Moving Picture World (Jun 1916)

2036 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 17, 1916 federate army, who participated in the defense of Vicksburg over 50 years ago, was given a farewell party by his fellow players at the Vicksburg Hotel before leaving for Chicago on his way to the Los Angeles studios. Miss Eugenie Besserer gave me a glowing description of the scene in Vicksburg one evening, when one of the big war scenes was being taken. This magnificent spectacle, unfortunately, could not be included in the pictures taken by the camera. It was in the evening when the shades were falling, and fully 10,000 people — men, women and children of Vicksburg and its environs — occupied every vantage point as far as the eye could reach. "It was an inspiring sight, and it shall always remain wit.i me," said Miss Besserer. The production of "The Prince Chap" will soon begin at Selig's Chicago studios. An all-star cast has been engaged, and Marshall Neilan will be the director. Scenes for this production will also be filmed in New York City and in Los \ngcles. A film producing company, known as the "Pleasure Producers," has been formed in Twin Falls, Idaho. James L. Tayc, of Twin Falls, is business manager and assistant director; Wm. Rogers, director, and V. J. Ament, cameraman. Wm. Rogers is author of several successful photoplays and of a drama, "Rose of the Desert," which was played about a year ago in Twin Falls by local talent. The cast of the first production has been selected from residents of Twin Falls. It will be a semi-western photoplay, featuring Shoshone Falls and other local scenic points. It is the intention of the company to work into their photo, plays types of southern Idaho homes, ranches, irrigation projects, the sage bush desert, Snake River canyon (with its wonderful falls and power plants), and also Boise City (the capital of Idaho), and the lakes, woodland and mountain scenery of northern Idaho. In its plans, the company is working with a view to give a beneficial advertising campaign of the entire state, including its scenic, civic and industrial features. Harry Wellington, assistant to Wm. Jenner, manager of the Chicago office for George Kleine, is now a proud father. His first born, a son, who will bear the name of Richard Linton Wellington, came into the world on April 15 last. E. H. Spears, who for some time past has directed the research laboratory of the Rothacker Film Mfg. Co., has resigned that position to become director of laboratories of the Barker-Swan Film Co., Peoria, 111. "Cousin Jim," a photodrama written and acted exclusively by members of Chicago's elite, was given its premier at the Strand theater, Wabash avenue and Seventh street, on Friday evening, June 2. Grand opera prices ranging from $2 to $5 ruled at the opening presentation, the proceeds of which will be devoted to various charitable enterprises. The authors of "Cousin Jim" are John T. McCutcheon, famous cartoonist of the Chicago Tribune; Keneth S. Goodman and C. W. Hitchcock, all prominent in Chicago and North Shore society circles. Only in the directing and technical departments was this society drama a professional production. It was staged by the Van Dee Producing Co. of Chicago, and the photogrophy and laboratory work was done by the Rothacker Film Mfg. Co. The latter company in securing the special sets in the interiors of prominent homes and leading clubs in the city and of the Blackstone Hotel, used its own special portable artificial lighting equipment. Watterson R. Rothacker, president of this company, is of the opinion that this is the first time that a feature picture has been made complete without using anything but special studio sets and special studio lighting. Miss Viola Harpman, one of the youngest stars of the World Film Corporation, is now in Chicago on a visit to her home. Miss Harpman is only 17 years old, and has already appeared in "The Dragon," "By Whose Hand?" "Chain Invisible," etc., with considerable credit to herself. H. A. Gundling, manager of the Bryn Mawr theater, this city, has leased the Wilson Avenue theater for the summer months. It is his intention to introduce big film features at this popular vaudeville house during the summer months. The openinq attraction on Monday, May 5, will be "The Unwritten Law," which made a big hit at the Ziegfeld recently, being held over for a second week on account of the great interest it created. Walter Buhl will be the manager of the theater, and Mr. Gundling will attend to the booking. An Associated Press dispatch from Pittsburgh states that a moving picture played an important part recently in the defense submitted by a telephone company in the Common Pleas Court. The telephone company was sued for heavy damages by a Mrs. Freda Garletz, who alleged that both of her hands and her back had been permanently injured after picking up a live wire of the telephone company. After she had filed suit against the company a detective agency rented the house in the rear of her home, and installed a camera in one of the windows. The film exhibited in court showed Mrs. Garletz feeding her chickens, throwing corn over a high fence and lifting heavy boards and piling them up. In addition, the film showed other feats that required considerable strength. The safe in the office of the Clark theater, 4535 N. Clark street, this city, was blown upon by burglars on Tuesday night, May 30. The management reported a loss of $130 in cash. Geraldine Farrar (now Mrs. Lou-Tellegen), accompanied by her husband, made a brief stay in the city last week. They are now on their belated honeymoon, on their way to Los Angeles, where they have engaged Blanche Ring's bungalow for the summer. The famous opera star will engage in several Lasky features under the direction of Cecil DeMille at Hollywood. One of the features will be written by Mr. DeMille himself. Lou-Tellegen, who is an accomplished actor, will also star in these pictures. Victor Eubank, Essanay's popular publicity manager, was out on an auto spin with his friend, Frank S. Johns, whf represents a Cleveland lithographing firm, on Saturday, May 27, when the machine skidded and ran into a tree, on t North Side, near Fullerton avenue. Both men were thrown from the auto with great force, but luckily missed the tree and instant death. They were conveyed to the Alexian Brothers' Hospital, nearby, where it was found that Mr. Eubank had his left leg broken and his face badly cut, but not seriously. Mr. Johns did not fare as well. His spine was seriously injured, and at the time of writing (nearly a week afterwards) his condition is still considered grave. Mr. Eubank is improving fast and expects to be at his desk at 13333 Argyle street at an early date — but broken legs take time to mend. I heartily congratulate my friend, Eubank, that he was so fortunate, and regret deeply that Mr. Johns, whom I have met, did not come out as safetly. * * * The following programs have been announced at the prominent downtown theaters in Chicago for the week ending Sunday or Monday, June 4 and 5: Studebaker — "Gloria's Romance," fifth chapter; "The Gathering Storm" (George Kleine), Charles Chaplin in "Police" (Essanay) and Alice Brady in "La vie de Bolv (World), The fourth chapter of "Gloria's Romance" was even more popular than those preceding it, it is reported. Fine Arts— Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Castle in "The Whirl of Life" (Cort Film Corporation), showing the popular "Castle Glide." Siegfeld — "The Bondman" (Fox) with William Farnum, from Hall Caine's story of that name. Strand — Lillian Gish in "An Innocent Magdalene (Fine Arts), the Casino Club players in the society film "Cousin Jim" (Van Dee Producing Co.), and Mut and Jeff cartoons. Orchestra Hall — Fanie Ward in "The Guter Magdalene" (Lasky), and vocal solos. La Salle— Fifth week of "The Little Girl Next Door" (Illinois vice film). C. R. Seelye, business manager of the Pathe exchanges, arrived in the city, Friday, June 2, and will remain for some time in this territory visiting the various branch offices. G. A. Smith, manager of the Pathe serials, is in the city arranging for additional publicity in the syndicate papers throughout the country, in the interests of "Who's Guilty?' ETHEL DENIES "VAUDE" RUMOR. A quick exchange of wires between New York and Los Angeles last week brought a speedy and emphatic denial from Ethel Teare of the story appearing in a Chicago vaudeville publication declaring that she was contemplating a return to headline honors in vaudeville. The story continued to the effect that Miss Teare was to be starred in a tabloid revue which would start a tour bringing it to Broadway with the opening of the Fall season.