The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

Aprfl 10, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 235 We Have with Us To-day C. Gardner Sullivan, Whirlwind Scenarist, Off for Africa and Everywhere No, C. Gardner Sullivan didn't ask us to deny it, but it's so obvious on the fact of it that he did not say it that we voluntarily project ourselves into the denying breach. Let it be known worldwide, as far as the super special feature is distributed, that the paraphrase, "Percentage is the thing wherein I'll catch the mazuma of the king," is no brain-child of Mr. Sullivan's. But be it known, however, that C. Gardner Sullivan is a strong advocate of percentage— not the kind about which distributors and exhibitors cudgel each other so lustily each week in the well-known trade papers, but the kind, for instance, whereby the playwright draws the checks for his' share of the net returns at the box office. In other words, in these days of democracy and rumors of democracy, Mr. , Sullivan is a royalist— beg pardon, an advocate of royalties. Figrure It Yourself. But laying aside the facetious ribbon of the reportorial Underwood and turning into the concrete eight point, let it be said that this discussion on percentage grew out of tracking down the rumor that C. Gardner Sullivan, whose pen has turned out so many colorful screen stories for Thomas H. Ince, was enjoying a yearly salary of $100,000. The trail led to the Hotel Algonquin, where, with Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. Sullivan was staying, preparatory to sailing two days later around the world. Asked to tell how much more than $100,000 he was really making, Mr. Sullivan modestly pointed the conversation directly at the fact that he is now under contract with Mr. Ince to write four pictures a year, and receive a certain percentage of the returns from the productions. Now figure out his income tax yourself. Mr. Sullivan added that this plan has grown in such favor with the writing fraternity of Los Angeles that recently they organized to petition the Authors' League, which works upon the royalty, or percentage plan, for a charter. Mr. Sullivan sailed on March 31 for Naples. From Italy he will work up through France to the British Isles, and then across to Norway and Sweden, thence to Everywhere. If the weather permits, it is possible Mr. Sullivan will pass from Italy over to Northern Africa. At any rate, he plans to get there eventually. Enthusiastic Over Africa. Mr. Sullivan's admirers are confident he will bring back with him a wealth of material for picture production. _He is particularly enthusiastic oyer his contemplated "invasion" of Africa. "I like to write 'desert stuff,'" said the scenarist. "There is so much color and mystery about the desert and the jungle and the people who take to those trails are so apt to be out of the ordinary in their doings that you can 'cut loose' in your stories, and bring in the musical literary touch that would be out of place in every day chronicles. "If possible, I shall either organize or join a caravan going into the interior of Africa. The old walled city of Timbuctoo is a place I want to see, and it means a journey consuming some thirty days." As Mr. Sullivan spoke of Africa, the flash of the creative artist came into his eyes, his whole body seemed to radiate energy and enthusiasm, he spoke rapidly, and it was easy to see that Africa will occupy a large part of his imagination and also the trunk that will inevitably house By WILLIAM J. REILLY on the screen with his own continuities and titles, will live tor some time to come. the material he will pick up on this trip around the world. A Newspaper Man. This will be the first "rest" Mr. Sullivan will enjoy since he went to the Coast six years ago. With some three hundred picture plays to his credit, it is no wonder that this Ince whirlwind is preparing to relish his vacation. Like so many figures in the film industry, Mr. Sullivan received his training in the newspaper game. City rooms in St. Paul, Duluth and Minneapolis and New Orleans knew him. It was in the Crescent City that Mr. Sullivan decided to see for himself how stiff the Manhattan newspaper current was to swim in, so he came to New York and landed on the "Journal." While on the "Journal" he became interested in scenario work, sold a number C. Gardner Sullivan Who started his world tour March 31 to get Ideas for new stories. of stories, read Epes Winthrop Sargent's "Photoplaywright" in Moving Picture World, and was finally "called" to the center of action on the Coast as an Ince scenarist. "The Coward," originally written for Frank Keenan, and the picture which "made" Charles Ray, was a product of the Sullivan pen. Mr. Sullivan followed this with "The Pinch Hitter" and Ray's success was assured. Bon Voyage! Asked how he would define "continuity," Mr. Sullivan immediately flashed, "I would call it the blood and brains of the picture. I have seen many successful stage pieces wrecked, their punches obliterated, by imperfect continuities." This keen-eyed individual is not satisfied to rest on his laurels. He has a habit of observing audiences watch his pictures in the theatres, sitting through two shows, and picking up the comments, the laughs, the sighs, the criticisms for future reference. It is easy to see that on his coming trip he is going to carve a trail that, recorded Levey to Picturize Leitch Book. John Leitch, author of "Man to Man, the story of Industrial Democracy," the book which has gone into twenty-three American editions in the last eleven months and has been translated into seven languages, including Japanese, signed a contract yesterday with Harry Levey, general manager of the industrial and educational department of Universal, for the immediate production of a feature motion picture for world distribution based on the book. Mr. Leitch will himself play the leading part in the picture. Many Suggest Name for New Universal Novelty Release AN avalance of suggestions has been received by Universal as the result of an advertisement in last week's issue of this publication, in which a prize was offered to the exhibitor or exhibitors who could suggest a suitable name for its new jmgle reel novelty release. Judging from the number of names suggested, it is evident that the board of judges faces a task of large proportions. On or about June 1, Universal plans to issue a new novelty reel. It will contain among other things a new idea in slow motion films, adventure scenics, examples of trick photography, and other unusual material. Universal camera correspondents now operating in Europe and Asia Minor have already obtained much material that is said to have heretofore been unobtainable for magazines and news reels. Among several of the subjects already produced are scenes of the Dyak head hunters of Borneo on the war path and engaged in a foray against their enemies; pictures of an engagement between Chinese revolutionists, and African sacrifice dances taken on the upper reaches of the Congo and strange rituals of the semi-civilized folk on the Mongolian frontier. New Hallmark Serial Shows Consolidated Stock Exchange DURING the filming of "The Evil Eye," the new Hallmark serial by Roy L. McCardell, in which the lightweight champion of the world, Benny Leonard, has the leading role. Wall Street was shot in a manner never before attempted by any other producers, it is said. The interior scene of the New York Consolidated Stock Exchange was made while the exchange was in session. Heretofore, it is said, no motion picture concern has been allowed to set up its cameras (luring the business hours of the exchange, and only upon several very rare occasions have picture concerns been privileged to make any scenes at all. Interiors were also made of one of the largest trust companies in New York during the busy banking hours. Milwaukee Showman Visits New York. Charles Greenblatt, of the Merrill Theatre Amusement Company, of Milwaukee, was in New York last week. The Merrill company holds the Milwaukee territory franchise in Associated Exhibitors, Inc., and during his stay Mr. Greenblatt concerned himself with several matters pertaining to his connection with Associated.