Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

August 24, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1143 State Rights Department Conducted by C. S. SEWELL teUJWTJJ^^ United To Distribute "The Light of Western Stars' HARRY A. SHERMAN, who for the past few days has been in New York arranging for the distribution of his company s first production, "The Light of Western Stars," announces the consummation of arrangements by which this picture will be released by United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., and will be their first offering to theatres comprising this organization. Further, Mr. Sherman announces that after viewing this production the United has contracted for six more features starring Dustin Farnum, who is the star of the first release, and will pass upon the type of stories before the work of production is begun. Two have already been accepted, the second of the series being "The Wolf Breed," by Jackson Gregory, and "The Man in the Open," by Roger Pocock. A Western feature that is not stereotyped in form ought to be welcomed. It will probably be good news to many, therefore, to learn that a thrilling Western feature has been made from Zane Grey's novel, "The Light of Western Stars," and one which differs greatly from the usual thing in Western drama. Dustin Farnum is seen in the role of Gene Stewart, the reckless, lovable cowboy hero of Zane Grey's novel. The author originally patterned his character of Gene Stewart after Dustin Farnum, and actually says so, hence it is quite appropriate that Mr. Farnum should play this part. In a general way this story is an epic of the Southwest. All of the scenes were taken in the original locations described by the author. The story is laid in Mexico, New Mexico, and Arizona. The photography was done by Homer Scott. In doing these scenes many hardships were endured by the company. While there is no lack of thrilling Western action in the story, "The Light of Western Stars" is by no means a conventional Western tale. Another redeeming feature of this film adaptation is said to be the fact that there have been no liberties taken with the author's text. The original story is practically intact. Hold Private Showing Of "Lafayette, We Come" A PRIVATE showing of the first production of the Perret Producing Company, the much heralded patriotic film "Lafayette, We Come" (Pershing '17') was held recently for the executives of the company, Director Leonce Perret and his 'staff, at which time, F. Du Fourno, one of the directors, spoke as follows: "It is said of the motion picture and its entertaining and educational values that the surface of these possibilities has merely been scratched. If this be true then it has fallen to the lot of a Frenchman to be the first to dig down under this surface and bring up a specimen nugget indicative of the priceless ore which lies hidden below. True, there have been produced motion pictures which have thrilled audiences and will live long in their memory, but never before has a motion picture so ingeniously sown the seed which when ripened will for all time bind two nations — France and America — in a bond of mutual understanding, fraternity and love. Those of you who have aided in this project realize the truth of my words." Mr. Ferret's sales organization are busily engaged negotiating for the disposition and release of the film to be preceded by a showing on Broadway. Announcement of the completion of these negotiations will be made shortly. "Sporting Life" Announced For Release in September MAURICE TOURNEUR announces that "Sporting Life," adapted from the famous Drury Lane melodrama, will be ready for release early in September. The releasing arrangements are in the hands of Hiller & Wilk, Inc. "Sporting Life" is the first production of the Maurice Tourneur Productions, Inc., and the first offering in his own name of the director who made "The Whip," "The Blue Bird," "A Poor Little Rich Girl," "Alias Jimmy Valentine," "Trilby" the first four Elsie Ferguson pictures and other noteworthy productions. Mr. Tourneur selected "Sporting Life" because it was one of the biggest successes of the famous home of melodrama, the London Drury Lane, because it was also a New York hit, and, like "The Whip" it is a romance of the turf, being woven around that famous British sporting classic, the Derby. It is also by the same authors as "The Whip." Mr. Tourneur is said to have spared no expense in making "Sporting Lift" into what he believes to he the best production of his career, and he is still eng in revising, cutting and proving it, although he is also now working on his second production. " 'Sporting Life' will leave my studio absolutely perfect in so far as I can make it so," says Mr. Tourneur. "It will be as I want it in every detail, down to the smallest caption. I have put my whole heart into 'Sporting Life' and I am putting the greatest care into every last inch of it. "Sporting Life" has a carefully selected cast, including Constance Binney and Fair Binney, Willette Kershaw, Ralph Graves, Warner Richmond, Charles Eldridge, Charles Craig and Henry West. Hiller & Wilk, Inc., are already in receipt of a number of inquiries regarding "Sporting Life," from all over America, as well as Australia and India, where the melodrama was equally well known 'as a stage hit. Bookings are now being arranged, following the definite announcement of early September as the' date of release. Eastern Enlarges Offices EXTENSIVE alterations are being made at the Eastern building, the home of the Eastern Feature Film Company, at 57-59 Church street, Boston, Mass. The entire main floor is being renovated, and a reception, counting, and exhibition rooms are being installed. Herman Rifkin, president and general manager of this company, is a man of the progressive type, and increased business during the past year have necessitated larger quarters. Scene from "The Light of Western Stars" (United-Sherman).