Motography (Jul-Dec 1917)

1088 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XVIII, No. 21. Exhibitors Give Too Much Entertainment HEAD OF PRODUCING COMPANY SAYS PRICES MUST ASCEND MOTION picture patrons are going to have to pay more for their entertainment during the next year, just as they are now paying more for everything they wear, eat and use. That is the declaration last week of Hiram Abrams, president of the Paramount Pictures Corporation. Accompanied by B. P. Schulburg, general manager of Paramount, he is making a four monthstour of the country to study film conditions. "The photoplay follower must pay more for his screen amusement if he wants us to continue to make the best motion pictures that it is possible to create, and if he wants his favorite photoplay theater to continue in business and to provide a suitable setting for the picture as well as good and appropriate music. Do Not See Dimes in Dollar "We must realize that the whole economic standard of the country has changed, that a dollar is no longer ten dimes, but four quarters. "It is wartime. "The dime has lost its buying power, and besides this decrease in the value of the dollar the increase in the cost of producing motion pictures has advanced to a startling extent. "The motion picture industry is the very last one to ask an increase for its product — clothiers, shoe manufacturers, magazine publishers and food distributors have already obtained an increase in the purchase price from the consumer, but the motion picture, which we include among the necessities of life, has waited until it could wait no longer. Industry Hard Hit by Taxes "Our industry is being hard hit by taxes and there are more to come. It is giving a good deal to the government and it must receive something in return in order to advance with the same rapid strides that have characterized its past progress. Triangle Is Ahead of Release Schedule Work Is Progressing Rapidly for Early 1918 Plays; Six Directors Are Resting for Renewed Attack WITH two new stories cast during the present week, three films completed and two pictures, "The Ship of Doom" and "The Sudden Gentleman," starring William Desmond, shipped, Triangle's Culver City studio is easily keeping pace with the production schedule set some weeks ago. Things are humming, especially in the scenario department, where stories are being prepared for the six directors who have recently completed their last assignments and are awaiting new subjects. Director Raymond Wells has started shooting on "Man Above the Law," a story of life with the Navajo Indians on the painted desert. In this thrilling tale of the southwest, in which a squaw man rules an entire Indian nation, Jack Richardson has the leading role. He is supported by Josie Sedgwick, Claire McDowell"; Olga Grey and Dark Cloud, a full-blooded Indian with several^ years' screen experience. One of Triangle's most beautiful child performers will be seen in this picture as the halfbreed child of the "Navajo king." An unusual western story has been chosen as the next vehicle for Roy Stewart, cowboy star. Director Cliff Smith will work with such well-known favorites as Fritzie Ridgeway and George Hernandes, in support of his popular western star. The screen adaptation for the picture was made from the magazine story, "The Law's Outlaw," by Alvin N. Nietz. It is a tense mystery drama dealing with the war between the cattle men and the nesters, or small farmers, who threatened their range, with an ambitious young deputy sheriff as the lead and a tense love theme throughout. As the young deputy sheriff, in love with the beautiful daughter of the nesters' boss, Roy Stewart overcomes many obstacles and in the end wins the favor of the crusty old father, who opposed the ambitions of the young cowman. Director Wyndham Gittens, who has just completed a maritime drama, "The Ship of Doom," which is said to be full of tense action and death-defying situations, and he is preparing the continuity for another original story, the working title of which has as yet not been decided. This story deals with the thrilling experiences of a central office man on the trail of a band of river pirates and counterfeiters. Gittens expects to take his company to San Francisco for the water front locations. Included in the cast will be many of the same people who worked with Gittins in his last picture. It is likely that Monte Blue and Claire McDowell will have the leads. Director Jack Dillon is nearing the completion of his latest offering, "Betty Takes a Hand," in which Olive Thomas appears. The exterior settings include one of the handsomest homes in Los Angeles' most fashionable district. The story tells how the breach which grew up between two old miners was spanned by the romance between their only children, one the son of wealth and the other a dainty little miss seeking to make a living by running a boarding house. An elaborate setting is being directed for Director Walter Edwards' picture, "The Passion Flower," in which Alma Ruebens and Wheeler Oakman have the leads. A bit of Venice is being transplanted to the lot at considerable expense and gondolas will soon be plying on the canal surrounded by quaint Venetian homes. A full force of carpenters is rushing work on this beautiful set and it will be in use by the end of the week. "I have not the slighest fear of the industry's ability to indicate its justification to the public for this increase in price for admission. Public Supports Pictures "From what I have already seen on this trip exhibitors in other parts of the country have already made the increase and are receiving the support of their patrons in the movement. "It is acknowledged that the motion picture theater offers the best and the cheapest amusement that the public can buy during wartime. "It is giving education, enlightenment and entertainment to the great public. It has been a splendid medium for the government's propaganda, both in connection with the Liberty Loan and with Hoover's food commission. "There is no reason why the photoplay follower should not wish to permit exhibitors throughout the country to continue in business, even if it costs S cents more for each admission to do so. "The only thing to guard against is an unfair increase — the possible effort of some one to profit by the country's troubles and the condition of public affairs in wartime — and that we are safe against, because of the government's excess profit tax, which will very conveniently take care of any unusual increase in our or the exhibitor's profit over last Turn Them Away at Utah Opening The re-opening of the Utah Theater, after the show house had been closed for three months for remodelling, marked an event in the moving picture history of Ogden, Utah. Between 7 and 8 o'clock on opening night the show house was crowded, every seat taken and standing room at a premium. A new pipe organ with orchestral equipment was a drawing card. The re-opening of the theater proved such an attraction that several hundred people were turned away during the evening. After spending $15,000, Manager H. A. Flynn has made his theater one of the most modern moving picture houses in the state. The floor is graded gradually to descend toward the stage in old Roman ampitheater style and new upholstered seats with plenty of room in the chair and leg space between the rows. A beautiful lighting effect was worked into the ceiling and side walls, green tinted lights being suspended from the ceiling and golden window effects adorning the side walls. The aisles are carpeted and the lobby will be beautified with new tapestries that the urgency of opening would not permit being put in. Joe King, well-known leading man of the screen, has been added to the Triangle playing force at Culver City.