Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1036 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 22 Mutual to Distribute Hayakawa Films Eight Productions Announced for Period Covering Forty-Eight Weeks — First One July 15 EIGHT Sessue Hayakawa special productions, produced by the Haworth through the exchanges of the Mutual Film Pictures Corporation, will be distributed through the exchanges of the Mutual Film Corporation. The first of these pictures, now under the working title of "His American Birthright," has been completed and will shortly be ready for screening at Mutual projection rooms. The first picture will be released July 15, and will be available for pre-release to leading exhibitors by special arrangement. These special arrangements will be handled through the representatives of Haworth or by application to Mutual. The eight productions will be released at intervals through a period of fortyeight weeks. They will be presented in five or six parts. The negotiations for the distribution of the pictures have been conducted by Charles Greenberg, secretary of the Haworth Pictures Corporation, and James M. Sheldon, president of Mutual. Mr. Greenberg gives promise of a product of decidedly exceptional box office value. "We have set out to make Hayakawa pictures with a greater attention to vehicles and the refinements of production than the star has ever had before," said Mr. Greenberg. "Hayakawa has been thoroughly established with an earned reputation of stardom of the first magnitude. For a long time it has been true that his name on the billing means a big house and a long run. "We have proceeded, therefore, to lay out a line of production for him that will enable his box office value to demonstrate itself and exploit itself unhampered by any parallel releases or releasing conditions. "The cast in the first picture is certainly ample evidence of our sincerity of purpose in giving Hayakawa the ample support that will enable his best work. The cast includes Marion Sais and Tsuri Aoki — Mrs. Hayakawa — Mary Anderson, and several others who have played 'on their own' in productions of feature merit. The direction is by William Worthington. "Hayakawa has in our opinion a remarkably well established box office value. He is quite what one would call a 'natural star.' There has been nothing of artificial stimulation in his career. He has not been a creation of advertising and publicity. He has made his screen fame for himself, entirely out of his own ability and genius. That means a standing with the public that makes his pictures a sound investment for the motion picture exhibitor. "We have chosen the distribution facilities of the Mutual Film Corporation after an investigation which leads us to believe that through Mutual we will get the benefit of a service to the exhibitor which has been firmly established and well demonstrated. The Hayakawa pictures will, of course, be accompanied by a full line of exhibitor aids and advertising accessories which will be in keeping and in quality with the pictures themselves." Papers to Boost Normand Film In furtherance of its advertising campaign for Mabel Normand's newest Goldwyn picture, "Joan of Plattsburg," Goldwyn has arranged for the publication in more than 200 American and Canadian newspapers of a full-page fiction version of Porter Emerson Browne's story, illustrated with stills from the production. Mr. Browne himself has prepared the article and Goldwyn has had it prepared for newspaper use in 7 and 8-columnpage matrices, which are being sent to all newspapers requesting them. Goldwyn has directed its branch managers and salesmen to make every effort to tie up the publication of the story with the showing of the picture. Theatre owners also will work through newspapers with which they advertise. Benjamin Chapin Honored In recognition of his services in visualizing the life and character of Abraham Lincoln for posterity, Benjamin Chapin has been honored by the Lincoln Memorial University of Cumberland Gap, W. Va., which has conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Literature. This information has just been transmitted to Mr. Chapin by the following telegram: "It gives me much pleasure to announce that the degree of doctor of literature was conferred upon you at the annual commencement of the Lincoln Memorial University in the college auditorium, in recognition of your distinguished services in interpreting the life and character of Abraham Lincoln. Cordially yours, Dr. George A. Hubbell, president." Chapin conceived the idea of perpetuating the character of Lincoln in films five years ago, and recently announced the completion of his labors in "The Son of Democracy," a series of ten two-reel subjects, each a separate story of America in the making. The Famous Players-Lasky Corporation released these subjects under the Paramount trade-mark. Buys Three Theatres C. E. Stillwell of the Stillwell Amusement Company of Spokane has bought the Rose Theatre, Colfax, Wash., and two other motion picture houses, one in Moscow and one in Pullman. J. S. Nelson, formerly a salesman for Mutual in the Spokane territory, is managing the theaters. Irving Cummings and Barbara Castleton in the new World picture, "The Heart of a Girl: