Moving Picture World (Dec 1919)

1130 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 27, 1919 Showing of Pictures on Sunday in Louisville Church Brings Protest WHETHER the churches of Louisville, Ky., will generally adopt Sunday pictures in lieu of certain Sunday sermons remains to be seen. The first tryout of pictures in a fashionable church has resulted in much discussion of the subject, with practically all of the churches opposing the plan. The first effort in this direction was made by the Rev. R. Ernest Atkin, of the Unitarian Church, on Fourth avenue, one of the most fashionable congregations in the city. Its efforts in this direction received more press notices than some of the big films receive in theatres, and it wasn’t paid for at that. The first service was on November 30. Some Dislike Idea. The churches haven’t had time as yet to shoot the plan full of holes, but during the coming Sunday sermons the op JUDGE MAYER, in the United States District Court on December 11, decided in favor of J. Hartley Manners in his suit against the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation to enjoin the film company from releasing a screen version of the author’s play entitled “Peg ’O My Heart.” The decision of Judge Mayer was based on a clause in the contract entered into between the author-plawright and Oliver Morosco in January, 1912, which provided that “no alterations, eliminations or additions” to the play were to be made without the author’s consent and approval. The play was successfully produced on the stage under the management of Mr. Morosco for a period of more than five years and is still playing. Some time ago Mr. Morosco planned to produce the play in motion pictures, but the author filed a suit to prevent him from doing so, claiming he had reserved the film rights under his contract with Mr. Morosco. Judge Mayer dismissed this suit, which is still pending before the Supreme Court on appeal. Not a “Chinese Copy.” Meanwhile Mr. Morosco assigned his rights to produce the play on the screen to the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, which produced an elaborate cinema version of the play. The author then filed the present suit against the film company to enjoin the release of the photoplay on the ground that he owns the film rights. “It is impracticable to analyze the motion picture scene by scene and compare it with the spoken play,” declared Judge Mayer. “The writer of the scenario evidently had in mind the kind of presentation which pleases the audience of a motion picture play and to that end departed from the sequential expeditious course of the spoken play.” Judge Mayer pointed out that it is not practical to follow closely the theme and development of a play in producing a screen version of the same, and intimates that the fact that the film com position will have their inning. Just because a few pastors don’t believe in the plan they are anxious to wreck a plan which holds great promise, and which should aid in bringing crowds to the churches. On December 2, the Tuesday after the first pictures were shown, the Bible Class of the Warren Memorial Church endeavored to throw a monkey wrench into the Unitarian machinery. First Attempt But Not Last. This is Louisville’s first attempt at pictures in the churches, but it promises not to be the last by any means. For the next few weeks there will be much pro and con talk, with the pro talkers saying meaner things than a con man who has been run off his beat. However, it looks as though the plans may prove fairly successful, and that other churches will use it, occasionally at least. pany had not produced a “Chinese copy” of the play was not an important issue, but held that under the Manners-Morosco contract the playwright was entitled to pass on any changes which were introduced in making the film. As a result of the decision the film company will be enjoined from releasing the photoplay until the Supreme Court passes on the Manners-Morosco suit involving the ownership of the film rights. American Ace in Party Filming Southern Scenes ROY BUCKLEY, of Chicago, an American flying ace connected with the Lafayette escadrille during the war, was recently a guest of Chattanooga for a few days. He is spending several weeks in the South with a crew HiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiimiiKiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiim “Grinds.” auline Frederick and Director Frank Lloyd give their set the w. k. “OO” at Culver City. from the Atlas Educational Film Company, of Chicago, filming points of scenic and historic interest for release through the Greiver Distributing Corporation. The films will be taken from Chattanooga to Savannah and the reel will be entitled “From Chattanooga to the Sea.” It is planned to show the pictures in 2,500 moving picture theatres in the country, thus giving a big boost to the natural beauties of Tennessee and Georgia. Besides Buckley, who will drive the car over the route, are C. E. Ashley, director, and R. G. Ganstrom and Harry Peterson, cameramen. Provides Artistic Plan Book on “Eve in Exile” COMPLETE, well-planned and artistic campaign book has been provided for “Eve in Exile,” the American Film Company’s newest Flying A Special. It sets forth an admirable selection of good catch-lines, special advance stories, follow-up publicity stories, after-the-show criticisms, short synopses, and news items both short and long. For theatres that go in for special presentation, the campaign book outlines an allegorical prologue that is effective and artistic, and at the same time fairly simple and inexpensive to put across. The campaign book is accompanied by a special press sheet that illustrates a number of effective ads of varying sizes, in which catchy phrases and clever drawings combine to put the message over with punch and appeal. All these ads are to be had in mat form at the various Pathe branches from which the American’s accessories are distributed. New Leading Man for Norma Talmadge. Edmond Lowe, who plays the part of the Chinese Prince, Tom Lee, opposite Lenore Ulric, in David Belasco’s production “The Son-Daughter” at the Belasco Theatre, has just been engaged as Norma Talmadge’s leading man for “The Woman Gives,” her second First National picture, on which work has been started. Roy Neil is directing this film. Edmond Lowe is comparatively a newcomer to the screen, but has already won success by his portrayal of Peter Judson, as leading man for Clara Kimball Young in “The Eyes of Youth.” He has also supported Jane Cowl and Irene Castle. “Eve in Exile” Has Special Showing. An elaborate review of “Eve in Exile," the American Film Company’s latest Flying A Special, was arranged for an invited audience of exhibitors and picture critics of Philadelphia. The screening was held at Stanley’s Arcadia Theatre, with Charlotte Walker present in person to underscore with her presence the favorable impression created by her handling of the title role. Her engagement in Philadelphia in “Tea for Three.” with which she is on tour this season, made possible her presence at the formal showing of her new picture, which is based on the play and novel by Cosmo Hamilton. George W. Weeks in Town. George W. Weeks, general manager of Famous Lasky Film Service, Ltd., of Canada, with headquarters in Toronto, has arrived in New York on a visit. Famous Players Enjoined by Court From Releasing “Peg O’ My Heart”