Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 1, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY 1057 Contrasting scenes from the new Triangle picture, "Old Loves for New," featuring Margery Wilson. 4 'Over the Top" Continues Its Triumph Proves Powerful Recruiting Argument as Well as an Entertaining Photoplay, Bringing Many to the Colors 1 1 /^vVER THE TOP," Vitagraph's war V— ' special, in which Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey plays the leading role, continues its sweep across the country. Among the new bookings reported from the office of Walter W. Irwin, general manager of the Vitagraph distributing organization, are two of exceptional importance. In St. Louis, Martin Beck, head of the Orpheum vaudeville circuit, has booked the picture for an indefinite run in the Orpheum Theatre, the newest and finest house in the Beck chain. This is a remarkable tribute, marking the first time that Mr. Beck has permitted a motion picture to dislodge vaudeville in this house. The St. Louis run will be inaugurated this week. In Chicago "Over the Top" will open for an indefinite run at the Auditorium on May 26. This will be the first showing of "Over the Top" in the Windy City and a successful engagement is predicted for it, based on record-breaking business in another big western city — Minneapolis— where it is playing to overflow crowds at the New Garrick Theatre. It is booked indefinitely in Minneapolis. "Over the Top," judging from reports emanating from widely separated sections, is a good barometer of the American war spirit and shows that the North and the South, the East and the West, are all united in patriotic purpose. It also has demonstrated that the public is avid in its desire for photoplays which reproduce faithfully conditions in the trenches and show how the personal element enters into trench warfare, so graphically portrayed by Empey and the American soldiers who appear with him in Vitagraph's production. Albert E. Smith, president of the Vitagraph company, in transferring Empey's vivid experiences to the screen, has not only caused a magnificent picture to be added to the film world's record of achievements, but he and Wilfrid North, who directed it, have supplied the United States government with a powerful recruiting argument. The manager of the Strand Theatre, in Erie, Pa., where the picture was booked for a week, ran it nine days and stated that it not only broke his box-office record, but also was instrumental in increasing enlistments. An army officer, he declared, told him that enlistments during the run increased by 100 per cent and he attributed it to the influence of Empey and "Over the Top." In a letter received by Mr. Irwin, the Strand manager, W. J. Hayes, wrote: " 'Over the Top' broke the record at the Strand on receipts. That means a tremendous business, for we felt that we had probably reached the top when we played 'The Battle Cry of Peace' to 30,000 people. No first-class house can afford to miss running this picture. It is splendid war propaganda and unquestionably induced many to enlist in Erie. It had the house going at all times and is a money-maker. It is a picture with which the exhibitor can feel that he is serving his country from a patriotic view." In Atlanta, where the picture opened at the Criterion Theatre, Monday, May 13, for a two weeks' run, the engagement was turned into a drive for enlistments, with the army officials of Fort McPherson working in co-operation with the exhibitor. Each day there is a military parade with the regimental band of Fort McPherson giving a concert at the theatre and twenty marines have been assigned to recruiting duty at the house during each performance. Miracle Scene in "Salome" A scene in the forthcoming Theda Bara super-production, "Salome," that is certain to arouse wide interest, is that in which a bolt of lightning from a clear sky wrecks the God Jove that both Salome and Herod worshipped. J. Gordon Edwards, the director, called together the members of the Fox technical department at the Hollywood studios and told them just what was wanted. After much experimentation, an ingenious arrangement was made to give the effect desired. In order that Miss Bara herself might register the same sur'prise and fear that Salome must have shown, nothing was said to the star about the coming "miracle." At a signal from Director Edwards, when all the lights had been turned off, a great ball of fire descended with the roar of a comet from the studio roof and headed straight for the Jove. With a loud report and a flash of flame, the bolt struck its objective, shattering the idol. Celebrities Are "Doubled" Exceptional success in reproducing on the screen famous persons now living is reported in the forthcoming Fox production of "The Caillaux Case," dealing with recent French history. The ex-premier, Joseph Caillaux, his beautiful wife, Henriette Caillaux, Gaston Calmette, slain editor of "Figaro," and Bolo Pasha, the traitor to France who was recently executed, are reproduced on the screen with an amazing similarity of feature and mannerisms. Takes Over New House Manager Osborne of the Star Theatre, Kitchener, Ontario, has announced that he is taking over the new Regent Theatre at Guelph, Ontario, from Reinhardt and Collins. Osborne takes possession on June 1.