Motography (Jan-Mar 1916)

January 22, 1916. MOTOGRAPHY Brevities of the Business PACIFIC COAST NEWS By "Capt. Jack" Poland. Elaborate preparations are being made by the chairman of the arrangement committee, Ralph Merollo, of the Static Club of America, for the third annual ball of the cameramen on the night of January 28. Merollo is planning a number of novelty features in connection with the advent of Anna Held, the international actress and film star and Director General Thomas H. Ince of the New York Motion Picture Corporation, who are to lead the grand march. This event will be the real semi-exclusive film event of the season, as it is practically devoted to the motion picture people and given under the auspices of "the Men Who Make the Movies." David W. Griffith, executive and directing head of Fine Arts Films, entertained Walker Whiteside, his wife and daughter, at the Griffith studios Wednesday, January 5. He was assisted by DeWolf Hopper, an old friend of the actor. Fifteen years ago Mr. Griffith was playing in Mr. Whiteside's company, in Shakespeare parts, at a salary of $15 per week. Today Griffith is perhaps the most notable motion picture producer in the world. H. M. Horkheimer, president and general manager of the Balboa Amusement Producing Company, Long Beach, California, has returned to his studios after an extended trip in the East, "chuck" full of new production ginger. Going immediately into consultation with his brother, E. D. Horkheimer, secretary and treasurer of the Balboa company, they have mapped out an auspicious production campaign for 1916 which insures unusually interesting, educational and attractive features for the lovers of Balboa subjects. Anna Luther is a dainty comedienne who has jumped into renewed prominence with the opening of the New Year as a Keystone star. She has been accepted as a talented motion picture favorite as well as being conceded one of the most beautiful women in films. Juanita Hansen, one of the rising young stars of filmdom, who has gained especial prominence on the Pacific Coast, has joined the staff of Keystone players. Miss Hansen formerly appeared with Bosworth, Inc., the Famous Players and D. W. Griffith, and now will appear in Triangle program Keystone subjects. Oscar Steyn, founder of the Photoplayers' Weekly of Los Angeles, has returned to his most intimate love, the publication of a new magazine called the Weekly Photoplay. The first issue is commendable and augurs well for a successful future. Mr. Steyn is favorably known among the motion picture people of the California colonies. Stanley Warde Hart, for some years known in Los Angeles as the "Prince of Press Agents," has again joined the staff of J. A. Quinn and will be in charge of the handsome Superba theater publicity. Mr. Hart has been royally welcomed WHAT DO YOU KNOW? This is addressed to every reader of Motography — every person interested in the motion picture business. What's new around your office or theater or studio? Write and tell us what YOU know. Let's hear from YOU— ALL OF YOU back to the fold after a busy campaign in San Francisco, where he expositioned muchly. Notable executive and directing heads of Los Angeles moving picture organizations representing many millions of dollars, were royally entertained Thursday, January 6, by the Los Angeles Realty Board, members of which were anxious to get some first-hand authentic information about the magnitude of the great industry that is making Los Angeles famous as a producing center. Among those present were David Horsley, Bostock Jungle and Film Company; Jesse L. Lasky, Lasky Feature Play Company; Thomas H. Ince, New York Motion Picture Corporation; H. O. Davis, Universal Film Manufacturing Company; D. W. Griffith and Frank E. Woods, Griffith Fine Arts and Reliance companies; Frank A. Garbutt, Bosworth, Inc. Interesting short talks about the film industry were made by each official and a feeling of renewed friendship was established between the realty and film magnates. Anita King, "Paramount Girl," left this week for Seattle, where she is to be guest of honor at the opening of the New Emporium theater in that city. Marie Doro has signed a contract with the Lasky Company and will return to Los Angeles in March to begin activities in a special production being arranged for her. Roberta Arnold (Mrs. Herbert Rawlinson) has left the film and joined the "Bird of Paradise." She left this week for New York with the company. Mr. Rawlinson will continue as a film star for the Universal. David W. Griffith will speak in Los Angeles before the Merchants and Manufacturers Association at the annual banquet at ""Hotel Alexandria, Tanuary 17. His subject will be "The Film Industry and Its Relation to the Community." The initial production of Cervantes' "Don Quixote," produced by the Fine Arts Films with the celebrated De Wolf Hopper in the title role, was shown at the Majestic theater. Los Angeles, under the Triangle, Griffith-Ince-Sennett management, Monday evening, January 3, and continued with four performances during the week before crowded houses. Mr. Hopper delighted large and critical audiences and on the first night he was greeted by hundreds of friends in professional and social life who welcomed the star with great applause. The comedy star was personally present, occupying a box with Sir Beerbohm Tree as his guest. Other boxes were occupied by David W. Griffith, Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sennett, William Farnum, William H. Thompson, Dustin Farnum, Winifred Kingston, William Desmond, Kathlyn Williams, Charles Eyton, Lillian and Dorothy Gish, Fay Tincher, Jesse L. Lasky, Bessie Barriscale, John Emerson, Tully Marshall, Marion Fairfax, and others. Many notables in film life were among the audience as firstnighters and the Rialto of Broadway, New York, was duplicated on Broadway, Los Angeles, and in the cafes after the showing, all drinking to the health and success of De Wolf Hopper and the brilliant company producing "Don Quixote" under the Fine Arts Films for the Triangle program. The latest bit of studio gossip around Universal City is to the e*v?ct that the popular comedy producer, a veteran of the Big U, Al Christie, was taking his two companies and would start comedy productions as an independent specialist. Christie is one of the best known comedy directors of the Universal, his name and pictures are well and favorably known, and his friends predict success in his new venture. Film Market Quotations and Financial Gossip Supplied by R. D. Small of A. E. Butler It Co., Chicago. Bid Asked American Film Co., Inc. . ... 92 98 Biograph Company 50 Famous Players Film Co... 85 110 General Film Corp., pref 45 Mutual Film Corp., pref... 43 46^4 Mutual Film Corp., com... 43 46y2 No. Am. Film Co., Inc., pref. 93 No. Am. Film Co., Inc., com. 68 75 New York M. P. Corp 44 53 Thanhouser Film Corp.... 3 3%* Triangle Film Corp 6J4 6</2* Universal Film Mfg. Co 180 World Film Corp 2 2J4* ♦Par $5. Transactions in film stocks have been exceedingly limited during the past week. North American Film Corp.: A disbursement of $Y\, representing a nine months' dividend on the preferred, was paid the first of the week. Now that this dividend, together with news on the redemption of a portion of the preferred at 110 is in the hands of the public, trading in this stock has practically ceased. Triangle Film Corp.: It seems impossible to get a correct line on the real value of this stock at the present time. While the company reports increased bookings, statements emanating from Wall street are not altogether satisfactory. Mutual Film Corp.: A directors' meeting, for the purpose of taking action on the next quarterly dividend on the preferred, will be held some time this month.