Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

1024 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 19. months has made necessary. The trip will be supplemented by visits to other offices, until the V. L. S. E.'s complete circuit has been completed. Mr. Irwin met a number of prominent exhibitors during his tour, and at Minneapolis a gathering composed of leading members of the Northwestern Exhibitor's League called upon him, and complimented him upon the steady success attained by his company's policies during the past few months. In every section, the Big Four's general manager found things humming at top speed, with exhibitors generally enthusiastic in their advocacy of the V. L. S. E. program and principles. Essanay-Chaplin "Carmen" Breaks Records \ When announcement was made of Charley Chaplin's debut as star of a four-reel burlesque of "Carmen," under the Essanay-V. L. S. E. banner, it was generally felt and predicted that the feature would prove a tremendous success. Several months having elapsed since Chaplin had been seen in a new picture, his legion admirers were naturally expected to gather in full force to welcome the eccentric comedian extraordinary of the screen world. Yet even the most optimistic believer in the drawing power of a Chaplin film would not have ventured to prophesy the utterly unprecedented reception which was given the "Carmen" fantasy at the Broadway Theater last week. At the opening performance Sunday it was not merely a packed house that greeted the flitting form of the inimitable Charlie — it was a mad mob of enthusiasts tightly jammed together, with lines extending out into the street and down Broadway for several blocks. And the same crowds continued night after night. VOGUE ADD BIG GUNS Ben Terpin, "Big Ed" Sedgwick and Number of Other Notable Funsters Join the Humor Works of Vogue Films, Inc. Ben Terpin, formerly with the Essanay, and who has appeared in a number of "Chaplin" pictures, has been signed up by Vogue Films, Inc., to add his comic ability to the already formidable forces of this organization. Mr. Terpin will appear in forthcoming Vogue comedies under the direction of Jack Dillon — along with Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon and Louise Owen. "Big Ed" Sedgwick, formerly of Universal and Lubin, has also joined the Vogue forces, and will lend his "bulk of fun" to the Vogue comedy production, under Jack Dillon's direction. Sedgwick will be remembered by picture fans as the fat boy who played in comedies with Vic Potel. Sedgwick is a graduate of the legitimate stage, having played several years in vaudeville with his sisters, Eileen and Josie. Paddy McQuire is making a big hit as "Bungling Bill" — and the series is growing into strong popularity. The stories from the versatile, original mind of Robert A. Dillon are giving the public a new kind of comedies under the Vogue brand, and the assemblage of wellknown comedians, far-famed for their laugh making abilities, assure Vogue Films, Inc. of a long life and a prosperous one. Rube Miller, directing the second Vogue Company, with Madge Kirby, Arthur Tavares and Alice Neice in the principal roles, has been laid up with a case of bloodpoisoning resulting from a wound received in his foot while producing "Out for the Count," a Vogue comedy to be released May 2. Production of his comedies has suffered only a slight delay on account of his inability, as the industrious Rube has been wheeled about the stage in a wheel-chair, continuing the production of his laugh-makers. EXHIBITORS REORGANIZE San Francisco League Holds Meeting and Again Takes Over Quarters. Pay-in-Advance Plan and Other Matters Considered Formal reorganization has been effected by the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of San Francisco and the offices formerly occupied by the body in the Mechanics' Bank Building will again be taken over. The organization had been temporarily ineffective following the national convention held here last summer, but now that many matters of importance have come up the need of co-operation has been felt and the activities of the league have been resumed. Among the problems of material importance now under consideration is the pay-in-advance plan. The fight against the new censorship ordinance proposed here is being waged actively also. It is planned to admit to membership in the new organization any exhibitors in the San Francisco territory instead of confining them to the city proper, as in the past. The former by-laws have been adopted with but slight changes, and affiliation will be maintained with the national organization. c^F v^H Wm L m^ a. JHII^SI mWSF On either side, glimpses into the striking "Mysteries of Myra," IV har ton-International Film Serviec. In the renter, F.ssanay's "Once a Thief."