Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1918)

2454 Motion Picture N e HOBBS IN A HURRY"— AMERICAN Here's One That's Above the Average; Full of Entertainment THIS picture is a little above the average. Its entertaining qualities chiefly are physical action, a lit comedy and some dare-devil stunts, of the cowboy style, performed by the star, attired, in the fi t half of the picture, in a regular dress suit. Towards the end he becomes a real cowboy. The hero is introduced as the son of a Wall Street magnate, who is sent by his father to buy ba some mining property he had once sold as worthless, but is later informed that it is rich in Tungst i values. The hero is shown as riding over a fast passenger train and performing several tricks that are rea dangerous. The picture is clean. Released Oct. 6. — Available at Pathe Exchange. — Length, 6 reels. — P. Harrison. I THE CAST J. Warren Hobbs, Junior William Russell J. Warren Hobbs, Senior Henry Barrows Helen Renshaw Winifred Westover Rufus Renshaw Richard Morris Lord Willoughby Hayward Mack Louis Willoughby Hayward Mack Angus MacDonald Carl Stockdale Story by George Lee McCandless. Scenario by Stephen Fox. Directed by Henry King. CATCH LINES The story of a young American who traveled such a fast pace that he forgot to sleep. William Russell, the American favorite, in a comedy-drama of love and business. How often have you seen a musical comedy that you felt like sweeping off the stage with one fell swoop — that's what happened to a bum show in " Hobbs in a Hurry " and then the riot started. The fascinating story of a young man who won out in love and business though confronted by tremendous odds. J. Warren Hobbs hired a professional bad man to keep people away from a mine he wanted to purchase. The trouble happened when the professional bad man thought he'd become one in reality. Lord Willoughby and Louis Willoughby were twins, Louis was good and the Lord was bad. Louis owned a mine, the Lord dressed up in his clothes and sold it for a large sum. Louis sold it to someone else. The Lord got caught in his shady business and Louis — Louis — Lord, see it for yourself at theatre, it's too funny to write about. William Russell in his latest and best American production. AD TALK The swift movement, ingenious character and excellent comedy values apparent in the later William Russell pictures have given this actor a big boost toward lasting fame. His favorites increase in numbers by the day. Patrons of the theatre even now will recollect the fine showing Mr. Russell made in " Up Romance Road " and other pictures but it may safely be said that he has never appeared in a more pleasing production than " Hobbs in a Hurry," a picture based on a story by George Lee McCandless which will be shown at the theatre on of week. Hobbs in a Hurry " is a comedy-drama of finance, romance and sufficient villainy to provide the ever valuable element of suspense. It tells of the manner in which business rivals seek to buy the same mine and its complications are some of the most exciting and amusing ever reflected upon the screen. It is futile to go into the details of the story here for no idea could be given of the merit of the production from a mere outline of the plot. It is one of those pictures that must be seen to be appreciated and having seen it already the management of the theatre suffers no hesitancy in announcing its hearty appreciation of the production. Mr. Russell is seen to excellent advantage as Hobbs, a typical, aggressive young business man, dauntless and unafraid. The supporting cast is particularly good, including as it does Winifred Westover, Henry Barrows, Hayward Mack in a dual role, Richard Morris and Carl Stockdale. Don't fail to miss " Hobbs in a Hurry " during its run. It is one of the most wholesome and amusing and at the same time exhilarating features we have shown. THE STORY J. Warren Hobbs, broker, looks with covetous eyes on a tungsten mine owned by Louis Willoughby and commissions his son, J. Warren Hobbs, Jr., to go West and purchase it. At the same time Rufus Renshaw, father of Hobbs' fiancee, Helen, decides to purchase the mine acting on the suggestion of Lord Willoughby, the owner's twin brother. Hobbs Sr. to make things sure for his son has hired Angus MacDonald, a professional bad man to keep all strangers away from the mine until the transaction has been completed. And so the scene shifts to the West and here things begin to happen fast and furious. Lord Willoughby enters ardent suit for Helen's hand, but finding his attentions undesired he turns villain. Shaving off his moustache he dresses as his brother and succeeds in selling the mine to Renshaw. He pockets the money and makes off for the Renshaw private car there to get his things. While this goes on, however, Hobbs is buying the mine from the real owner. In the car when the party is about to depart the two purchases are discussed and Hobbs is mystified. However, he soon gets on Lord Willoughby's trail and straightens this out. Then he gets word from his father that the mine is worthless after all. Here Hobbs' ingenuity asserts itself and he sells the mine back to Renshaw when he is promised Helen's hand. Hobbs and Helen remove themselves from Renshaw's private car fearful of the storm that will break when the tricked man discovers that the mine is no good. And while they wait for Hobbs' car the young man who has been constantly on the go since leaving the city leans forward to kiss Helen but falls asleep on her shoulder. ADVERTISING AIDS PAPER: — One one-sheet; one three-sheet; one six-sheet. There is a one-sheet of Russell while others contain scenes giving good idea of light character of production. LOBBY DISPLAY :— Eight 11 x 14 photos; one 22 x 28 of star; one 22 x 28 of scene. All are scenes suggesting light character of production. Title card is also furnished. SUGGESTIONS FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING:— Include one-one column; one two-column and one three-column cut. SLIDES, MUSIC CUE. SUGGESTIONS This is the type of production that has made the Saturday Evening Post famous. A fast comedy of business and romance and it deserves to be featured, as much for the story as for the star, William Russell. Russell is becoming more popular day by day and in some localities rivals and offsets stars of much bigger reputation. Get the most out of his reputation and his ability as an actor, before whom stunts appear as mere incidents in a day's work. The production deserves to rank alongside of such comedy-dramas as the Skinner series and the Taylor Holmes comedies. It appears that this type of picture is growing more popular every day. Play it up big as a comedy-drama and dress the rest of the bill accordingly. BUY BONDS AND KEEP THEM FULL SERVICE ON ONE PAGE \HE complete plan book is the ultimate in service to the exhibitor. Service was inaugurated when the First review on a motion picture was printed. Later advertising suggestions and various aids were printed. These suggestions and aids, elaborated upon and combined with the review on one page form a compact, valuable service that no showman who cares to get the most from his purchase should overlook. It is the aim in these pages to help the exhibitor — Not to show him. This help is put before you in the best possible style that we know of And all in the same place. Star Cut Supplied at Pathe Exchanges