Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1190 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 25 are those who believe that he went to New York purposely to escape invitations to ride in Eddie's car. 4. 4. <$. Montgomery, Rock and Howe, that Big V Comedy team, turns out good comedies. This may be because Earl Montgomery was once a gambolier in Alaska. Joe Rock was a physical-training instructor, and Director Jay A. Howe answers to the nick-name of "Kitty," because whenever a pinochle kitty is the issue Mr. Howe is always sure to be the winner. 4. 4. 4. Charles Gunn went gunning for whatever it is people gun for right now in the mountains. Naturally, one expected to see him return with game of some description swinging over his shoulder. Instead, he returned with a string of fish. And there are several who would like to solve the mystery of how he did it. 4. 4. 4, Norman Kerry has taken his up-to-the-minute wardrobe, his small but lance-like moustache and all the "pep" for which he is noted, out to the Olive Thomas Company at the Triangle Culver City studios, where he will have leading man honors opposite Miss Thomas. 4. 4, 4. Jack Cunningham is threatened with a trip to New York. He has completed the Astra-Pathe serial, "Hands Up," and is trying to figure out how he can spend three months in New York without missing California. There are many who assure him it can't be done. Here and There LIAL HODES, assistant sales manager of Jawel * * Productions, has written a letter of congratulations to Erwin J. W. Huber, editor of the Pictture Plays News of Rochester, New York, on the recent publication of "The Liberty Blast," a remarkable paper which described, in its one and only edition, the "capture" by the Germans of New York. Boston and other vital sea ports. It was published by Mr. Huber and Rochester newspapermen as an impetus to the last Liberty loan drive and created much talk. Flaming headlines across the front page announced that the Huns had captured New York and were on their way inland, with details of the atrocities committed by the invaders. How the inadequate defenses of the American cities speedily fell before the attack and how everything of value was captured, was described with vivid terms. At the bottom of the page was a box that announced that "all this has not happened yet, but it will happen if the Liberty loan is not subscribed." The papers were distributed free to patrons of moving picture theaters, although many other persons obtained copies. Some enterprising newsboys reaped a harvest^ bv selling copies on the street to eager and excited purchasers. 4. 4. 4, Ready to turn his talents in the photographic line to good account for Uncle Sam, Sergeant Philip J. Armand of New York, a former Metro cameraman, is a student at the United States Army School of Aerial Photography at Kodak Park in Rochester, New York. Armand, who enlisted as a private four months ago, recently won the rank of sergeant, first class, which is considerable jump in so short a time. Sergeant Armand has been in the picture game for nine years. He was born in Lyons, France, 26 years ago, which has much to do with his eagerness to go back there and help rid the country of the Huns. For the last three vears he has been chief cameraman for Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne. Twice since the war broke out Sergeant Armand has been over to France to take pictures, so he is more or less familiar with conditions there. He hopes soon to be sent to Columbia University in New York to complete his course in military work. His wife is Maud Rabel, toe dancer of the New York Hippodrome, which is one reason why he is anxious to be transferred to the big city. 4. 4, 4, Fred KimDton Abbott, former director in the studio of • David Davidson, Providence, Rhode Island, who is in the photographic division of the aviation corps, was seriously wounded last January and has been in a hospital in Paris since that time, according to a cablegram received bv Mr. Davidson. Corporal Abbott enlisted in the French ambulance service a year ago and later obtained his discharge when the branch he was in was taken over by the United States. He then enlisted in the army and was transferred to the aviation corps and assigned to the photographic division. He was later made a corporal. The message does not indicate the nature of Corporal Abbott's wounds, but the fact he has been in the hospital four months indicates they were of a serious nature. Corporal Abbott is well known to the trade in New York, where for several years he was engaged in the Edison studios as assistant director and camera man. Visualizing the history of the war from the standpoint of the state and government is work in which the David Davidson studios of Providence, Rhode Island, are engaged in. Since the break with Germany Mr. Davidson and his co-workers have been busily engaged in filming war preparations and activities in Rhode Island and vicinity. Camera men have visited many places where soldiers and sailors are on duty. Two former camera men of the studios who are serving in France are filming scenes there which will be sent to this country after the war. In this manner Mr. Davidson hopes at the end of the war to be able to present a complete history of Rhode Island's part in the war at least. 4. 4, 4, The Grand Theatre, Cincinnati, has been turned over to the committee in charge of "The Remaking of a Nation," which will be shown at that theatre for two weeks. The picture depicts scenes of the military life in Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, and is certain to be of vast interest to those who have relatives there. Joseph Greiner, who is the man in charge of the local showing, is arranging a big advertising campaign. Mr. Greiner expects to spend $2,000 on newspaper advertising alone, besides which he will distribute hand bills and paste billboards all over the city. A miniature barracks will be built in the front of the theatre to attract the attention of the passersby. 