Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

484 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD January 26; 1918 ask them to operate a chain of grocery stores. Try the better plan used by each of the Allied countries — a Government Pictorial Service to sell War Pictures directly to the distributor. That plan works out with the same result, i. e., the British Pictorial Service turns over the net proceeds of its business to the War Relief Fund. The charitable organization is saved from the undignified scramble for business and devotes all its energies to succor and help. There are plenty of brains in the industry to make the American Pictorial Service a brilliant success. Choose good men without questionable affiliations, pay them decent salaries and watch that service grow into the biggest in the world, yielding the Red Cross a splendid income for its beautiful and proper work. The appointment of an "advisory committee" from the manufacturers is now actually under consideration. Get the authors busy writing for the National Cinema Commission. Titling, cutting and assembling of industrial and topical film is good, but it is not enough. Put stories into the propaganda. "Comrade Democrats," a model patriotic film, borrowed a little industrial here and a little scenic or topical there, but it held the narrative together by a thread of entertainment based on original characters and plot. The same can be done to enhance the attractiveness of every film that is intended to propagate our cause. Finally, send directors as well as cameramen to France. Commandeer Griffith and other good ones and let them plan the war-narrative consecutively. Audiences get tired of marching troops and dreary landscapes. Give them the thrilling fact-story instead. ■We can all help and we all will help if the Big Bosses at Washington say the word. Some Class to Directors' Ball Coming Function at the Biltmore Will Approach the Last Word in Trade Social Events. » RRANGEMENTS are practically complete for the ball /\ to be given at the Biltmore Hotel on the evening of "*■ ■*• Saturday, January 26, by the Motion Picture Directors' Association, and, according to the schedule, it will be some event as a trade social function. The number of invitations is limited to three hundred, the purpose being to prevent the ball reom from being crowded; then the price of tickets is ten dollars — also calculated to provide standing room for the dancers. But if the price may seem high the directors promise to give all who attend their money's worth. The ballroom will be especially and richly decorated by Urban; there will be forty pieces of music in the dance orchestra and a large and capable concert orchestra will be provided in addition. A buffet supper will be served and there will be a liberal supply of punch. Altogether it looks like a big night and the editor intends to use his invitation even though he might have to make a visit to his "uncle" to dig up the necessary coin. From the mysterious air that has spread over the features and is controlling the actions of "Silent Bill' Haddock, press agent for the event, it is certain that there will be something doing at that ball. W. A. BACH LEAVES UNIVERSAL. W. A. Bach, who has just completed a tour of the Universal exchanges installing publicity service departments and also acting as personal representative of the general manager of exchanges, has announced his resignation from the Universal Company to take effect on January 19. When spoken to about his resignation Mr. Bach stated that as he had completed the work he was contracted with the Universal to do, his resignation simply meant a termination of contract. Mr. Bach states that he has made no definite plans as yet and will be pleased to consider any proposition concerning the increasing of sales and the reduction of costs that may be placed before him. JESSE L. LASKY LEAVES FOR CALIFORNIA. Upon conclusion of the series of meetings held in New York last week at which all the Paramount-Artcraft exchange managers attended, Jesse L. Lasky, vice president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation and head of all the production work of that company, left New York for California. In dividing his time between the studios of the East and West, Mr. Lasky is able to keep in direct touch with all the producing activities of the big organization. At Leading Picture Theaters Programs for the Week of January 13 at New York's Best Motion Picture Houses. "Fields of Honor" at the Strand. FIELDS OF HONOR," in which Goldwyn presented Mae Marsh at the Strand for the week of January 31. is a screen version, of the popular Saturday Evening Post story of the same name by Irvin S. Cobb. It is a vital tale of a grim situation created by the present war. Only the distant rumbles of the European battlefields are heard in the action, but the tremendous grip it has on individual lives this side of the water is shown. Miss Marsh is supported by an exceptionally well balanced cast. "Animals in Midsummer," a Ditmars' Zoological picture; "Yellowstone Park," a scenic study in natural colors, and the Strand Topical Review concluded the film part of the entertainment. A condensed version of "Carmen" and a violin solo by Mary Zentay made up the special musical features. "Rimrock Jones" at the Rivoli. Wallace Reid, in "Rimrock Jones," a Paramount production,.was the feature of the Rivoli's program. The story is by Dane Coolidge, and the direction by Donald Crisp. The scenes alternate between New York at its smartest and a mjning camp at its roughest, the star appearing as a young prospector who puts up a manly fight to retain a claim which swindlers try to take away from him. The plot has a new twist to it, and there are many comedy touches introduced mainly by George Kuwa, the Japanese, who has been seen in many recent pictures. "The Hound of the Hills," in which Robert C. Bruce's famous dog is the only performer, is one of the most artistic scenic pictures ever screened; Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Drew in "Why Henry Left Home," the Helen Moller Pupils in a dance number and the Animated Pictorial were also shown. The "Spinning Chorus" from "The Flying Dutchman" and a solo by Gladys Rieye were on the musical program. "Jules of the Strong Heart" at the Rialto. George Beban departs from his familiar Italian characterizations in "Jules of the Strong Heart," the week's principal photoplay at the Rialto, and appeared as a happy-go-lucky French-Canadian. The story by William Marion Rouse, originally printed in Collier's Weekly, deals with the life of the Canadian lumberjack, many of the scenes having been taken at a logging camp in Hoquiam, Washington. Mr. Beban's keen sense of comedy and the equally effective bits of pathos which he introduces find full scope in his new role. Donald Crisp directed the production for the Paramount Pictures Corporation. Among the supporting cast are Helen Eddy. Charles Ogle and Raymond Hatton. "Kitchen Maid," a Mack Sennett-Paramount comedy; a new scenic feature, and the Animated Magazine balanced the bill. Mile. Madclaine D'Espinoy and Signor Bonelli were the soloists. "Broadway Love" at the Broadway. "Broadway Love" leads the program at the Broadway Theater. It is a screen version of W. Carey Wonderly's story of the same title, which appeared in Snappy Stories magazine. Dorothy Phillips is the star. A Bluebird feature in five reels, it graphically reveals life and love as it is to be found on New York's Great White Way. The cast includes William Stowell, Lon Chaney, Juanita Hansen, Eve Southern and Gladys Tennyson. Eighty-First Street Theater Bill. At the Eighty-first Street Theater Monday, Tuesday and Wenesday Bessie Barriscale in "Madame Who" was the feature. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Mary Garden in "Thais" headed the bill. TRADE SHOWING FOR FLYNN SPY SERIAL. A trade showing of the first episodes of "The Eagle's Eye," the serial photodrama produced by The Whartons, founded on the story by Chief Flynn, exposing the ramifications of Imperial Germany's spy system in America, will be made at the Strand Theater next Friday morning, January 18, at ten o'clock. Invitations have been sent to all exhibitors, representatives of the trade and to state and city officials, judges of the courts, clergymen, heads of patriotic, defense and war service organizations and to military and naval officers detailed at this station.