Moving Picture World (Apr-May 1918)

April 6, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 101 "Romance of the Underworld" Simmonds Speaks About W. H. Productions Reissues Keeney's First Production Based on Paul Armstrong's Play — Starring Catherine Calvert — Deals with Criminal Phase of New York Life. THE screen version of "A Romance of the Underworld," which is to be the first release of the Frank A. Keeney Pictures Corporation, differs considerably from the Paul Armstrong play from which it is taken. Whatever changes have been made are said to be essential to the effectiveness of the film presentation of the story. Mr. Keeney promised to make the screen version "more thrilling than the play." Doris Elliott, a beautiful girl brought up in a convent, suddenly finds her life transplanted into the underworld in New York. She goes to live with her brother. Her guileless nature sustains a shock when it is revealed that he is a member of a gang subservient to an unscrupulous political boss, and that he is a purveyor of drugs to "dope" fiends. The revelation is brought about by Thomas McDonald, a lawyer, who is determined to expose the boss, Michael O'Leary. O'Leary runs across an unsuspecting girl friend of Doris', Mamie Bronson, and makes an appointment to meet her at an opium den in Chinatown, promising she will find her brother, Benny, who has fallen a victim to drugs. She goes, and is drugged and ruined by O'Leary. She finds her brother, and tells him her story. Later, O'Leary attempts to force his attentions upon Doris. Her brother, Richard, attempts to shoot O'Leary. The boss holds Doris in front of him, and retreats. Suddenly he seizes a poker, and strikes Richard on the head, knocking him to the floor. Then there is a shot, and O'Leary falls dead. Richard is cared for by friends who rush in. Doris, believing her brother killed O'Leary, takes the revolver and sits by the corpse until the police rush in. She is placed on trial for her life; then comes a thrilling court scene. Doris is defended by McDonald. He endeavors to console her, but her case appears hopeless. Suddenly a new witness appears, and the trial is brought to a startling ending. Makes First Statement Regarding Company's Policy and Methods and Announces a Series of Shorty Hamilton Two-Reel Pictures. Gerard Picture for State Rights. Subsequent to the announcement contained in our last issue to the effect that no decision has been reached as to the method of exploitation of "My Four Years in Germany," based on Ambassador Gerard's experiences, it was decided that this picture will be released on a state rights basis, and already a number of bids have been received for this production, which is enjoying a successful run at the Knickerbocker theater, New York, at advanced prices. Definite announcements as to the allotment of territory will be made in later issues. Hirsh Buys "Still Alarm" from Selig. Nathan Hirsh, of the Pioneer Film Corporation, has purchased the negative for "The Still Alarm," which was produced by Selig-. With the exception of New York State and northern New Jersey, which he vsrill retain, the remainder of the territory will be disposed of on state rights basis. Mr. Hirsh says there is a call for strong melodramatic productions, and that exhibitors are making their wants known at the exchanges, and are puzzled as to w^hy some of the famous melodramas which were so successful are not produced in pictures; their main argument being that these plays would come to them with previous advertising that made them a success, at the same time offering their patrons a new type of picture and story. JOSEPH SIMMONDS, president of W. H. Productions Company, makes his first statement to the trade since the Inception of W. H. Productions Company last November. "The g-eneral consensus of opinion is that the film industry is unstable in that it is different from any other industry," says Mr. Simmonds. "The same basic principles applied by Ford, Woolworth, and Sears Roebuck can be successfully applied to the film industry. "It is a well-known fact that the motion picturegoing public has increased largely within the past two years, so that the productions we are now releasingwere never seen by the new film fans. "The lover of literature when he wants the best does not go to the nearest Joseph Simmonds^ book store and secure a copy of the latest story, and from the fact that it is the latest feel content that it must be the best. The teachers of theology do not search for any treatise superior to the bible. Thus might be likened the William S. Hart and other subjects -which the W. H. Productions are distributing. They are classics of screen drama. "In the W. H. Productions Company features the prints are new; the tintings are the most modern obtainable. In fact everything possible has been done to make them new from every view point. There are from two to four prominent screen stars in each of our features. "We intend to 4o a large business at a small margin of profit, so that the public can be made a part of our organization. We are creating in the minds of the independent exchangeman and the exhibitor a desire to come to the W. H. Productions Company for the best, because they are assured of good treatment, good pictures, and fair prices. We will not advertise one thing and try to sell another. Each of our productions is chosen with care. "It is likewise regrettable that a certain self-appointed critic and -would-be scribe should allow himself to be in fiuenced by desire for recognition by sensational methods. In a very crude way ■this scribe called exhibitors fools for booking reissues. We believe that any man with red blood in his veins resents being called a fool. Many of the biggest exhibitors of the country, men of tested ability, keen foresight, and business acumen are featuring W. H. Productions reissues, and are playing them under appropriate titles given them by W. H. Productions Company, and are getting dollars out of their box offices and satisfying their patrons. "It does not seem possible that these men who employ good judgment and sho-wmanship in the conduct of their business would like to be considered fools in giving the public what it -wants. "We are now about to release a series of five Bessie Barriscale features, and also a series of eighteen two-reel Shorty Hamilton pictures. 'W-'^ are reconstructing each c;io oi these in their entirety, so lu'at when they go to the public they will be as modern, as interesting, and as new as it is possible to make them. In fact in giving these productions their new main title in all of our advertising matter there will be a caption stating that it has been adapted from the original productions, because a number of exhibitors have advised us that such patrons who have originally seen these features, upon recognizing the title, would want to see them again." Scrantonia Adds to Activity Will Produce Six and Seven-Reel Features— De Barge Is President and General Manager. THE Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation, which has announced for release six one-reel comedies featuring Charlie Fang, the Chinese comedian, will also commence producing six and seven-reel photoplays to be released by way of the state rights market through Jesse J. Goldburg. Negotiations are pending for the purchase of the Crystal Palace at Rocky Glen, Pa., situated six miles from Scranton. This is said to be the largest glass inclosed structure in the United States. Mr. De Barge, the vice-president and director general of the Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation, was born in Antwerp, Belgium, and educated in the "Adene Royal," at Antwerp. He then went to Paris and studied dramatic art for three years, after which he was engaged by Pathe P. Freres at Paris, and continued in their employ for several years, and was later engaged as director by the British Colonial Pictures Company in London. Upon completing this contract Mr. De Barge came to America and worked for the old Imp and Biograph Companies, after which he returned to Amsterdam, Holland, and entered the dramatic field in Louis Baumester's Company playing in stock. Returning to America, Mr. De Barge was engaged by the Famous Players, and supported among other stars Mary Pickford. Donald Brian, and Pauline Frederick. He then directed the productions of the French Art Pictures Corporation, producing among others "Mother's Fate" and "The Ten Commandments." Before joining the Scrantonia Photoplay Corporation, Mr. De Barge was connected with the Sidney Olcott Players in the production, "The Belgian." Good Booking for King-Bees. Three prominent photoplay houses in New York have just booked the KingBee comedies, the Seventy-Seventh street and the One Hundred and Tenth Street on two-day schedules, and Fox's Star theater on a four-day schedule.