Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1914)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 279 Foreign 1 rade Notes BRITISH NOTES. (Special Correspondence to The World.) IT is interesting to note the trend of advertising in the sphere of moving pictures, particularly at this season of the year. About fifty or sixty per cent, of the manufactures in this country prefer to sticlc — like the cobbler to his last — to the good old fashioned calendar with its customary olegraph and seasonable wording. Mr. Smith, the manager of the Vitagraph establishment, has, however, made a bold bid to clear from mediocrity by presenting his clients with an artistic portfolio to hold the weekly bulletin of releases of his company. * * * I mentioned some time ago that a producing firm in London was constructing a moving picture revue of the best turns in the many variety-stage revues now on the Metropolitan theater boards. O. J. Raush is the producer and most of the scenes which introduce stage favorites have already been completed. The subject will be released early in the new year. * * * In the Chancery division of the Law Courts last week an action was heard for the revocation of the "Kinemacolor" patent. Mr. G. A. Smith, F. R. A. S. of Southwick, was the patentee and Bioschemes, Ltd.. were the petitioners, while the National Color Kinematograph, Ltd. (the owners of Mr. Smith's letters patent), were the respondents. Counsel for the respondents explained the working of the patent known as "Kinemacolor." Counsel for the petitioners stated that they alleged insufficiency in the patentee's specifications and also anticipation of his invention. It was also stated that the material part of the invention had been obtained from Dr. E. F. Green and Mr. Wm. Friese-Greene. The latter said that in March or April, 1905, while at Brighton, he secured moving colored pictures through a revolving disc in two colors. Approximately natural colors resulted. The case was adjourned at this juncture to give the judge an opportunity of seeing the patent under dispute. George Alexander Redford. the president of the British Board of Film Censors, states that there is an increasing demand for English travel films. If this be true, and Mr. Redford should be in an admirable position to judge, then 1 should say it is a demand for which there are few immediate chances of satiation. Travel films from America, Europe and even of the Sandwich Islands we have by the score, but an English travel film in a moving picture program over here is a comparitive rarity. Possibly some explanation of the shortage may be found in the present keen competition for long melodramatic pictures, but surely the excuse given me by one producer that "travels" don't pay is scarcely feasible. No subject is less costly to produce than travel or scenic films. In fact, the salient feature of the "travel" is that it requires no production. Yet the British scenic or travel picture remains to be properly exploited and for the firm that successfully accomplishes this there is an uncontested field. I have seen "travels" by the score from France, Germany and the U. S. A., but I have never seen a travel of the English Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, the Yorkshire Moors, or the West Coast of Ireland. * * ^ News has just reached London that Fred Burlingham has succeeded in descending the crater of Vesuvius and obtained magnificent pictures. * * * By the time this letter appears in print one of the oldest film producers of this country will have arrived in New York on a short business tour. Will Barker, of the Barker Co., of London, will be accompanied by Mr. Ed. Laurillard and their business, I am told, concerns the exhibition and disposal in the \J. S. A. of "Sixty Years a Queen." the Barker Cq.'s historical masterpiece which was recently released on this side. As a producer, Mr. Barker makes one or two unique claims that will interest the American trade. He states that he was the first man to issue an exclusive film and to produce what are now known as split-reels. * * * An advertising agency in the metropolis is seeking to monopolize moving picture shows as a new medium. They draw out for exhibitors printed agreements which specify that in return for a consideration of about $150 per year the exhibitor will include in his program a film provided by the agency. Obviously the film provided constitutes an advertisement of some kind or other and the fact that I have to record the success of the idea does not stand exactly as a testimony to the principles of the exhibitors concerned. * * * Liverpool is rapidly acquiring a name for itself as a moving picture censor. This week the film "Indian Pride" was banned as unsuitable for children to w-itness. This is not the first Indian film that has been prohibited at Liverpool. * * * Mr. Roach, of the Transatlantic Film Co. of Oxford St., London, has returned from a short visit to Eastern Europe. While away, he opened a branch office in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, where "Universal" releases will be handled for that country. T. B. SUTCLIFFE. GEORGE SCOTT. George Scott, for many years technical foreman of the Melies Company, has recently returned to New York after an adventurous trip of two years around the world in search of the bizarre and curious cities, villages and customs of various peoples to record in moving pictures. In his travels he has traversed thirtyeight thousand miles in every mode of conveyance imaginable by land and water, in palanquins, sedan chairs, poysse-pousses, in sampans, on rafts, on a wheelbarrow, on donkeys, camels, in the springless char-a-boefs, on elephants, etc. In the great elephant hunt of Cambodia he was injured, but, with the able assistance of Mr. Leo Pierson and Mr. Henry Buckland his indefatigable helpers, he was brought out of the forests and in the governor's special launch was taken to the hospital just in time to save his life. Mr. Scott and his party met with the greatest courtesy every where in Cambodia and the utmost kindness from the governors and great officials down, and as a pleasing souvenir each received a decoration from the king. George Scott. A WELL-KNOWN ITALIAN FILM MAN. One of the best known film men of Southern Ital)' is Signer Raffaele Mazza, of Naples, who has just opened up splendid offices at 4 Calata S. Marco dei Ferrari in that city. Sig. Mazza is thoroughly conversant with the film situation in Italy and is ready to act for any American firm that may seek representation in those parts. Fie is in a position to exploit any American-made films which have never before been shown in Italy. Sig. Mazza is recommended by the accomplished editor of Cinema, Sig. Alfred Morvillo. NEW THEATER PLANNED. R. F. Shimer. of Burlingame, Cal., has leased the new picture house which is to be built on Burlingame Avenue, that city, by G. W. Gates. Mr. Shimer, who is an experienced showman, will incorporate vaudeville in his program. The new house will be up to date in every respect and will have .1 large stage, balcony and boxes.