Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

fflWIIIIIU^ NEW YORK OFFICE, 729 Seventh Avenue illllUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUUIIIIIIIIIIIlllllillllllllllll Illlllllllilillllllllllllllillllllllllll CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVE. 220 So. State Street "Hearts of World" Scores in Dubuque at Majestic Theatre ttlTEARTS OF THE WORLD," David W. Griffith's master Fl production, opened a nine-day's engagement at the Majestic theatre, Dubuque, Iowa, Sunday, Sept. 8. From the very start it was plain that the picture would be a success. Everyone had heard so much about it, for truly, a picture was never advertised like this before, that they crowded to the theatre, afternoon and evening. Tuesday, Sept. 10, was cold and rainy, but the matinee crowd was even bigger than that of the previous days, and in the evening, in spite of a heavy rain, all the highest priced seats were sold at 6:45. Many favorable comments came from all parts of the city; most people credit it with being the famous director's masterpiece; others say it did not come up to "The Birth of a Nation," but everyone agrees that it is the greatest picture dealing with the world war that has yet been produced. It is safe to say that it will remain the greatest war picture, unless Mr. Griffith makes another photoplay. Robert Herron was at his best in the role of the American, who said that " a country good enough to live in, was good enough to fight for"; dainty Lillian Gish won the sympathy of everyone by her presentation of the girl, but it was Dorothy Gish who brought down the house by her wistful, quaint and whimsical characterization of the " Little Disturber." Little Ben Alexander must be given credit for his work as the little brother. Capital Company Organizes in Lansing THE CAPITAL MOTION PICTURE COMPANY has been organized in Lansing, Mich., for commercial and war work, and war films will be made a specialty of the new concern. The company consists of R. H. Carroll, manager, and Glenn R. Carrier, and has established laboratories in the Tussing building. Mr. Carroll is an expert photographer and Mr. Carrier retains his position as head of the Reo motion picture department, being a former Pathe " taker." The Capital Motion Picture Company is said to be the only one of the kind organized in this section of Michigan. It has contracts with big concerns which require films of their work to show to the Government officials. The company will also film pictorial news features. Many local news features have been taken and are being shown throughout the country. The company will help in the Fourth Liberty Loan drive. A combination picture representing each state is one of the publicity schemes for the drive. Fond du Lac Suffers from Express Service FOND DU LAC motion picture theatres are complaining .bitterly about the express service they are getting since the big merger went into effect. On one Sunday recently both the Bijou and the Orpheum theatres were obliged to close their doors because their films had failed to arrive while on another Sunday the Orpheum would have been obliged *to close but for the fact that Manager Ainsworth was able to dig out his Monday program and put it on. The trouble seems to be with the faulty service in Chicago and in transit rather than with the local office. In a number of instances the packages have been carried by. Manager Ainsworth of the Orpheum has sought to protect his interests by instructing all film companies serving him to ship a day earlier in order to give the new express company an opportunity to " make the loop " or, as he puts it, enable him to get the package on the rebound in time to be of service. Inquiry among other theatre managers it is said has elicited the information that this faulty express service so far as the picture theatre patrons are concerned, is general. Evansville Novelty Renamed American PURCHASED from Philip A. Holtzman by the Strand Theatre Company of Evansville, the old Novelty theatre has been revamped and re-opened as the American. The policy of the new house is high-grade pictures exclusively; the same policy as is followed at the Strand theatre here is being used. The name of the controlling company has been changed to that of the American Amusement Company to control both houses. Manager Russell of the Strand is at the head of both houses. The American theatre, located at Seventh and Main streets, one of the most prominent corners in the city, has opened auspiciously under the new management. A $7,500 photoplayer has been installed and the entire house has been gone over thoroughly. Special Service Section on " Crashing Through to Berlin " will be found in this issue of the NEWS WISCONSIN ILLINOIS MICHIGAN INDIANA IOWA