Moving Picture World (Oct 1917)

October 6, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD Col. J. E. Brady, manager of the Manuscript Department of the Bluebird studios, has purchased for production by Director Joseph De Grasse "The Scarlet Car," by Richard Harding Davis. It will be made into a comedy-drama for Franklyn Farnum. "Heart's Blood," a drama which has been written by Miss Elaine Sterne, has been bought as a vehicle for Dorothy Phillips, the popular Bluebird star. Two stories, "The Old-Fashioned Gentleman" and "Anthony the Absolute," the former by F. Hopkinson Smith, and the latter by Sam Merwin, have become the property of the Manuscript Department and will be adapted for the screen shortly. Director Rupert Julian will produce them, featuring Miss Ruth Clifford and with himself and Monroe Salsbury in the cast. "Donna Perfecta," a Spanish romance, is another story which is scheduled for production by Director Julian in the near future. The production of a new five-reel western photoplay has commenced at Universal City under the direction of Jack Ford. It is entitled "The Range War." The story was written by Henry McRae, production manager at Universal City, and prepared for the screen by George Hively. Harry Carey is the featured player and is supported by Molly Malone, who plays opposite ; Buck Connors, Bill Gettinger and Vesta Pegg. Director Sherwood MacDonald has just completed what the Balboa management claims is "the best baby picture." It features Gloria Joy and is called "Sally O." Mr. MacDonald is the author of the story. William Russell has finished the comedy-drama entitled "Lucky Jim," written by his director, Edward Sloman. immediately the Russell company returned to Los Angeles for three or four shopping days in preparation for the next Russell feature. nario to screen. Our organization will be in touch with star and manufacturer during the actual production of the films. We are all partners, and upon the success of each depends the success of all. It is upon this co-ordination this bridging of the gap between manufacturer and public, that we base our certainty of success. "Our members regard their responsibility to the public as something which must be carefully guarded. The publicity of the exhibitor assumes more the function of promissory notes payable on demand than the general and often irresponsible national advertising announcements of the maufacturer. In a word, our members will have to bills; that's why they are going to be so particular about the type of picture they buy and show." Petrova on First National Circuit Frederick L. Collins, on Behalf of Superpictures Distributing Corporation, Completes Arrangement with New Combination. AN ARRANGEMENT has just been concluded between Superpictures Distributing Corporation and the First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., whereby the latter organization will distribute the forthcoming Petrova pictures. Madame Petrova is the first man star whose productions have been accepted for releasj by the Exhibitors Circuit, and the Petrova pictures will be the first series of features distributed by their exchanges. Like the Chaplin pictures, which have recently been acquired by the Exhibitors, the productions in which Madame Petrova appears are to be sold independently of all other productions under an exclusive Petrova contract. This arrangement means that the Petrova pictures will appear in more first run theaters in the United States and Canada than have previously been available for any other feature productions. This fact, together with the countrywide advertising publicity campaign to be conducted by Superpictures Distributing Corporation, guarantees to both large and small exhibitors everywhere attractions of unusual box office values. This contract was negotiated on behalf of the Exhibitor; by S. L. Rothapfel and J. D. Williams of New York and H. O. Schwalbe of Philadelphia, and on behalf of Superpictures Distributing Corporation by its president, Frederick L. Collins. Williams Expresses Satisfaction. "Mr. H. O. Schwalbe and Mr. S. L. Rosenthal of our board, who worked hard to consummate the big contract, regard the result as an ideal co-ordination of star, production ami distribution," stated Mr. Williams. Continuing, he said: "It is an expression of confidence and an appreciation of the strength of our circuit by a manufacturer who is staking the success of his scar's work and an immense amount ol money on our ability to properly market 'big pictures foi big exhibitors.' "Our members and board of directors arc well satisfied that Mme. Petrova's coming productions will prove populai with the patrons of their theaters, among which are numbered a firs] release house second i" none in every city of importance in the country. Pictures introduced to the publii by responsible exhibitors are e;i\en the prestige due the guest Of any host of acknowledged mi.il t.indmr \\ , ' that in introducing Mine. Petrova's productions we will not be sponsoring strangers from distanl studios hut instead debutantes whose careers we have watched Clara Williams Joins Par alt a CLARA WILLIAMS made an agreement with r-nralta Plays, Inc., during the recent visit of Carl Anderson, president of the Paralta organization to the west coast, under which a company headed by her will produce pictures at the Paralta studios in Hollywood. Her productions will be distributed under the executive directum oi Paralta Plays. Inc. Miss Williams and her c o in p a n y w ill begin work at once. Miss Williams came to the screen from the legitimate d r a m a t ic stage, on which she had been a most attractive figure for several years. She is a native of Seattle. Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was seven jreai age. Graduating from school, she became a pupil at Dobinson's dramatic academy in Los Angeles, w h e r e several Pacific Coast favorites received their early stage trainig Her first appearance Was in the role ot Clara Williams. "Lady Isabel" m "Has, Lynn" with t! Barbara Stock Company. She made a very good impression at her debut, and remained with that organization for the entire season. I.ea\ ing the Santa Barbara organization. Miss Williams joined Richard Jose, on tour in "Don't Tell My Wife." and then went into vaudeville with True Boardman in a sketch called "The Way of the West." In Denver G. M. An,!, : attracted by her unusual beauty, and persuaded 1 , sake the stage for the screen. So she made her debut in pictures with the Essanay Company, playing leads m onereelers. Deciding at the end ol a year and a half to ^,. back on the stage, she went to Chicago. Here she accepted iuent to go on the road in another playlet called "The Awakening." Then she joined Lubin in Philadelphia, where she remained for a year. Going with the Lubin Company to the Pacific Coast, she was approached by the V Motion Picture Corporation She accepted th< first nde with this company was in ••The Witch ol Miss Williams' most prominent screen IU( Bargain." "I he Col ,d "Tim ot Ma "Hell's Hinge W. E. GREENE BACK FROM VACATION. Walter E Greene, president of the Art>i poration, has returned to his ,u quai ters follow ing a well ago Mi i.i eene, aftei .<■■ extrei which he piloted Ins organization I hit his affairs in the hands ot hi life of a gentleman fanner at Ins rural hoi month. Mass. The most t, t tile pot l war garden last executive and dm ing his two » , . sonal attention. The fruil donated to one ol the V w \ such as are not on the soldi* ■