Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

March 2, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1217 Mary MacLane, in "Men Who Have Made Love to Me." has been shown to crowded houses at the Bandbox theater, and is in its' second week at the time of writing. A. K. Brown, manager of the Bandbox, tells me that business has increased 50 per cent, over that of the last three months while this superfeature has been showing. * * * McVickers theater, on Madison street, in the Loop, had the distinction of being the only theater that was open on heatless Tuesday, February 12. This house is run by Jones, Linick & Schaefer, and they donated its use, as well as the working staff, to the Government on the day mentioned for the showing of United States Government war pictures. These films were produced under George Creel's direction, and show how the soldier boys work during training. The subjects shown were "Soldiers of the Sea," "Soldiers and Sailors at Play," "Gas and Fire," "The 1917 Recruit," "The Spirit of 1917," "The United States Navy Submarines," "Messengers of Mercy" and "Naval Soldiers Training." Jones, Linick & Schaefer report that $2,500 was turned over to the State Council of Defense as the result of the day's remarkable showing. * * * A spectacular hold-up of the Garfield theater, 2844 West Madison street, took place Sunday night, February 10. The bandit entered the theater while Manager Ryan was checking up the receipts with the cashier. The bandit lined them up against the wall and seized $285 from the table and fled. He was chased by two detective sergeants, and was finally cornered after fifty shots had been fired. It was found that he had thrown the stolen money on top of a barn during his flight, and it was recovered. A "Smileage Book" is the latest fad provided for the entertainment of our soldiers and sailor boys. The managers of legitimate theaters started the plan of issuing a book of passes to each soldier, and now it is expected that Chicago moving picture theater owners will follow suit. The petition of the Fox Film Company for a writ of mandamus against the city and Chief of Police Schuettler to force them to permit exhibition of the film "For Liberty" was dismissed in Judge Hugo Pam's court February 8. The case was heard before a jury. The Chicago censor board had recommended several cut-outs in the film. Shapiro About to Don a Uniform SINCE the formation of Goldwyn A. I. Shapiro has been branch manager at Detroit. Mr. Shapiro has resigned to enter the service of Uncle Sam. Of draft age, Mr. Shapiro waived all claim to exemption and was placed in Class A. He will come east to spend a few weeks with his family in New York City before he goes to camp. He registered for the draft at Albany, and expects to be ordered to Camp Upton, at Yaphank, L. I. Goldwyn is sorry to lose Mr. Shapiro, whose work in the Detroit territory has been more than satisfactory. Ever popular with exhibitors, he succeeded, in the recent war tax flurry, not only in holding the large volume of business then on his books, but in actually showing a substantial increase in film sales. This Goldwyn regards as evidence of his splendid ability. The company's regret at Mr. Shapiro's resignation is expressed in a letter to him from Samuel Goldfish, president of Goldwyn, in which Mr. Goldfish says : "It is with great regret that I have just heard of your being compelledto resign from the company. While I feel that you are doing this in the service of your country, which is the biggest cause of all, I deeply regret losing you from the Goldwyn organization. "I want you to know that whenever you are ready we shall more than welcome you back with us. Your work in the Detroit territory has been exceptionally fine, and I want to thank you for your loyalty to the company from the first days of our organization." J. F. Flynn, who has just returned from a four months' trip to Australia in the interests of Goldwyn Pictures, will succeed Mr. Shapiro at Detroit. He formerly was Cleveland manager for the General Film Company. George F. Hernandez ANY one who saw George F. Hernandez in Triangle's production "Betty Takes a Hand" would have felt certain that a multi-millionaire or a bloated plutocrat had broken into the movies out of sheer love for the sport. Looks are deceiving and all is not gold that pantomimes. George Hernandez is an actor for thirty years, has been on the legitimate stage and in motion pictures, and while he looks more like a president of a trust than a character actor who has portrayed Shakesperian roles for two years he is accepted at face value. He is an actor. His weight is 196 pounds, and he stopped when he got to 5 feet 5 inches. His hair is blond and scant. His parents never were actors nor never opposed his desire for a stage career, and he was born where men were quick on the draw— Placerville County, Cal., on June 6, 1863. M r . Hernandez's first prominent part was performed on the legitimate stage in "The Ticket of Leave Man," which was followed by a large number of roles in other legitimate attractions. He started as a singer, but his voice failed. The heavy hand of sorrow has touched Mr. Hernandez, for he lost two lovable children. This has not shaken the congeniality of a nature whose kindly rays lighten the paths of his many friends and companions. He likes motion pictures because of the opportunity presented for home life in Los Angeles. Mr. Hernandez was engaged in other than theatrical work from 1880 to 1887, and made constant endeavors to supplement his high school education received at Oakland, Cal., with reading and courses prescribed by himself. "Broadway, Arizona," "Up or Down?" "Betty Takes a Hand" and "The Hopper" are Triangle features in which Mr. Hernandez has appeared with great success. George F. Hernandez. CLYMER JOINS YORKE-METRO SCENARIO STAFF. John B. Clymer, well known author for the screen, has been engaged by the Yorke-Metro company as scenario writer, and has left New York to join his new associates in Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. Clymer's co-worker is Richard V. Spencer, who has written the continuity of practically all of the Yorke-Metro productions to date. As the dual director system is being employed with Mr. Lockwood, each of the two directors— Fred J. Balshofer and George Irvingwill have his own scenario writer. A. I. Shapiro. EDITH ELLIS RETIRES FROM GOLDWYN. In order to fulfill contracts for the writing of two plays for the dramatic stage next season Edith Ellis has resigned her position as head of the literary department of the Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. She will soon undertake a campaign for a national producing theater, a project which she has been working on for some time.