Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1918)

November 30, 1 p / 8 3239 ■' •» " Masks to Keep Influenza Away Were Much in Evidence in the Filming of the Harry Garson-Neilan Production Starring Blanche Sweet at the Head of Her Own Company. In the Cut on the Right Marshall Neilan Is Seen in the Foreground, Raising His Cap as a Signal for Action Return Dates on Chaplin Said To Be $20,000 Twenty thousand dollars in contracts for return bookings on " Shoulder Arms " is said to be the record obtained without any selling effort by the First National Exhibitors' Circuit Exchange of New York on the second million dollar Chaplin comedy. Other First National exchanges throughout the country report a phenomenal number of applications from exhibitors for return dates. In many instances, according to the managers, exhibitors have voluntarily offered to double and treble their rental prices on the comedy to continue its original run without interruption. Exhibitors in small towns are said to be amazed at the manner in which " Shoulder Arms " is breaking house records for the duration of runs. Theatres that previously played attractions for two days as a maximum, because of limited population, are now said to be using the second Chaplin comedy distributed by First National for three and four days. Harry Levey "Discovered" by Federal Employes Harry Levey, manager of the Industrial I Department of the Universal, was surprised on last Tuesday to receive a special delWery letter postmarked New Yor<, dimply addressed " The Griffith of Industrial Pictures, America." Not another name or word appeared, except Uncle Sam's official cancellation stamp. Enclosed was an appreciative letter from a big firm for whom Mr. Levey had finished an industrial picture. " A Fascinating Widower " Julian Eltinge is launching the production of " A Fascinating Widower," the scenario of which is by June Mathis, at his own studio. " A Fascinating Widower " is said to be the antithesis of " The Fascinating Widow," as the name suggests. Robert Thornby will probably direct the picture, and the cast will include Sylvia Ashton and Charles Butler. Sweet Picture " Flu " Restrictions Did Not Deter Garson and Neilan Securing Last Big Scene of " The Unpardonable Sin " DESPITE the stringent influenza restrictions placed by the health authorities at Los Angeles, Harry Garson and Marshall Neilan found a way out of the difficulty and succeeded in securing their last big scene of " The Unpardonable Sin," starring Blanche Sweet. During the rage of the influenza epidemic no more than ten persons were allowed to appear in any one scene. This ruling was disastrous to the prompt completion of " The Unpardonable Sin," which still had several very big scenes to take. By considerable wire pulling and eloquent persuasion, Mr. Garson succeeded in securing permission for Marshall Neilan to picturize the last big scene. But one policeman from every precinct in the city was present, and ten doctors with twenty-five nurses were deemed essential by the authorities. And everybody had to wear a gas mask. Director Neilan had to give his directions by a wave of his cap instead of by the customary word of mouth. The army of nurses busied themselves in promiscuously shooting the official disinfectants among the big array of players. Blanche Sweet mournfully declared that she had never before appeared in a production where one of the biggest scenes was produced under such weird circumstances. Messrs. Garson and Neilan, after viewing the final results, enthusiastically declared that the big scene was remarkable, and made a fitting climax thoroughly in keeping with the high standard set by them throughout the entire production. They immediately entrained for the east with the negative. A stop will be made at Washington to permit an official review of the feature, and then the New York public will be afforded many opportunities to witness " The Unpardonable Sin," as a long Comes Through run is planned at one of the large legitimate theatres in the metropolis. This eight-reel production shows Blanche Sweet in a dual role. The story opens in Los Angeles and the scene of action quickly moves to Belgium. It is described as a powerful melodrama of high calibre with a very pleasing and happy ending. Walter Beery is cast as Colonel Klem. the German officer who imposes " Kultur " upon a helpless American girl. The distributing plan of " The Unpardonable Sin " has not yet been announced. U. B. O. Contracts for Red Cross Films A deal is announced by which the United Booking Offices, Vaudeville Circuit, will program the American Red Cross war work films in hundreds of theatres. This arrangement is dated to begin generally at once, and is due to the active interest of John Murdock, manager of the U. B. O. Air. Murdock and E. F. Albee of the U. B. O. have joined in co-operation with the American Red Cross Bureau of Pictures. Martin Johnson and men of Owa Raha, of the Solomon Group. The Films are Handled by Robertson-Cole