Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

April 20, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 76; Latest News of State Rights Productions UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DEVELOPMENTS IN THE INDEPENDENT FIELD "Carmen of the Klondyke" Sets Standard Declared to Be Best Alaskan Picture Ever Made — Successor to "Flame of the Yukon" and "The Spoilers" IN EVERY era of the motion picture there has existed some Alaskan production by which all other pictures of the same nature were judged — always some stirring drama of the Frozen North which was established in the minds of the public as a criterion. There was something in the elemental existence of the early days of the Yukon which has fascinated the theatregoer as no other phase of contemporary life, and productions which accurately depicted that life have prospered accordingly. So in the early days of the motion picture, "The Spoilers," by Rex Beach, was rightly regarded as the finest example of an Alaskan photoplay, and its popularity was enormous. It remained at the head of its class until "The Flame of the Yukon" was written by Monte M. Katterjohn. This production has occupied much the same position as its predecessor and film critics and the general public came to consider this or that picture as "the best since 'The Flame of the Yukon.' " Nothing to exceed it, however, had been produced until a few weeks ago, when another Katterjohn story, "Carmen of the Klondike," was produced by Selexart Pictures, and was immediately hailed as the most powerful drama of the Yukon country ever presented on stage or screen — a tense, absorbing tale of the gold-seeking hordes who swept like an avalanche over the mystic land of the Xorth, living amidst the elemental passions of unrestrained men, and staking their futures on the turn of a card. This production is now being presented as the initial offering of the State Right Distributors. Diando Makes Pathe Serial The first episode of "The Wolf-faced Man," being made by Diando for Pathe, is well on its way under Stuart Paton, the well known serial director. George Larkin, leading man, is lined up for some sensational stunts, while the leading lady, Betty Compson, is entering into the serious drama with energy. Horace B. Carpenter is more than living up to his reputation as a handler of heavy roles, while True Boardman, the hero of "The Stingaree" serials, Frederick Malatesta, William Quinn, Harry O'Connor and the female heavy, Ora Carew, who all have prominent parts in the new serial, are well started in the production. As an illustration of the care for details taken by the director, the entire company was ordered to the mountains east of Fresno, 300 miles away, where the company took one scene showing George Larkin and the leading lady, Betty Compson, taking a dive for life on a log down a precipitous mountain side in a flume, the end being projected into a chasm below. A. L. Jekyll, manager of the Jekyll theatre, Parker, S. D. Mr. Jekyll is one of the frequent contributors to "What the Picture Did for Me." Welcome "Sterling System" Arthur F. Beck, president of the Sterling Pictures Corporation, is in receipt of a letter from his manager of sales, Herbert R. Ebenstein, in which he states that independent exchangemen throughout territory he has visited are welcoming the "Sterling System" method of placing pictures. "The Hypocrites" and "The Natural Law" are two of the de luxe dramas placed under the "Sterling System." "The Hypocrites" is Sir Henry Arthur Jones' successful play that was given under Charles Frohman's management at the Hudson Theatre, New York, for seven months. "The Natural Law" played at the Republic Theatre, New York, for eight months under John Cort's direction. Henley Sees Own Picture in Home Town Hobart Henley, who directed and takes a leading part in "Parentage," visited Cincinnati while the picture was shown at the Walnut Theatre there. Mr. Henley is a former Cincinnatian, having been graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Inasmuch as "Parentage" treats of certain sociological subjects concerning vital truths of life, the Social Unit of Cincinnati is taking special interest in the picture. Wilbur Phillips, head of the Social Unit, accepted a special invitation from the management to review the picture. Billy West in Twenty-first Comedy The twenty-first comedy produced by the King-Bee Films Corporation, will be entitled "The Handy Man." Billy West, as in all previous releases, is the star. This comedy will be released on May 1, the day the King-Bee Films Corporation celebrates its first year in business. The records made by this new organization to date are film history, and the territory for the entire world has been sold by King-Bee's sales manager, Nat H. Spitzer. Sydney Abel in New Select Post Sydney E. Abel, executive office representative of Select Pictures Corporation, has taken charge of Select's St. Louis branch, the managership of which has been made vacant by the resignation of E. W. Dustin in order to join the General Film Company. Mr. Abel, who will devote his attention exclusively to the St. Louis branch and the territory which it supplies, has started a tremendous sales drive in this territory. "Buster" Keaton and "Scoop" Conlon, the former a comedian in the Fatty Arbuckle company and the latter Mr. Arbuckle's press representative, have been accepted under the draft. Neither has been called out, however.