Motion Picture News (Oct 1913 - Jan 1914)

THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS The Motion Picture in Canada (Continued from page 18) of the pictures on this program will be shown in the city for six weeks after being shown in the 'theatre securing the contract. Advertising can now be done a full two weeks ahead and exhibitors do not care who knows what their program is going to be, since no one can infringe upon it. This may be old news to the larger United States cities but it is new here and marks the era of the keen competition among the thirty local houses. The advantage to the manufacturer, who can ship films without the expense of the long haul and without the tiresome "hold-up" which is of such frequent occurrence at the Custom House, without the customary deposit of thirty-three and one-third per cent, which ties up much cash and without many of the attendant customs house evils which arise, is obvious. But obvious as it is, no one has yet chosen to take advantage of it and give to Canadians what Canadians want. * * * * HOW much fiums suffer from the local censors can best be told by the film agencies. The number tells of the eager and sometimes mistaken energy of the holder ot a pair of sharp scissors. These films are censored in almost every city and as no two censors have the same moral standards the films suffer even to the slicing off of sub-titles. The exchanges in Canada can tell the exchanges in the United States about it, if they have not already found out for themselves. What better example of catering to the public wants could be had than the recent production of "Moths" at the Province theatre in Winnipeg, a film which featured Maude Fealy. The Province was jammed to its doors for two days. Not by those who wished to see "Moths" alone, but by those who wished to see "Moths" with Maude Fealy in the leading role. Miss Fealy had played two seasons in stock in Winnipeg and was well known to its theatre-goers. Broaden this idea of catering to the millions or even the tens of thousands, broaden it to a Dominion-wide subject and the results will be proportionately equal if not greater. "Why then," asks some one, "do not Canadians go in for manufacturing and producing?" Surely the manufacturers can themselves best answer this query. Would the Canadian film find a market among the present output? Would the Canadian find a market for his wares under conditions as they now exist? Every city in Canada is controlled by two or three film agencies, which in their turn are controlled by United States manufacturers. At least, that is the general view of the situation in Western Canada to-day. It requires large capital to organize and launch such a concern in the face of things as they seem to exist. But this will not always be, although necessarily, it must be some years before the Canadian industry can hope to approach the present excellence of the film production in the United States, much less prove a competitor. IN the meanwhile, should not the masters of the industry consider the Canadian field? Looking at it from a purely business point of view it seems that they should. Canada each year more loudly demands Canadian pictures, not so much just now pictures of Canadian manufacture, but pictures of Canadian subjects. "Ivanhoe," produced by the Universal, did the greatest business in the history of any of the Canadian theatres that used it, and at an increased price for admission. Its success was because it was an international subject and of British international interest more than all. It is foolish to say that pictures cannot be taken in In writine to advertisers please mention Canada. In Manitoba, for instance, there are annually more hours per diem of sunshine than in any other part of the globe — India, Africa and Australia included. The air is clear and fine, the days perfect, the winter dry and cold, and the conditions ideal for in and out-of-door photography. There are many places, cities and towns located on railroad divisional points which offer especial inducements to manufacturers of all kinds in order to get them to settle. Free sites and grants are common. But the day of cheap sites and free grants are on the wane. Canada is becoming more thickly populated; in proportion the demand for Canadian pictures for Canadians is increasing, and those first on the ground, necessarily, will reap the greatest advantages. The tremendous power of motion picture photography has not even to-day been estimated. It has become one of the greatest powers of amusement and education in the world. How easily it could be made to weld the love and friendship of two great nations together. WOLVERINE TO HANDLE ECLECTIC FEATURES The Eclectic Film Company have granted an exclusive agency to the Wolverine Feature Film Company, with head offices at Detroit, Michigan, and a branch office at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Wolverine Feature Film Company henceforth will handle all Eclectic features exclusively in the states of Michigan and Wisconsin. Their contract enables them to seize forthwith any films of the Eclectic brand that may be booked by outsiders within these two states. Exhibitors in Michigan and Wisconsin should therefore apply for service direct to the Wolverine Feature Film Company. $3 FROM $25 IS $22 That's what you can save in 1 9 1 4 by having your operator use ■Mum M ■ lai'in pUMni—— ihii y P— — — B— K 1 !/"-7/f r~il LAMP LUBRICANT Lamp house repairs, delays because of carbons that stick, and poor light cost you that much every year. A year's supply of Ezo — 12 sticks — costs $3. Single sticks, in a handy size, 25 cents each. Ezo is clean to handle, will not drip, and does not cause smoke. It makes every movable part of the lamp respond to the slightest touch. That means perfect and instant control of the light. It is applied in an instant, while the lamp is heated. Ask your exchange for it, or wrap a quarter in one of your letterheads, and mail it to the EZO MANUFACTURING CO. 220 Wett Forty-Second Street New York City "We guarantee every stick" 'THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS"