Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

Motion Picture News 2226 " Sporting Life " Wins Newspaper Praise TV/I4URICE TOURXEUR'S production of the Drury Lane melodrama, Sporting Life," wa< presented at the Rivoli theatre in New York City, for its world premiere, and all the newspapers were lavish in praise. " Few motion picture directors equal, and few surpass, Maurice Tourneur in the art of making scenes lor the screen," said the New York Times. " By this work he stands out prominently, even among the small group of exceptional men who appreciate the peculiar powers of the camera and know how to employ them, in the production of a photoplay. Once more, and in some ways more than ever, he has revealed his creative genius in ' Sporting Life,' the featured film at the Rnvoli theatre this week. The spectators who viewed the picture were drawn into the excitement of the play's episodes, applauding and exclaiming at the succession of climaxes, as people do only when they are thrilled by a sense of participation in what they see or hear," concluded the Times. " Decidedly, ' Sporting Life ' is a success," said Harriette Underhill in the Tribune. " A stunning photoplay — a thrilling picture," said the World. " It fulfilled THE return of A. Alpcrstein, general manager of Western Photoplays, Inc., to New York this week culminates an extensive trip throughout the middle west upon behalf of their fifteen episode serial " Wolves of Kultur " starring Leah Baird. The itinerary included a stop-over in Chicago during convention week and Mr. Alperstein there collaborated with Mr. Quimby, sales manager for Pathe, who are the distributors of this patriotic production for the United States and Canada. In conjunction with the exchange managers of Pathe and various leading exhibitors from the different states a big campaign has been outlined that will carry with it tremendous advertising and publicity advantages obtained by the association and co-operative efforts of the producing company, the distributing company, the screens of the leading exhibitors and the use of every available medium of Wits Against Wits in Gaumont Serial Just such a capable crime investigator as was made famous by Emile Gaboriau and Conan Doyle, to say nothing of those heroes of our boyish imagination, " Old Sleuth " and " Old Cap Collier " is said to be pictured in the brainy detective who is so industrious in his attempts to bring the guilty to justice in the new Gaumont photoserial, " The Hand of Vengeance," which is now running in theatres of the United States and Canada. But even cleverer than this Scotland Yard official is that adventurer who possesses the mysterious name of " Ultus," and who eludes the detective so successfully in every reel. the advance notice promises of being 'crammed full of thrills of every sort'," remarked the Sun. " Stirring," commented the Herald. The Evening Post placed the stamp of " remarkably good " upon " Sporting Life.'' " Drury Lane melodramas make excellent pictures," said the Evening Telegram, and one of the best of these is " Sporting Life." " The film scores over the old drama in that the spectacular effects unfold before the eyes of the audience, instead of being faked by clumsy off-stage devices," stated the Globe, as usual, " the direction of Maurice Tourneur is flawless." " Full of thrills," was the opinion of the Evening Sun. " Maurice Tourneur has turned out a remarkably good production," commented the Evening Mail. " It is the first picture depicting sporting events that the writer has seen that gives a realistic presentation of sport." The releasing of " Sporting Life " throughout the country is being arranged by Hiller and Wilk, Inc., who handle the distribution of all Maurice Tourneur productions. print, newspaper, magazine or otherwise. " This serial with Leah Baird is rapidly earning the sobriquet 1 the serial for the first-run theatre,' " states Mr. Alperstein. " In conjunction with tile Pathe sales force our booking plans are being extended into theatre circles that never before considered a serial. " In the first place our star, Miss Leah Baird is universally knows as a high-class artiste, whose productions have always been shown in the biggest and best theatres, and whose following is legion among the elite of picture-goers. Second, our production is away from the usual serial, clap-trap and has a strong patriotic punch that is both timely and compelling — third, our distributing organization, Pathe, is the best in the business — and fourth — we have inaugurated and placed the greatest advertising campaign ever concentrated on one picture production." United Representatives in General Offices In accordance with the announcement made last week of the arrangement between United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., and General Film Company whereby the latter's exchange service will handle the physical distribution of United's film product and whereby General's well equipped system of offices in each city are to be the gravitation centers of United exhibitors, President Berst's organization announces that their representatives, Messrs. Aaronson. Edwards and Lewis, in Pittsburg, Kansas City and St. Louis, respectively, have already completed the necessary arrangements and have established themselves in the local General office. Gaumont Graphic Number 26 Is Varied In the Gaumont Graphic released September 20th, the following subjects are shown : On the Pacific. — " Sub " chasers show efficiency. Hard working boys at naval training station ready for the Kaiser's undersea skunks. Chicago, 111. — Their boys across the seas. These heart-hungry women are mothering our boys while they are here. Buttons sewed on while you wait. Sacramento, Cal. — Low water stops steamboats. Great wheat crop held on wharves when Sacramento River reaches lowest ebb in history. Resting on the river bottom. Saying " Food must be shipped," Uncle Sam takes a hand. With Our Boys in France. — Our transports are pouring a steady stream of fighting men into France — over two million are there now. Troops of the Second Division, 140th to 146th companies, being rushed to the line in motors. Battery B, 12th Field Artillery, Second Division, and their camouflaged commander's station. Hun prisoners, among them several officers, captured at Chateau Thierry by men of the Sth Regt., U. S. Marines. These are the " Teufelhunden " (Devil dogs), outnumbered 4 to 1, who took the first batch of prisoners. Getting rid of the cootie. Truck trains bring the men to the " delousing " station. U. S. Minister to Belgium, Brand Whitlock and his wife, attend a review of the 130th Field Artillery. Aix-les-Bains, France, a famous watering place where our boys will recuperate while on furlough. Great Lakes, 111., Naval Recruits in Grand Review. — Thousands witness brilliant scene at naval training station. The peacocks of the Navy. Largest military band in the world. " Manx-Man " Salesman Is Frenzied Railroader Sales Director J. K. Kempner of the " Manx-Man " company is a strong believer in making every minute count while " on the road." The result is that he emphasizes this point in his sales letter to " Manx-Man " traveling representatives. Early this week in a letter from Representative Leon Schlessinger, who is touring Illinois and Indiana with the Chicago Goldwyn office as his base, came startling confirmation that the Kempner injunction was being faithfully observed. Said this letter: " I arrived at North Judson, Ind.. at noon, closed the contract in thirty minutes after I landed, had my lunch and learned there wouldn't be another train out until 5:18 p. m. I didn't want to lay around for four hours and learned that a fast freight would go through at 2 p. m. I got hold of the conductor of same and landed here at 5 :30, beating the passenger train in by a few hours. Rode in the caboose because the conductor was a movie fan and at the same time enjoyed the experience, and in the bargain a nice nap all stretched out, with a soft cushion for my head. Such is the life of a ' ManxMan ' speshul representative ! " Alperstein Completes Trip for New Serial