Motography (Jul-Dec 1917)

November 24, 1917. MOTOGRAPHY 1091 Madame Petrova's "A Daughter of Destiny," is soon to be released. Three scenes from the play are presented above. Gives Ten Reasons for Petrova Success Brochure Sets Forth Explanation of Why Pictures Contain Patron-Pulling Power THE Petrova Picture Company, which during the forthcoming year will present Madame Petrova in a series of eight great starring vehicles, has in course of preparation a handsome brochure which will set forth "The Ten Reasons Why" Petrova Picture Productions will offer to the exhibitors of the entire world a series of pictures de luxe which will be the last word in artistic effort and patron-pulling power. Among the various subjects dealt with throughout the interesting length of the brochure, the following points are scored regarding the emotional actress and the eight productions of the company in which she will appear: I. The star herself. Madame Olga Petrova is conceded by newspaper critics and the theater-going public alike to be not only the "most beautiful woman in the world" but the greatest exponent of dramatic roles now appearing in the shadow world. II. The extraordinary world-wide advertising and exploitation campaign which has been inaugurated in behalf of the Petrova Picture Company by Frederick L. Collins, president of the Petrova organization. Together with the advertising display which will appear in twenty-five national magazines, a $50,000 newspaper campaign will be intensively applied so as to effectively reach every motion picture patron of every town in the United States. Madame Petrova, herself an accomplished writer, will contribute regularly a series of articles to The Ladies' World, a magazine of wide circulation. III. The selection of the vehicles in which Madame Petrova will star. The celebrated actress will personally supervise the choice of all of her screen mediums and the most infinite and painstaking care will be exerted to have these plays the acme of screen technique and scenario perfection. IV. Pre-Production Counsel. Frederick L. Collins, president of Superpictures Distributing Corporation and the Petrova Picture Company, has especially engaged America's leading exhibitor, Samuel L. Rothapfel, to act in the capacity of "Pre-Production Counsel." The famous presiding genius of the Rialto Theater will assist in the judging of scenarios and offer his varied showmanship experience to attain the highest possible perfection in the matter of "pictures for the public." V. Cost of Production. Absolutely no expense will be spared in the working of Petrova's eight starring vehicles. To this end, no limit will be placed on the production cost, which will be governed solely by the requirements of the picture in hand. The results artistically should leave nothing to be desired. VI. Public Popularity. Although the first Petrova Picture "Daughter of Destiny" has been but recently completed, the offices of the Petrova Picture Company have been deluged with mail from all points of the country, asking when Madame Petrova will make her appearance in her own productions. This mass of correspondence has come from exhibitor and patron alike and is a wonderful tribute to the popularity of the beautiful star. _ VII. The supporting cast. The artists who will support the famous star in her eight great productions will be literally of the "hand-picked" variety. Expert attention will be given to the suitability of type and acting capabilities of each player, in order that the various roles may be perfectly cast. VIII. The mechanical system which has been installed for the laboratory treatment of Petrova pictures. The latest devices for tinting and toning, together with the highest perfection of the developing and printing process will assure a finished product of a beauty new to the motion picture screen. IX. Editing and titling. These two important phases of motion picture production will receive the utmost consideration in all Petrova Pictures. The highest class cutters available have been secured to handle this end and Madame Petrova herself will personally supervise the work of several title-writers among whom are two prominent magazine authors and a famous scenario builder. X. The staff of studio assistants which will figure in the making of every Petrova Production. The various departments which enter into the studio work have been assigned to the charge of individual experts. This fine regard for detail has been carried out. to the point of a special staff of modistes for the creation of the gowns which Madame Petrova will wear, and a "make-up" expert who will judge of the blending of the lighting with the facial make-up. The first production of the Petrova Picture Company, "Daughter of Destiny," has been announced for release in the near future. It will have its initial presentation at the Rialto Theater, New York, under the personal direction of S. L. Rothapfel. Weekly Cameraman Makes Remarkable Aero Film One of the most amazing series of aeroplane pictures ever shown constitute the main feature of Universal Animated Weekly No. 96. The pictures were made at the Curtiss Aviation School at Newport News, Va., by F. J. Conway and the men who made the flights are Ed. Stinson and Carl Batts, instructors at the school. The fliers are shown in loop-the-loops, nose dives, spirals, tailspins and all the other hair-raising feats which have become a necessary part of the equipment of every air scout on the French front. Most aviators, however, insist upon an altitude of at_ least 3,000 feet for these stunts, but Stinson and Batts are shown doing them only 400 feet up. For some of the shots the cameraman went up in one of the aeroplanes and took the pictures while the other machine performed astonishing gyrations within easy camera range. Many of the shots are veritable close-ups. In one instance the flier is clearly seen waving his hand to the operator, while the solid earth and Hampton Roads lie thousands of feet below him. Another picture of timely interest shows the 12,000 jackies of the Great Lakes naval training station marching in solid mass in review before Secretary Daniels. "Du Barry" Last Fox Release This Year The last release of the present year from the William Fox offices will be a Miss Theda Bara Super-picture, "Du Barry," which has been announced for initial showing on December 30. This will be the third of the Standard Pictures featuring Miss Bara which has been released since September 30.