Motography (Apr-Jun 1916)

1048 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XV, No. 19. NEW SELIG RED SEAL A Real Melodrama and Several Other Dramas Completed by Selig Company for May Release Through V-L-S-E A real motion picture melodrama with a succession of stirring situations which will make the most blase fan sit up and take notice is the Selig Red Seal play, "At Piney Ridge." This adaptation from David K. Higgins' stage success was made by Gilson Willetts. Fritzi Brunette is the lead as a girl of the mountains, and is supported by Edward J. Peil, Al. W. Filson, Wm. Scott, James Bradbury and Vivian Reed. This play will be released May 1. Another drama completed for release May 29 is "Into the Primitive," featuring Kathlyn Williams, supported by Guy Oliver, Harry Lonsdale and Eugenie Bresserer. The drama was written by Robert Ames Bennet and produced by T. N. Heffron. During the action of this drama a herd of wild elephants, lions, tigers, leopards, a river swarming with alligators and a huge python are introduced. Also a realistic hurricane is depicted during the action, accompanied by lightning and pouring rain. The history of Indiana as a state will be filmed by the Selig Company for future release. Director Frank Beal with several principal actors have gone to Indiana for a two weeks' sojourn and taking of the principal scenes in the film. James Whitcomb Riley is en route to Indiana from Florida and has promised to do everything possible to co-operate in the filming of historic Indiana. "The Hard Way," a Selig multiple reel feature to be released, through General Film Service May 15, was written by Russell E. Smith and produced by T. N. Heffron. Jack Pickford is the hero of .this play and is supported by Sidney Smith, Harry Lonsdale, Lillian Hayward, Vivian Reed and others. A comedy to be released through General Film Service on May 20 is "A Boarding House Ham." with the action taking place in a theatrical boarding house. This comedy is full of fun and the subtitles are carried in clever verse. Among the characters presented are the Street Faker, the Animal Trainer, the Property Man, the Strong Man and the Lightning Sketch Artist. William N. Selig, president of the Selig Polyscope Company, and Colin Campbell, director, have gone to St. Louis, Mo., and Vicksburg, Miss., to visit localities to be used in the production of Winston Churchill's story of "The Crisis." Mr. Selig intends later to take a company of his players south for the filming of scenes in these localities. Fritzie Brunette has designed and made for herself a most beautiful evening gown to be worn in the production of "The Hare and the Tortoise," a forthcoming Selig production. The gown is fashioned from orange panne velvet combined with gold cloth and is trimmed with a wide girdle of rhinestones and pearls. THOROUGHBRED "AMERICANS" "The Abandonment," "The Highest Bid" and Several Other Unusually Powerful Plays in the Making for Mutual Program Director Donalds MacDonald, of the American Film Company, Inc., is nearing completion of the filming of "The Abandonment," a powerful story by Kenneth B. Clarks. This is another of the series of prominent fiction to be adapted to film by President Hutchinson. Helene Rosson and E. Forrest Taylor have the important roles in this vitally interesting story of a prominent physician who becomes a tramp. The theme, which is strikingly original, is carefully conceived and well directed. This five-reel masterpicture is to be released by Mutual in the near future. "The Highest Bid" is the title of a five-reel American-Mutual masterpicture, nearing completion, under -the direction of William Russell, who also plays the leading role opposite Charlotte Burton. An interesting fact in connection with the filming of this story is that the mountain scenes were taken near the remote lodge of George O. Knapp, the Chicago millionaire, who owns a 150-acre game preserve located two hours' ride from the studios of the American Film Company, at Santa Barbara. "A Courtesan," a five-reel subject, is heing filmed under the direction of Arthur Maude at the Santa Barbara studios of the American Film Company, Inc. The cast includes Eugenie Forde, Nell Franzen. Hal Cooley, Charles Wheelock, Al Fordyce and William Carroll. The Mutual schedule will carry this picture soon. "The Overcoat," by Forrest Halsev, is now beinc One of ilir many charming scenes in the Selig Red Seal play, ". // Piney Ridge." I hint of the unique atmosphere which will he found in the Selig Red Seal "Into the Primitive."