Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

July 6, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 61 ygjgligjgiaiiiJiJlJiiM^^ British Notes -j^EM^^M^M^M^MSEMEMSMSM^M^M^EM^M^MEM^EM^J By J. B. Sutcliffe. THE case of the long film, pro and con, is the all-absorbing topic of the moment in those rare intervals when film men can find time to discuss other matters than war, its ramifications and restrictions upon the industry. It is now some months since a prominent exhibitor laid a definite complaint of padding features at the door of the modern, multi-reel producer. The question was taken up by the exhibitors' association, and the metropolitan branch of that body filed a resolution of protest to the joint Kinematograph Trade Council, the objection being to the padding of films more than to the measured length, although a shorter standard was generally recommended. Frank Goodwin pointed out at the time that the exhibitor had often no alternative but to show the long film. It was usually of undoubted advertising value, was woven around a star and had a famous title. If Mr. Goodwin's statement was representative of most exhibitors' views — which, by the way, it is not — the resolution becomes a candid admission of shortsightedness on the part of the exhibitors. Less than a year ago the London agent of a newly established American house returned fifteen negatives to the head office as useless for the English market. They were all two and three reel features; first-class subjects at that, if the samples I saw were any criterion. The agent in question since returned to the States, but four of his films have returned "in extenso" as four and five reelers and have been sold off territorially at satisfactory prices; an experience which to an extent justifies Will Barker's innuendo that the exhibitor often shuts his eyes to the increased length of a film so long as it is delivered to him as so many reels. * * * At another city in the north has the Famous Players' version of "Sapho" gone "under the hammer," as they say in the army. A moralist of the standing of T. P. O'Connor sanctions the film in his capacity as censor, but the York Watch Committee, thriving on the thrice-purified air of the cathedral city, stubbornly refuse its exhibition. * * * Malvina Longfellow has been in England a few months already and probably numbers her film engagements more than her stage bookings. She sustained the role of Jacynth in the Samuelson production, "Holy Orders," dramatized from Marie Corelli's novel; played lead in "Thelma," and is now posing as the figure of Britannia in a series of propaganda subjects being issued by the Government Department of Information. * * * Charles Urban's second visit in official capacity to the U. S. A. has convinced him that there is plenty of room in the States for the British film. Major Paul Kimberley, the representative of Lubin and Thanhouser pictures, has added still another responsibility to his existing long record of war activity. This is in the postion of superintendent of the home propaganda section of the Government Kinematograph Branch. Major Kimberley's special task will be in connection with the distribution of the shorter propaganda films — the regular releases, so to speak— of the different departments concerned. So that the official films shall not be issued to the exhibitor haphazard he proposes to attach them as "trailers" to the biweekly news reels, the length of each not to exceed 150 feet. "The Gaumont Graphic," "The Pathe Gazette" and "The Official Topical Budget" have agreed to the extra footage, which will not, of course, be charged to exhibitors. * * * Another innovation of the state department, now under the direction of the champion Canadian hustler, Lord Beaverbrook (better known in New York as Sir Max Aitken), is the despatch throughout the countryside of a fleet of automobile moving picture exhibitions. They have been specially detailed to exhibit the official films in rural villages and hamlets where no moving picture theater exists. * * * Woolwich, the arsenal city, has hitherto been as a barred and bolted door to the cameraman, but one of the recent official topicals holds back the curtain and reveals wonderful glimpses of the doings, mostly by female labor, within the walls. * * * One of the sincerest friends of the moving picture in the days it needed friends most, it is a matter of general regret that the late actor-manager, Sir George Alexander, did not appear in but one or two film productions. His most notable screen appearance was in "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," the first British film to fetch a big price in the States. * * * E. Temple Thurston, the popular novelist, lecturing at the Stoll Picture Theater Club, decries the old ways of some producers in the matter of "cut-backs," as they are termed in the American trade. A man who has led a fast youth would be shown enjoying himself in a dance hall, but that does not convince the public that he is reprehensible, he argues. Many feet of film are absorbed like this and all the time the people are wanting to get on with the story, but the producer won't let them until he has show them the dissipations of the hero in the only way he knows. By S. B. Banerjea. IN spite of the fact that the times are so abnormal the Indian cinema trade does not appear to have been affected. Some time ago it was feared that this trade would be paralyzed; that the cinema proprietors would be compelled to raise their admission charges, while giving, perhaps, one change of program weekly. The fear has not yet materialized. In fact, all the leading cinema proprietors are not only giving two complete programs weekly, but some of them give three changes. This is proof positive of the fact that the cinema trade is going very strong. It should be stated that the programs very seldom include rubbish films. I am, of course, speaking of the present. But who knows what will happen in the near future? * * * I am glad to report that Kirkee now boasts a cinema theater. It has just been opened near the railway station. Attached to it is a fine refreshment room, an excellent garden, and it will have several side shows. It has been named the Royal 'cinema. * * * Our Bioscope king, Madan, is erecting a new theater to replace his present Elphinstone Bioscope on a new site in Rangoon. Yet another new theater! It is being opened at the Ferozepur cantonment. The military element will be strongy represented in the management. Among other films, the New Alexandria of Bombay has shown the following: Anthony Hope's "Sakhy of Kravonia," the "Ware Case," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," "Life Guardsman," "Sorrows of Satan," "Masquerade at Sea," several Chaplin comics and "All the World a Stage." "The Strange Case of Mary Page" also has been finished. I hear that the proprietor of this fine theater is shortly transferring his interests to the management of the New Majestic cinema, which has just been opened in Bombay. I hope it will continue to maintain its reputation under the new management. * * * Mr. Ducasse of Calcutta has gone to Bombay with a number of complete pictures. He is giving one complete program each day. Should this venture prove a financial success he will, in the near future, open a theater of his own in that city. * * * His Bijou is maintaining its reputation as a first-class