Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1919)

1256 Motion Picture N c zu s Keeping Finger Close on Exhibitor Pulse In pursuance of the United Picture Theatres, Inc., executive policy of keeping in constant close touch with the views and interests of its exhibitor-members, Lee A. Ochs, vicepresident of that organization is away on a tour of the Middle West and Coast circuit of United Theatres. C. R. Seclye left last week for a tour of the South with Atlanta as his immediate objective. The enlargement of the United field in the South, necessitating the appointment of additional sales forces, is among the matters that have taken the United secretary to Atlanta, and it is said that important announcements are likely to follow upon his return to New York. C. C. Johnson, business manager of United Productions Corp., starts this week upon a visit to the chief Eastern centres to supervise the field forces under his charge and will be accompanied by Jack Levy, special Eastern representative of the Productions Corporation. Post Nature Pictures Appeal to Clubs A feature in connection with the booking of the Paramount-Post Nature Pictures, which will be released every two weeks beginning September 1st, was emphasized this week in a statement by the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, which will distribute the pictures. In booking these pictures, it was asserted, exhibitors will find that they can obtain the cooperation of schools, women's clubs and nature study organizations, for, while the pictures are produced primarily for entertainment, they have a distinct educational value which will enlist the support of organizations interested in nature study. Chicago Corporation Changes Hands The entire plant of the Motion Picture Corporation Co., of Chicago and Rackford, 111., has been purchased by Clarence Runey, representing the Gncinnati Motion Picture Co.; it will be operated in Cincinnati in the future, manufacturing principally moving picture projectors for homes and factories. Concentrating before making a "shot." Left to right: Thomas Walsh, asst. director; Ned Van Buren, cameraman; Edward James, asst. director; Edward Wynard, cameraman, and director R. William Neill (seated). Hodkinson distributes the result Acme of Artistry Is Sought " The Gray Horizon," Robertson-Cole, Said to Set Mark in Creative Effect Worthington, who has achieved the maximum success with every Hayakawa offering since the Japanese star aligned himself with Robertson-Cole. Hayakawa, Worthington and Frank D. Williams form an artistic trio hard to surpass. They spent hours achieving the efifect they desire before a scene is "shot." In addition, they have innumerable special lenses, filters, lights and other efifects that enable them to get almost anything they desire in photography. Tauru Aoki, Hayakawa's wife, will be seen again with him in "The Gray Horizon." This is Aoki's first appearance on the screen since "The Courageous Coward." The clever little Japanese actress has appeared with Hayakawa in his biggest successes and her work is always of a character that arouses the most favorable comment of critics. A high-class cast supports Hayakawa in "The Gray Horizon." AN indication of what the motion picture producer of today is trying to do along artistically creative lines is said to be contained in the Robertson-Cole feature, "The Gray Horizon," starring Sessue Hayakawa, which will be released by Exhibitors Mutual. In its campaign on this production Robertson-Cole call particular attention, besides the dramatic merit of the ofTering, to its photographic composition and treatment ; the artistic handling of the lighting effects in the interior scenes ; the beauty and richness of the exteriors, especially in some of the mountain and cloud night scenes, and the great amount of detail used in Haworth's for making motion pictures really beautiful as well as entertaining. "The Gra}' Horizon" is from the pen of Clifford Howard, author of a number of very successful motion picture plays, and was directed by William $100,000 for Four Film Plots Universal Makes Big Offer for Plots Suitable for Miss Dorothy PhilHps J. B. Rcilly, manager Cleveland exchange Realart Pictures Corp. BELIEVING from every viewpoint that the motion picture art should be and is being advanced and that money should not be spared in making it perfect, the Universal Film Company announces a great offer for material with which to produce great photodramas. The large sum of one hundred thousand dollars is offered for four stories which can be put into screen form and which will be suitable for casting Dorothy Phillips in the leading role. I-'or years the Universal Company has gpne forward, each year reaching a higher level and perfection in the production of motion pictures. It has never failed to realize that the public is the master of the future of any art or organization and has continually endeavored to please. What Universal has accomijlished need only be judged 1)y the fact tliat it is today the oldest I)roducing company in America. And at this time when motion picture history is being changed as well as advanced. Universal officials agreed that only the best material possible to obtain would be suitaljle for Universal's greatest star, Dorothy Phillips. The Universal Company asks the assistance of the Authors of America League and its members, in a letter sent to the managing secretary of tin league. The plots may be submitted in sloi \ or scenario form. Vera .Stedman, well-known throuKhout T,os AnneUs for her swimminR It-aLs, is bcinK featured in a two-reel comedy by Messrs. A. and J. Stern. Salesman, Back in Atlanta, Banqueted To celebrate his return to Atlanta, the Film Managers' Association of that city gave a luncheon in honor of Ben F. Simpson, Field Alanager of Realart, on Saturday, July 19. Four years agoMr. Simpson represented George Kleine in the southern metropolis, and during his term of office there he made many friends among exhiljitors. Mr. Simpson reports that exhibitors in Atlanta have shown keen interest in Realart Pictures. This interest is intensified because Arthur S. Kane, the head of this organization, is extremely popular with the men who run photoplay theatres in that territory. "Judge Rummy" Release "Judge Rumhouser" and the cimic characters of Tad's famous "Silk Hat Harry Livestock Co," are the featured artists in "His Briny Romance" — a story of the "Judge" and "Harry" and the sad sea waves — that provides the funny streak on this week's Rialto program. The subject is one of the new International Black-and-White comedies, released by the Educational Films Corporation of America. Convicts and Officials of State in Picture Actual convicts take part in a series of films just completed by the Universal Industrial Department, under the supervision of Harry Levey, manager, for the state of Illinois. This series of pictures is representative of one of the most novel uses to which the motion picture has as yet been put. Not only convicts, but inmates of the Illinois hospitals for the insane and other institutions, take part in the picture, which is to be used by Illinois state officials for educational purposes. It will receive its first showing next week at the mansion of Governor Louden in Springfield, 111. The Governor himself, as well as his cabinet, the state senate and the house of representatives, took part in this series of pictures. This film for the first time in the historj' of Illinois, presents the Illinois senate and house of representatives in actual session. 'Several minor bills were discussed and passed while the cameraman arranged his lamps and while lie "shot" the scenes. The L-KO release of August 19 will br entitled " The Girl and the Gangster," whicli will feature the clever comedian, ('hai HonK, or better known as Charlie Irom the Orient. Scene from a prison picture made for state of Illinois by the Industrial Department of Universal r r