Moving Picture World (Dec 1917)

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December 29, 1917 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 19(33 5.£.K.g.g^.^»g.M.^^^^ .■^^■^^^•^■B^^^^^'3^^^ ■ State Rights Department Conducted by A. K. GREENLAND *k g ^> ^ <"» *<" ^° ^ ^ ^-^g-<sj^x« < • • • ;s> •:? »3 -^2l:^ °sj"^ •'- -- •-" •'-* •'-" •> •" • Abramson Reveals Large Plans Graphic Head Announces First Production for Release During February — "Moral Suicide'* in Seven Parts. IVAN ABRAMSON must be accounted one of the most serious men in the film business. When he engages upon the making of a production his whole being is centered in it, he becomes a part of it. and, to quote his own expression, "prizes it as his own child." The success of his productions while he was directing for the Ivan company attests that he consistently struck the responsive chord In the moving picture theatergoing public. The realism of his work, artistically handled in his "One Law for Both." "Sins of Ambition," and features of that kind, has resulted in prompt and generous salability both in this country and throughout the foreign market. Now that Mr. Abramson has launched the Graphic Film Corporation, which is located in the Godfrey building temporarily on the seventeenth floor, but shortly to occupy one half of the fifth floor as soon as M. H. Hoffman, Inc., settle in their larger quarters on the third floor of the same building, the indepe .dent market can expect even superior features, if possible, from the subject of this article. As president and general manager, as well as director general of the Graphic organization, Mr. Abramson will have full scope for the application of his art and ability. As his first offering in his new surroundings he promises a seven-part photoplay under the title "Moral Suicide," to be released during the month of February. The story is the creation of the director himself, and is said to be a vibrant, virile exposition of certain forms of human cowardice and selfishness that will afford ample opportunity for the co-starring of ten prominent screen artists in the ten principal roles. The cast, as well as the male and female leads, have not as yet been selected, but this phase of the work is already under way, and announcements concerning the cast are to be completed by the holidays, at which time Mr. Abramson will depart with his organization for the Pacific Coast, insomuch as the majority of the exteriors concern themselves with life as it exists in San Francisco. The interiors will be made in an Eastern studio, except such as belong to Pacific atmosphere. The Graphic head intends following this up with another production to be released late in March or early in April. The story, though not yet revealed, has been selected, and is related to be a typical vehicle for the able director to extract the fullest reality therefrom. It will also be a seven-reel production, and a worthy successor to "Moral Suicide." Moses A. Sachs has been engaged as head of the scenario department, and other appointments in the business departments are being made this week. The Graphic company will conduct its own exchange for the territory of Greater New York, and this will occupy part of the space on the fifth floor of 729 Seventh avenue along with the parent concern. All other territories will be state righted, however. An exclusive exhibition room will also be installed. The state rights field can well look expectantly toward the time when "Moral Suicide" will be offered it. ARTHUR F. BECK HEADS STERLING. The Sterling Pictures Corporation announces this week that they have concluded negotiations with Arthur F. Beck, whereby he assumes full control of its destinies. In order that he may be unhampered and have full authority to handle all future business deals and policies, Mr. Beck has been elected president and general manager, plus a stock interest In the corporation, and will hereafter confine his activities to the sole interest of Sterling Pictures. Mr. Beck is authority for the statement that the Sterling Pictures Corporation was organized by men who are connected with the theatrical and motion picture industry — two being affiliated with the Shubert Enterprises and Klaw .«; Erlanger, and one with a motion picture manufacturing concern. "We are organized and financed," so the Sterling head announces, "to purchase and handle independent feature productions for all or any portion of the U. S. and Canada. We will purchase full negative rights or the rights to just one territory depending upon the nature and quality of the production. We will maintain a selling organization out in the field at all times — within the next ten days two of our men will leave for an extended trip to see the independent exchangeman right on his own stamping ground — the better to get at the situation and obtain the correct viewpoint. My own experience of eleven years in the exchange business enables me to feel and see the present crisis in independent exchange operations, and the plan we have worked out. in my judgment, cuts the Gordian knot of operations between the producer and the exhibitor." "Mickey" For State Rights Mack Sennett Comedy Spectacle Featuring Mabel Normand Ready for Market After Two Years in Making. MABEL Normand In '.Mickey" is the latest plum to be offered the state rights market. Mack Bennett has completed the final assembling of tins big feature, and the world rights have been purchased l>y the Western Import Company, who will exploit this production. Mack Sennett has always been conceded a master producer of comedy In this country. He baa developed most of the leading screen comedians in the business, and his name in coij tion with a picture has come to mean the best. For a long time he had been anxious to produce a real big feature, one which would mark the arrival of something new to the screen and which would set a standard for ;ill futur< producers. To that end he set to work upon the producing of "Mickey," and selected Mabel Normand as the star. tie. of her remarkable comic abili'i The picture has taken two years to complete for the market and was made at a cost of 1300, I, Howi expense has been justified by the <• i the combination Scene from "Mickey" (Western Import). of Mr. Sennett's genius and Miss Normand'a talents, ha a picture that is reputed to be epoch-making. In announcing the release, an official of the Western Import Co. delivered himself in this wise: "As 'Mickey,' Mabel Normand is placed in a class by herself. She has always been considered the leading comedienne In the screen world and her versatility in this production is beyond belief. She surpasses everybody and does everything. A prominent critic, who was present at a recent screening, expressed himself singularly — for a jaded patron of the theater. He said, 'there is nothing which she does not attempt and accomplish.' In fact, every one who has seen the picture Is of the same opinion. They all say it is the best interpretation that has ever been put upon the Btage or screen. "If you have ever known what it is to lauch and cry at the same time. 'Mickey' will put you in tl iment. Miss Normand takes her audience back lellghtful days of childhood, for both t: doubly magnified. She combines an impish deviltry with a tender pathos which goes straight to the hearts of every one. The picture has the human touch. It is real. SILVERMAN SPRINGS NEW IDEA. The announcement of plans i 'rib uting company, to be formed In this city in the near future, has been made 1>\ Mayer Silverman. the Lit Film Renting Company, 9S8 Penn, avenue, Pit! Mr. Silverman, who Is organizing the n that it will be composed exclusively of exhibitors, and its purpose will be the buying of state rights produi id handling them co-operatively. A distinctly tow movement, this — and one the development of which will be keenly watched by indpendent exchangemen elsewhere in the country.