Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

30 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 1. Foreign Exhibitors Praise "The Spy" William Fox Production Is Accorded Favorable Comment at Trade Showings in Great Britain THE generally favorable reviews and the reports of big business on "The Spy" are resulting, according to the foreign department of the Fox Film Corporation, in many inquiries being made regarding the picture by exhibitors and agencies in territory outside the United States. Advices from London this week are to the effect that the picture received markedly favorably comment on the occasion of its recent presentation at British trade showings. Interest, of course, is heightened by the fact that experiences paralleling those pictured in the film story have been of common occurrence in England during the last three years. The same, however, is true of other capitals and important cities ; in all of these the agents of the contenders in the present world war long have been busily at work seeking information and data which might be of military value. The universal appeal of the picture is declared to hinge on this very point. "The Spy," according to William Fox, is primarily a disclosure of the methods of secret service workers. It is a chapter from current history. And the enterprises that are being carried along, under ground, in Washington and Berlin and London and Paris are being duplicated very largely, not only in the metropolises of the nations at war, but also throughout the neutral world. The story of a condition of this sort in any part of the globe today, it is contended, is in effect a story of conditions in all parts of the globe. And it is just as much a matter of importance for the people of neutral nations to protect themselves against plotters as it is for warring nations to do the same thing. It is unimportant to the spirit of the production whether Dustin Farnum, who plays the leading role, takes the part of an American or of an Englishman, a Frenchman, a Mexican, a Brazilian or an Austrian ; in any case the appeal is the same — to national self-preservation. The Fox management is confident that "The Spy" will prove just as big a success in other parts of the world as it has proved in the United States and at the British trade shows. An international campaign on behalf of the picture now is being outlined and meanwhile the foreign department is closing with buyers for territory remaining open. Tell Us What Pictures Are Doing for You The following letter is addressed to the exhibitors of the country through Motography. Let us tell the theater owners of the nation how the pictures YOU show are succeeding. "Brother Exhibitor: "I have been playing pictures ever since they were made, with all kinds of experience with all kinds of exchangee. At this time, when business is a little dull and everyone hustling for business, often many exchanges turn down old customers because they see a few temporary new ones in sight. It is a source of great pleasure to me to note that the Mutual Film Exchange, the Great Vitagraph, Kleine, Edison, Selig and Essanay companies not only put out as good pictures as are made, but they always give you a fair, square deal, and are honorable. Such companies are worthy of all the business that you can give hem. Try and see. "Eugene Saunders, Harvard, 111." Exposition Space Selling Fast Success of Grand Central Palace Show Is Assured Contracts Are Signed by Big Companies as CONSIDERABLE progress has been made during the past fortnight in securing contracts for space allotment for the Motion Picture Exposition in Grand Central Palace, New York, February 2 to 9, 1918. The exposition will be held under the joint auspices of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry and the Motion Picture Exhibitors League of America, and will occupy three entire floors. Twenty-two companies already have taken space and negotiations are pending with nearly one hundred others. Contracts signed thus far are for larger individual spaces than has been the case at any similar exposition of the past and all of the present entrants plan to make comprehensive attractive displays that will be shows in themselves — not mere cubbyhole exhibits. Indeed the plans for this big show are not being based upon any precedent of the past, but will embrace many new ideas in promoting an exposition to draw the public in great numbers. Among the largest companies exhibiting are the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, Artcraft Pictures Corporation, Paramount Pictures Corporation, Metro Pictures Corporation, Pathe Exchange, Inc., Goldwyn Picture Corporation, Vitagraph Company of America, Fox Film Corporation, Universal Film Manufacturing Co., World Film Corporation, Frohman Amusement Corporation, Wharton Releasing Corporation, and Triangle Film Corporation. Brabin Goes West Charles J. Brabin, Metro director, is en route to the Pacific coast, where he will alternate with John'H. Collins in the direction of Viola Dana at the Hollywood Studios in Metro pictures which are supervised bv B. A. Rolfe. Editor Praises Triangle Advertising The Photoplay Journal of Cincinnati, Ohio, in its issue of December 7, 1917, published the following editorial in reference to the Triangle advertisements directed to the exhibitors, that have recently appeared in the motion picture trade papers. "Did you notice that Triangle advertisement in the papers? If exhibitors are reading the moving picture advertisements they no doubt have noticed that the Triangle ad is one of the most convincing articles that was ever published. Its tone is one of the most friendly messages that ever reached exhibitors' ears. It is a 'straight from the shoulder' talk and we believe should attract every exhibitors' attention. "This might be a poor way of writing an editorial, but if an honest writer would read ads as well as news of trade papers, he will soon agree with us that the writer of this particular Triangle ad as well as the Triangle Distributing Corporation deserve credit that is due them, and they are bound to win their battle in the moving picture industry, because every line of this ad has a true message that could not have been delivered to exhibitors in more plainer language. "Finally, ads of this kind are what every exhibitor is waiting to hear and some more messages of the same quality will more than encourage the managers of the moving picture houses, and will enable them to work in harmony with the producers. Triangle is bound to grow." Defies Zero Weather to Finish Play In order to hasten the date of her departure for California, Constance Talmadge, Select star, has been working steadily through zero temperature in the lightest of summer apparel. Her next picture, "The Studio Girl," calls for settings along the bleak Gloucester coast, and with time pressing fast on their heels, Miss Talmadge and her director, Charles Giblyn, have rushed production ahead without waiting for warmer days. Last Saturday word was received that an exceedingly fine spell of weather had descended on Gloucester, and the Constance Talmadge Company took the night train to Boston. However, the frickle temperature had dropped between sleeping and walking ■hours to 14 degrees and the players reached town in a snowstorm. Sunday was a day of gloom, but Monday the thermometer climbed from 16 degrees at seven o'clock in the morning to 30 degrees at ten, and the day was saved. The final scenes were shot in record time and the entire party returned to New York that night. "The Studio Girl" has been adapted for the screen by Paul West from the sparkling comedy, "The Runaway," by Pierre Veber and Henri de Gorsse, and will be distributed through Select exchanges. Closes Year's Releases Metro will close its release chart for the year on December 31, when it will release Harold Lockwood's latest production, "The' Avenging Trail," a Metro wonderplay adapted by Fred J. Balshofer and Mary Murillo from Henry Oyens' novel, "Gaston Olaf," and staged under the direction of Francis Ford.