Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

October 16, 1915. MOTOGRAPHY 785 Triangle Opens the Studebaker BY NEIL G. CAWARD AN epoch making event in filmdom occurred on Saturday evening, October 2, when the Triangle Film Corporation threw open the doors of the Studebaker theater, on Michigan avenue, Chicago, thereby adding another to its galaxy of de luxe theaters showing the Triangle program. The event marked real history in Chicago, as it did in New York when the Knickerbocker theater opened with the same films, for it was the first time that motion pictures, less pretentious than a spectacular nine to twelve reel production, were ever offered at $2 prices. That it is going to be successful few could doubt after witnessing the enthusiasm of those who attended the opening and overhearing their favorable comments. Notables in all walks of life graced the occasion with their presence and not alone city officials, bankers and brokers, jurists and editors, society queens and debutantes, film magnates and screen stars were present, but also a great throng of dyed-in-the-wool film fans, lovers of good pictures and admirers of the famous triumvirate, Griffith, Ince and Sennett. In the throng which packed the Studebaker to the last seat on Saturday evening were such well known individuals as Judges Trainer and Burke, C. F. Hately, George Bowles, Henry Walthall, Richard Travers, Victor Eubank, Richard Nehls, Charles Ziebarth, George Magie, George Cox, Roie Seery, Ralph Bradford, and representatives of all branches of the film industry, the press, the stage, the city hall, the bench, the leading clubs, and the "400." The Studebaker, refurnished, redecorated and spick and span throughout, was gay with the Triangle colors, and the trade mark that has been made known to the public through countless newspaper advertisements and lavish use of billboard space, greeted one from the programs, the drop curtain, the seats, and the headdresses worn by the girl ushers. In the center of the house and at the rear a new concrete projection booth has been erected and the equipment installed therein under the supervision of H. H. Goldberg, who is in charge of the projection of "The Birth of a Nation" at the Colonial, is up-to-the-minute in every respect. The booth is eight feet high and has inside dimensions of 11 by 10 feet, with a projection aperture 6 feet 8 inches from the floor. It contains two specially constructed Simplex machines, equipped with several unusual and made-to-order devices, which have a throw of 72 feet. The screen, an alabastine sheet 18 feet in size, erected some 19 feet back of the curtain line, is fastened in a shadowbox of excellent construction and the whole is masked by some black gauze-like drapes which are drawn aside as the picture goes on the screen. This screen, like the projection booth, was built under the supervision of Mr. Goldberg and is satisfactory in every particular. There were no ceremonies peculiar to the inauguration of a new undertaking, but when the hour of eight arrived the lights were dimmed, the orchestra struck into the opening bar of the musical accompaniment of "The Iron Strain" and the picture went on the screen. The Ince feature was followed by the Keystone picture "My Valet" and the program was concluded by the Fine Arts offering of "The Lamb." All of these pictures were reviewed at length in the last issue of Motography at the time of their showing at the Knickerbocker in New York, so it is unnecessary to comment further upon their worth, other than to say that the entertainment as a whole met with praise on the part of everyone and bids fair to increase in popularity as time goes on, for large audiences have gathered at every showing this week and the word is spreading about the city that Triangle films are worth while. As a single production the Ince offering "The Iron Strain" seems to meet with the most favor from Chicago audiences, but when it comes to the question of individual stars there can be little doubt but that Mack Sennett carries off the steller honors of the opening week's bill, despite the fact that he goes against such popular favorites as Dustin Farnum, Raymond Hitchcock and Douglas Fairbanks. Following the invitation performance at the Studebaker on Saturday evening a supper dance was given in the Crystal Ball Room of the Blackstone Hotel, which was attended by many who were present at the debut of Triangle films in the Studebaker. Screen Club Holds Election At the election of officers held on Saturday, October 2, the ballot resulted as follows : Billy Quirk, president; Harry Myers, vice-president; Ad Kessel, second vice-president; Robert Edeson, third vice-president; Harry Ennis, corresponding secretary; Robert E. Welsh, recording secretary; and John Race, treasurer. The newly elected members to the board of governors are : C. A. Willat, George DeCarlton, Hopp Hadley, and Arthur Leslie. The members elected last year who will remain on the board are : King Baggot, J. Gerhardt, Frank Powell, and Jules Bernstein. The un-elected candidates for office were : Paul Scardon for president, Tefft Johnson for vice-president, Daniel Frohman for second vice-president, Harry Spingler for corresponding secretary, George D. Proctor for recording secretary, and Arthur Ashley, William Tooker, Harry Morey, and William Steiner for the board of governors. Carl Laemmle was nominated for the vice-presidency but withdrew his name. John Race had no opposition for the office of treasurer. Jeanne Eagels for Pathe Picture Arnold Daly, who is producing the "Ashton-Kirk" series of features for Pathe, has engaged Jeanne Eagels for his new picture "The House of Fear." Miss Eagels started in upon a theatrical career at the tender age of twelve, and as she says "played almost every kind of a part in stock and repertoire" for four years in the West. Then came musical comedy for two years, with Richard Carle and "The Pink Lady," and then a season with Billie Burke at the Lyceum. Last season she played the lead with Julian Eltinge in "The Crinoline Girl." She has been engaged for a new stage production to be seen in New York soon. Miss Eagels is a girl of pronounced charm and should make a hit on the screen.