Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

June 22, 1918 MOTOGRAPHY 1191 Latest News of Chicago OF INTEREST TO ALL THE TRADE A ARON JONES, chief executive of Jones, Lin*» ick & S'chaefer, who has a directing finger in a score of Chicago's amusement enterprises, predicts that motion pictures will score as often as Ty Cobb this summer. He thinks it will be one of the best seasons on record, both for the downtown and outlying houses. "I saw a line extending two hundred feet out into Randolph street at the Colonial Theatre during a heavy downpour of rain last week," said Mr. Jones, "and if people can stand a drenching to see a picture I do not think a little torrid weather will bother them. Of course, Cleopatra, the picture at the Colonial, is an unusual picture, and I think I'd take a little ducking myself if I couldn't see this Fox masterpiece otherwise, but the report from motion picture houses generally is most encouraging. 'Tarzan of the Apes,' which also enjoyed a record run at the Colonial, will have one of the largest bookings locally of any picture in which I have been concerned. "The war films have done a lot to boost the picture business, too. Some people may say that the public gets enough of the war from the press and from personal relations and prefers light comedy for its amusement, but box office figures do not uphold this argument. The war films are educational and inspiring. Truthful delineation of the European horrors on the screen and stage awakens the public to the real situation and the desperateness of it. It inspires them to 'get into the game,' or, if they cannot actually get into it, to give for the support of those who do. "Much credit is to be given to men who produce such masterpieces as 'My Four Years in Germany,' 'The Unbeliever,' 'Hearts of the World,' and 'Over the Top.' "There is no doubt, too, that the popular price of the motion picture is very appealing to the masses these days. We should be glad that we can get such entertainment at from 15 cents to a dollar, and I am quite sure that the public is going to take that view of it throughout the coming warm months." 4 4, 4 Dorothy Dalton stopped over for a day in Chicago on her way from the West Coast to New York. Miss Dalton claims Chicago as her home town. _ On the afternoon of her visit, she greeted her friends at Orchestra Hall. Miss Dalton is enthusiastic over her next picture, written for her by H. H. Van Loan and in which she has the role of a French motion picture actress. The picture will show to the public many incidents in the life at a picture studio. The star's trip to New York is a combined vacation and business trip, since she expects to complete her wardrobe there for this role. 4. 4, 4. C. W. Bunn, manager of the central division of the United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., reports a keen interest on the part of exhibitors in the new United plan of distribution. "Under our system, not only will the exhibitors get better pictures at lower prices," he says, "but the producers will get a quicker and more sure profit, and will therefore have a greater incentive to make fine pictures. The future of the industry depends on good pictures. Anything that brings producer and exhibitor closer together helos both. This is the aim of the United Picture Theatres. We are signing up theatres raoidlv, and expect very soon to begin negotiations for features." 4, 4 4. An especially charming presentation was given the beautiful Paramount feature, "Prunella," starring Marguerite Clark, at Orchestra Hall last week. A dainty prologue introduced the play, an interpretive dancing act by Helen Dean and Allen York. The dancers wore Pierrot and Pierrette costumes fashioned after those in the play. The musical setting tor "Prunella." arranged by Arthur Dunham, the conductor of the orchestra, was unusually fitting. So out of the ordinary was the presentation that it was the subject of a special story in one of the mus'cal magazines. 4 w 4? Serjeant C. J. Daleiden, recruiting officer of the Marine Corps, who has been working with the Kleine-Edison feature. "The Unbeliever," at its presentations in the Chicago territory, has a brother in the theatre business, F. S. Daleiden, who is assistant manager of the California Theatre, Twenty-sixth and Trumbull streets, Chicago. Sereeant Daleiden and other local marines report many recruits through the influence of thf nicture. The great work of the marines, recorded in last week's war news, also increased enthusiasm. The boys are extremely proud of their brothers overseas. 4, 4. 