Moving Picture World (Dec 1917)

1966 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 29, 1917 Raver Has Energetic Plans for 1918 "The Public Defender," "Enigma," a Series of "Foolshead" Comedies and an Italian Vampire in Four Productions a Portion of Releases Announced. HARRY RAVER'S enterprises for the opening months of the coming year promise no less than twenty-five productions, all of which are in preparation or actually completed. Among: the list are "The Public Defender" and "Enigma," master crook, which serves to Introduce Edmand Breese in a similar role to those which made him famous. Alma Hanlon plays the leading female role. An original drama of timely appeal by the dean of dramatists. Augustus Thomas, is now under way and will be ready in February or March. An allstar cast is being used for the Thomas production. Seven spectacular comedies will be issued by Harry Raver, in which the international character, "Foolshead." will appear. These productions will be made on an elaborate scale, much consideration being given to special settings, unusual effects and large numbers of actors. The type of comedy accomplishes Its purpose by the reckless destruction of buildings and other equipment. The modern "Foolshead," however, is improved by real stories and timely situations. The new comedy series will range from one to five reels each. Mr. Raver assures a new star Italian importation, who promises to out-vampire all the sirens of the stage and screen. She will appear in "The Soul of a Vampire," from the book by Carlotta Murillo, and three other productions during the first six months of 1918. "Motherland," a patriotic drama from the pen of Francis Allison West, will also reach the screen through Mr. Raver's production forces. "The Fires of Inspiration," a poesy in pictures; "Father and Son." a war-time story, and several additional manuscripts by well-known authors are included in the list of Raver productions. RENOWNED SECURES "THE PUBLIC DEFENDER." The Renowned Pictures Corp.. of 1600 Broadway, henceforth will exploit the Harry Raver-Goldman-Harris production, "The Public Defender," by means of territorial franchises throughout the United States and Canada. The deal was closed last week between Messrs. Raver, Weinberg and Fleckles, before the latter departed for Washington. Messrs. Weinberg & Fleckles, of the Renowned organization, have arranged for daily showings of "The Public Defender" in their private show Scene from rooms, and a campaign of publicity will be used to assist buyers in creating a demand for theater bookings. Herbert Landsdown, the English artist, has just completed a complete line of poster sketches, to be used in the exploitation of "The Public Defender." Seven colors are indicated by the artist for each style. A twenty-four-sheet, carrying panel portraits of the triology of stars. Frank Keenan, Robert Edeson and Alma Hanlon, three one-sheets, two combination threesheets and one symbolical six-sheet are the styles to be used. Two shipping points have been established by Renowned Pictures Corporation for the distribution of advertising matter. Points in the extreme West and eastward to Pittsburgh will be covered by shipments from Milwaukee. Eastern points will be served from New York. This method of supplying advertising matter will minimize delays and also reduce express rates. Posters for "The Public Defender" will be furnished franChise holders at cost to produce. ELEVEN CHRISTIE SERVICE STARS. .\ service flag bearing eleven stars was raised this week over the Christie Studios by Al. E. Christie. Former Christie players are now serving the United States in various branches of America's fighting forces. PYRAMID COMEDIES READY. Featuring Ray Hughes, an eccentric comic, who, for a number of years past has been in vaudeville and musical comedy lines, the Pyramid Comedies, Inc., will begin the distribution of their product within the next few weeks. Arthur Werner and Charles Abrams. during a visit to a Boston theater, saw Hughes and were conquered. They hired him forthwith and, securing studio arrangements in Manhattan, completed four comedies, under the direction of a former Keystone director, William A. Seiter. Hughes' work in these four comedies so established him with his producers that he was contracted for a long period of years and is now busily at work on others of the forthcoming twenty produc Scene from "In and Out." tions which will complete the twenty-four annual features a year that is planned to characterize the Pyramid activity. Hughes' work in "In and Out," "Beach Birds," "Love and Lunch" and "Beauties and Bombs" secured him his long-term contract, and the showing of the finished product to one foreign buyer succeeded in selling England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France, Italy and the Norwegian countries, and it is worth noting that they are the first American comedies to reach the Italian market since the war began. Inquiries now coming in forecast the quick disposal of all American territory. Director Seiter has secured permission to make one of his forthcoming Pyramid comedies at Yaphank. It is to be called "Drafted" and will depict the humorous side of camp life. BOOSTERS FOR "MOTHER." In furtherance of the plan which Arthur H. Sawyer and Herbert Lubin, of General Enterprises, Inc., conceived some time ago for a specially written poem to be used in the exploitation of "Mother" arrangements are contemplated whereby the verses of "Mother" may be used as a means of exploitation. It is planned to issue reproductions of the poem in herald form and also on slides in order that the various exhibitors who will run the George Loane Tucker picture may use it to advertise the coming of the McClure production. The verses in question are said to be particularly appropriate, as they typify exactly the spirit of the photoplay. JACK LAIT WRITING "WARRIOR" SUB-TITLES. James R. Grainger, manager of the Allen Film Corporation, Chicago, which company controls an extensive part of the Middle West states for "The Warrior," announced this week that Jack Lait, well-known author and playwright, had been engaged to create a series of special comedy subject titles for several scenes in the spectacle. Mr. Dait is the author of "Help Wanted," a Broadway success of a few seasons hence, and is especially well known for his stories, which are at present appearing in one of the leading Chicago dailies. "THE PROSPECTOR" DUE JANUARY 1. Billy West will start the new year as a prospector in the latest King-Bee comedy, to be released Jan. 1. Billy goes looking for gold but finds nothing but trouble and excitement. The King-Bee company went into the "Rockies" to make this two-reeler, and it is said to be full of wonderful scenes and atmospheric splendor. It is to be released under the title of "The Prospector." A trade showing is slated for the current week. "PEG O' THE SEA" FOR STATE RIGHTS. The Sterling Pictures Corporation have closed for the negative rights to a production in five reels featuring Jean Sothern entitled "Peg o' the Sea." The Sterling Pictures Corporation have made arrangements for a special line of distinctive advertising, and within the next two weeks will announce the date for trade showing of both the film and all advertising accessories.