Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1917)

December 29, 1 9 1 7 4563 Triangle Reissues Prove Very Popular TRIANGLE announced recently that the Hart and Fairbanks' reissues were daily proving more popular, and through comment received from exhibitors it is apparent that the box office value of these pictures has been much greater than anticipated. The statement follows: "The Triangle reissues of Hart and Fairbanks' features have brought forth considerable unsolicited comment of a most favorable nature, from exhibitors throughout the country. Concerning ' Double Trouble,' featuring Douglas Fairbanks, reissued under date of September 2, an exhibitor of Spokane, Wash., said : ' A fine comedy, especially for those who read the book, and an excellent reissue.' The manager of the Empress Theater at Owensboro, Ky., in referring to the Hart reissue, ' The Aryan.' stated : ' This reissue attracted well and many came to see it again. An excellent box office attraction.' These comments are two selected from a large number of letters received and are typical of the general trend of exhibitor opinion. The shrewd exhibitor shows no hesitancy in booking reissues and the results secured build up his confidence in these pictures. From the West and South, particularly, the exhibitors report enthusiastically as to the receptions accorded the reissues." Proctor's Theater in Mount Vernon, N. Y., always a Triangle booster, found " Manhattan Madness," a feature that brought down the house when it was recently thrown on the screen. Hart's pictures, produced under the Triangle banner, also bring tremendous applause when shown, it is claimed. For the new year, the first Hart reissue will be " Between Men " on January 6, and the first Fairbanks', " Reggie Mixes In," on January 20. This comedy was considered one of Fairbanks' best works and a box office attraction ; in fact it has been said to eclipse any of Fairbanks' earlier endeavors. Ends Year With Lockwood " The Avenging Trail " Said To Be Forceful Drama of North Woods — Sally Crute Appears In Support METRO plans to close its release chart for the year on December 31, when it will release Harold Lockwood's latest production, " The Avenging Trail," a Metro wonderplay adapted by Fred J. Balshofer and Mary Murillo from Henry Oyen's novel, " Gaston Olaf," and staged under the the direction of Francis Ford. " The Avenging Trail " is described as a drama of forceful situations and is set in the North Woods in the pioneer days of that country. The central figure in the story is Gaston Olaf, an American in spite of the foreign suggestions of his name, whose courage is unquestioned and whose mental capabilities stamp him as a leader of men. With his partner, Tom Pine, Gaston visits Havens Falls, a lawless village in the lumber country, after working six months in the brush on a timber claim in search of adventure and excitement. He finds excite ment awaiting him when, as he enters the village, he rescues Rose Havens from the embrace of Lefty Red, a notorious character, and vanquishes him after a bitter fight. Red later confesses his part in various criminal operations conducted by Taggart, including the killing of Gaston's father while he was in the act of robbing him at Taggart's orders. Gaston avenges himself upon Taggart for the death of his father and for Taggart's treatment of Rose, clears Havens Falls of its lawless element and wins the girl and the office of marshal as his reward. " The Avenging Trail " is considered one of the biggest of Mr. Lockwood's vehicles and his part of Gaston Olaf, one of the most powerful characters he has, played in his long career before the screen camera. Lockwood is supported by a cast that includes a number of names familiar to screen followers, among them Sally Crute, who plays Rose Havens; Walter P. Lewis as Taggart, Joseph Dailey as Tom Pine, Warren Cook as Dr. Saunders, William Clifford as Hale and Louis Wolheim as Lefty Red. Pictographs Round Out Their Second Year THE close of the year marks the second anniversary of the Paramount-BrayPictograpb, " the-magazine-on-the-screen." "When," said R. J. Bray, president of the Bray Studios, Inc., producers of Paramount-Bray-Pictograph, the " magazine-onthe-screen," '* I first produced animated cartoons, I was encouraged to make them a full thousand feet in length, but I soon found that to do do so involved not only a terrific amount of work and time, but, since a cartoon must he full of laughs for every foot of its length, it was next to impossible to be sure of such a result in so great a length. " Realizing this, I cut my cartoons down, and in order to make the full thousand feet, used split-reels of interesting educational material. This, I found to be just the thing and the combination met with instantaneous favor. " To me, the educational films were most interesting. I wanted to do more of them. Especially did the screen magazine appeal to me and it became my ambition to produce such a reel. In spite of the fact that the name Bray was invariably linked with that of ' Col. Heeza Liar,' my animated cartoon character ; and consequently meant ' humorist ' to theatre-goers, I still maintain that I have my serious moments and when, at the end of 1916, I proposed to Mr. Hiram Abrams, president of Paramount Pictures Corporation, that the production of Pictographs be turned over to me and that in each release an animated cartoon be a part, the idea won the instant approval of all concerned." George Walsh Defies Death and Uncovers New Ways to Create Thrills in William Fox's Patriotic Drama, " The Pride of New York," Said to Also Contain Plenty of Novelty