Motography (Jan-Jun 1917)

March 3, 1917. MOTOGRAPHY 461 "Arsene Lupin," the Vitagraph Blue Ribbon for February 26, starring Earlc Williams, is a tense and powerful story. BIG EXHIBITOR CONTRACT Ascher Brothers Sign With Vitagraph for Seven Big Chicago Houses, Covering Blue Ribbon Features and Comedies What is said to be the biggest annual contract for program service ever entered into in the city of Chicago has just been signed between Ascher Brothers, owners of the largest chain of motion picture theaters in that city, and Vitagraph-V. L. S. E., distributors of Vitagraph productions. The contract calls for the complete Vitagraph service, including special features, Blue Ribbon program features, comedies, etc. Seven of Ascher Brothers' theatersi will immediately begin to use Vitagraph productions weekly for the next year. These houses cover every section of Chicago. They are : The Cosmopolitan, 7938 South Halsted street ; Oakland Square, 3947 Drexel boulevard ; Frolic, 947 East Fifty-fifth street; Milford, Crawford street and Milwaukee avenue; Columbus, 6238 South Ashland avenue ; Lane Court, 322 Center street, and Calo, 5404 North Clark street. All of these theaters have a seating capacity of between 1,000 and 1,400, and are the last word in motion picture presentation and public patronage. Ascher Brothers desired to contract for four more of their theaters for Vitagraph service for a year, in addition to the seven just named. But contracts were already in force between Vitagraph-V. L. S. E. and houses in immediate opposition to these four Ascher Brothers' theaters, and so the present contract is for only seven of these big houses. But all eleven Ascher theaters have booked "The Girl Philippa," Vitagraph's new and colossal dramatic presentation of Robert W. Chambers' literary masterpiece, with Anita Stewart in the title role, which last week broke all theatrical records in Chicago, when it made its bow in fifteen-below-zero weather to a crowded house. The "Captain Jinks" Vitagraph comedy series, starring the inimitable Frank Daniels, and the "Big V" comedy series, which now are produced at Vitagraph's Los Angeles studios, will also be used in the Ascher theaters in addition to the Blue Ribbon feature releases. Largest Chicago Year's Contract Sydney E. Abel, manager of the Chicago exchange of Vitagraph-V. L. S. E., who closed the contract with Ascher Brothers, is thus credited with the largest indi vidual contract ever entered into in Chicago for program features for a year. Ascher Brothers' houses are looked upon as, in general, perhaps the most representative and the largest motion picture theaters in Chicago. They have been notably reluctant in the past to sign any longtime contracts for feature service, and that they now have decided to use Vitagraph productions as their box office attractions for the next year is ample evidence of what they think of the famous Vitagraph service. In reporting the contract to the home office, Mr. Abel wrote : This is another triumph for Vitagraph productions and Vitagraph service as a whole. The same causes that impelled the Rialto Theater in New York, the Marcus Loew circuit, the Alexander Pantages circuit, the Orpheum in Cleveland, the America in Denver, and other famous houses throughout the country to contract for Vitagraph productions are those which led Ascher Brothers to enter into this annual agreement with Vitagraph-V. L. S. E. High standard of production, with eminent stars, stories that are exceptional in their value as real entertainment for all audiences, unequalled settings, and the square deal in their distribution — these Vitagraph assets have now been made box-office assets of these big and important theaters in Chicago. My main reason for speaking especially about this contract with Ascher Brothers is that it is another instance of the exhibitor who is self-convinced of the high standard of Vitagraph pictures. We never have to convince a man twice. Once a Vitagrapher, always a Vitagrapher. Essanay Star Visits Theaters Bryant Washburn appeared in person at several theaters in Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis where "Skinner's Dress Suit," his current Essanay feature-success, was shown. An exhibitor in Milwaukee dispatched fifty newsboys in a serpentine dance through the main thoroughfares, each "kid" attired in a dress suit with silk hat, and bearing aloft a signboard advertising "Skinner's Dress Suit," and the fact that the creator of the screen Skinner would appear at the theater. Mary Charleson in New Play Mary Charleson, the little actress whose work as Henry B. Walthall's leading woman in "The Truant Soul" and "Little Shoes" won her nation-wide praise, is soon to be seen in an Essanay feature production of her own. "Truth Triumphant" is to be the title of this photodrama, and it will be released some time in April. Filming of preliminary scenes already are under way. Supporting Miss Charleson in "Truth Triumphant" is Webster Campbell, the latest addition to Es