Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

July 20, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 409 Employes of Large Plants See "Pershing's Crusaders" UP TO DATE three of the country's largest manufacturing plants engaged in war work have staged special showings of "Pershing's Crusaders" for the benefit of their employes. In Minneapolis, where the film is playing an engagement at the Metropolitan theater, the Pillsbury Milling Company and the Washburn-Crosby Company purchased the entire seating capacity of the Metropolitan for one day and held a special showing for the workers in the plant. The performances, which were attended by upward of 5,000 employes, were marked throughout by continuous outbursts of patriotic enthusiasm. In Boston the Gillette Safety Razor Company, which is also engaged in important war work, recently invited more than 2,500 employes to a special performance of "Pershing's Crusaders" at the Shubert theater, purchasing the entire seating capacity of the theater for the occasion. Officials of the companies mentioned above explained to representatives of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit that their purpose in giving these special showings of the big spectacle was to spur their employes on to increased effort and efficiency by instilling each one with a keener realization of his individual importance in the prosecution of the war. Skeptical Author Conceals Identity. "The Driving Power" is the title of a story which World Pictures will soon put into work for a five-reel feature. Its author is a celebrated writer whose name is a household word in America. The contract for the sale of this story explicitly states that the author's name shall not be divulged without his consent. This is contingent upon the reception of the picture after its production, and if it is favorably received he is then willing to have his name used. This rather remarkable situation grows out of the experience he had with another film company that was not pleasant. Since then he has decided that never again would he either permit any of his writings to be seen on the screen or would he create a special story for film purposes. At the request of Charles Sarver, the scenario editor of World Pictures, a lifelong friend of his, he was persuaded to try just once more. The advent of "The Driving Power" on the screen will be looked forward to with unusual interest. Scene from "Broncho Billy — Vagabond" (Essanay). Essanay to Issue Third Block of Ten Broncho Billies They have reported a large attendance on these nights. This third block will bring before the public thirty Broncho Billy pictures now ready for release. The third series will start July 19 and will be issued once a week thereafter. The first release is "Broncho Billy and the Gambler," followed by "Broncho Billy Butts In," "Broncho Billy, Vagabond," "Broncho Billy, Favorite," "Broncho Billy's Punishment," "Broncho Billy and the Claim Jumper," "Broncho Billy and the Sheriff's Office," "Broncho Billy, Outlaw," "The Accusation of Broncho Billy" and "Broncho Billy's Double Escape." THE revived Broncho Billy dramas have proved so popular that Essanay has decided to issue a third block of ten pictures. These one-reel dramas of the western hills and plains are booking at an unprecedented rate, according to the George Kleine System, through which they are being released. Exhibitors declare that these dramas have filled a long felt want, there being a dearth of first class one-reel subjects to fill out their programs. Howeve-r, these •are not only being used as program fillers, but in scores of instances as the big event of the night. This is shown not only by what the exhibitors have written to Essanay and the George Kleine offices but by the amount of paper being used. It has been necessary to get out a full line of paper for these one-reel subjects and just as many one and three sheets have been used to advertise the plays as for the features. • The majority of exhibitors using these subjects are booking them one each week and advertising them for a certain night. Dustin Farnum Is Adopted By 115th Sanitary Train FOR what is said to be the first time since America entered the war a male moving picture star has been adopted by the medical department of the army. Dustin Farnum has been made the big brother of the 115th Sanitary train stationed at Camp Kearney, California. Mr. Farnum recently visited this organization, which includes four field hospitals and ambulance trains, has a personnel of over 1,000 men and is commanded by Major W. A. Jolley, and was presented with a handsome watch on which was inscribed: "To Our Big Brother, Dustin Farnum, from the 115th Sanitary Train, U. S. Army." A review of the entire train was held, after which a luncheon was served, during which a number of vaudeville acts were performed by members of this organization. Later, several athletic events were held, including a ball game between the 115th and the 159th Infantry, who are proteges of William S. Hart, the 115th being the victors. A variety of races and several boxing bouts concluded the day's events. Scene from "The Safety Curtain" (Select). Williams Working in Santa Barbara. Earle Williams and his company, including Grace Darmond, his leading woman, is on location in Santa Barbara. Location cites in this picturesque city, together with the Gillespie Estate, in Montecito out of Santa Barbara, figure in the picture being directed by Jack Conway which is entitled "The Man From Brodneys."