the direction of Charles Horan. A Scene from "The Quitter" (Metro, July 10) P. Thad. Volkman assisted in the direction. Among the prominent members of the cast who appear in support of Mr. Barrymore and Miss Skirvin are Edward Brennan, Paul Everton, Charles Prince and Julius D. Cowles. VERDUN PICTURES PLAY TO CAPACITY The " Germany's Battles at Verdun " pictures, which are presented by the New Yorker Staats Zeitung and under the management of Samuel Cummins, of 1476 Broadway, have made an exceptional record for themselves by drawing capacity business in all the theatres on the Loew circuit around New York, where they have been booked for 100 days. In conjunction with the special advertising amongst their regular patrons, the Loew Enterprises have used page and half-page newspaper advertisements to promote this picture, which has been done with great success. This picture has been cut down to 4,000 feet and contains nothing but action. Samuel Cummins, representing the owners of these pictures, intends to State-right this picture and accept bookings beginning the latter part of this month. CONVENTION IN CHICAGO FROM JULY 12TH TO 18TH, INCLUSIVE; The date of the annual convention of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America, in Chicago, is set for July 12 to 18, inclusive. The committee in charge of arrangements is fast getting its plans under way for the reception of members of the league intending to be present in Chicago next month. Reports from headquarters indicate a larger attendance than at any previous meeting of the national body. Spokane City Council Is Out Civic Body No Longer Considers the Rulings for Basis of Film Censoring and Special to Motion Picture News. Spokane, June 16. pACE to face with the declaration of the city council that " teeth must be put into the city censorship," theatre managers of Spokane again have a life-sized scrap on their hands. City censorship in Spokane up to this time has been a most informal affair, based simply on a resolution of the council, passed sonic five years ago, that the commissioner of public affairs be entrusted with the task of seeing that the theatre owners toed the mark. It was tacitly understood at that time that the rulings of the National Board would be taken as a basis for local administration. That some exhibitors have not been making eliminations ordered by the board is the basis for the present trouble. " The Island of Love " has been particularly pointed out as one subject which was run intact. The city council two weeks ago passed a formal ordinance, making the commissioner of public affairs city censor. He is empowered to visit all theatres and see that the National Board's rulings are observed. For violations of the ordinance, a fine of one hundred dollars or a jail sentence of thirty days is provided. The commissioner has entered upon his work by associating with him an advisory committee of citizens, two of the members of which are the dramatic editors of two of the daily newspapers. The Amusement Managers' Association, of which Ralph Ruffner, manager of the Liberty theatre, is president, is busy with plans for securing a referendum vote on the ordinance. By filing a referendum petition signed by ten per cent, of the voters, the association can hold up the operation of the ordinance for six months, until a special election on it can be held. The largest of the newspapers are op Claire McDowell (Universal) for More Rigid Censorship of the National Board of Review Sufficient Gives Official Arbitrary Power posed to the referendum, on the ground that the ordinance gives the exhibitors a " square deal " and that a special election would be costly. Taking advantage of the censorship agitation, the management of the Auditorium has succeeded in getting some brand new advertising for " The Birth of a Nation." The film, originally shown at the Clemmer, has been rebooked at the Auditorium. The city council is unlikely to make any reversal of its former position, which permitted the film to be shown three weeks, but a committee of colored citizens already have made a formal protest against its exhibition. INCE PREPARES FOR CHICAGO OPENING OF "CIVILIZATION" Thomas H. Ince, producer of " Civilization," left for Chicago last week to arrange for the production of his spectacle, beginning June 24, at the Grand Opera House, one of the leading Chicago playhouses. Mr. Ince is accompanied by his executive staff, including J. Parker Reade, Jr., general representative, and J. L. Bernard, director of publicity and advertising. The producer declined to comment on the rumors which have been rife since "Civilization's " success, on the manner in which it would be marketed. " The date of the Chicago opening and the theatre in which ' Civilization ' will have its Chicago premier will be announced shortly," was all that Mr. Ince had to say. It is understood upon good authority, no confirmative statement has yet been issued in regard to the purchasing or marketing of the state's rights on " Civilization." There have been many rumors but none are confirmed. Victor Shertzinger, who wrote the score of " Civilization," accompanied Mr. Ince to Chicago with the rest of the party, to examine the acoustics of the theatre which may be selected. LADIES' NIGHT MAKES REEL FELLOWS BANQUET BRIGHT AS DAY Special to MorioN Picture News. Chicago, June 16. A large and enthusiastic turn-out for the Ladies' Night of the Reel Fellows Club of Chicago, held Thursday evening in their new spacious quarters at the Hotel Morrison, made this one of the most successful meetings in the history of the club. A specially selected cabaret furnished entertainment during the dinner, after which the time was enjoyably filled by talks from the members and guests until 10 o'clock, when the cabaret of the Boston Oyster House appeared. Later on in the evening the banquet hall was cleared for dancing. The crowd was most representative of Chicago film circles and included the prominent exchangemen and exhibitors in addition to many players from Essanay, Selig and the Emerald Film Company. President Nehls presided as toastmaster and in a speech of welcome to the guests, contributed much of the success of the meeting to the untiring efforts of M. G. Watkins, secretary of the club, and Henry Miller, one of the board of governors.