Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1018 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, Xo. 21. Notes of the Industry In General BRIEF NEWS OF NEW YORK IN PARTICULAR up ERSHIXG'S Crusaders." the big United * States government war feature, packed the Grand Opera House in Cincinnati at every performance during a week's run beginning April 29. Every attendance record in the history of this capacious house was broken and the demands of hundreds of people anxious to see the film resulted in an extension of the run for another week. In active charge of the initial showing was W. J. Benedict, acting for the Committee on Public Information. From Cincinnati "Pershing's Crusaders" went to the Opera House in Cleveland, opening there on May 12, thence to Chicago, where a two weeks' run begins on May 20. George Bowles has charge of the booking arrangements and his long experience with such features as "The Birth of a Nation" and "Intoler, ance" is a sufficient guarantee that the United States will be more than capably represented. 4 4. 4 That the people of the motion picture studios have responded gallantly to the government's call for war workers is well known and nowhere have they done better work than at the Hollywood Gauze Station in support of the Red Cross, which has made an excellent record lately under the leadership of Mrs. Tesse L. Lasky, Mrs. Cecil B. De Mille and Mrs. Wilfred Buckland. The Hollywood station was organized by Mrs. De Mille, who soon had a large force of women and girls from the studios, who went to the station to take instruction in the making of the much needed surgical dressings and bandages. Later Mrs. De Mille was transferred to the Los Angeles Gauze Station Headquarters, but she retained the honorary chairmanship of the branch. Mrs. Lasky and Mrs. Buckland are now' in charge of the station. Prominent among the teachers are Mrs. William C. De Mille. Mrs. Wellington Wales and Miss Peggy Hagar. 4* 4* 4 The Yorke-Metro Company, which produces the Harold Lockwood features for Metro, has moved its base of operations from Metro's West Coast studios to a plant of its own at 1329 Gordon street, Hollywood. Prior to the company's occupancy, extensive alterations and additions Were made in the plant and in its equipment to increase production facilities. The first picture the Lockwood company will put on in its new home will be "A King in Khaki," a romantic drama, based on Henry Kitchell Webster's novel of that name. In spite of its warlike title, "A King in Khaki" does not deal with a war subject of any order. Fred J. Balshofer made the adaptation of the book for screen purposes and will also direct the production. 4 4 4 Three changes in the management of its exchanges were announced during the week by General Film Company. H. K. Evans, well known in theatrical and moving picture circles, has assumed charge of the Minneapolis branch. He was formerly manager of the Pathe exchange at St. Louis and has had a wide selling experience. Irving C. Jacocks, a former General Film employe, has returned to assume the management of the New Haven General Film office, succeeding W. V. Hart, who will in the future be attached to the New York City exchange. H. E. Elder has been transferred from the St. Louis office, which he managed for a long time, and he now takes charge of the Washington office. 4, 4, 4. Charles Ray was easily the star of a baseball game at Vernon, California, last Sunday, between the team of the Fox studio and a team made tip of players from all the studios on the coast. Charlie drove in the first run for the All-Star team, figured in a triple steal, as well as stealing two bases himself. He fielded without an error, and one would never have thought to watch him play that he had not played baseball for six years. The following three days, however, Charlie confessed to being rather stiff. The game was played for the benefit of the Red Cross and a tidy sum was raised. 4, 4. 4. Raymond B. West, the Paralta director, who has staged more of that company's _ productions than any other director, is suffering from a broken arch in his left foot. Mr. West believes that the fracture is due to natural weakness of the bone brought on by the constant use of his feet in driving his automobile. He is anxiously awaiting sufficient recovery so that he will be able to undertake the production of J. Warren Kerrigan's next Paralta play, "Toby," which he has been chosen to direct. With the death of Louis A. Cella, millionaire, St. Louis has lost one of the most powerful theater magnates in the West. Mr. Cella and his wife were both ill at the same time and both died within four days of each other. Mr. Cella had the controlling interest in several of the best theatres in St. Louis. They are the American, Orpheum, Grand Opera House, Park, Shenandoah, Kings, Columbia and Strand. Mr. Cella's estate is estimated at $12,000,000. The deceased couple had no children and the estate will go to relatives of Mrs. Cella. 4" 4' 4" Douglas Fairbanks is back in Los Angeles after his Liberty Loan tour. He was greeted on his return by his brother, John Fairbanks, and taken to his home in Hollywood. At noon Douglas put on his makeup for some new scenes of "Say, Young Fellow," staged in the yard of the Hauser Packing Company. His week of roughing it in .the foothills of Montana restored the "pep" and good humor that is characteristic of this star. He sold ?S, 000,000 worth of Liberty Bonds during his tour. 444 "Mother" Mary Maurice, most beloved of the older school of screen actresses and a member of of the Vitagraph company for eight years, was buried at Port Carbon, Pa., where she died on May 3. President Albert E. Smith, of Vitagraph. with officials, players and studio attaches, paid a beautiful tribute to the memory of the charming woman who had been their associate for so long. A large floral piece sent by them was laid on her grave. 