Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 22, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY 11811 Notes of the Industry In General BRIEF NEWS OF NEW YORK IN PARTICULAR New York C L. ROTHAPFEL, managing director of the |J' Rialto and Rivoli Theatres, told a story the other day which justifies the belief that German submarines have been lurking off the Atlantic coast for more than a month. "On May 3," said Mr. Rothapfel, "while en route to Key West on a coastwise steamer with two camera men to get motion pictures of various United States Marine Corps encampments, we sighted a German submarine off Jupiter Light. The submarine was being towed by a Norwegian tramp steamer and appeared to be between 200 and 300 feet long. It seemed to be only about four miles away from us, and with the glasses we could easily discern the conning tower, periscope and one gun mounted forward. One of the steamer's officers declared that he could see the towing rope with the naked eye. We immediately made an official report of the discovery to naval authorities at Key West, and understand that hydroplanes and chasers were dispatched to search for the craft." On Mr. Rothapfel's return to New York the marine publicity bureau suggested that he refrain from discussing or publishing the discovery at that time. A peculiar coincidence enabled him to relate the incident. Just before the dispatches telling of a German submarine's work off the Jersey coast were received, Mr. Rothapfel was giving a private screening of the Marine Camp pictures. Among those invited to see the films was Colonel A. S. McLemore of the Marine Corps Headquarters at Washington, and when the extras cried the news of the sinkings Colonel McLemore permitted Mr. Rothapfel to make public the discovery he made a month ago. 4. 4, 4, Metro stars and employes have responded nobly to the call of the government to boost War Savings Stamps and raise funds for the Red Cross. Rita Jolivet has gone to Cleveland to talk to the audiences at the Stillman Theatre on the value of War Savings Stamps, in connection with the appearance of the Screen Classics production, "Lest We Forget." Viola Dana has been one of the most indefatigable of all Metro's stars in the interests of the recent Red Cross drive. Miss Dana appeared every day of the week at the Loew circuit of theatres, obtaining many thousands of dollars. Baby Ivy Ward is another Metro player who worked hard in the interests of the Red Cross and succeeded in adding materially to its funds. Richard Barthelmess, who will play the leading juvenile part with Nazimova in her next Screen Classics feature, addressed audiences in leading theatres. 4. 4. 4, Due to the patriotic interest displayed by D. J. Sullivan, assistant general manager of the Mutual Film Corporation, "Our Boys in France Tobacco Fund" will receive a real impetus in connection with "My Lady Nicotine," a one reel MutualS'trand comedy. Arrangements have just been made between Mr. Sullivan and Bert Ennis, director of publicity for the fund, whereby the comedy will be shown in conjunction with the work of supplying the soldiers with the muchneeded "smokes." The thirty-two branch exchanges of Mutual have been supplied with subscription blanks and a series of patriotic posters advertising "Our Boys in France Tobacco Fund" with which to supply the various exhibitors who run "My Lady Nicotine." The money contributed by the fans will then be turned over to the fund. 4. 4, 4, Announcement is made by General Film that it has taken over the distribution of "The Ne'er Do Well." the Selig ten-reel production of the famous Rex Beach story. "The Ne'er Do Well" is a red-blooded story, staged amid rich scenes of tropical splendor, and provides an almost endless series of thrills and suspense. It was filmed for the most part in Panama with the canal as the location for manv of the scenes. Wheeler Oakman and Kathlyn Williams appear in the leading roles, supported by a capable cast of players. The storv recounts the efforts of the scapegoat son of a New York millionaire to make good in new surroundings and has a strong element of romance. 4, 4, 4, L. D. Wolfe, recently connected with the V. L. S. E. exchange at Syracuse. New York, has been appointed manager of the General Film exchange at Buffalo, succeeding F. Flarity, who resigned last week to enter the national army. C. D. Hill, acting manager of the Indianapolis exchange, also drafted, has been succeeded as acting manager by C. W. McDaniel, who has been transferred to that post from the Chicago exchange, where he has been acting as a traveling representative. -T T~ "fr 4? 4" The Famous Players-Lasky district managers adjourned their New York meeting last week, after six days of discussion at which the plans for the season of 1918-19 were thoroughly discussed and decided upon. Details of the new year's releases will be announced shortly. The managers at the meeting were: Harry Asher, Boston; William E. Smith, Philadelphia; James Steele, Pittsburgh; Max Goldstine, Chicago; A. D. Flintom, Kansas City; C. E. Tandy, Atlanta; Louis Marcus, Salt Lake City, and Herman Wobber, San Francisco. Territorial meetings are next. 4. 4, 4, Called to the colors under the draft, Gerald B. Speiro, who has been in the publicity department of the Fox Film Corporation for the last two years, has been sent to Camp Wadsworth at Spartanburg, S. C. Early in the war Mr. Speiro, who is a graduate of Columbia, volunteered for the aviation section of the Signal Corps, but was rejected because of defective eyesight. Before his departure, Mr. Speiro was presented with a wrist watch by his friends. 4. 