Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

August 31, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURK . WORLD 1251 Hodkinson Program Promises Variety Corporation Believes with Latest Additions of Contributing Companies It Can Supply Any Type of Production. WITH the addition of the Lillian Walker Productions to its program the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation believes it can supply any type of star and picture, thereby offering the exhibitor several series of pictures possessing individuality. Lillian Walker brings the Hodkinson Service a series of "happy" pictures, the first of which, "The Embarrassment of Riches," by Louis K. Anspacher, is a comedy drama of New York life. J. Warren Kerrigan, so far the only made star on the Hodkinson program, will be presented by Jesse D. Hampton in stories of romance and adventure, such as his current release, "Burglar for a Night," which has been well received by both critics and public. "Prisoners of the Pines," the Kerrigan-Hampton release for September, is a story of the Wisconsin-Canadian woods adapted from Kenneth B. Clarke's story, "The Swamper." Louise Glaum, believing war time unpropitious for tragedy, has wrapped her calculating temptresses up in their scarlet gowns and put them away. Her future Paralta-Hodkinson plays will be strong dramas providing her with sympathetic roles, such as "A Law Unto Herself," a story of France and Miss Glaum's best effort. Because of her versatility, Bessie Barriscale adds spice and piquancy to her appearance in being one moment a comedienne and the next an emotional actress. However, her future Paralta plays are to be mostly intense dramas. "The White Lie" is such a picture, telling the story of a woman who lied to bring happiness to her husband and then almost lost his love because of her deed. The brand new Plaza pictures present Anita King in outdoor stories of love and adventure. Miss King is a girl who does things and, as a suffragette in "Petticoats and Politics," her first Plaza-Hodkinson release, she keeps not only herself, but a whole town in action. Kathleen Clifford, petite and sprightly, gives a child delineation in "Angel Child" that is as novel as it is refreshing. Miss Clifford is also a Plaza star. The Douglas Natural Color pictures fill out the Hodkinson Service program with scenic pictures in Nature's own colors. "Cupid Angling," which has already enjoyed hearty ovations given it on the Pacific Coast, where it was given pre-release showings, combines story and scenery. Ruth Roland is the star. The schedule of prices instituted by the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation for its product is believed to be a new one, based, as it is, on the tested and proved box office value of each star in each and every section of the country instead of on census population. It is the belief of Mr. Hodkinson that this way of scheduling the price of stars is the only fair and equitable one not for only the exhibitor, but the producer as well. Fleckles Gets Back Into the Game Weil-Known Exchangeman with A. Weinberg Forms Screencraft Pictures and Leases Thanhouser Plant. THE Screencraft Pictures Incorporated, which has been quietly forming for the past few months with several of the best known men of the industry at the helm, is now launched as a full fledged and active concern. Executive offices have been established in the Longacre Building. A deal has been consummated whereby the company takes over on a long lease the Thanhouser studios in New Rochelle for the production of their pictures. The director has been engaged and the story selected for the first production. The officers of the company are Maurice Fleckles, president, and A. Weinberg, secretary and treasurer. Both of these men are well known in the industry, having been associated with it for many years. Mr. Fleckles through his wide exchange connections and manufacturing affiliations has a knowledge of the film business that dates back to the early days of the industry. He has had extensive dealings with the independent exchange owners throughout the country, who have placed their confidence in him in many large deals in the past. With Mr. Weinberg's association with the Famous Players the Screencraft Pictures, Incorporated, is officered by men who enjoy a wide knowledge of the film business and are thoroughly familiar with conditions and the market. Realizing the failure of the majority of most of the new companies that enter the field has been due to not possessing the proper market Mr. Fleckles before launching into the manufacturing of film spent several months visiting the various important exchange centers, with the result that his company is going forward with a definite plan to make pictures which they know in advance will find ;i ready market among both exchanges and theatres, Screencraft already arranged for an independent mai I The story for the first production h;is lected. It i> of the clean society type scenario with sprinklings of comedy situations which are so desirable to-day. The company has not decided upon any certain length for its pictures, but will make them in natural length. Frank Reicher, whose many successes are well known in the picture field, has been secured to direct Screencraft productions. Mr. Reicher during his connection with the Lasky Corporation staged more than thirty of that company's pictures. Well known principals will be employed in the pictures and negotiations are going forward at this time with players whose ability, drawing power and popularity are unquestioned. Work on the first production will start immediately. Mutual Brings Sliter to New York Former Manager of Albany Branch Is Succeeded Up State by Jerome Safron. FRED G. SLITER, manager of the Albany branch of the Mutual Film Corporation, has been selected by President James M. Sheldon of the Mutual as manager of the New York Exchange, succeeding M. J. Sullivan resigned. Mr. Sliter assumed charge of the office August 4. Jerome Safron of the sales force of. the Philadelphia branch has been promoted to branch manager at Albany, assuming charge July 31. Mr. Sliter's promotion comes after three years of successful sales work in th : Mutual ranks, and is in line with President Sheldon's policy of selecting men from within his own organization for important vacancies which occur. Mr. Sliter entered the Mutual service in 1915 as salesman at Albany. The next year he became branch manager at Albany, where he has remained since. Prior to his entrance into the distribution of motion pictures Mr. Sliter was for years in the theatrical business and the exhibition end of pictures. He was for a long time associated with his father, known professionally as Colonel Stanton, in Fred G. Sliter. t h e management o f theatrical enterprises, notably for Thomas E. Shea and with Fox and Ward's minstrels. Colonel Stanton operated the Central Square theatre at Lynn, Mass., and Sliter, Jr., built and opened the Xew Broadway at Schenectady. Mr. Safron has been with the Mutual organization for three years, most of the time as a member of the sales force at Philadelphia. DAVISON TO PADDLE HIS OWN CANOE. T. H. Davison, the well-known British film agent and salesman, until recently general manager of the TransAtlantic Film Company, Ltd.. the European branch of the Universal, has severed his connection with that corporation in order to undertake the control of important AngloAmerican film interest Mr. Davison has opened offices at 171 Wardour street, London. He is personally acquainted with every buyer in the United Kingdom, and has also an extensive clientele in all the Continental and Colonial markets, besides being one of the best known men in the trade. He is well known on this side of the Atlantic, having paid several visits to Afnerica on film matters. He is open to undertake the European agency for American productions.