4. 4, 4, Frank R. Willey, who has been connected with World for some time as a news photographer, has resigned his position to accept the position of news photographer for the Y. M. C. A. in Europe. Mr. Willey will take "stills" and motion pictures of the Y. M. C. A. huts and other establishments and the photos he takes will be used in the forthcoming drive for additional funds with which to further the work of this organization. 4. 4, 4, Ora Carew finds it very hard to have a straight picture taken of herself these days, ever since she started work in the latest Pathe serial. "The Wolf-Faced Man," in which she is seen as the wicked heavy. Ora says that every time she goes into a photographer's now they immediately trot out the well worn tiger rug and the peacock feathers, and want her to roll up in a piece of clinging silk and look her vampiest. Jane Novak, zvho supports William S. Hart in "Selfish Yates," his latest Artcraft picture. Edward Earle. Vitagraph star, was made a member of the Liberty Loan League in New York last week in recognition of his work for the Third loan. Although he is a Canadian, "Eddie" has been in the United States so long he considers himself one of us, and in the loan campaign worked with all the vim and ardor of which he is possessed. He started work as soon as the drive began and in the last week was instrumental in getting more than $50,000 in subscriptions within forty-eight hours. 444 A benefit performance for the Women's Homeopathic Hospital Unit of New York was given at the Strand Theatre there one afternoon last week under the auspices of the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. It attracted an enthusiastic audience which packed the theatre and contributed a good sum for the fund. The program included speeches by Charles Fairchild, Jessica Lozier Payne, Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey and Dr. Royal S. Copeland. 444 Wyndham Standing, the popular English actor, has just completed his work in "The Hushed Hour," which Harry Garson, manager for Clara Kimball Young, is producing. Standing liked his role very much and also the play, which he thinks entirely different from anything ever flashed on the screen before. The picture has a great cast including Blanche Sweet, Wilfred Lucas, Gloria Hope, Mary Anderson and Milton Sills. 4, 4 4 Clarence Badger, who is directing Mabel Xormand's Goldwyn productions, gave a little dinner party at his apartment on Riverside Drive. Xew York City, last week, and the guest of honor was Maej Marsh, the Goldwyn star. "Bunny" Marsh, Mae's brother, is Badger's cameraman, and "Bunny" was there with his better half, and Badger and his wife did all they could to see that all had a most enjoyable evening. 4 4, 4. I. W. Keerl, one of the best known men in the Los Angeles motion picture colony, has been appointed secretary of Sherman Productions, Inc., by Harry A. Sherman, the president and general manager. Mr. Keerl, prior to his present affiliation, was vice-president of the Corona Cinema Company. In his new position he will have entire charge of the business management of Dustin Farnum's feature company. 4 4. 4 Between starting a new William Russell production, and his new car, Director Henry King is a very busy young man. "Hobbs in a Hurry" is the working title of the new production King has just started on, and which he thinks should even surpass the two previous Russell productions, the first films made with Russell at the head of his own company and released on the Mutual program. 4 4* 4* After playing to full houses for four weeks at the American Theatre in St. Louis, former Ambassador Gerard's "My Four Years in Germany" opened May 5 at the New Grand Central picture house for an indefinite period. The American kept up its prices of 50 cents to $1.50 throughout the run of the picture. The New Grand Central will not raise its prices from the usual 25 cents. 444 Mary Pickford has commenced work on "Captain Kidd. Jr.," following her return from her Liberty Loan tour, and William D. Taylor, who produced her last Artcraft feature, "How Could You, Jean?" is directing her again. The little Artcraft star plans to take a long vacation and build herself a home in the mountains after making two more features following "Captain Kidd, Jr." 4 4. 4 Director "Ted" Sloman of the American Film Company went back on the stage again for a brief engagement of one night on May 7. He appeared in "The Wolf" at the Potter Theatre in Santa Barbara for the benefit of Belgian soldiers in German camps. The play was put on by members of the American company and drew a packed house. SJoman was one of the original members of the Xew York cast. 4 4 4 Bert Lytell is nursing a twisted ankle, the first casualty the young Metro star has suffered since his arrival on the Pacific coast. The accident occurred while Lytell was at Balboa on location for his forthcoming picture, "No Man's Land." During a chase over the rocks on the beach a wave broke in front of the star and he slipped on some seaweed, falling heavily between two boulders.