Moving Picture World (Sep 1916)

September 16, 1916 I ill-: MOVING PI< rURE WoUl.h 1813 A ^aaimi Chicago News Letter WL By JAS. S. McQUADE The First Private Showing of "The Crisis" Given at Pittsburgh. WILLIAM X. SELIG gave a private presentation of "The Crisis" in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Sunday, August 27, at the Pitt theater. Mr. Selig made a special trip for the event, which was given prominent mention by the Pittsburgh press. The Pittsburgh Dispatch devoted large space to the merits of the big photoplay and stated in part, in the issue of August 28: A private showing of 'The Crisis,' produced by the Selig Polyscope Company, was given at the Pitt theater yesterday afternoon, a large part of the audience being from the ranks of moving picture, theatrical and newspaper circles. The picture is a masterpiece in the way of screen art, having the elements that make for a big success — interesting and cohesive story, plenty of action, fine acting and fine photography. "The story of Churchill's novel has been scenarioized so capably that the excellence of the original has been retained. The acting is superb. The battle scenes are spectacular and finely executed. A horse and rider tumbling down hill is one of the most spectacular features ever caught by the camera. It elicited continued applause at yesterday's showing. "William N. Selig, famous producer of pictures and producer of this one, was in Pittsburgh and saw the picture at the Pitt. He is enthusiastic about it. "'If I had any doubt,' said Mr. Selig during the course of a chat, 'that "The Crisis" would not meet with great success, it was certainly dispelled when I saw some theatrical men upstairs (pointing to the Pitt gallery) using their handkerchiefs during Fawcett's death scene, and at other places during the action. " 'The first dramatic performance of "The Crisis," you will recall, was made in Pittsburgh by James K. Hackett, who produced the play on the stage. I am perfectly satisfied with the acting in this film. My idea was to get away from the star system, to aim more at ensemble acting. I think I have succeeded. The people present here today, judging by their applause, all seem to like the picture; bi*t wait until they see it presented with the accompaniment of the special musical score prepared for it!'" Second Annual Ball of Chicago Reel Fellows' Club Announced for November 10. M. G. W'atkins, secretary of the Reel Fellows' Club, of Chicago, announces that the second annual ball of the ciub will be given on Nov. 10 in a prominent Loop hotel. Mr. W'atkins, brimming over with enthusiasm, declares that the event will be the most elaborate photoplay affair of the year, and something worth remembering. The committee on arrangements includes Richard C. Travers, prominent among Essanay players; H. C. Miller, manager of the Moyer theater; Frank J. Flaherty, of the Chicago office of the Bluebird Photoplays, Inc., and M. G. Wratkins, manager of the American Standard Motion Picture Corporation. Richard C. Travers and some popular leading woman of another producing company will most likely lead the grand march. Many screen stars, both in the East and the Midde West, have already pledged that they will attend the ball, which promises to be the most notable photoplay event of the season. Henry B. Walthall, Bryant Washburn and Edmund Cobb, of Essanay, and other well-known stars will be present. Extraordinary efforts will be made to net as large a sum from the big affair as possible, which will be added to the fund for a new clubhouse, which is badly needed. At present the club has quarters in the Hotel Morrison, but just as soon as more suitable quarters can be found in some central location in the Loop, a change will be made. It is announced by the officers of the club that a big show will in given in one of the leading Loop theater! for three nights, some time in January, 1917, to add still lurther to the clubhouse fund, in the east will Ik Richard CTravers, llcnry 1!. Walthall, four leading men from other companies, and three well-known leading women of the screen. It is expected that this show will have sufficient drawing power to pack the theater selected for the three nights' run. Throughout the winter the club hopes to offer other big features that will attract the public in large numbers. The proceeds will be added to the clubhouse fund, which, it is hoped, will soon reach $50,000, the amount required for the cluh's new home. Shortly before the big show is put on in January, 1917, a watch-the-clock campaign wilt be started. A large clock, will be put up in a prominent place, somewhere in the heart of the Loop district, and everytime a contribution to the clubhouse fund is made the big hand will point to the full amount secured, and will keep moving until it reaches the $50,000 mark. Thomas Marshall for First Assistant State's Attorney in Cook County. Thomas Marshall, First Assistant State's Attorney from 1910 to 1912 inclusive, is again a candidate for the Republican nomination for that office in Cook County. Mr. Marshall is making his campaign along most original lines as, instead of attempting to speak to voters all over the city personally, he is making use of the screens in moving picture theaters to speak for him. Mr. Marshall first sought and obtained the indorsement of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, and the exhibitors in Chicago are enthusiastic in his support. At the present time Mr. Marshall is making as many as 150 meetings a night in fifty of the best moving picture theaters of Chicago. This is done by means of a reel of film which shows his early life as a machinist, and his later successes at the bar. The pictures also define his political views, which are based on high principles. Mr. Marshall has made the following pledge to exhibitors and to other people in the moving picture trade: "I shall use the whole force of the office of State's Attorney to secure full protection for the photoplay industry, and from what I have learned I do not hesitate in saying that I believe the present system of censorship to be unconstitutional and void. I shall seek an opportunity to secure an adjudication of its vaidity from the Supreme Court of Illinois at an early day, and if necessary I will ask the United States Supreme Court to pass upon the questions now presented." Mr. Marshall has promised to use the full force of his office, in case he is elected, to protect the moving picture industry from outside attacks, and he will direct his skill as a lawyer to the matter of the validitv of moving picture censorship. It is his opinion that the present methods of supervision are unconstitutional and void. Mr. Marshall's opinion in this behalf must be considered important, in view of the fact that he has succeeded in the Supreme Court of Illinois in having five separate, state-wide statutes held unconstitutional. Mr. Marshall states that houses which never before permitted a political film to be shown on their screens have gladly extended him the favor, so that he mav present his case fully to the public. It is expected that Mr. Marshall will come in a strong winner on Wednesday, September 13, which is primary election day in Chicago, and that his success will afford another demonstration of the power of the moving picture in elections. Chicago Film Brevities. An increased volume of business at the offices of the Bluebird Photoplays, Inc., at 109 North Dearborn street, this