Motography (Jul-Dec 1914)

656 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XII, No. 20. ful in its dignity, simplicity and strength. The color is v i v i d 1 y striking y e t so sympathetically chosen that its strength detracts nothing from its harmony. In another poster from this series is shown an old set1 1 e r defending his wife and the family wagon from the Indian attack. Not a single word of explanation is used — but explanation is unnecessary. The story tells itself. The figures in the foreground are boldly drawn and the background in completes the story and brings out Sample of i sheet. light tints the foreground figures so that they can be seen at a distance where the ordinary poster would be undecipherable. The same kind of art work is employed in the printed matter, not in the .same style, but drawn by men of equal ability. Printed matter of this kind sounds a new and interesting note, that is destined to be universally adopted. One thing must be said for the moving picture industry. It would never have grown so fast and so well if it had not been alive to ideas of progress. "William Kessel Passes William Kessel, a pioneer film man and brother of Adam and Charles Kessel of the New York Motion Picture Corporation, died suddenly Friday, October 30, at his home, 179 Decatur street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. Kessel was very well known in the manufacturing end of the film industry, at different times being a manufacturer, state rights buyer, exchange manager, exhibitor, and in fact he has been everything in the motion picture business but a director, and at the time of his death was doing confidential work for the New York Motion Picture Corporation. It was the late William Kessel's report on European affairs which guided the New York Motion Picture Corporation in its foreign policies, Mr. Kessel having only returned from Europe recently, after an extended tour. He is the second of the Kessell brothers to die in the past six months. First Eaco Releases Edwin August has completed his first two photoplays since becoming identified with the Eaco Films Inc. The first, the title of which is "A Double Haul," is a stirring three-reel melodrama which is filled with action from the opening scene to the epilogue. The second effort is "A Strange Adventure," which he produced in three reels. This production contains a number of unusual light effects, beautiful interiors and is well acted as well as produced. The Eaco Films are being released through the Strand Film Co. of 145 West Forty-fifth street, New York City. Raver To Have New Itala Films Two photo-play characters of undying interest, "Tigris," the super-criminal, and "Maciste," the physically perfect giant who continues to be the wonder of the thousands who are daily seeing "Cabiria," will be the subject of two big Itala series, soon to be introduced to the American market. Work on both series has been in progress for almost a year. Harry R. Raver announces that to the lot of "Tigris" will fall consecutive thrilling grapplings with the law, of the high sustained intensity of interest which made the first "Tigris" a thing of keen enjoyment and big profits to exchange men and exhibitors everywhere. To fit the Gibraltar-like proportions of "Maciste," the marvel of brawn, scenarios have been written that will admirably display his prodigious strength. Heroic adventures of the variety that makes his part in "Cabiria," the massive Itala spectacle now playing in the largest theaters, one of salient power, come to him early and often. Advices from Torino, Italy, where Itala films are made, evince the desire and intention of the Itala Company to send to Mr. Raver a class of photo-drama subjects comparing favorably with its masterpiece "Cabiria," and other Itala successes. Detailed announcements will be made in this publication later regarding each of these productions. Lubin Secures "War Films Ever since the commencement of hostilities in Europe, Siegmund Lubin has had six expert photographers at the theater of war to take scenes and action of the events. Despite the difficulties and risk of life, these men have been successful in taking some wonderful pictures, copies of which have been sent to the Lubin home office in Philadelphia. In a few days these scenes will be released and furnish some vivid and reliable pictures of the titanic struggles. Five vivid pictures, taken at great personal risk by the Lubin Manufacturing Company's photographers, show Belgium troops under fire in the streets of Alost, which have once more been left in the hands of the Germans. A street barricade in the scene being defended by the gallant Belgians, whose dead and wounded are lying on the roadside while the survivors are under heavy rifle and shell fire. Immediately after the photographs were taken the German gunners got their range and so thick the shells fire became that the photographers had to retire to save their lives. Contrary to the idea that the war pictures are often faked, these wonderful productions are absolutely genuine. The negatives, which cost thousands of dollars and much risk of life to the photographers, are now in the possession of the Lubin Company at Philadelphia. Other scenes will follow when obtainable from the front. Filming Ade Comedy Last week a Lubin company availed itself of a permit to take some scenes of George Ade's comedy "The College Widow" at the conservative college of Haverford. As soon as the troupe took possession of the campus there was no more work to be done in the school, the boys taking advantage of the usual permit to now and then lose a day.