Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

May 6, 1916. MOTOGRAPHY 1023 Big Four Releases Eight Reeler FOUR OTHER LARGE PRODUCTIONS ON FIRE WITH "The Battle Cry of Peace" still playing to crowded houses; "The Ne'er-Do-Well" creating a monumental success; and "Salvation Joan" establishing box office records, the V. L. S. E. this week releases another big eight-reel feature. "God's Country and the Woman," presented by the Yitagraph Company. The next big special production which will be released May 15, is the Essanay film version of "Sherlock Holmes," in seven reels, with William Gillette in the part which he has made famous on the stage. Work on "The Crisis," an adaptation of Winston Churchill's novel, is proceeding rapidly at the Selig studios. The same cast which appears in "The Ne'erDo-Well" will be seen in this play. A powerful and original drama entitled, "The Combat," is fast assuming shape under the hands of Director Ralph Ince. This picture is scheduled for nine reels, and is expected to prove a greater sensation than any of the big Vitagraph productions yet exploited. The settings are of the most elaborate nature, and a thoroughly unique and thrilling plot maintains its interest from start to finish. The Lubin Company is rounding out its extensive preparations for the filming of the three Rex Beach novels, "The Barrier," "The Iron Trail," and "The Silver Horde." All of Mr. Beach's stories are noted for their rapid action and wealth of stirring incidents, and those mentioned above are particularly well suited for camera purposes. ? These notable additions to the Y. L. S. E. program are "special" only in their exceptional drawing qualities. They all will be offered in strict accordance with the Big Four's popular policy of basing the rental price of every picture on its box office value. During the past week, there was distributed by the Board of Directors of the V. L. S. E. to its employees, twenty per cent of the net profits of that organization, in accordance with the plan established almost at the inception of the Big Four, for the purpose of stimulating the maximum interest in the company's service to its exhibitors. This is the third time within a period of nine months, that such a division has been made. The efficiency developed by the Big Four sales and office forces in their labors for the company's customers, has more than proven the wisdom of the plan, the Y. L. S. E. directors believe. It has demonstrated that when an employee realizes that his individual exertions in behalf of his employers bring about a corresponding increase in his own earnings, he will spare no time or pains to achieve results. The prospect of substantial monetary recognition depending upon the showing each makes in his territory, combined with the knowledge that he is actually working for his own interests, tends to stimulate the average employee to a degree far beyond the usual. All the employees of the twenty-three V. L. S. E. exchanges throughout the country who have been with the organization for a period of three months, shared in the recent disbursement. J. Karnes, of the Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, Va., proved himself equal to an emergency in the handling of "The Battle Cry of Peace" exhibition. His patrons demanded this Yitagraph him but Mr. Kearn could not afford to show it at his popular prices. He therefore made a canvass of his patrons and secured the names of 150 who would pay one dollar a piece to see the film. Tin's made the showing possible but he also desired appropriate music. A second canvass resulted in 150 more who were willing to sign for one dollar apiece so the exhibit was made in proper shape. Reports from the V. L. S. E. exchanges in Canada indicate that these two features, "The Christian" and "The Ne'er-Do-Well," recently released, are finding a read)' market in that country. The success in Canada of these two productions furnishes clear evidence that the clean photoplay, alive with action, and presenting stories replete with human interest, is the best drawing magnet from the box office standpoint. V.L.S.E. Pictures Outdraw Burlesque Russell B. Jones, manager of the Jackson Theater, Kirkland, Washington, is a type of the American showman who never fails to adapt himself to popular taste. Kirkland is a town of the boom description, which came into being suddenly, languished for a period, and then revived. Mr. Jones decided that burlesque and melodrama, such as had been the usual offering at the Jackson, would not pay, and turned the place into a moving picture house, exhibiting high-class screen attractions. It was with the Selig-Y. L. S. E. feature, "The Rosary," that Mr. Jones started his picture campaign. It played for a week to packed houses. Irwin Visits V.L.S.E. Exchanges Walter W. Irwin, general manager of the V. L. S. E., has just returned to New York, following a series of "flying trips" to the Big Four branch offices, in the middle west and eastern territory. These included visits to Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago and Minneapolis exchanges. The tour was for the purpose of getting in touch personally with conditions in each territory, and to meet the many new recruits to the Big Four organization, which its constant expansion during the past few The vivacious Vitagraphess, Corinnc Griffith, in her new KingEight with "Nigger," the hobo dog who adopted her last winter.