Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

844 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 18. Market "Over the Top" in the Regular Way Walter W. Irwin Denies Big Special Will Be Handled on a State Rights or Territorial Basis "(J super-war picture with Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey in the star role, will not be leased on a state right or territorial basis under any circumstances, according to a statement issued by Walter W. Irwin, general manager of the Vitagraph distributing organization. Mr. Irwin declares that the big feature will be marketed in the same manner as the other Vitagraph specials; that is, to first run exhibitors for special runs and then on the regular leasing basis. Mr. Irwin states that since "Over the Top" was first shown at the Lyric Theatre, New York, three weeks ago, many of the leading exhibitors have made special trips to New York to see it and have already begun negotiations for it. In addition, he says, he has had scores of inquiries from all parts of the country from showmen seeking state ?nd territorial rights. One bid was made for the New England rights, another for the Southern states, one for the entire state of California and others for other sections of the country. To all of these offers Mr. Irwin sent a declination, stating that the picture will be distributed solely through the Vitagraph organization and that regular exhibitors will get the first chance to present it in their respective territories. "Over the Top,'' entering its fourth week at the Lyric on Sunday, April 21, is declared to be one of the most gratifying motion picture successes New York has ever known. The theatre has been crowded twice daily ever since the run began and the indications are that it could continue indefinitely. This is an excellent tribute to the production itself and should be a source of satisfaction to Albert E. Smith, president of Vitagraph, under whose personal supervision it was made, and to Wilfrid North, who directed it. Various patriotic organizations have seized upon the opportunity to conduct their rallies in conjunction with the showing of the picture, the appeal of which has proved irresistible. During the second week of the run the American Defense Society conducted a most successful campaign at the Lyric and last week two days were devoted especially to Liberty Loan appeals, made by the Patriotic Service League of the Brooklyn Manual Training High School. This organization of students was formed a year ago by Sergeant Empey, formerly a pupil of the school, and it set itself the task of selling $1,000,000 in bonds during the present drive. During the two days its members worked at the Lyric they added several thousand dollars to their list, Sergeant Empey directing the students in their campaign and leading in the appeal to the audience. In addition to his Liberty Loan work, Sergeant Empey, a soldier through and through, acted as host to other men in uniform. In order that American and Allied soldiers and sailors in New York might have an opportunity of seeing the picture Empey posted $1,000 at the theatre to be used in entertaining that number of men in uniform. He also had as his guests one night 600 members of the Forty-seventh Regiment of Brooklyn, his old command, and the first military organization with which he saw service. On Saturday, April 20, a special benefit performance for the Red Cross was given at the Lyric under the auspices of Mrs. Albert E. Smith, wife of the president of Vitagraph. The entire proceeds were donated to Auxiliary No. 197 of the Red Cross and a tidy sum thereby was added to the organization's funds. This performance was given in the morning and to exhibitors it offers an idea for popularizing the film and for contributing to the support of the Red Cross. Start "The Girl in His House" Earle Williams and his company have begun work at Vitagraph's Hollywood studios on "The Girl in His House," a forthcoming Blue Ribbon feature. This pictude, which gives every promise of being one of Mr. Williams' best efforts, is adapted from the story of that name by Harold MacGrath, which was read by millions when it was run in serial form in The Ladies' Home Journal. .Mr. Williams and Grace Darmond, his leading woman, were scheduled to begin this picture some time ago under direction of Tom Mills, but were delayed by accident and illness in completing "The Seal of Silence." First, Mr. Williams, when bathing off Santa Barbara, suffered an injury to his foot and was laid up for a week. The morning he reported back at the studio Miss Darmond was struck by an automobile and took an enforced vacation of a week. And then Director Mills suffered an attack of the grippe and was kept indoors another week. Finally the three got together and the picture was finished and shipped last week to Vitagraph's Brooklyn plant and work begun in earnest on "The Girl in His House." Scene from "An Alien Enemy," Paralta play starring Louise Glaum. Buys New House A. H. Jackson of Fremont, Ohio, has purchased control of the Fremont Opera House and after making improvements will present special pictures, vaudeville and road shows, and other entertainment where large seating capacity is essential. The Strand Theatre, a picture house of which he is the owner, is to be enlarged.