The Moving Picture Weekly (1916-1917)

THE MOVING PICTURE WEEKLY Argosy Films Inc. Present "Where D'je Get That Stuff" |T last the critics of motion pictures are completely at sea. The answer is "Where D'ye Get That Stuff?" the special fiveact feature of the Argosy Films, Inc., the craziest picture ever filmed. This celluloid nightmare was written by H. C. Witwer, whose stories in the Saturday Evening Post and other national magazines have amused thousands, and H. H. Van Loan, who is recognized as the greatest humorist in the film world. . It has been asserted time and again by eminent authorities on motion pictures that it was absolutely impossible to produce a feature film burlesque that would ever be a success. "Where D'ye Get That Stuff-" was produced entirely with the object of creating laughs, which it accomplishes tenfold, and it is a very distinct departure from the hackneyed slapstick, custard pi^, funny waUc type of comedy. The first showing of the picture was made at the Stanley Theater to an audience of blase Broadwayites. It was received with enthusiasm, and the hardened theatergoers of that section enjoyed their first hearty laugh in months. The management commented most favorably on the merits of the picture, and declared it A FEATURE film burlesque, with Edna Aug in the lead. Written by H. C. Witwer, of Saturday Evening Post fame, and H. H. Van Loan, humorist of the film world. Something entirely new and a scream from start to finish. should prove one of the most successful films ever released from the exhibitors point of view. In order to give it a thorough test it was projected at the North Star Theater, 5th avenue and 116th street, on Thursday evening, before an audience of nearly two thousand, and never in the history of the theater has there been such a spontaneous outburst of laughter. This is a typical neighborhood house and caters to people in the immediate vicinity who are regular patrons of the theater. The audience of this house is representative of the majority of picture houses. Mr. Levine, manager of the North Star Theater, says that "Where D'ye Get That Stuff?" is the funniest picture he has ever seen and declares that his house fairly rocked from constant laughter, which was continuous throughout the showing of the picture, and which drowned out at times the orchestra of twelve pieces. "Never in all my experience in the picture business," said Mr. Levine, "have I seen such a demonstration as was accorded to "Where D'ye Get That Stuff?" when it was shown at my theater. "It is something the people and the exhibitors have long looked for — a new kind of picture comedy. Funny is too mild a word to describe it, and hundreds of my regular patrons have told me that they consider it the greatest laugh producer they have ever seen." If the first of the Argosy comedies is a criterion of what is to follow, it is freely predicted that they will not only prove a tremendous success, but will serve to revolutionize the making of all future film comedies. "Where D'ye Get That Stuff?" will be the first production to be released through the Argosy Company on the State right basis. Here is the story, or something like it: Sally lives somewhere in Succotash Crossing, Pennsyltucky, and spends her spare moments stalling the fresh necktie drummers and milking the town cow. She is crazy to go on the stage — so is anybody — but that don't stop Sally. One day, two big events happened in Succotash Crossing. The first was, a train stopped there, whereas, as a usual thing, they never even hesitated — and the second was, someone aside from the regular mail got off. The papers have been kiddin' the natives about the white slavers, and the poor hicks naturally think the newcomer is about to separate the town from its future chorus girls. As the stranger, whom we'll call Stupid, passes along the boulevards of Succotash Crossing, he whiles away the time by giving each pretty girl he meets a card. As he would have disposed of only one of the pasteboards had he stuck to that system, he switches and lets the medium pretty and seconds have a card. The Village Cut-up, Alligator Joe, at first thinks the stranger is crazy because he cannot see any other reason for any one giving away somethin' for nothin'. It affects Joe so much that he shoots a quarter on a wire to the city for something extra special in the detective line to capture Stupid. Jimmie, the well-known cub reporter (we dragged him into the thing, he's got beautiful eyes and — you know) is in dutch with his boss. He's told that unless he can get a good story somewhere the paper will leave him flat, so James grabs up his trick pencil and pad, rushes madly from the office and — However, Detective Senseless Sam is sent on by registered mail to catch the bird (Continued on page 31)