Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

1204 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 14. No. 8 B. A. Rolfe Quits Management of New York Strand Will Devote All His Time to Supervising Rolfe-Metro Studio!; — Harold Edel of Buffalo, May Succeed Him IVY CLOSE LOSES BROTHER AT FRONT A severe blow was dealt Ivy Close last week when word arrived at Jacksonville that her younger brother, Raymond Close, had died from wounds received in the great British drive in Flanders the latter part of July. Miss Close was considerable shaken by the news and, with appreciation to her feelings, it was decided to suspend production at the Kalem Studio for three or four days. Raymond Close, Brother of Ivy Close Miss Close also expresses anxiety over the condition of an elder brother, also at the front in France with the British forces. To add to her worries there comes the intimation that her husband, Elwin Neame, who has been " doing his bit " with the home guards, may soon be called to the front. Mr. Neame is a prominent London photographer of society .and royalty. PRAISE FOR PATHE PUBLICITY STUNT FOR "GRIP or EVIL" When Roland Bottomley was cast for the role of John Burton throughout the fourteen thrilling episodes of " The Grip of Evil," Pathe's master plot, produced by Balboa, he suggested to G. A. Smith, serial publicity manager of the Pathe Company, that a letter from John Burton be prepared and sent to the newspapers of the country. This has turned out to be one of the most effective publicity stunts known to a number of motion picture editors. For instance, Gordon H. Place, motion picture editor of the Evening Telegram in Salt Lake City, writes as follows : " It may not be out of place to say just a word as to the line of publicity we are getting from you. I think the John Burton letter one of the finest things I have ever seen from a press agent's pen. It was a bear and it got by in a big waj'. We had dozens of telephone calls and letters from those who wanted the privilege of helping John. It was a scream. Let us have some more just as good. But that is setting you a real task." BA. ROLFE, president of the Rolfe Photoplays, Inc., who has personally directed the management of the Strand theatre, on Broadway, and made it the leading motion picture theatre in the world, has given up that work and is now the commander-in-chief of the Rolfe studio at No. 3 West Sixty-third street, where many of the biggest features are produced for the Metro program. It is understood that he will be succeeded by Harold Edel, for several years manager of the Strand theatre, Buffalo. In the past the burden of the arduous duties at the Rolfe studio fell upon the shoulders of Maxwell Karger, the general manager, and his associate, Charles D. Maddock, the treasurer. Mr. Karger has now taken charge of the casting of all the stars and players, and the scenario department in the studio. Mr. Aladdock will continue in his present capacity. Mr. Rolfe will take over the work of general supervision of all productions and will have immediate charge of all the directors. Among the stars now working at the Rolfe-Metro studio under the direction of Mr. Rolfe are Ethel Barr\Tnore, Emily Stevens, Alabel Taliaferro, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew, Emmy Wehlen, Ralph Herz, \'iola Dana, Irene Howlcy, Grace Valentine, Lionel Barrj-more, Irene Fenwick and others of equal magnitude. The directing force under Mr. Rolfe includes such well-known producers as Edwin Carewe, William Nigh, Charles Horan, John W. Noble, George D. Baker, John H. Collins and others, with many screen successes to their credit. Mr. Edel, after a two weeks' vacation, it is expected, will assume the active management of the Strand theatre. The Strand theatre, Buffalo, under his gTiidance, has taken an enviable place among theatres of the western part of the state. Mr. Edel taught patrons to expect good music at motion picture exhibitions. The Strand theatre orchestra was a topic of conversation whenever " fans " congregated to talk of " things unusual " in local film circles. In advertising, he was the initiator of many attractive things. Early in his career as manager of the Strand, the Buffalo Sunday News started a four-page photoplay section. Through Mr. Edel's efforts, that paper, for over six months, devoted the entire front page in color illustration and story to Strand attractions. In Buffalo, Mr. Edel had a great asset in the possession of his own artist, who made all advertising drawings. In this way, the Strand was able to place at all times the most attractive advertising on the local dramatic pages. In presenting the first Geraldine Farrar release, Mr. Edel was fortunate to have Miss Farrar herself as his guest, the star being in Buffalo at the time for a concert engagement. When the Strand first opened it was rather doubtful whether it would be a success. A few weeks later uhder the manage ment of Mr. Edel, the place took on new life and to-day the best in photoplaj and the Strand are synon>Tnous. When the Palace theatre opened in Buffalo, Mr. Edel guided its policies for several months, at the same time managing the Strand. Strand lobby displays have always been, by far, the most attractive in Buffalo. Strand ushers always the most attractively costumed and Strand surroundings always homelike and cozy. On the resignation of B. A. Rolfe, Mr. Edel was called to New York for a conference, regarding his probable appointment as manager of the Strand in that city. Before coming to Buffalo, Mr. Edel was manager of the Alhambra theatre in Cleveland. SAM SPEDON LEAVES VITAGRAPH AFTER SEVEN YEARS Sam Spedon, pioneer motion picture publicity man, and undoubtedly the best known of his fellow-workers throughout the industry, will sever his connections with the Vitagraph Company of America after a period of seven years in charge of their publicity department. Mr. Spedon has the distinction of being the founder of the first publicity department, properly so called, that the industryknew. He established as well the first systematized scenario department. Sam Spedon Of his position in the minds of every member of the motion picture business, Colonel William N. Selig said at the Chicago convention last month, " Show me a man in the industrj^ who doesn't know Sam Spedon, and I'll paj for the drinks." Besides his reputation as a publicitj' expert, Mr. Spedon has been an artist, a writer, diplomat, and advertising man. He has several important propositions under consideration, but is open to the best