Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

1212 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 2, 1918 BOSTON LEAGUERS FINANCE EXPOSITION. Plans for financing the national exposition of the motion picture industry, to be held in this city, probably at Mechanics Building, next July, were discussed at an important meeting of the Boston Boosters at the headquarters of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island branches of the league, 127 Pleasant street, Boston. It was decided that the Boosters' Committee, which comprises many of Boston's prominent exhibitors and exchangemen, should loan sufficient money to the Motion Picture Exposition Committee to defray the preliminary expenses entailed in the preparations for the convention. Twenty-two Boosters were present. Virginia Exhibitors Defend Jake Wells In Formal Resolutions Executive Committee Says Showman's Efforts Defeated First Censor Bill. WHEREAS, the state legislative committee of the A. E. A. of Virginia, in meeting at Richmond on Friday, February 8, have had called to their attention an article and an editorial in the current issue of the Exhibitors' Trade Review, each of which is an unjust and wholly erronerous attack made upon the president of our organization, Therefore, be it resolved, that we resent these articles as an unjust attack upon Mr. Wells and a misrepresentation of the facts of the case. It is true that Mr. Wells said we need censorship, but what he did say was: "We want censorship; we need it among ourselves" for the purpose of stopping, through our organization, the exhibition of undesirable, wild-cat pictures that have been so detrimental to the legitimate, responsible exhibitors. There would not be this demand for state censorship now if exhibitors would see to the elimination of this class of pictures. These views were expressed by Mr. Wells at a largely attended meeting of the exhibitors, held at Murphy's Hotel, and so far from "startling Virginia exhibitors," the sentiments expressed met with the full approval of the organization. The editorial statement that "there will be censorship in Virginia and the credit, the glory, the honor of being its standard-bearer goes to Jake Wells" shows either a total and inexcusable ignorance of the facts or a willful and malicious design to do Mr. Wells an injury. Without the active opposition of the Wells members of this organization — an opposition brought into active operation by urgent telegrams and letters from Mr. Wells — there is not the slightest doubt that the original censorship bill would have become a law. That bill would impose heavy burdens upon the manufacturers, as well as upon the exhibitors, and if these burdens are saved them it will be because of the vigilant and energetic work of our president. The "pet plan" referred to was offered as a substitute for the committee bill and upon advice ofmembers of the Legislature and of counsel as the only way to defeat the original or committee bill. We desire to repeat, upon our individual responsibility and with a full knowledge of all the facts, that without Mr. Wells the original censorship bill would be certain of passage, and if any relief is obtained — a relief which will be equally felt by manufacturers — it will be because of his efforts. In further defense of our president we would add that Mr. Wells, at our meeting today, opposed bitterly a clause in the compromise bill requiring the manufacturers to place in the Virginia territory an amount equal to all moneys held by them as deposits belonging to the Virginia exhibitors. CINCINNATI LEAGUE NAMES CANDIDATES. Two complete tickets have been nominated by the committee named for that purpose by the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, and a warm campaign has been on for the honors involved. The nominees are as follows : Blue ticket— I. W. McMahan, president; Otto Dieckmann, first vice-president; John J. Huebner, Jr., second vice-president; Otto Luedeking, treasurer; H. Serkowich, secretary, and William H. Wilson, sergeant-at-arms. Red ticket— F. L. Emmert, president; A. G. Hettesheimer, first vice-president; J. A. Ackerman, second vice-president; John J. Huss, treasurer; H. Serkowich, secretary, and Frank Willenborg, sergeant-at-arms. It will be observed that the nominating committee judiciously labored to make it a hard proposition to choose between the two tickets, or, in fact, to select any one ticket as a whole; and it was freely predicted when the tickets were announced that there would be few "straight" tickets voted. Barbara Castleton with World Pictures MISS BARBARA CASTLETON has sgned a long-term contract with World Pictures. She comes to World Pictures with an experience and reputation derived from several successful independent productions, and her regular appearance on the World program will cement permanently the favor in which the public holds her. Miss Castleton's career is a standing disproof of the phi1 o s o p h y of Mr. Micawber "to wait around for something to turn up." She assumed the reins herself, and in less than one and one-half years has risen from the ranks of extra to stellar parts. Being a cousin of Louise Gunning, the famous comic opera star, naturally inspired her with ambitions, and when still in her teens she played as a n understudy of Lina Abarbanell in "Madame Sherry." But the family endeavored to prevent her from going on the stage by taking her away to Canada, where she spent four years preparing for the next assault upon the booking offices. During that period she wrote a number of scenarios and stories, which she confessses were promptly returned. Upon reaching New York she learned Herbert Brenon was making a prologue to "A Daughter of the Gods." The star selected for the role did not appear, and Mr. Brenon, searching for a suitable substitute, chanced upon Miss Castleton among a crowd of 500 extras. Director George Irving, having been impressed by her work, starred her opposite H. B. Warner in "God's Man." Hobart Henley then obtained her services for the lead in "Parentage," which was followed by the lead in "On Trial," released by First National Exhibitors' Circuit. "For the Freedom of the World" was the succeeding photoplay in which Miss Castleton assumed a star part; "Sins of Ambition" followed. Then Herbert Brenon selected her to play the principal character in "Empty Pockets." Miss Castleton has played the leading role in the forthcoming "Mothers of Liberty," which has the distinction of being the first patriotic picture endorsed by the United States Government. From this list of eminent productions it is evident that Miss Castleton is fully trained to supply the World franchise holders with money-making pictures, coupled with World service. Barbara Castleton. "BILLY HART" NIGHT AT ELKS. The B. P. O. E., at its Elks' clubhouse in New York City, on Tuesday evening, February 12, gave a Billy Hart night. Billy has been an exchangeman for, lo, these many years, and the Elks depend upon him to furnish a "movie night" once a year, which consists of motion pictures and the personal appearances of motion picture stars. About three thousand guests were there to enjoy the pictures and greet the following stars : Clara Kimball Young, Edward Kimball, Shirley Mason, Montague Love, Virginia Pearson, Sheldon Lewis, Leah Baird, Arthur Ashley, Miriam Nesbitt, Mark MacDermott, "Mother" Maurice, Wally Van, Violet Mersereau, and Bobby and Helen Connolly. MARY WARREN FEATURED FOR FIRST TIME. Mary Warren, who has appeared with Olive Thomas in several recent Triangle plays, makes her initial appearance as leading woman with William Desmond in "The Sea Panther," a romantic drama of the days of Captain Kidd. Miss Warren, who is remembered for her work as Ida Haines in "Betty Takes a Hand," and as Grace Antrim, in the new society drama, "Heiress for a Day," has done exceptionally good work in her first prominent role Triangle directors say.