Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

32 MOTOGRAPHY War Makes Public More Critical Head of Producing Company Says Betterment of Industry Will Be the Result of World Conflict tfTHE conditions now existing in the motion picture business, on account of war, will eventually result in the betterment of the entire industry," says Walter E. Greene, president of Artcraft. "We have been a profligate nation, and much of the nation's wealth has gone to waste in the past. The big publicity propaganda launched by the government to conserve the nation's resources has shed considerable light on loop-holes of extravagance, which are being closed up. "In war times more than any other time, the public must have the relaxation of amusement, to lighten the tensity of the great conflict in which our own troops are now taking part. The daily papers teem with news of war, and there is hardly a man, woman or child in the United States who does not give some thought, daily, to the European maelstrom. "The people of England went through the same experience, and it was found that poor plays and poor pictures were disregarded by the public, while the better attractions did increased business. Classified Advertising Violinist, Musical Director, Soloist, now located, desires change. Experienced in high-class settings for pictures. Large Library. Address — "Director," care Motography, Chicago. A RARE CHANCE for the "professional" or "dillettanti." Off on a long voyage from which I may not return; I offer for sale: FILES OF THE BEST MOVING' PICTURE PUBLICATIONS that constitute the most valuable reference library extant. Nothing else published contains the vast mass of information collected in these volumes. From the writer of the scenario to the producer, and all between and after, the need of these files must be obvious. I have also to dispose of: A superior, genuine English broadcloth dress suit, 38 breast measure ; a rich, cream-white monkcloth suit with elegantly ornamented sleeves, suitable for a great variety of parts, and some good things for "character" rolls. s-kh shrdluoaet acter" roles. And, finally, I have a complete fencing master's outfit, the various kinds of swords, foils, rapiers, broadswords, the student's schlager, etc., and therewith plastrons, masks, padded gauntlets, etc., all of the most famous makers. When not in use these things can be formed into a "cadron d'armes" on the wall of a "den" that will excel all else in its striking effectiveness. Nothing of this kind tas been manufactured since the war began and nothing of the kind will be made for many years after the war is over — if ever. M. RAYON, 162 North Ave., Apt. L., 3rd Floor, Chicago. 111. Telephone: Lincoln 6974. "The public has become discriminating, and following the resolutions they have adopted they are demanding their money's worth in amusements as well as in commodities and food. The exhibitor who in the past has been able to operate successfully owing to the good nature and extravagance of his patrons, by showing inferior pictures, is now face to face with a serious problem. "The American public has become thrifty, and demands so much for so much, but it will continue to patronize its favorite amusement when properly presented. I firmly believe that as time goes on it will mean longer runs of good pictures, and unprecedented prosperity for the exhibitor who takes advantage of the situation and carefully avoids mediocre films. "In short, the public would rather pay twice as much for a good picture and feel that it has been given its money's worth, than to waste a smaller price of admission on an uninteresting subject." "Morgan's Raiders," Is Bluebird Offering Violet Mersereau, star of Bluebirds, will Appear February 4, next, in a picture that reflects war — but not the present strife. "Morgan's Raiders" is the new title, illuminating and self-explanatory, of Bess Meredyth's story and scenario from which Wilfred Lucas worked in directing Miss Mersereau's latest Bluebird.^ The initial title was "The Wild Cat," and the picture has been thus referred to in previous mention, but "Morgan's Raiders" has been decided upon as its permanent caption for distribution. Previous to her appearance in "Morgan's Raiders," Miss Marsereau will appear as the star of Bluebird's December 31 attraction (New Year's week) playing "The Girl by the Roadside," screen version of Varick Vanardy's novel of the same title, scenarioized by John C. Brownell and directed by Theodore Marston with Allen Edwards leading man for Miss Mersereau. "The Girl by the Roadside" is being pre-released the week of December 16-22 at the Broadway Theater, New York. Another feature that has been fixed for the Bluebird program is at present titled "The Catamount," in which Franklyn Farnum will appear week starting January 28, next. Will Distribute Films In Latin America The completion of a new deal involving the distribution of Paramount and Artcraft pictures, in the West Indies and Central America, has been announced. A new organization has been formed, headed by five of the leading business men of Havana, Cuba, which will control the distribution of every Paramount and Artcraft picture produced. The territory to be covered by these pictures in the new deal includes all of Cuba, with main offices of the new company in Havana, all of Venezuela, all of Porto Rica, with head offices in San Juan, all the other islands of the West Indies and a large part of Central America. Vol. XIX, No. 1. In this territory are more than 1,000 theaters ; Porto Rica has 65 motion picture houses controlled by the new company. There are 300 in Cuba, 20 in San Domingo and the others scattered throughout the rest of the territory. This will bring the Paramount and Artcraft productions before a new audience of over 15,000,000 people in this territory. O. A. Hornsby, a banker in the West Indies, is the president of the new company. Hart-Fairbanks Re-issues Are Popular Triangle announced recently that the Hart and Fairbanks' re-issues were daily proving more popular and through comment received from exhibitors it has been learned that the box office value of these pictures has been much greater than anticipated. The statement follows: "The Triangle re-issues of Hart and Fairbanks' features have brought forth considerable unsolicited comment of a most favorable nature, from exhibitors throughout the country. Concerning 'Double Trouble,' featuring Douglas Fairbanks, re-issued under date of September 2, a prominent exhibitor of Spokane, Wash., said: 'A fine comedy, especially for those who read the book, and an excellent re-issue.' The manager of the Empress Theater at Owensboro, Ky., in referring to the Hart re-issue, 'The Aryan,' stated: 'This re-issue attracted well and many came to see it again. An excellent box office attraction.' " Played Sweethearts — Now Married An interesting romance came to light a couple of days ago in the Clara Kimball Young studio at New Rochelle when Miss Claire Whitney and John Sunderland, both members of Miss Young's staff of players, slipped quietly away and were married. Mr. Sunderland is a flight officer in the English aviation corps and came to this country recently on leave. He joined Miss Young's company for the production of "Shirley Kaye," playing the part of the young English earl who falls in love with the western financier's daughter. The latter role was Miss Whitney's and it needed only a few rehearsals under Director Emile Chantard, to convince the two that their make believe love was destined to live beyond the influence of "Shirley Kaye." As Mr. Sunderland's leave of absence had very nearly expired, the wedding was planned hurriedly and the young couple left for a brief honeymoon before the date of his sailing. Offers "The Heart of a Lion" William Fox releases another Standard Picture December 16. It will be a William Farnum production, "The Heart of a Lion," based on Ralph Connor's novel, "The Doctor." The story, which has been read by thousands of moving picture patrons, is called by the author "a tale of the Canadian Rockies," and has been closely followed by Director Frank Lloyd in his screen version. Most of the opening scenes, laid on a farm, were taken on Mr. Farnum's country place on Long Island, several of the old country town characters introduced in the picture beins friends and neighbors of the actor.