Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

76 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 6, 1918 Sessue Hayakawa. Hayakawa Names First Two Productions Japanese Player Will Be Starred in "His Birthright" and "The Temple of Dusk." WITH two productions announced, a large str.ff of salesmen in the field and studio operations in Los Angeles running at top notch, the making and marketing of the Haworth Pictures Corporation's series of special productions starring Sessue Hayakawa are well under way. The distribution of the pictures is to be handled out of the exchanges of the Mutual Film Corporation. The first two productions on the schedule are "His Birthright" and "The Temple of Dusk." The initial productions will be available for pre-re lease September 1. These first productions were selected by Hayakawa and his directors, William Wothington and James Young, who will alternate in directing his productions, after a thorough consideration of the best available dramatic material. The plays chosen were finally decided upon as being the most effective vehicles for Hayakawa's talents and containing dramatic elements that will appeal most strongly to the public taste at the present time. Sessue Hayakawa, admitted by foremost dramatic critics as the gl Japanese exponent of dramatic art. was born in Tokio in 188". Upon completion of bi education in the schools of the Mikado he came to the United States and entered the Unn ' Chicago, where he made a thorough study of Shakespeare and translated the works of the master into Japanese. Later he returned to Japan, where he formed a company and produced the works of Shakespeare, scoring a remarkable success in the role of "Othello." When he returned to the United States he brought with him his own company— the Imperial Dramatic Company— which appeared on the Pacific Coast, and made a decided impression on critics and public alike. He was immediately importuned to enter the silent drama, ami joined tile In After a year with that company he accepted an offer from the Jesse Lasky company, remaining with it for three years. Hayakawa first appeared on the screen in "The Typhoon," which was followed by "The Wrath of the Cods." and was immediately acclaimed as one of the greatest mimes in dramatic roles since the inception of the silent drama. In "The (heat." in which he appeared with Fannie Ward, he achieved a triumph, the critics and public uniting in the verdict that it was a remarkable piece of dramatic work This production confirmed their opinion that he was without doubt one of the most distinguished actors of the day. In March of this year Hayakawa formed his own producing company under the name of the Haworth Pictures Corporation, and completed arrangements with President James M. Sheldon, of Mutual Film Corporation, for the release of his productions. The actor has some very definite ideas on the production of photodrama, and will incorporate these in his productions with the same artistic thoroughness he has given to his individual dramatic work. Hayakawa a Disciple of Danjuro. "In these first productions and others which are to follow," he said a few days ago while discussing his work, "I am happy to say I will have splendid opportunity for the kind of acting which most appeals to me and, I am sure, makes the most profound impression upon the audience — the repressive, natural kind, devoid of gesticulation and heroics. Danjuro, idol of the Japanese stage, was this sort of an actor. My aim is to be like him, and if I succeed I shall feel that I have not labored in vain before the camera." Immediately upon the formation of the Haworth Pictures Corporation, after the first production had been decided upon, Hayakawa sent several of his company to Japan, among them Kamatsu Ori, Humri Ojato and Unjo Tamara, to film scenes for the initial production. They have just returned, bringing with them about four thousand feet of film taken in Tokio and Yokahama and in the wonderfully beautiful Mt. Fujiyama region. Marion Sais will be Hayakawa's leading woman in "His Birthright." Miss Sais gave up a contract covering a period of eight months, during which she was to play the principal role in a serial production, to become a member of the Hayakawa company. Tsuru Aoki, wife of the star, has an important role in this production. During the past four years she has appeared in a number of photodramas in which her husband has starred. Mary Anderson is the ingenue of the company. Howard Davies, who has an important role, was a vaudeville actor before entering filmdom. "His Birthright" is being produced under the direction of William Worthington. "The Temple of Dusk" will be under the direction of James Young. Gail Kane to Have Her Oun Company The First of Her Productions, Which Will Be Released Through Mutual, Is "Love's Law." C~>.\II KANE is to appear in a series of feature produc• tions, which are to be produced by her own company. This announcement is made by the star simultaneously with an announcement from James M. Sheldon, president of the Mutual Film Corporation, of a contract for the distribution of the Kane pictures. The producing organization will he known as "Gail Kane Productions." Miss Kane'- lust picture goes into work at New York Studios within ten days. The story chosen is under the working title ^\ "Love's Law." It is an original scenario by Joseph Franklin Poland, a picture author with a long list oi important successes. "Miss Kane's pictures will constitute an important addition to the schedules of the Mutual Film Corporation," remarked Mi Sheldon. "The organization of 'Gail Kane Productions' is also a significant move in the present trend in producing activity. More and more the tendency is toward individual, specialized production rather than quantity production by large organizations handling a large number of peopl< . "This is c.f importance to the exhibitor in that the specialone-star company can he expected to support that star to the utmost of her b iffice value. Productions so made can also be expected to hear more of the individuality of the star than pictures made under the usual conditions. The one-star company tends to give the star a control of the artistic .■ I the prodw I to a degree comparable with the hold which the author or the painter has on his work. "It will be of interest also to the scenario writers, authors and agents that there is an attractive market for vehicles, illy adapted to Miss Kane's requirements." Sherry Names Exchanye Manayers A Dozen Offices All Set for the First Releases, Announced for June 30. Till. William L. Sherry Service has now exchanges in full operation in a dozen of the principal cities of the country and will open exchanges in other cities in to handle its lust releases, which are scheduled for June 30. Sherry exchanges thus far opened and in charge of permanent managers are as follows: New York, 729 Seventh avenue, John S. Clark; Boston, 16 Piedmont street, Aaron Corn; Philadelphia, 1314 Vine * t, George F. Wright; Chicago, 820 State street, H. F. Brink; Cleveland, X_'3 Prospect avenue, W. R. Liebmann; Pittsburgh, W. F. Lyon; Detroit, 63 Elizabeth street, E. II. Wells; Dallas, Charles Meade; Denver, 1753 Welton et, H D. Cassidy; Los Angeles, 511 West Eighth street, William Alexander; Minneapolis, 1304 North Fourth street, A. A. Nelson. An exchange has been opened at 921 Walnut street, Kansas City, but a permanent manager has not yet been selected. San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis and Atlanta are among the cities in which offices are to be located in the next week or so. SANDERS RECUPERATING FROM OPERATION. Rudolph Sanders, president of the Exhibitors' League of Brooklyn, who has just undergone an operation for appendicitis at the Jewish Hospital, 100th street and Fifth avenue, New York, wishes to notify his friends that he expects to be up and about in a week or two.