Motion Picture News (Apr-Jun 1917)

2158 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. 15. No. 14 ADVAJVCE OFFERINGS OF THE PROGRAMS Releases on K.E.S.E. Progiam Under New Policy First Ten Productions SchediUed Under "Feamre a Week" InnovaUon-Yearly Contracts Reported Commg Fast ing Marc MacDermott and Miriam Nesbitt, April 16 ; " Skinner's Bubble," Essanay, presenting Bryant Washburn and Hazel Daly, April 23; "The Faith of Nancy, Selig, with Tom Santschi and Bessie Eyton featured, April 30; "Skinner's Big Idea," Essanay, in which Bryant Washburn will be featured, supported by the identical cast that made " Skinner's Dress Suit," May 7; "The Mystery of No. 47, Selig, Ralph Herz, star, May 14; "The Door of Dread," Essanay, presenting Nell Craig, May 21; "The Tell-Tale Step," Edison, with Shirley Mason in the titular role. May 28; "The Lad and the Lion," Selig, with Vivian Reed and George Fawcctt, as stars, June 4 ; " The Ghost of Old Morro," Edison, with Mabel Trunnelle and Robert Conness, June 11. RELEASES for the first two months under their new policy of a feature eadi week were announced last week by Kleine-Edison-Selig-Essanay. At the same time the statement was made that the adoption of the new pohcy had already resulted in an unprecedented rush of business, and the signing of many yearly contracts by exhibitors. In New York alone Manager W. E. Raynor reported he expected to have at least 300 new contracts signed in his territory before the policy goes into effect on April 2. , , , Following are two months' releases under the new policy; "The Trufflers," by Essanay, featuring Nell Craig and Sydney Ainsworth, April 9 "Builder of Castles," Edison, fcatur Newly Formed Erbograph Company to Produce Art Dramas A SECOND company of players, headed by Marion Swayne and directed by Joseph Levering, has been organized by Erbograph to produce features for the Art Dramas program, according to announcement made this week by Ludwig G. B. Erb, president of Erbograph. Work has already been started by this new company on a play written especially for Miss Swayne by the Rev. Clarence J. Harris. In this story Miss Swayne is given an opportunity to enact the sort of characterization which has made her an admired player. Miss Swayne, who will be remembered for her work in "The Adventurer," a recent U. S. Amusement Corporation produc tion on Art Dramas program, and in " The Deemster," the picturization of Hall Caine's story, has been in pictures for four years. She started under Edgar Lewis, and almost immediately attracted attention. From the beginning her rise was rapid. Joseph Levering, who will direct Miss Swayne, has had a long experience. He has been with Solax, Pathe, Edison, and Gaumont, where he was managing director for several years. Among his most successful productions are: "The Cup of Chance," with Alice Brady ; "The Tides of Time," with Mary Nash, and " Capital Punishment," with Lenore Ulrich. Business Comedy Next Bryant Washburn Subject Bryant Washburn is working on another comedy for Essanay titled " Skinner's Bubble " which is said to be as mirth-provoking as his most recent picture ■■ Skinner's Dress Suit." The latest subject will be released April 23. The story is of a young man. Skinner, who emboldened by rapid promotion in business, decides he can do as well for himself. He resigns his position, engages a magnificent suite of oiBces, leaves his suburban cottage for an immense toiyn house with an army of servants, and while his wife starts in to conquer society he goes to subjugate the financial world. " The new business, however, approaches the shoals of bankruptcy, but Skinner keeps up the bluff of success to his wife, who tells his former employer's wife and she in turn tells her husband. Feeling a mistake was made allowing Skinner to get away from him, the latter pleads with Skinner to return to the firm just at the time when the young man faces ruin. So all ends well. ■ Hazel Daly and Harry Beaumont are among the members of the supporting cast. Entertaining Issue of V Screen Magazine The Universal Screen Magazine's current issue contains many interesting features. The opening subject, " Guarding Our Shores," shows the life of the coast guards along the seaboard of the United States. Demonstrations of the varied apparatus in use by these organizations, are given. Next comes the new money laundry, used in the United States treasury for the cleansing of soiled currency. The spectator then is carried to a California Alligator Farm and shown how the raising of reptiles has been made a profitable industry. Mrs. A. Louise Andrea, the Screen Magazine's expert cook shows how the delicious Apple Snow is made. How unbreakable dolls are manufactured follows, and Willie Hopkins, sculptor, closes the reel with a splendid contribution in common clay. Placing Triangle Program in Pbiladelphia Harry Schwalbe, a well-known film man of Philadelphia, who has secured a longterm contract for the exhibition of Triangle pictures in that section, is negotiating with the directors of the Stanley theatre there to exhibit the first showing of the Monday releases of Triangle. The result of the consideration the Stanley people are giving the proposition will be made known in a few days. Mr. Schwalbe has already closed a contract with the management of the Arcadia theatre of Philadelphia for the exhibition of one feature each week. He is also making plans to district the city ' picture patrons in every section will oe afforded the chance to see the Triangle Robert Harron (Goldwyn) Co-operative Linder Advertising Costs Essanay $35,000 By virtue of the fifty-fifty agreement on advertising expenses of Max Linder dies that Essanay entered with all exhibitors, a matter of $35,000, has already been laid out by the producing company as^ their half of exploitation expenses for "Max Comes Across." Essanay claims an equal amount, if not more, is being expended for newspaper display ads of " Max Wants a Divorce," the foreign comedian's second production. Linder's third comedy, as yet unnamed, is reported as nearing completion at Culver City, Cal.