Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

October 5 , 1 9 1 8 2195 Bryant Washburn Visits New York for Scenes Bryant Washburn, Paramount star, accompanied by his director, Donald Crisp, arrived in New York Monday to take exteriors on a forthcoming picture in which Washburn is to star, entitled " Venus in the East." They intend to be on their way back to the coast again by Monday. " Venus in the East " is a Saturday Evening Post story by Wallace Irwin and the producers thought that owing to the story's " ready made " audience the exteriors should be taken in New York where much of the action takes place. Scenes in Washington Square and in front of the Metropolitan Opera House arc among those included in the list to be filmed here. Anna Nilsson and Margery Wilson will appear with Mr. Washburn in ' Venus in the East." "All the World to Nothing " Next Russell Picture "All the World to Nothing" is the next picture made by the William Russell Productions for the American Film Company. At the Santa Barbara studios they are also completing a picture starring Margarita Fisher, called " American Ann." The latest Mary Miles Minter production is a comedy farce that has not as yet been named. " Hobbs in a Hurry " and " Rosemary Climbs the Heights," Russell and Minter pictures, respectively, are said to be enjoying great bookings. Hollander at Brooklyn for American Film William H. Hollander, formerly president of the Brooklyn Exhibitors' League, now first vice-president and formerly manager of the old Post Office theatre, accepted a new position as Brooklyn representative for the American Film Company, which is releasing Mary Miles Minter, Margarita Fisher and William Russell features through the Pathe Exchange, Inc. This Map Was Prepared by Pathe as a Guide to Its Pretentious Poster Campaign on " Wolves of Kultur," Which Serial Stars Leah Baird Constructive Campaign on Serial Mary Miles Minter, in the American Picture, " Rosemary Climbs the Heights " Pathe Promoting Comprehensive Advertising Campaign on Newest Serial, " Wolves of Kultur " — Small Towns to Be Posted C"ROM the days of the "Perils of Paul• ine," Pathe has believed in advertising serials extensively. The newspaper advertising campaign on that first serial was of a scope, variety and cost that at that time seemed to be without precedent, but the results justified the expense. That policy has been continued with each of Pathe's twenty-two serials, and to-day in speaking of his plans on the latest serial for Pathe to put out, " Wolves of Kultur," Paul Brunet, vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., calls attention to the fact that the advertising campaign is a most elaborate one, and in many respects covers ground not covered in advertising any previous serial. In the first place the campaign is a constructive one. Money is being liberally spent in many places where the returns on previous serials would not seem to justify any special advertising effort on " Wolves of Kultur." But it is believed that with such a strong and timely title, and with a story in which every American should be interested, showing as it does the machinations of the German spy system in this country', with thrilling incident and rapid action, that in every place in the country which supports a motion picture theatre the serial should be run. Therefore on the billboards of hundreds of towns of from only two or three thousand population up, the twenty-four sheet on " Wolves of Kultur " is now being posted. It is believed that the billboard campaign on this serial will reach more persons than any of their previous campaigns. • Nor are the larger cities neglected. The campaign has been so planned that a traveler starting from the state of Maine on a trip to the coast, whether by train or automobile, wherever he goes, could never be far from a twenty-four sheet on " Wrolves of Kultur," at any time. Xorth, South, East and West, is literally being plastered with the paper on this serial. Certain cities, also, have been singled out for newspaper advertising. That this extensive advertising is having its effect is said to be evidenced by the advance bookings. They are most encouraging despite the fact that the record breaking " Hands Up " has virtually only just started and the release date of " Wolves of Kultur " is still several weeks off— October 13. • The publicity and advertising material for exhibitor's use is very extensive, representing a considerable advance in both scope and variety. This material is now ready, which means that the various exchanges are in a position to meet every demand made upon them several weeks before release. That such is the case is a matter of gratification both with Pathe and with the Western Photoplays, Inc., the producers. Bert Lytell Starts on " The Spender " Bert Lytell has started work on " The Spender," his sixth picture as a Metro star, at Metro's west coast studios in Hollywood. "The Spender" is from Frederick Orin Bartlett's original story which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, and was adapted for the screen by George D. Baker, Metro's western manager of production, and Albert G. Kenyon, of the scenario staff. Clara Morris, a young and very promising leading woman, will play opposite Lytell in the sympathetic role of Helen Stetson. The cast also includes Thomas Jefferson, son of the late Joseph Jefferson, as old man Bisbee; William V. Monag and Clarence Burton. Charles Swickard is directing, with Robert B. Kurrle operating the camera.