Moving Picture World (Jul 1919)

230 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 12, 1919 author of the first novel ever purchased for the purpose of being made into a motion picture serial — ‘‘The Double Cross” — which was produced by Astra under the ti-tle of “The Mystery of the Double Cross,” starring Mollie King. He is also the author of one of the first serials successes, “The Adventures of Kathlyn,” and “The Tiger’s Trail,” Miss Roland’s two latest serials. Willets a Successful Rolling Stone. He was the first correspondent to travel through Cuba from Havana to San Diego after the Spanish-American war. Then he went to India, journeyed 1,000 miles to the famine district; made a sledge journey across Northern Russia, Finland and Sweden; made a special tour of the capitals of Europe; crossed Mexico on horseback for Leslie’s Weekly; made a transcontinental tour for the Munsey publication; made two trips to the Pacific Coast, covering every State in the Union for the Railroad Man’s Magazine, and he has written many books. Theodore Wharton also will produce and direct a serial for the Pathe program, entitled “The Crooked Dagger.” Mr. Wharton is associated with his brother, Leopold Wharton, under the firm name of the Whartons, and has long been associated with serial making. The Whartons Re-enter the Game. He built the first indoor studio for Pathe in 1911. He produced “The Mysteries of Myra,” “Patria,” “The New Adventures of Wallingford” and “The New Exploits of Elaine.” He is rightly called one of the pioneers of the picture industry and his knowledge of serial making gives him a place among the experts. The scenario for “The Crooked Dagger” is being prepared by Frederic Chapin of the Pathe scenario staff. Mr. Chapin wrote the continuity for “Today” with Florence Reed; “The Auction of Souls”; “The Marionettes” with Clara Kimball Young, and “The Easiest Way” for the same star, in collaboration with Albert Capellani; “Heart of the Sunset” for Anna Q. Nilsson; “The Venus “Naughty, Naughty Mans — Mustn’t!” Stuart Holmes and Anna Hanlon in “The Sins of the Children,” which Pioneer is exploiting on the state right market. Model” for Mabel Normand, and “The Argyle Case” for Robert Warwick. Arthur F. Beck Serials, Inc., will produce for Pathe a serial entitled “The Isle of Jewels,” by Charles T. Dazey, famed as the author of the lasting stage success, “In Old Kentucky.” Mr. Dazey has been for years a contributor to many magazines. In addition to “In Old Kentucky,” he was co-author of “A Night Out” and “The Captain.” Dazey Writes a Serial.” His screen career began with Metro. He wrote “The Redemption of Dave Darcey” and was co-author of the Doug las Fairbank’s “Manhattan Madness”; also “The Flower of Faith.” His other screen works include “The Call to Arms,” “A Night in New York” and “The Testing of Mildred Vane.” The featured players in “The Isle of Jewels” will be Frances Mann and Stuart Holmes. Joseph A. Golden, president of Western Photoplays, Inc., wrote and directed "The Great Gamble,” co-starring Anne Luther and Charles Hutchison. Mr. Golden has been in the picture business for the past twelve years, his first engagement being with the Biograph Company of America, for which he wrote and produced. BEHOLD! THE SCRIBES ARE SILENCED They Say One to the Other that Aurora Will Not Come, But Anderson Calleth Their Bluff EVERYTHING is ready,” James Anderson, special representative for the First National Exhibitors’ Circuit, was complacently telling J. L. Johnson, advertising manager of the Liberty Theatre, owned by Ruben & Finkelstein at St. Paul. “Aurora’s train is on time, the lobby looks like an autographed photo of the prettiest part of Armenia, the film is here, the camel won’t have to drink for seven more days, the costume for the ushers are here, we’re all set. I tell you, J. L., this ‘Auction of Souls’ picture is going to be a sure winner ” “Where is that fakir — that stone-eyed fraud — that picture crook? Where is he? ” These and other cries, accompanied by a sound of men’s shoes tramping up a stairway, caused him to stop his conversation short. Listening for a moment, he turned again to Johnson, reassuringly. “Sounds like the newshounds,” he remarked. “Those fellows are always pulling something like this. Some sort of a joke they’ve thought up. When you know these fellows do you wonder that people never ” The Scribes Denounce Him. “I wouldn’t call it a joke if I were you,” spoke up one of the scribes, appointing himself spokesman. Then he added cynically: “You’re the biggest fakir this side of the Rocky Mountains. Aurora Mardiganian? I know where she is. I know exactly where she is. And that’s more than you know and probably more than you care. That was a fine stunt to pull on the people of St. Paul.” “Calm yourself,” said Lieutenant Anderson, pointing to the panting newshound. “Aurora is coming here as fast as the United States Railroad Administration will permit. I promised you she would be here to-morrow and she will. Now, may I ask you please why I am a fakir?” “Because she will be in Red Bank, N. J., tomorrow. I got a copy of a newspaper from that town by accident to-day. It just happened to slip into the office.” Doubting Thomas Silenced. “Boy,” said Jimmy Anderson, reaching for a telephone, “you’re not going to leave this office until I telephone New York and find out just where I’m at. Lock that door, J. L. Don’t let any of these newshounds out until I find out from headquarters.” So Anderson telephoned New York. He was authorized to give $5,000 to any man, woman or child who could prove that the Aurora Mardiganian appearing in St. Paul with “Auction of Souls” was not the real person. Triumphant, Anderson turned away from the telephone to find that all reporters had taken notes during his telephone conversation. They had *the whole story. Further Publicity. By the time the star arrived in St. Paul, newspapers were carrying items intended to raise the question of whether the real Mardiganian person was in town or not. It meant priceless publicity for the Liberty Theatre. And the arrival of Miss Mardiganian meant many more stories. She was invited to a number of specially arranged affairs, met the Governor of Minnesota, and fainted while telling of her experiences. Each of these exploits meant a front page story. “Naughty, Naughty Mans — Musn’t!” Says Claire Whitney to King Baggott in “The Man Who Stayed at Home.” Metro’s Screen Classic.