4 H. A. Soanuth, president of the Commonwealth Pictures Corporation, is now releasing several of his noveltv feature films, the S'panuth Vod-A-Vil movies. These pictures are one reel in length and are of popular vaudeville acts, directed and produced with exceptionally good photographic effects. W. J. Keane, manager and owner of the Star Theatre on Madison street, is vice-president of the Commonwealth company. The Ziegfeld Theatre, South Michigan avenue, is showing these features each week. 4. 4. 4, The Ford cars supplied to the salesmen of the Chicago Universal offices may add to the efficiency of the staff, and again they may not. It depends upon how well the salesman can run the car. This is the opinion held by George Le Vine and Morris Hellman, who suddenly discovered there were many things they did not know about a Ford when they got stalled in the country last week, far from help. 4, 4, 4. Universal Pictures were prominent in the Loop last week. "The Model's Confession," starring Mary MacLaren, was shown for four days at the Orpheum and four days at the Casino, and won favorable reviews in the newspapers. "A Soul for Sale," the newest Jewel, starring Dorothy Phillips, played for three days at the Rose. "Five Thousand Dollars Reward," with Franklyn Farnum, played for three days at the Casino. 4, .4. 4, Arthur Bates, for years one of Essanay's leading character players, was called last week to join the colors. He left for Camp Wheeler at Macon, Georgia. His best characterizations were as old man parts in "The Man Trail" and "The KillJoy." He played comedy parts with Chaplin in his early Essanay comedies and later played leads in the Essanay comedies directed by Arthur Hotaling. 4, 4 4, L. C. Wheeler, acting superintendent of the federal bureau of investigation in Chicago, is going to Europe within a few days to direct distribution of United States government war films in the neutral and allied countries. _ The films show shipbuilding, manufacture of big guns, shipping of munitions, training of soldiers, and Americans in the battle lines of France. 4. 4. 4, Army officers were plentiful in the audiences at the Auditorium Theatre during the showing of the Vitagraph feature, "Over the Top," featuring Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey. They flocked to each performance for tips on the peculiarities of trench life and stated that _ they got a better idea of conditions from watching this play than from any other war picture. D. C. Miller, brother of Harry Miller and his associate in managing the Rose, Boston and Alcazar theatres, has enlisted in the Canadian army. Mr. Miller was twice rejected for physical disability by the United States authorities, but determined to do his utmost for his country he found a way to serve any way. 4. 4, 4, "Missing," the J. Stuart Blackton production of Mrs. Humphrey Ward's war novel, is the feature at Orchestra Hall this week. The song, "Bonnie Sweet Bessie," which plays an important part in the story, is sung at each showing by Permelia Newby Gale, contralto. "The Firefly of France," with Wallace Reid, will follow "Missing." 4. 4, 4, Prints of the newest Lois Weber Universal feature, "For Husbands Only," starring Mildred Harris, have arrived at the Universal offices. Irving Mack states that the picture is more of a comedydrama than anything Lois Weber has done before and is a very entertaining play. 4. 4 4. The first Paramount-Artcraft trade showing at Orchestra Hall was held Thursday morning. "Viviette," starring Vivian Martin, and "Love's Conquest," starring Lina Cavalieri, were screened. The Cavalieri picture is the week's bill at the Ziegfeld Theatre. 4 4, 4. The Harvard Theatre gave a special performance last week for the benefit of the Englewood groups of the Campfire Girls of America. The Taylor Holmes-Essanay comedy, "A Pair of Sixes," was the feature used. 4, 4 4, Dorothy Gish, Griffith star, was in Chicago last week and appeared at the Olympia Theatre in connection with "Hearts of the World," in which the played "The Little Disturber." Miss Gish told the audiences something of her experiences in the trenches during the taking of the picture. 4, 4, 4, A motion picture show for children was given recently for the Food for France fund at the home of Mrs. Harrison Parker, chairman of the children's auxiliary. Specially selected comedy reels were used. 4, 4, . 4, M. J. Weil, manager of the Castle Theatre, left June 7 for a two weeks' vacation trip through the East. He will visit Buffalo, Niagara Falls and New York City. How "Cleopatra" is going over in Chicago at the Colonial Theatre. ing line-up. This is a typical even