Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

s 2000 Successful Smoke Drives for Boys in France Through the presentation of their special comedy release, " My Lady Nicotine," the Mutual Film Corporation continues to materially assist the work of " Our Boys in France Tobacco Fund." The one-reel film starring Billie Rhodes deals with the trying necessity which exists among our American boys in France for American tobacco. The various exchanges of the Mutual Film Corporation have co-operated with the Fund by urging all exhibitors to establish a " Smoke Drive " on the day they present "My Lady Nicotine" at their thetres. The picture showmen of the entire country have responded enthusiastically to this plan, with the result that " Our Boys in France Tobacco Fund " has been enriched to the extent of many hundreds of dollars contributed by movie patrons. The latest patriotic exhibitor to aid in shipping " smokes " across is C A. Worthington, manager of the Opera House Picture Show, Jacksboro, Tex. In a town containing but 1,500 population, Mr. Worthington secured $52 in one day from his patrons, and has sent a check for same with the following letter to headquarters : " Mr. Bert Ennis, Director of Publicity, "New York City, N. Y. " Dear Sir : " The enclosed is the result of our efforts for the good of the cause, which I can assure you it has been a pleasure to collect. " I want to ask that you kindly write me at your convenience just how badly tobacco is needed for our boys in France and what opportunities are there in Frence for the U S. A. soldiers to purchase tobacco as they might require it. " This information is for the benefit of some few barnacles that still hang on to this little town. " Yours very truly, " C. A. WORTHINGTON." Motion Picture News F. I. L. M. Club of New York Urges Quicker Service The F. I. L. M. Club of New York, announces commencing October 20, in order to complete satisfactory service for exhibitors that they may receive their film in time for morning and matiness performances, that all film delivery companies will be required to return exhibitors' shows at night. Certain companies have been complying with these rules, but as others have not, it causes considerable delay ' In order to facilitate this service and help customers it is hoped that they will co-operate with the F. I. L. M. Club. Unless this is accomplished — owing to the shortage of help — there will be many delays which cannot be overcome by the exchange. This is an acute situation and needs the cooperation of all concerned. Exhibitors who need their shows early in the day can appreciate the situation, and if the exhibitor will insist upon his messenger living up to the requirements, a satisfactory conclusion will be the result. Farrar Called to Washington, D.C. Geraldine Farrar, Goldwyn Star, to Inaugurate Liberty Loan Campaign in Washington with Concert at National Press Club Banquet GOVERNMENT honors go to Geraldine Farrar and Goldwyn Pictures througn an invitation extended simultaneously to the great screen and operatic star and Samuel Goldfish, president of Goldwyn, on the eve of the fourth tremendous Liberty Loan campaign. By invitation of Frank R. Wilson, director of publicity of the Treasury Department, Miss Farrar, accompanied by Mr. Goldfish and several of the noted prima donna's friends, leaves for Washington next Thursday night and on Friday Miss Farrar is to sing " The Star Spangled Banner " from the steps of the Treasury Building. This is the first time in any of the loan campaigns that such an event had been planned. Miss Farrar and Goldwyn have just completed and delivered to the Government officials a splendid Liberty Loan film, " The Bonds That Tie," in which the noted diva plays the role of Columbia. This picture represents the joint contribution of the star and the Goldwyn company to the Government and was written by Harry R. Durant, directed by Reginald Barker, and made under the watchful eyes of the big Goldwyn organization. Immediately upon its delivery in Washington by special messenger, telegrams and letters of appreciation were dispatched by Frank R. Wilson to Miss Farrar and Samuel Goldfish, both of whom were invited to be the department's guests at a dinner on the evening of September 27 at the National Press Club, to be attended by the entire membership of Washington correspondents of the nation's great daily newspapers and magazines and by many notables in American official and civil life, as well as by members of the foreign embassies and legations. Director Wilson's letter is as follows : " Dear Mr. Goldfish : "I feel doubly grateful to you for two very important favors which you have granted the Treasury Department. I refer to the motion picture which has come to us through your good offices, in which Miss Geraldine Farrar appears. I feel confident that this will be one of the important factors in the forthcoming campaign in behalf of the loan. " The other thing for which I feel under special obligation to you is your consent to permit Miss Farrar to come to Washington to sing in behalf of the Fourth Loan campaign, and to appear before the National Press Club on the evening of Friday, September 27. I want you to know that we will make most efficient use of Miss Farrar's act, and I know that her appearance will make one of the big nights in the history of the National Press Club. " I want to accord to you a special invitation to come with her and be here on the occasion of her appearance before the Press Club. We are engaging an auditorium for that evening capable of seating about two thousand persons and invitations will be issued to a number of distinguished people in Washington. We are expecting that Miss Farrar's audience will contain many notables." Cyrus Townsend Brady's Son Is Major in U. S. Army The other day while Dr. Cyrus Townsend Brady was sitting in the library of his home in Yonkers, N. Y., engaged in putting the finishing touches on " The Man of Might," the next Vitagraph serial in which William Duncan, supported by an all-star cast, including Edith Johnson and Joe Ryan, will be seen, his son, Major Sidney G. Brady, burst in upon him. The young man had come home unaffected after thirteen months' service in France. Few know that his celebrated father was destined for the navy. Dr. Brady was graduated from Annapolis, but found the summons to the clergy and literature stronger than the call of the sea. He now gives a great deal of his time to writing books of adventure and screen features and helping Albert E. Smith invent hair-raising exploits for William Duncan, Antonio Moreno and Carol Holloway and others of the Vitagraph stars. In addition to his serials, Dr. Brady has also written scores of Vitagraph features, among them "The Island of Regeneration." The most recent of his feature successes is " By the World Forgot," featuring Hedda Nova and J. Frank Glendon. The serial successes written by Albert E. Smith and Dr. Brady are " The Woman in the Web," " Vengeance — and the Woman," and " A Fight for Millions." One of their latest serials, " The Iron Test," starring Antonio Moreno and Carol Holloway is about to be released. G. G. Rich, New Manager for Paramount at Cincinnati G. G. Rich has just been appointed to the position of branch manager of the Cincinnati Exchange of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. He has worked his way, as so many of the employes of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation have, from the very bottom up through the various stages of his present high position. Mr. Rich started his career with the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in January, 1916, when he entered the employ of the Pittsburgh Exchange. In a short time he was appointed assistant manager of the office, and in July, 1917, he went to the Cleveland office, where he served as office manager until appointed assistant manager of the Cincinnati Exchange in April of this year. Coincident with Mr. Rich's appointment comes that of C. C. Wallace, former representative of the company in Indiana, to the position of assistant manager of the Cincinnati Exchange. iiiiuiuuiiutiiu minimi minim mmiiuBUY LIBERTY BONDSmniim imiiimmimmiimimi iiiniimiiiiminiminiiiiiir