Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

August 31, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1253 Vitagraph to Issue Blackton Production "The Common Cause," Screen Version of "Getting Together,," Already Half Completed— Release Date Unset. THE production which Commodore J. Stuart Blackton is making under the auspices and with the co-operation of the British-Canadian Recruiting Mission, "The Common Cause," is to be released through the Vitagraph distributing organization. The date of release has not been decided upon, although the production is about half completed. In an authorized statement to the exhibitors of the country relative to his distribution plans Commodore Blackton says : "I have looked over the entire field of motion picture distributors for the company best equipped to give 'The Common Cause' the distribution which its aim and theme deserve." Commodore Blackton declares that "The Common Cause" will be the greatest effort of his career. It certainly has everything in its favor. To begin with, the story is the joint work of three famous writers — J. Hartley Manners, Major Ian Hay Beith and Percival Knight. Mr. Manners is the author of "Peg O' My Heart," "Out There" and other plays which have won renown on Broadway. Major Beith wrote "The First Five Hundred Thousand," one of the greatest books called forth by the war, while Percival Knight, the third member of the trio, is a well known actor and playwright. The scenario was written by Anthony P. Kelly, and in the production of the play Commodore Blackton has unlimited financial means and every facility, including the use of troops, guns, fighting tanks, etc., for making a great picture. "The Common Cause" is to have an all-star cast, headed by Herbert Rawlinson and Sylvia Breamer. Others will be Lawrence Grossmith, Louis Dean, Mile. Marcel, Hunley Gordon, Philip Van Lorn, and Charles and Violet Blackton, the son and daughter of Commodore Blackton. Bluebird Announces Season's Players Stars Include Misses Clfford, Myers, Roberts, Mersereau and Hansen and Messrs. Salisbury and Mulhall. BLUEBIRD announces this week a schedule of strong features and the particular stars to be featured in rotation during the coming season. The productions are declared among the best that have appeared on the Bluebird program for a long time. The official designation comprises Ruth Clifford, Monroe Salisbury, Carmel Myers, Edith Roberts, Violet Mersereau and the team of Juanita Hansen and Jack Mulhall. 'Miss Clifford, whose second film was "Fires of Youth," is at work on "The Bargain True," an original story by Nalbro Bartley, directed by Elsie Jane Wilson. Salisbury appears in the first picture set for September release. The latter is "That Devil, Bateese," a story of the Canadian north woods. Following this he will be seen in "Hugon the Mighty." Carmel Myers' next release is "The Borrowed Duchess," written by Perley Poore Sheehan. R. Sturgeon is directing her. Miss Roberts, the youngest of the stars, who appeared in "The Deciding Kiss," will appear in "A Billion in Beans." The story was written by John B. Clymer and is directed by Jack Dillon. Miss Mersereau, well known for many successes, is at work on a picture the title of which has not yet been decided, directed by O. A. C. Lund. Miss Hanson and Mr. Mulhall, as soon as they finish the Universal serial "The Brass Bullet," will be starred in a series of five reel Bluebird comedy dramas. Mr. Fait went to Utica four months after the Avon ope»«d, succeeding W. B. Foster. He is a member of the Utica branch of the Motion Picture Exhibitors League and was the treasurer of the American Exhibitors' Association. NATHANSON REPORTS GOOD BUSINESS. This is the best summer on record, according to N. L. Nathanson, managing director of the Regent Theatre Company of Toronto. Business during the present season has been far ahead of last season, according to Mr. Nathanson. This opinion is interesting in view of the fact that Mr. Nathanson represents interests that control fourteen moving picture theatres in Canada. DALLAS FOURTH DISTRIBUTOR, SAYS DEPINET. Ned Dcpinet of the Consolidated of Dallas is determined not to let Douglas Hawley of the First National put anything over on him as a luncheon club orator. Dcpinet was called on for an address before the Dallas Rotary Club at its mid-August meeting. He told what the motion picture industry was doing toward winning the war and declared that Dallas now ranked as the fourth greatest motion distributing center in the United States. WILLIAM FAIT, JR., TO MANAGE LIBERTY THEATRE. William Fait, Jr., manager of the Avon Theatre, Utica, N. Y., since April 1, 1916, has been selected as manager of the Liberty Theatre at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio, and will begin his duties September 1. Mr. Fait applied for service at the Liberty Theatre and finally secured the appointment. He then made a trip to Buffalo to discuss the matter with the officers of the American Motion Picture Company, owners of the Avon. It will be remembered that EDWARDS MANAGING GENERAL'S KANSAS CITY. A new branch manager at Kansas City is announced by General Film. The appointee is no stranger to General Film's friends in that territory, since he is C. S. Edwards, who was one of the company's very first exchange managers at Kansas City. Mr. Edwards was with General dating from the organization of the company until two or three years ago, when he became affiliated with Pathe as manager at St. Louis and at Kansas City. He has now taken charge of his old office and begun some important activities. BARRONS DRIVES MOTOR TRUCK "OVER THERE." Oswald Curtis Barrons, formerly salesman in New York territory for Artcraft, is now driving a motor truck in France. He would like to hear from his New York friends among the exchange men and exhibitors. Write today and address your letter to him: "Private Oswald C. Barrons, A. P. O. 713, Supply Company 314, A. E. F." You may mot know what a letter means to your pals who have gone over to fight the Hun, but if you want to find out, jnst write to some of them. Commence with Barrons today. SEVENTEEN REICHENBACHS IN SERVICE. First Sergeant Joseph Reichenbach, brother of Harry L. Reichenbach, has arrived in France. Reichenbach was manager of the Eldee Film Corporation before enlisting. Walter and Howard Reichenbach, two other brothers, are soon to leave for camp, and Harry goes within the next few weeks in a Government civilian capacity. There are seventeen from Reichenbach's immediate family relations now in service. GRIFFITH DOES HIS BIT IN RUSSIA. A postal from the International Committee Y. M. C. A. states: "Latest information from Herbert S. Griffith indicates that he has been doing very successful work among the Czecho-Slovak soldiers who are now stationed in Vladivostock." Mr. Griffith was formerly with the Nicholas Power Company. OMAHA HAS PRODUCING COMPANY. The Ak-Sar-Ben Film Company has been incorporated witk a capital stock of $25,000. and is now located at Thirtieth and Newport avenue, Omaha. A large outdoor stage, laboratory and office building have been constructed. W. T. Warrea, formerly connected with the moving picture business m Chicago, is president and director of the company. MOTION PICTURES ENLIGHTEN COURT. At the hearing of the paper manufacturers held before Judges Hough, Ward, Rogers and Manton at the Hotel McAlpin, New York, Thursday, August IS, for the purpose of ascertaining the proper price for print paper in an appeal from the decision of the Federal Trade Commission, motion pictures of the paper-making process were shown. FUEL COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON. The Fuel Conservation Committee of the N. A. M. P. I., consisting of Marcus Loew, chairman; P. A. Powers, Samuel L. Rothapfel, Harold Edel, J. H. Hallberg, B. S. Mobs, Sidney S. Cohen and William Brandt, left for a conference in Washington on Monday evening, August 19. Secretmrv Elliott was one of the party. SULLIVAN GOES TO DIVISION OF FILMS. Dennis J. Sullivan, recently assistant general manager of the Mutual Film Corporation, has been appointed manager of domestic distribution. Division of Films, Committee of Public Information, to succeed J. A. Berst.