Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

September (\ 1' 16 THE MOVING Pl< 1 I'Kl \\ < »kl.l> 1715 "Thrills in Shielding Shadow " Every Episode of Fifteen in New Pathe Serial Carries Some Startling Situation. Ir is no longer possible to deceive motion picture audi ences l>> throwing a dummy over a clifl or substitutin the leading lady, when the scenario calls for a hazardous feat " rhe public is familiar with the tricks of the cam< Louis J, t iasnier, president of the Vstra Film Corpi t it.ii . which is producing "The Shielding Shadow" serial for Pathe, "therefore, we must give them exactlj what the scenario calls for, "In 'The Shielding Shadow' we have combined everything which experience has shown thai the motion picture public wants. We have a beautiful ■_; irl in the lead, supported b) two splendid actors, and an actress famous l>oth on the stage and screen, Grace Darmond, Ralph Kellard, Leon Bary and Madeline f"ra> i rse " "We have adventure, love, mystery, and a strong element suspense throughout. There is a mysterious character called Ravengar, which will baffle audiences more tl an did the mystery of the Laughing Mask in 'The Iron Claw.' Then there is the Shielding Shadow itself. This is a mask of black with two gleaming eyes and white hands clutching a dagger. It appears whenever Leontine, the heroine, is in danger." " Phere arc more thrills, greater thrills, than there ever have been in any other serials. We show a prisoner escape a by being thrown overboard in a coffin. We show him washed to the rock} shore ^i a barren island. He funis the sure for which hundreds of men have sacrificed their lixcs \ -on a rock examining it. an octopus creep out of the sea. and after a terrific fight, drags him into the water. "In the first episode there is a tire at sea in a crowded ship. This is probably the most realistic tire scene ever filmed. Fifty members of the cast were fitted out with asbestos suits." They were soaked with oil and the match applied. While the camera clicked, the human torches plunged into the sea. "In one of the early episodes there is a balloon race in which twelve balloons take part. The scene shows Miss Darmond and Ravengar in a balloon in which the villain has planted a dynamite bomb: In mid-air the bomb explodes. There is only one parachute. In it Miss Darmond escapes by dropping into the sea. Ravengar is compelled to jump. The audience sees the real parachute drop and a real jump into the sea with the balloon's basket as Ravengar's parachute." , There are plenty of other thrills in "The Shielding Shadow" according to Mr. Gasnier at least one great big sensation in each episode. Irving Lesser METCALF'S CATALOGUE MOST COMPREHENSIVE. We are in receipt of "The A B C of Moving Pictures," an alphabetical arrangement of photoplay equipment, issued by G. A. Metcalfe, the progressive Pacific Coast supply man, with stores in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle. The book, which is of 176 pages, was compiled by Walter L. Stern, sales manages. It is a credit to the house of Metcalfe. The catalogue is clearly printed on fine paper and is profusely illustrated. One of the features of the publication is the alphabetical arrangement of the articles described. These cover, among others, the products of the Nicholas Power Company. Baird Company. Precision Machine Company, Northern Seating Company. Newman Manufacturing Company, Caille Brothers, Minusa Cine Products Company. Westinghouse Electric Company and General Electric Company. It is a most comprehensive publication. RALPH INCE ONLY ON VACATION. So many conflicting rumors have been circulated about Yitagraph's Bay Shore studio that the company's executives have asked that the truth be made known at once. Ralph Ince, producer and general manager of the BayShore studio, i leaving for California, where he expects to visit his brother and enjoy a well-earned rest. During his absence the entire staff of people at Bay Shore — stock members, cameramen, scenario writers and electricians— will be employed at the large Flatbush studios. Mr. Ince is several productions ahead of his release schedule and feels that he can be spared at this time. "His Wife's Good Name." featuring Lucille Lee Stewart, one of Mr. Ince's latest offerings, is to be released September 11, and another one of his productions comes out on the 9th of October, featuring Anita Stewart, beloved of the fans and a sister of Miss Lucille Lee. IR\ l\i, II SSI R, who tor the pasi yeai and a lull has been managei ol tin Golden Gate Film Exchange, Inc., ,i San Francisco, ha been appointed managci "i the branch oi the Ml Star Feature Distributors, ln< . and the Golden date Film Exchange, Inc.. maintained at Los succeeding i l> rate. Mi Lesser, who is •> brothei of Sol I. Lesser, of Pa< i i-i film exchange Fame, i one of the youngesl men in the business, being but nineteen \ ear of age. but ha bad no laek oi experience and training, ha\ ing been connected with the bu-i in- for years. I le assisted his father in the stirring days fol low \wj. the great tire ol 1906 and while -till in School took out pictures and played them on a percentage i>a-is. I le has a very wide fol lowing in the San Francisco Bay region and it is confidently anticipated by his friends that it will be but a short time before he is a well known and as well liked in the Angeles field. His marked success in the moving picture field is attributed to his winning personality and to his thorough knowledge of the business, there being no branch of the trade which he is not familiar. Xo successor has been named to fill his former position at the San Francisco office of Sol L. Lesser, but for the present the Golden Gate bookings will be supervised by Louis Hyman. manager of the All-Star Feature Distributor-, liefore leaving for Los Angeles Mr. Lesser was presented with a handsome silver card case by associates in the film exchange, a gift deeply appreciated by him. Irving Lesser. w ith MOTION PICTURES AT HOPEWELL, VA. Hopewell, Ya., the little town near Petersburg that was built by the Du Pont Powder Company, is soon to have a first class motion picture theater. S. A. Xippas and Roy C. Davis, the owners, were in Xew York the other day, making final arrangements for service against the opening date, which will be soon. The house is to be called the Marcelle Theater, and it is said to have cost about $30,000. LUNA PARK TO ENTERTAIN PLAYERS. ( )n Wednesday night. September 6, motion picture players and members of the Screen Club will be the guests of Luna Park, Coney Island. Tickets for admission to the park and several of its attractions, including Bostock's wild animal arena, are now being distributed. There will be staged a free modern dance contest in Luna's ballroom, the contestants being restricted to motion picture artists only. There will also be a drawing contest to determine which woman and man shall make an ascension in the captive balloon Luna. Those who haven't already been supplied with tickets may secure them through their representatives, the Screen Club. or the publicity department of the company with which they are engaged. In case of inclement weather the date will be postponed to Thursday night. September 7. JANE GAIL LEAVING CALIFORNIA. Word has been received in Xew York that Jane Gail, who for four years has been successfully featured in productions of the London Film Company and the Universal Company, has resigned from the latter organization and shortly will leave the coast for Xew York. Miss Gail has just completed her work in the interiors of the big subject, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." the exteriors of which were taken in the West Indies. Miss Gail's reason for leaving Universal City is said to be the very good one that she prefers to live in the East.