Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

1812 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD September 16, 1916 "Witching Hour" For Frohman Amusement Corporation to Produce Famous Augustus Thomas Play — John Mason May Appear in It. AFTER two years of refusal and disdaining offers that exceeded five figures for his dramatic masterpiece, "The Witching Hour," Augustus Thomas, noted playwright and director general of the Charles Frohman interests, has turned over to the Frohman Amusement Corporation the film rights to this powerful play, and that vehicle will be the next production of the Frohman company. "The Witching Hour" enjoyed a three-year run at the Liberty theater several years ago. From the inception of the multiple reel feature producers have been offering Mr. Thomas large sums for the screen rights to this play, but Mr. Thomas has resisted every offer. He was firm in his belief that "The Witching Hour" could be revived and that it would run again on Broadway. Recently, however, William L. Sherrill, head of the Frohman Corporation, induced Mr. Thomas to enter into serious consideration regarding the screening of the piece, with the result that contracts were closed last week, which permits the Frohman Company to produce the picture. Efforts are going forward now, through George Irving, of the Frohman Company, to secure as many of the original cast as he possibly can to portray their original roles. John Mason, who starred in the piece during its long run, is engaged to open soon in "Common Clay," which he starred last season. If arrangements can be made so that Mr. Mason can divide his time between the theater and the studio, Mr. Sherrill will end*eavor to prevail upon him to play his original role. In the event that conditions are such as to preclude his doing so, C. Aubrey Snith will undoubtedly be seen as the gambler. Edith Taliaferro will (in all likelihood) be seen in the ingenue part. A deep element of hypnosis and psychology obtains in the story, and in order to get logical and correct effects for this detail George Irving, who will stage the piece, is to confer with Hugo Munsterberg and Professor Hyslop, the two foremost authorities in America on the little known elements. Imperial Censorship for Britain Home Secretary Gives No Details, but Belief Prevails It Means End of Parish Supervision. London, August 17. THE momentous announcement is made today by the Home Secretary that an official censorship of moving picture films is to be established. No details as to constitution or administration of the new office are contained in Mr. Samuel's bare statement. Upon these points conjecture is rife in the trade. One thing, however, is certain, that the new censorship will be compulsory for every manufacturer of films and not, as imagined by some, an official recognition of the present voluntary system of the British Board of Film Censors. The entry of the official censor will mean the exit of the parish censor, for the previous statements of the Home Secretary to different sections of the trade along with his circular letter to local licensing authorities do not foreshadow the remotest likelihood of a British parallel to the state censorship evil of America. A the same time it may be necessary to pass a special Parliamentary bill to dispossess these local authorities of their existing light to censor films within their own respective areas. A full aporeciation of the necessity of this has doubtless been the most important factor in the Government's decision. J. B. SUTCLIFFE. EBENSTEIN NEW MOSS GENERAL MANAGER. H. R. Ebenstein, until recently manager of the film exchange of the B. S. Moss Motion Picture Corporation, has been appointed general manager of that organization and has assumed charge. Mr. Ebenstein's wide experience and knowledge of the motion picture business make him a particularly valuable man in this position, in view of the fact that the newly announced state rights plan of Mr. Moss will require an organizer of no mean ability successfully to launch it. Mr. Ebenstein is an efficiency and organization expert* For the World Film Corporation he installed an efficient' collection system. Later lie organized the film exchange for Mr. Moss. Mr. Ebenstein is contemplating an extensive trip, covering a large portion of the United States, with the idea of assigning franchises where conditions indicate the greatest good can be derived for all parties concerned. Much Publicity for "Fall of a Nation" Press Department of National Drama Corporation Prepares Unusual Amount of Material to Publicize Dixon Film. HENRY MacMAHON, general press representative of the National Drama Corporation, has prepared an unusual array of of publicity matter to inaugurate the opening of the campaign for the distribution of "The Fall of a Nation," which will be released through the Y-L-S-E exchanges on September 18. In the list are a dozen different kinds of publicity matter, the initial cost of which for material runs up to $12,000. There are three six-sheet posters, one of which, representing the refugee family on Long Island, is in five colors — a fine example of poster art. Then there are three three-sheets and three one-sheets, all pictorial, besides a mass of block and letter material, banners, etc. Two elaborate lobby displays are 22 by 28 inches and 8 by 10 inches. Original musicA scores prepared by Victor Herbert have been arranged for any number of pieces. Illustrated heralds, fine examples of the printer's and engraver's art, will be ready for distribu" tion by exhibitors. There is also a four-page throwaway reprinting some of the favorable press notices the big Thomas Dixon subject has occasioned. One of the more notable of the collection is a twelve-page press sheet, printed on one side of the paper only, containing press notices, newspaper stories, interviews with Mr. Dixon, stories of the men and women who took prominent parts in the making of the subject, all profusely illustrated. Then there are advertisements, all blocked, and mortised for the insertion of dates and other particulars. The book was compiled and written by Mr. McMahon, Wallace M. Powers and Willard Holcomb. Exhibitors will find in these varied elements of publicity an unusual amount of publicity aid. LUCILLE LEE STEWART IN BLUE RIBBON. Under the direction of Ralph Ince, Lucille Lee Stewart has forged to the front as a dramatic screen star who can "get over" her scenes. In "His Wife's Good Name" she is wholly charming and has opportunities for displaying hef talent as well as a number of beautiful gowns that she wears throughout this Blue Ribbon Feature. Miss Stewart's cast includes Huntly Gordon, Jessie Miller, Frank Currier, John Robertson and William Lytell, Jr. The story of "His Wife's Good Name" is a powerful one. The wealthy father attempts to bribe his son's wife to keep to herself and forget the romantic marriage which has wrecked his plans for his son's future. The innocent wife is tricked into attending a party, supposedly given in her honor. Under the influence of the men she believes to be her husband's friends, she is persuaded to drink and is soon acting foolishly. How she works out her salvation, wins over her husband and his stern father provides the theme of the play. It sparkles with thrilling and dramatic situations. The scenario is by Josephine Lovett. "DOT" KELLY MARRIES REAL ESTATE MAN. Dorothy Kelly, the Vitagraph star, was married quietly to Harvey Hevenor, a real estate man, on Monday evening, August 28. The ceremony was performed at the home of the Rev. Albert King Morris, of Jersey City, N. J. The couple's meeting was romantic. Mr. Hevenor admired the star's work on the screen, and three years ago wrote for her photograph. Miss Kelly answered his letter personally and the correspondence developed into an acquaintance a few months later. They have been engaged" since last May. This is the bride's first marriage. She is twenty-two years of age and her husband is forty. At present they are living at the Montague Hotel, Brooklyn. Miss Kelly has not permitted her marriage to interfere with her screen career and is to be found daily at Huntington. Long Island, working on scenes for "The Secret Kingdom," a forthcoming Vitagraph serial release. MARIAN SWAYNE JOINS ARROW COMPANY. Miss Marian Swayne, well known to the American stage for her performances as Effie in "The Blindness of Virtue," as Cicely in the Wilde play, "The Importance of Being Earnest," and as the Squaw in "The Squaw Man," has become a member of the Arrow Film Corporation forces in Yonkers, N. Y. Miss Swayne was associated with the screen for some time, having played a year with Blache and a year with Gaumont. She appeared in her first motion picture role under Howell Hansel's direction. On her return to the screen, after several years of stage successes, Miss Swayne again finds herself under his direction, this time with Arrow.