4, 4> 4. S. T. Stephens, southern supervisor of the Mutual Film Corporation, has returned to his headquarters at New Orleans after spending a week at the executive offices in Chicago in conference with President James M. Sheldon and members of the Mutual executive force. Mr. Stephens' territory has been enlarged and the New Orleans exchange, which has long been under his personal management, has been placed in charge of Al Durling, to give Mr. Stephens more freedom in the supervision of his territory. J. M. Cummings has been appointed manager of the Mutual branch at Washington, D. C, one of the exchanges under Mr. Stephens' supervision. 4. 4, 4, E. C. Jensen, who for some time has been western manager for World Pictures with headquarters in San Francisco, is among the other World men now in the army. Mr. Jensen answered the call of the May draft from his board in Brooklyn and was assigned to service at Camp Upton, Long Island. Mr. Jensen, who is but twenty-three years old, has covered America from coast to coast and from Canada to Mexico in the interests of World Pictures during the past two years. His genial smile and his ready humor have endeared him to hundreds of exhibitors who will hear of his army service with much interest. 4, 4, 4, Residents of one of the most sedate sections of Rochester, New York, were disturbed in the midst of afternoon tea one day last week by thrilling sights and sounds on the streets. They proved to be caused by a busy corps of moving picture folks who were taking films to be shown in connection with a big "safety first" campaign that the city has been preparing for since last winter. The pictures are being made by the Eastman Kodak Company, under the direction of Julien H. Harvey, who is in charge of the "safety first" campaign for the Chamber of Commerce. 4. 4. 4, The sales force and other employes of Select's Buffalo exchange surprised and overwhelmed their retiring manager, Charles R. Rogers, on Saturday, June 1, when they trapped him in his office and presented him with a handsome seven-piece desk set. The occasion was in the nature of a double celebration. The gift was a token of appreciation to Mr. Rogers from his office force at the moment when he was leaving to assume charge of another branch, and also marked the conclusion of Rogers' first year in the Buffalo exchange. 4. 4. 4. Louis Waldman, twenty-four, for several years in the employ of General Film at various exchanges— his most recent employment being as booker at the Albany exchange — was drowned in the Hudson river on the eveningof June 5. While returning to Albany from Troy on a steamer, Waldman undertook the feat of swimming from the boat to the shore. Discarding some of his clothing, he jumped into the water and was making good progress when he was seized with cramps and sank from sight. 4, 4, 4. The total amount of the subscriptions made by the employes of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation to the Red Cross fund is $14,544, which is the answer to the appeal made by Adolph Zukor, president of the corporation, on behalf of the merciful work. Of this amount, $11,544 was donated by the New York offices and studios and $3,000 by the Pacific Coast offices and studios. 4 4 4 In connection with the showing of "My Four Years in Germany" at the Regent Theatre, in Rochester, New York, last week, the Americanization Committee of the Chamber of Commerce conducted a publicity campaign to announce the coming of former Ambassador Gerard in person to take part in a patriotic celebration on the Fourth of July. 4, 4, 4. James B. Kelley, otherwise known as "Smiling Jim," has been appointed branch manager at Dallas for General Film Company. He has been serving as special representative out of the Dallas office. He is one of the best known film men in the South and Southwest. 4, 4, 4. The war has made necessary a reorganization of the new Fox exchange in ^ Buffalo. George Hallett, booker, is now in training at Camp Dix, New Jersey; Philip Gentilli, shipper, is a quartermaster, third class, in the navy, and Paul Baron, office manager, is a yeoman, first class, in the navy. The exchange employs twenty-five persons in all. „anada A new picture of Tom Mix, Fox star, in the 'uniform of the Canadian Northwest mounted police. ""THE Princess Theatre, Sherbrooke, Queebec, ■1 one of the theatres affected by the Sunday closing order of the Sherbrooke court, has been sold to J. A. Bayeur by R. L. Vallee. The theatre has been temporarily closed for repairs and redecorations. 4, 4, 4, Along with the larger "legitimate" and vaudeville theatres of Montreal, a number of moving picture theatres have closed down for the summer months. The largest is the St. Denis. Another is the Rialto. The Rialto will be re-opened in a few weeks under new management. 4* 4* 4* Manager Brady of the Canada Theatre. Montreal, has enlisted in the Canadian army, and the management has been taken over by Joe Block, manager of the Globe Theatre. 4. 4, 4, Thomas Dalton McKenzie, manager of the Bijou Theatre, Calgary, Alberta, for a number of years, is dead, following an attack of pneumonia. Mr. McKenzie was born in Calgary twenty-six years ago and was well known in the city. For manv years he suffered from bronchial trouble, which followed an attack of diphtheria, and for a long time he has been in the habit of spending the winter months in California and Arizona. The theatre which he managed was owned by his father, J. A. McKenzie. The theatre was closed on the day that the funeral was held. 4. 4, 4. Phil Kauffman, the new Canadian general manager of the Select Pictures Corporation, has opened a branch office in Montreal. The manager is Ben Kauffman, brother of the general manager. The head office of the Canadian company is in the Hermant Building, Toronto.