Moving Picture World (July-Dec 1909)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 879 oceans of wheat are stored in the grain elevators. Finally we see the Wheat King in the midst of his glory buried under an avalanche of the very commodity with which he has so sordidly juggled. A dramatic ending to a powerful object lesson. As a moving picture "A Corner in Wheat" is educational, emotional and impressive and well sustains the prestige of the Biograph Company in all respects. * * * THE HEROINE OF MAFEKING. (Selig.) Elsewhere in this number reference is made to "masterpieces of moving picture work." Outstanding in this respect among many feature films of the past week's releases is "The Heroine of Mafeking," simply announced by the Selig Polyscope Company as "a notable war picture." The melodramatic interest is slight, even the part the heroine plays is comparatively small, and the interior scenes and settings, if they detract from the general effect, they at least serve to bring out in marked contrast the various magnificent military spectacles. But it is hypercritical to even point out small defects in such a stupendous work. From the point of view of the showman — the exhibitor — it would be hard to conceive a film subject that would more likely be a winner, equally impossible to find a producer that could stage it to better purpose. In themes like these Selig has his forte and in this particular one he is seen at his best. The realism of the war scenes, the accoutrements of the soldiers, even the landscape, make it hard for the expert, let alone the dilletante, to realize that some of the scenes were not taken in South Africa at the time of the Boer War. Hundreds of soldiers, mule teams dragging cannon, an ox-cart with six pairs of oxen, horses, and even Red Cross nurses, all combine to give the touch of realism. Of course there is shooting and gruesome evidence of the fact that "war is hell." We are fascinated, spellbound, till the scene changes and the film closes with a touch of sentiment and home life that helps to break the spell and we are reminded by the diamond "S" as the film flashes off the screen that Selig has again scored. * * * THE LIVING DOLL. (G. Melies.) A Christmas picture story that combines American sentiment and ideas with the magic art of the French producer is G. Melies' release of the 15th. Really pleasing and well worked out, it shows a little girl all expectation and excitement on Christmas Eve, hanging up her stockings and being put to bed. She has a wonderful dream of being carried away by gypsies, lost in the wood, climbing a tree and seeing a church in the distance to which she finds her way and through the chancel window of which she sees visions of happy children receiving their Christmas gifts. Again she is lost in the woods and comes across the haunts of Santa Claus. Among the gifts she spies a big box with a doll with which she changes places and she is carried in Santa's aeroplane and dropped down the chimney of her parents' house. She awakens on Christmas morning to find that part of her dream is reality as one of her presents is the big doll about which she dreamed. As a children's picture this film will be highly entertaining and to the adults interesting. The magic effects are skillfully handled, especially where it shows the modern Santa Claus conveniently dispensing his gifts from an aeroplane instead of from the conventional reindeer sled. MOTION PICTURE MUSIC. Gregg A. Frelinger Compiler of Valuable New Work. Representing weeks of toil, a new musical work has been compiled by a musician which promises to make his name famous throughout the moving picture field of the United States. Gregg A. Frelinger (whose advertisement will be found on another page) is the author of the work and the product of his genius is a compilation of motion picture music. The selections consist of specially chosen numbers arranged and composed to fit the action, characters and scenes of all kinds of motion pictures. Mr. Frelinger is known as one of the best descriptive pianists in America and has been engaged in theatrical work for the past twenty years. For the last three years he has devoted much of his time to his new work. He has remained in motion picture theater work for the past few years for the sole purpose of perfecting his book, having refused many offers from leading vaudeville houses. Mr. Frelinger has the advantage of a thorough musical education, and this, coupled with his long theatrical experience, made him especially fitted for the task he has just completed." His new work is completely indexed and is intended for use in motion picture theaters. Every exhibitor should get a copy of this dollar book for his pianist, and give it to him as an Xmas present. It will be appreciated by him. NOTES FROM PENNSYLVANIA. Some of the Philadelphia exhibitors asked me to call the attention of the Board of Censorship to the film "In the Consomme." I do not believe that the manufacturers had any bad intention, yet we must admit that for certain prude persons, always ready to find a flaw, the picture is too suggestive. If the manufacturers wanted to mix a little more with the audiences they would benefit by some of the remarks heard in the show places and they would see their own productions as the public sees them. Many scenes look very natural to the manufacturer, as he knows his scenario and knows what he produces, but if those scenes are not very clear to the spectator, they leave a doubt and often give some ground to this "Too Suggestive." * * * Coatesville is enjoying some prosperity. The "Palace" is certainly one of the prettiest of country theaters, and I. Goldberg has spared no expense to make it the safest and best equipped house in Coatesville. The 350 chairs arranged in three rows and a good inclined floor offers a good view from any part of the house. The "Dreamland" is still doing a good business at the old stand under new management. The "World in Motion," an old frame building, does not appear a safe place. The name "World in Motion" is not the proper one for a house devoted to cheap vaudeville with very few pictures. The folks of Coatesville do not seem to care for cheap vaudeville, as the manager of the "World in Motion" has to coax them in by offering live turkeys. You go in, you receive a coupon, and if you are the lucky one you win the turkey. * * * Lancaster. — The town of surprises. Only three moving picture theaters for such an important town. I understand that many other shows would like to locate in Lancaster, but the stores and buildings are too valuable properties for 5 and 10-cent theaters. The most agreeable surprise was to find that the three moving picture managers are opposed to vaudeville and do not believe in giving too many reels or a too long show for 5 cents. On the other hand, the Family Theater is entirely devoted to vaudeville and does not show pictures. I wish other cities would copy Lancaster, as here the managers not showing vaudeville can show much better pictures. Another surprise which can benefit many exhibitors is the innovation made by George M. Krupa in the lighting of his place, the "Dreamland Theater." On the sides of the walls are electric lights covered with dark shades. The light falls on the chairs, enabling the spectators to see their neighbors, even read a paper, and the pictures on the screen appear as brilliant as in any other place. The "Scenic" and the "Dreamland" are showing first run of licensed pictures, while the "Palace" runs Independent productions. Lancaster, with its agreeable surprises, has not yet attained perfection, and had a bad surprise to offer me — the one of seeing the "Scenic" and the "Dreamland" in a bitter fight, showing the same programs. It is a fight for supremacy in which one of them will fall. As they show the same pictures the same day, a spectator leaving the "Scenic" does not care to go to the "Dreamland" to see the same program, and vice versa. If the two managers wanted to divide the first run, they would each make some money and give a chance to Lancastei to see the complete output of the licensed manufacturers, and Lancaster would be a model moving picture town. * * * Columbia is doing very good with three houses, notwithstanding the unfair competition of the Opera House, trying to get the cream of the business by offering five reels and several vaudeville acts. The "Alvin," showing licensed pictures, claims to be doing an excellent business and could not wish for better times. The "Happy Hour," also a licensed house, is satisfied with the business, and while there I greatly enjoyed the hearty laughing of a packed house at the comic "Hypnotic Cure" of Lubin. The "Grand" is satisfied with its share of the business and makes a specialty of showing good Independent pictures. The "Grand," like the "Alvin," is strongly opposed to vaudeville, while the "Happy Hour" believes that once in a while it can replace the song by a special vaudeville act. * * * Pittsburg. — The exchanges of this town seem to be prosperous. They do not select old, small buildings, but pride themselves in having up-to-date offices in every respect, and as they inspire more confidence, they do not seem to be so badly ill-treated by both exhibitors and operators. As to the theaters, they are numerous, and we will consider them in another letter. At the "Hiland Theater" I noticed that the screen was painted with a coat of aluminum, and the effects were remarkable on the pictures. J. M. B.