Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1918)

1228 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD March 2, 1918 Government Forging Ahead in Picture Making b Division of Films Intends to Issue a Short Subject Each Week with an Occasional Feature YOUR UNCLE SAM has gone earnestly and vigorously into the business of producing and distributing films intended to hasten victory for American arms in the battle for democracy. The Division of Films of the Committee on Public Information, of which Louis W. Mack is director, has general supervision of these activities and is responsible to the Government for the success of the propaganda. The service is divided into two general purposes — to distribute one new short subject each week, of an educational or propaganda value, and to provide an occasional feature in the line of five to seven-reel productions, wholly of a propagandish character. Twelve distributing organizations have been formed, situated with a view to covering the whole country. Production of short subjects and features has been progressing for some time, with a view to assembling a supply of material to be ready for distribution when complete arrangements have been made for the nation-wide service. With the work of production well in hand, the matter of immediate distribution is now engaging the attention of Director Mack and his associates. It is the purpose of the Government not to interrupt the regular business of manufacturing and distributing films; there is no intention to show the pictures with an appreciable profit in mind. But the expense of the work must be met by rentals or by contributions from patriotic societies or individuals. There are now ready for presentation, on the program of short subjects, the following releases not necessarily referred to, however, under their actual releasing titles. The captions used are designed, in the present instance, to give exhibitors an idea of the subject matter covered by the following one or two reelers : The 1917 Recruit, two editions, training the National Army. The Third Liberty Loan, in process of completion. The First and Second Liberty Loans were promoted through similar pictures. Ready for the Fight; artillery and cavalry maneuvers. Torpedo Boat Destroyers; naval maneuvers. Submarines. Army and Navy Sports. The Spirit of 1917; presenting the largest maneuver in America; an attack, in sham battle, by the jackies of Lake Bluff upon Fort Sheridan, Illinois. In a Southern Camp; general army maneuvers. Forging the Weapons of War; making big guns and small arms. Messengers of Mercy; the Medical Officers' Reserve Corps in action and American ambulances, giving a complete demonstration. The Lumberjack; showing the development of the lumberjack regiment for reconstruction work in Europe. Fire and Gas; showing the maneuvers of the new Thirteenth Engineers Regiment, demonstrating the use of gas masks. Labor's Part in Democracy's War; labor union activities in the war. Annapolis Naval Academy; naval officers in the making. Shipbuilding; construction of all types of ships. Activities of the Engineers. Woman's Part in the War. Men Who Are Doing Things ; portraying as far as possible every person who is mentioned in public prints as being active in war preparations. The Conquest of the Air; airplane and balloon maneuvers. The foregoing subjects, as has been said, are ready for release; but two or three of them are just taking on the finishing touches. All will be one or two reelers, with the exception of "Forging the Weapons of War," which is now being cut and assembled, and will run to five or seven reels. Four features are either complete or in the making. Essanay cameramen and laboratories turned out "The Remaking of a Nation," a five-reeler in which Mary Roberts Rinehart took an active part in titling and editing. This feature, arranged in story form, is intended to vizualize comprehensively the organization and training of America's great new soldier army, of a million and a half, either now in France or under training in this country. The scenes were filmed at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, under the supervision of Major General Edwin F. Glenn, commanding the Eighty-third Army Division, and the draft army of soldiers of that division, coming from Ohio and Pennsylvania, were utilized in acting the scenes. Thomas H. Ince and J. Parker Reid are now devoting their time to the preparation of "Columbia," a feature portraying historical events in America and the growth of the democratic spirit of America that is now fighting the militaristic spirit of Germany. Within a short time "Columbia" will be ready for distribution. "German Spies" and "The Immigrant" are features now being completed for release in the near future. "German Spies" will expose the method of German propagandists in this country, warn the public to refrain from talking carelessly, and to watch for those who are circulating rumors and false news. "The Immigrant" will constitute a direct appeal to the immigrant not alone to become an American citizen, but to feel his responsibility as a citizen. This feature is being produced under direction of Edwin L. Hollywood, of Pathe. The scenario department is in charge of Dr. George Pierce Baker, with Dr. Worthington Ford and Dr. William Carver as his associates. All of these gentlemen are Harvard professors, and have opened offices in Dane Hall, Cambridge, where thyy give all of their time to Government service. Dr. Baker makes occasional trips to New York and confers, at the Players Club in Gramercy Park, with scenario writers and editors who have ideas to submit that may be available. On the date George Creel's report was prepared for the press, the financial showing encouraged Mr. Creel, who is chairman of the Committee of Public Information ,to express the belief that in time the Division of Films would be selfsupporting. With seventeen paid employees the division has spent. $5,226.38 for salaries and $15,452.22 for all other expenses. To apply on this account contributions had been received from state councils and patriotic societies to the amount of $4,900, with $18,000 due in pledges. This toport was prepared as of January 1, and since that time pledges and rental receipts have raised the amount now credited to the Division of Films by many thousands of dollars. Thus far the Government pictures have been principally used for the purpose of giving benefits for various war activities in various states. The time is at hand, however, when other and broader methods of distribution will be considered by Director Mack. The twelve distributing bureaus will be used as the nucleus of a comprehensive system. In several states patriotic motion picture men have "put their shoulders to the wheel" and are forwarding the Government's purposes with enthusiasm. Walter A. Niebuhr, associated with Director Mack, in the work at Washington headquarters, has been spending the past few days in New York assisting Governor Whitman's committee in getting the office in the State Armory, at Seventh avenue and Thirty-fifth street, opened and in working order. Robert A. MacAlarney, of the Famous Players scenario department, represents the film craft on the New York committee. The office in Boston, in charge of Mrs. A. R. Carroll, serves most of the New England territories; Connecticut activities are in charge of W. D. Ascough, manager of Poll's Palace, Hartford. Robert Lieber, of Indianapolis, is directing the work in Indiana; Missouri has Robert A. Glenn, of Jefferson City, as representative. A. A. Ashley, late of Paramount, has charge of Michigan affairs with offices in Detroit. Illinois is handled from Chicago by Watterson Rothacker, Joseph Hopp and E. W. Lloyd. In Nebraska the representative is W. H. Ferguson; in Montana Will A. Campbell, of Helena, and in Utah the chairman pf the distribution committee is F. C. Richmond. In furthering the work of distribution there is ample opportunity for patriotic exhibitors to perform a real service to the Government in working out the distribution system and to give of their time and experience to the great cause of Victory. There is a great work to be done and no time to be lost.