Moving Picture World (Sep 1917)

1406 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 1, 1917 Exhibitors Promised Good Things Grant Wilbur, Catherine Calvert, Jean Sothern and Marian Swayne in Coming Plans of Art Dramas. DIFFICULTIES in revising the Art Dramas schedule, to allow the immediate release of the newly-acquired Crane Wilbur features, have at last been circumvented, and the new order of productions is here given forth for the first time. As far as is known, this order will be followed exactly. According to the new schedule, exhibitors of Art Dramas may look forward to a rich variety of popular productions, headed by stars of ability and renown. Two Crane Wilbur Horsley pictures are promised in close succession, and there will be also Jean Sothern, Marian Swayne and Catherine Calvert, in plays of distinction. "Think It Over," which was due for release August 13, is a TJ. S. Amusement Corporation production, in which Catherine Calvert is starred, supported by Richard Tucker and a cast spesially selected for the various characters. This play is a breezy, swift-moving comedy, written by H. Blache and directed by him. This was followed by "The Little Samaritan," a much-heralded play which will, according to those in authority, live up to its advance notices, if not surpass them. With Marian Swayne as star, Joseph Lovering as director, and Reverend Clarence J. Harris as author, "The Little Samaritan" is made up of the same triple alliance which produced "Little Miss Fortune," the picture which was such a sensation all over the country. "Behind the Mask," another TJ. S. Amusement Corporation Art Drama in which Catherine Calvert is starred, again supported by Richard Tucker, was directed by Mme. Alice Blache from the story by Charles Dazey, one of the most capable and clever scenario writers before the public. In this story he has constructed a plot which will astonish by Its novelty. It was adapted to the screen by Frederick Rath. The second Horsley-Art Drama starring Crane Wilbur will follow "Behind the Mask." This is "Blood of His Fathers," and is a scientifically correct study of heredity. Mr. Wilbur plays three characters in the course of the narrative. "Blood of His Fathers" is somewhat of a novelty in form in that it is told with a prologue, a device somewhat common in stage plays, but almost unknown to motion pictures. The prologue takes place during the Civil War, and Mr. Wilbur is in that period of the_ story a disreputable captain of guerrillas, who wander the country pillaging and destroying. The remainder of the story is modern. "Blood of His Fathers" was written by J. Francis Dunbar and directed by Harrish Ingraham, the two men who were responsible for the strength of story and excellence of production of "Eye of Envy," Mr. Wilbur's first Art Drama. "Peg o' the Sea," a Van Dyke picture starring Jean Sothern, will follow this. Winifred Dunn wrote the story from which this is taken. The staging of the picture has been practically completed except for a few interiors. This week the company returned from Atlantic Highlands, where the sea scenes were taken. It is expected that the remainder of the photoplay will be completed by the end of the week. An untitled picture in which Catherine Calvert is starred will follow this. The U. S. Amusement Corporation is at present working on the new play, and it is to be finished in a week or so. More details regarding its nature will be given in a later issue. "Unto the End," third of the Horsley Art Dramas starring Crane Wilbur, is the next in order. This is a somewhat tragic drama, deeply moving in its wealth of pathos. It relates a story of love which endures, despite all obstacles and difficulties, until the death of the lovers. The last scene of "Unto the End" is said to be one of the most intensely emotional moments ever screened. The heroine, afflicted with leprosy, has been sent to an island in the Pacific — one of the Hawaiian group. Here her lover goes in secret, for no one is permitted to visit the dwelling of the living dead. He arrives to find her dying on the shore. Picking her up in his arms, he enters the sea, and wades out toward the setting sun until he and his mate have been swallowed up by the waves. SELIG "WORLD LIBRARY NO. 15." Historic Monterey, California, is presented in Selig World Library No. 15, released in General Film Service on Wednesday, August 22. In 1602, Don Sebastian Vizcaine entered Monterey Bay and took possession of the soil in the name of King Philip III of Spain. Monterey was the capital of California when the latter was a Mexican province. California's first theater, first frame house, first brick building. The home of Robert Louis Stevenson. The old Custom House. Latest African fashions include a skirt made from bamboo leaves and without the slightest waste. Tuna fishing in the Pacific is an important industry. Tons of the fish are caught along the Pacific Coast, where they swim in shoals. Some attain a length of fifteen feet, weighing about 1,500 pounds. The fish are cleaned at sea. Here is a 50-pound salmon. Securing salmon for spawning purposes. The silk worm came originally from China. Mulberry leaves are its chief food. The silk secreting glands. The cocoon In which the chrysalis is killed is placed in warm water to soften the gum, allowing the silk fiber to be reeled. After being properly cleaned it is ready for spinning. The weaving machine. Ready for market. Russian Art Film Attracts Many Inquiries Received in Response to Advertising and Inspection. PRELIMINARY announcement, made in the Moving Picture World last week by N. S. Kaplan, that his Russian repertory of the films would soon be released in the United States, has brought hundreds of communications to the offices cf the' Russian Art Film Corporation, in the Godfrey building, at 729 Seventh avenue, New Tork City. There appears to be a widespread interest in the project of presenting to American playgoers many new personalities in stories worthy of their abilities. Mr. Kaplan is enthusiastic at the response of the exhibitors who read the advertising pages of the Moving Picture World. "The reception given to our general announcement amazes me," said Mr. Kaplan. "I had thought that the exhibitors of America would be interested to know what was being done in Russia to further the art to which they are devoted, but I had no idea that the response would be so conclusive. My desk is literally covered with telegrams and letters asking for particulars regarding the system of release that we shall follow in presenting Russian Art films to the trade in America. To all inquiries I have replied that I don't know; the reception given to the first picture which we present on Broadway in a few weeks will determine our plan of action. In Russia we have a motto or saying: 'Be sure you're right, then go ahead.' "The Russian Art Film Corporation intends to be right before it goes ahead. We have completed the tremendous task of sorting and assembling for American production the greater part of the fifty negatives which I brought from Moscow. From half a dozen the final choice will be made as to the initial production. We don't say it will be the best picture drama of the lot — in fact, we believe that it will not be — but we promise that it will be representative of the generally high level of the art as it has been developed in the famous Moscow theater of Russia. We shall let the critical authorities and the exhibitors who know what their patrons want tell us what our policy shall be." PRINT OF FIRST KERRIGAN PICTURES. Carl Anderson, president of Paralta Plays, and other officers and directors of that corporation have seen a run of the first print of J. Warren Kerrigan's production of Peter B. Kyne's "A Man's Man." They express their approbation in very enthusiastic terms. "A Man's Man" will be released through the Triangle Distributing corporation in September. Prior to the release a special invitation showing will be made. "OUTCAST" (Empire-All Star). At a final viewing of their first release, "Outcast," the Empire All-Star Corporation, who are releasing through the Mutual Exchanges, feel quite sure they have a picture that is going to be something of a surprise to those who believe that plays have to be materially altered for screen showing. Much of the scenery was taken from the Frohman storehouse and costumes were faithfully reproduced. Miss Ann Murdock, who is starring in the film version, herself long a Scene from "Outcast" (Mutual). Frohman star, declares herself to be more than pleased. She and David Powell, who is playing "Geoffrey," the same role he played when on tour with the original "Outcast" company, often discussed various little incidents that cropped up, and their memory helped to straighten out many mooted questions. Dell Henderson, who directed, declares that he asks for nothing better than that all plays should adapt themselves to the screen as well as "Outcast" has. And so those who declare that a good story is equally good whether it be used for magazine, stage or screen use, win their point.