Moving Picture World (Jul 1919)

236 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 12, 1919 WILLIAM FOX SIGNS WILLIAM RUSSELL Athletic Star Will Act in Parts Typifying American Manhood — May Work in New York Studio W^ILLIAM RUSSELL has been signed by William Fox to appear in a series of pictures reflecting alert and aggressive American manhood. He will appear on the Victory series, which also features George Walsh and Gladys Brockwell. Mr. Russell is expected to work in the new Fox studios in New York, and is expected to arrive shortly from the West Coast. Fine Physical Specimen. Broadway, East St. Louis, presented by Mayor M. M. Stephens at a City Council meeting, was ordered filed until the following week to permit an investigation by three members of the council of complaints filed with the mayor against the playhouse. The license, according to Mayor Stephens, was issued several days ago by order of the commissioners after he had refused to grant a permit to operate the show. Importing Kinarco Carbons. Kinarco carbons manufactured by the General Electric Company, Ltd., are now being brought to the United States by the Carbon Imports Company, 110-114 West Forty-second street. Robert W. Kiewert, president and general manager, has been engaged in this line for over fourteen years and feels positive that a surprise is in store for the operator who will send for samples. Mr. Kiewert is equally positive that Kinarco carbons are superior to any European carbons manufactured “before the war.” Associated with Mr. Kiewert is Herbert Schiff, who has been in the service as a naval aviation lieutenant for two years, having but recently returned. William Russell is a fine specimen of rugged manhood, physically powerful, and a splendid actor who has made his mark on the speaking stage as well as on the screen for artistry both serious and light. He has been connected with a number of prominent picture companies, and has been at the head of his own company. William Russell is wudely known for his athletic prowess. His rating as an amateur boxer is high, and he has met some of the cleverest professionals in friendR bouts. For several years he attended a school of physical culture, where he acquired a knowledge of the human machine and developed himself physically. As a swimmer he has won laurels, and has swam eight miles. In Youth Was Water Boy. Mr. Russell was born in New York. At the age of eight he put in his spare time, after school hours, in the office of Julia Arthur, president of the Professional Woman’ s League, checking hats and serving as water boy, also doing a Ghunga Din around the corner in Palmer’s Theatre. While his talent as a water boy was duly appreciated, his histrionic ability was sufficiently recognized to justify giving him an opportunity to appear in the third act in an impersonation of Jimmie Fadden. Mr. Russell inherited a talent for acting from his mother. His father was a professor of languages at New York University. He received a fine cultural education, which reinforced his natural instinct for the stage and enabled him in later years to appear in the spoken drama with such artists as Ethel Barrymore in “Cousin Kate,” with David Higgins, Blanche Bates, Ezra Kendall, Chauncey Olcott and Roselle Knot. He was leading man with the Poli Stock Company in Philadelphia and for two years was starred in “St. Elmo.” For several years he toured the vaudeville circuits with an act which was successful. Mr. Russell entered the motion picture field five years ago. Fox Making Foreign Sales Drive. The foreign department of the Fox Film Corporation is in the midst of a simultaneous sales drive in England, Australia and Brazil, the Exhibitors’ Service Bureau announces. This drive, modeled on the same lines as those used in this country in several big selling efforts, is said to be meeting with marked success. Halt Revocation of Theatre License. A resolution to revoke the license of a negro theatre at Main street and Foreign Film Invasion To Be Conducted by Corporation Recently Formed in America William Russell with American-made motion pictures. The new corporation, which was formed in New York recently, carries the incorporate name of the Atlantic Cinema Corporation. Benjamin Blumenthal, president of the corporation, is at present in Copenhagen, Denmark, preparing the shipping arrangements for placing the product across the borders of Germany as soon as the country is opened up. The shipments to the former neutral countries are already under way. Although the company has been in existence a short time they are declared to have secured the entire program of releases that were made by the Triangle Company since 1915. This includes productions starring Douglas Fairbanks, William S. Hart, Norma and Constance Talmadge, Mae Marsh, Charles Ray and others, together with about three hun Jean Paige Signs a New Contract with Vitagraph JEAN PAIGE has recently signed a two-year contract with Vitagraph, with an option renewal for a similar period. She will play opposite Harry T. Morey in his next feature as her first work under the new agreement. The rise of Miss Paige in motion pictures has been startling, but her earR work in the O. Henry subjects was so excellent that no doubts were held as to her adaptability to the screen and her certain advancement. Miller to Direct Pictures of Bout. Charles Miller, Charles Miller Productions, Inc., left New York, Tuesday, July 1, for Toledo, O.. to assist in the direction of the taking of the scenes of the Willard-Dempsev contest. Mr. Miller was accompanied bjr his cameraman, still photographer and an assistant. In addition to Director Miller, Mr. Hall’s interests in Toledo, consisting of the exclusive rights to the motion pictures of the big sporting event, are represented by Harry P. Diggs, exploitation manager, Leon Britton and five cameramen, in addition to the one accompanying Air. Aliller. (-'i OINCIDENT with the announcement of the signing of the final papers of the peace treaty comes the statement that an organization of film men is waiting to invade Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czecho, Slovak, Jungo-Slovak and other Balkan states, as well as Poland and Russia, dred shorter subjects, the greater part of which are Keystone comedies. Contract for 50,000,000 Feet. They have also contracted, it is said, for the entire output of the Goldwyn, Select and Selznick companies ; for a selection of the most adaptable subjects of the Metro program, and for approximately one hundred independent-made and released productions. The company has also contracted, according to report, for all of the Charles Chaplin comedies that have been made and released by that star while he was with the Mutual and for his later releases through the First National Exhibitors’ Circuit. In addition, with the regular Metro contract, there is a contract for twelve productions starring Mme. Nazimova for Russia and Poland. Among the serials that have been purchased are the Houdini picture, “The Alaster Mystery,” which was produced by B. A. Rolfe, and the new Craig Kennedy serial, produced by the Oliver Film Corporation.