Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1917)

December 8, 1917 MOTION PICTURE NEWS 4039 Corliss Giles, Who Makes His Screen Debut as Leading Man for Clara Kimball Young in " Shirley Kaye " McClure Shows " Mother " at Red Cross Benefit Through the courtesy of McClure Pictures, which organization is offering " Mother " for state rights distribution, the picture was shown on Monday, November 19, for the benefit of the Red Cross movement. The Reverend William H. Jackson, a prominent clergyman and an active participator in the Red Cross campaign, was responsible for the presentation of the George Loane Tucker feature, given at the club house of the Nassau County Red Cross Society at Oyster Bay, L. I. Sponsored by McClure Pictures and offering as star Elizabeth Risdon, at present appearing in the William Faversham production of " Misalliance," now on tour, " Mother " was adapted from the widely read novel bv Eden Philpott, entitled "The Mother." Buck Added to Hoffman-Foursquare Exchange Forces The newest member to be added to the distributing forces of Hoffman-Foursquare Pictures is A. G. Buck, who takes charge this week of the Philadelphia offices. Mr. Buck has managed the K.E.S.E. Philadelphia Exchange for the past year, and his activities and success have made him prominent in that territory and one whose services have been highly regarded by his associates. Before coming East, Mr. Buck was manager of the Chicago branch, Fox Exchange, for a year, and before that served the same company satisfactorily in St. Louis. " I am looking forward to my association with M. H. Hoffman, Inc.," said Mr. Buck, " because I feel that its product and methods will give satisfaction to the exhibitor." Pyramid Enters Field with Four Comedies Newly Organized Pyramid Comedies, Inc., to Show First Four to Trade — Ray Hughes Featured — Werner, Ahrams and Palmer Executive Heads PYRAMID COMEDIES, INC., a newly organized producing company, with Arthur Werner, Charles F. Abrams and Harry Palmer as executive heads, will show its first four comedy productions to the trade this week. Ray Hughes, an eccentric comedian, is featured in Pyramid Comedies, and it is said that he is a comedian of more than ordinary accomplishments. The policy of the Pyramid Comedies, Inc., is to make twenty-four productions a year, two reels each and release them semi-monthly, either the 1st and 15th of each month, or the 7th and 23d, in order not to conflict with other comedy releases and to enable exchanges receiving other comedies on either of these dates, to make their releases to fill in with the Pyramid productions. The production arrangements have been completed, and the production establishment of the concern will be at Fort Lee, N. J., for a sho\t period, after which productions will be niade in Hollywood, Cal. Ray Hughes, the featured comedian, is supported by well-known comedy players, with established reputations as comedians. William A. Seiter, well-known comedy director, is in personal charge of productions. The four completed pictures are both unusual and sensational. The titles under which they will be released are " In and Out," with the action revolving around difficulties in a hospital; "Beauties and Bombs," in which the usual destruction and unusual comedy situations occur in a restaurant ; " Love and Lunch," staged at a studio, within a studio, and in one of those get full quick lunch-carts ; and " Beach Birds," which was produced at Long Beach, N. Y., with several thousand habitues of that place enthusiastically participating. The advertising and exploitation is under charge of Harry L. Reichenbach, who announces a novelty in the form of a press sheet to be known as the semi-monthly tickle containing numerous stories, and which, he says, can be used as a herald by the exhibitor or to clip from to fill his publicity wants. The release dates for these comedies will be announced later. Mr. Hughes, the comedian, has been engaged for a period of five years. " The Warrior " Making Record Sales in Middle West The General Enterprises, Inc., film spectacle, " The Warrior," has been sold by Sawyer and Lubin for the States of Ohio and Indiana, to James Grainger, general manager of Allen Film Corporation, of Chicago, 111. Mr. Grainger bought the territorial privileges to " The Warrior " for Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa during the recent sales trip made by Messrs. Sawyer and Lubin in the Middle West. The many inquiries received from exhibitors relative to bookings for " The Warrior," in duced Mr. Grainger to add to his purchase the States of Ohio and Indiana. Contracts were also negotiated during the past week whereby W. E. Drummond, manager of Special Feature Co., of Knoxville, Tenn., becomes the owner of " The Warrior " for the southern territory embraced by the States of Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. A good record in sales has been made by the picture featuring Maciste, as more than three-quarters of the country has been sold within the space of six weeks. Harry Grossman, Oro President, En Route to Coast HARRY GROSSMAN, president of the Oro Pictures, Inc., left last week for the Coast, where he will complete arrangements for the distribution of the Oro releases, and to discuss with the directors the plans for future productions to be made at the Bernstein studios, Los Angeles. Before leaving, Mr. Grossman announced that the Celebrated Players Film Company, of Chicago; Abe Kaufman, of Memphis ; Modern Feature Photoplay, of New York; Boston Photoplay, of Boston; Philadelphia Ideal Film Exchange, of Philadelphia, and Sidney B. Lust, of Washington, D. C, as a few of the leading independents that had signed for Oro pictures. The independent exchanges that have already received Oro franchises have stated that the Oro plan is a sound business proposition and that Oro pictures, judging by the first three releases, is the first program that assures the exhibitor of receiving a picture very close to the ideal. The Oro plan of distribution through independent exchanges is based upon such commercial lines as to compel the making of nothing but good pictures. Mr. Grossman will make a number of stops en route to the Bernstein Studios, studying the conditions and placing Oro franchises in all open territory. Good Reports on " The Fringe of Society " " The Fringe of Society," the late Hoffman-Foursquare picture, produced by George Backer Film Corporation in seven reels, is being received with enthusiasm by exhibitors throughout the country, Hy Gainsborg, sales manager, reports. Ben S. Cohen, who has reached Denver on his trip to the Coast in the interest of this and other Hoffman-Foursquare Pictures, tory have heard of " The Fringe of Society " and want to see it screened. Similar reports have been received from the Hoffman-Foursquare exchanges in other cities. You are not going to war. The men who are need all the comforts you can give them. Help them get cigarettes. That is your patriotic duty. If you aren't helping in the " smokes " campaign, get busy — now. Don't be a slacker!