4, 4, The appointment of A. J. Nelson, formerly manager of the Washington (D. C.) exchange, as special representative, with headquarters at the home office in New York, is announced this week by General Film. Among the other duties Mr. Nelson will superintend the work of the traveling auditors. He is well-known in film circles, having been employed in the auditing department of the General Film home office prior to his entry into the sales department. Los Angeles DEGULATION of the motion picture plants **• within the city limits, rather than the removal of any of them, is the prophesied policy of the Council. The Public Welfare Committee heard both sides of the question and finally decided to take it under advisement, and request the city attorney for advice as to the legal features involved. Little or no objection was raised to the location of the studios, but some of the persons living near them complained about unusual noises. The city attorney said that most of these objections are of no consequence, because they can be remedied by merely applying the present laws. Thomas B. Ince conferring over script with Sid Grauman, managing director of Granman's new million dollar theatre, Los Angeles. William Mead, representing the Chamber of Commerce, urged the council to take no drastic action, pointing out that the motion picture industry is one of the biggest in Southern California, and should be encouraged. Mr. Mead said, however, no one would object to an ordinance which will permit the enlargement of the studios upon a small scale. It is believed more than probable that the zones will be left almost as they now are, and the producers will be compelled to go into the one big zone south of the Hollywood cemetery, if they want larger quarters. 4, 4. 4. S. C. Burr, assistant to Production Manager O. L. Sellers during the H. O. Davis regime at the Triangle Culver City studios, has been promoted. With the advancement of Mr. Sellers to assistant to President H. E. Aitken, Burr is now production manager. Other promotions have made M. D. Gardner assistant production manager and J. Scott Sayer casting director in charge of the free Triangle booking and employment bureau. 4. 4, 4, William Russell is confined to his home with a severely injured knee. The accident which resulted in Mr. Russell's injury occurred at the end of a big day's work near Summerland, at the conclusion of which Mr. Russell and his company were to have left for Los Angeles, there to finish the third of the William Russell productions, "Hobbs in a Hurry." A double-action gun has been forgotten and the property boy started back over a half mile of hill-top for it. "Never mind, sonny, I'll get it for you," volunteered Mr. Russell, and he and his horse disappeared. Turning a sharp curve of mountain ledge, the horse slipped and crushed Mr. Russell up against the side of the mountain. 4. 4, 4. Ashton Dearholt, up to the present time, has enjoyed the reputation of being a man of his word. But he has brought upon himself a task which anyone will admit is a difficult one. It happened the other day out at Universal City, where Ashton in the makeup of Victor King, which role he essays in the serial, "The Brass Bullet," was waiting to rush into a set and King things about a little. Near were several other members of the company. They were talking of scripts and each one confessed to being the author of one or more "corking ones." "Why don't you sell them, then?" asked Ashton. "Why, anyone can sell scripts. There is no trick about that. I could go right tomorrow and — " But that was as far as he got, for at once several manuscripts were thrust upon him and now, as a matter of principle, if nothing else,, he has to find buyers for them. 4, 4, 4. William S. Hart is about to reduce himself to the position of bartender for the benefit of the Red Cross. This drop from his social elevation will take place at the Lasky studio in Hollywood Saturday, when thousands are expected to attend a big Red Cross fair. Mr. Hart is having erected in a conspicuous corner, a typical barroom of the early western days and of sufficient dimensions to accommodate many man-sized thirsts in the course of the evening. The tables will be attended by dance-hall girls, the waiters will be the choice of the studio's cowpunchers, while the bar will be tended by Mr. Hart himself. But remember, Los Angeles is dry, so the beverages will all be soft. 4. 4. 4. Edward Earle is easy to please when it comes to "the ideal girl." As far as he is concerned, it is only necessary — That her eyes misbehave only in the direction of her escort ; that her hair be her own ; that she adjust her complexion so that it does not come off on a fellow's coat; that she be neither overdone nor underdone mentally, and that her only decoration be that of the Red Cross. Calling to mind Mr. Earle's leading women in recent Vitagraph pictures, one cannot help but realize that Mr. Earle's taste is beyond reproach. 4, 4, 4. Edna Earle lost her car. Immediately the event was reported to the police. Edna Earle found her car. She neglected to report this event to the police. Therefore, when in, the midst of the engrossing occupation of maneuvering the car around the trafficky corner of S'eventh and Broadway she was apprehended by a "cop." She had to call upon friends who have offices in that vicinity to prove that she had a right to the car. 4. 4. 4, Eddie Ring Sutherland and his trustv car that knocks, misses and strands Eddie daily by the roadside between the beach and Hollvwood, will miss their boon companion, Owen Moore, who departed for New York this week. Mr. Moore will undoubtedly miss his friend Eddie, but there