Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1912)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 771 esult, the industry is practically confined to the so-called store front" shows — cheap and impermanent places with )Oor ventilation, dangerous overcrowding and madequate ire protection. Our present law forbids admission of chilIren under sixteen unaccompanied by a guardian or parent. This law is violated in common practice. "An important piece of constructive legislation is now jefore the Board of Aldermen in the form of a proposed )rdinance based upon the report of the Mayor's Committet, vhich will, if enacted, result in greatly improving such conlitions, although it does not attempt to regulate children's ittendance. "Pursuant to the findings of the committee, I have sent he following letter: "To the President of the Board of Aldermen, City Hall, New York: "Dear Sir — The Men's Association of the Brick Presbyterian Church, at its regular monthly meeting, held last Monday night, considered a report presented by its Civic Committee with reference to the moving picture shows in the neighborhood above 23d and south of 42d Street. A rather careful investigation of actual conditions had been made and the substance of the report was to the effect that, so far as the character of the films presented was concerned, there was very little to criticize; in fact, that by far the larger number of them might actually be considered of positive value. The report did, however, severely criticize the conditions surrounding the operation of the shows, particularly those located in the west side of the city, along Eighth Avenue, on account of the poor sanitary conditions, the overcrowding, and what would appear to be dangerous fire conditions. At most of the performances visited, at least 50 per cent, of the audience was composed of children apparently under the age of sixteen, without being attended by parents or guardians. "The Association, after discussion, voted unanimously to instruct the Committee to write you, placing itself on record as heartily in favor of the immediate enactment of the proposed Folk ordinance, now before the Board of Aldermen, and urging you to use your earnest efforts to secure its enactment, and we beg to assure you that if there is anything that we can do to be of assistance in furthering this object, we are at your service. Yours very trulv. "KNOWLTON DURHAM, "Chairman Civic Committee." STUDIO NOTES FROM CALIFORNIA. Mr. P. C. Hartigan, in charge of Kalem's Santa Monica company, had the joy of being a real, instead of a sham, hero a few days ago. He and Mr. Ed Coxen were riding along when they beheld a cloud of dust in the distance from which emerged the figure of a runaway horse dragging a light surrey behind it. The young lady in the carriage was vainly endeavoring to control the animal and crying aloud for help. The gallant Hartigan, who is an expert rider, raced alongside of the runaway and brought it to a halt. She was very pretty. He was very fetching in his cowboy rig. Will they live happily ever afterward? You can search me. Miss Alice Joyce, Judson Melford and Melford, Pere, were enjoying a brisk ride along Hollywood Boulevard when a speeding motorist crashed into them, completely demolishing both machines. Fortunately no one was injured. During the taking of a film in which Miss Joyce and Jane Wolfe play the parts of two sisters, a great deal of wailing is necessary to get desired effect. While this scene was on showing Miss Alice lamenting bitterly, comforted by Miss Wolfe, a farmer boy hearing the sounds of distress and not seeing the camera rushed into the picture spoiling fifty dollars' worth of film. Curses. By the director. The United States Motion Picture Company, recently organized, are about ready to commence operations in their new studio which will be located at the corner of Temple and Lake Shore. A series of films is being taken and will be rushed to New York at once to fill contracts. The Fox Company, which has been operating at Hollywood, were served with an attachment sworn out by W. E. Edwards, formerly stage manager of the company, who claims he is due back salary. For some time there have been rumors that things were not going as well as could be hoped for. D. Daniels, the camera man, took things in his own hands by stopping in the middle of a picture leaving the company without an operator or machine. This is the company with which Nat Goodwin was originally identified. The old Southern Pacific passenger depot at Santa Monica has been leased by the Bison Company and will be remodeled and converted into business offices and dressing rooms. "The Deserter," a two-reel military drama, was shown to Independent exchange men by the management of the Bison Company. From all accounts the picture will be a hit. Miss Ficher, who was recently with the Essanay Company, has joined the Vitagraph Company. Fernando Galvez, formerly with the Selig Chicago company, has been transferred to the local studio at Edendale. RUSSELL BURGESS. SCENE FROM "THE DESERTER." BY BISON CO. "The Deserter" is the name of the Bison fourth two-reel release from which the accompanying cut was made. "The Deserter," as the name will imply, is a military drama. This subject, as with the previous "Bison loi" pictures, belongs among the greatest pictures of its kind. The photo herewith reproduced is taken from the last scene in the picture. The deserter had numerous hairbreadth escapes following his desertion from the army. He became a deserter on account of the love of a girl he thought he had won, but was transferred to a brother officer. He retrieves himself by saving the lives of a party of pioneer settlers with whom he had cast his lot, after making a mad dash through a band of marauding Indians to his deserted post for help. He is shot and mortally wounded in the attempt. The "now" hero dies soon after delivering hSs message, and is buried with high military honors.