Moving Picture World (Jul - Aug 1918)

August 31, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1287 Lillian Walker Picture is Shown at Studio 1 ^HAT Lester Park, president of the Lillian Walker Pictures Corporation, has lived up to his promise to give exhibitors a series of "happy" pictures is said to have been demonstrated at a private showing of the first of these productions, "The Embarrassment of Richets," held at the Thanhouser studios in New Rochelle last week. Edward Dillon, the director of the picture, and Roy Somerville, who picturized this former Broadway success of Louis Anspacker's, are said to have succeeded in blending that rarest of combinations in a picture — plenty of exciting action, with a delightful love theme — in a manner as refreshing as it is novel. The production is of the type that will multiply the fame of Miss Walker's dimples and smile. The love story around which the picture is built is of that quality which leaves a good taste with the spectator. Its moral, that money does not always make for happiness, is developed in amusing fashion. Carl Brickert, who has just completed a long engagement on Broadway as the stellar attraction of "Yes or No," is Miss Walker's leading man. Mr. Brickert is practically a newcomer to the screen. "The Embarrassment of Riches," which, in common with all the new Walker pictures, will be distributed through the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, will be released September 23. Big Reports from "Les Miserables." The success established by "Les Miserables," the great film production made by William Farnum for Fox, continues to grow since it was put on an open rental basis Aug. 1, it is shown by reports being received daily by the Fox Film Corporation. Not only are more cities booking this production, but several theatres that have already shown it have booked the picture for repeat engagements. And repeat bookings are the acid test of a picture's popularity. Philadelphia is a striking instance of the success which rebookings of "Les Miserables" have scored. In the Quaker City, the Victor Hugo picture had an initial engagement of two weeks at a downtown theatre. In these two weeks all house records were broken. But immediately after this run, "Les Miserables" played Philadelphia for eleven week stands, capacity audiences being the rule at each house. Two-Reeler for Marie Walcamp. Marie Walcamp has brought upon her young self a prospect of big tasks and many of them by the success she attained in "The Lion's Claws." The immediate result is that the Universal has arranged to release this star as soon as possible in a two-reel western drama, "The Whirlwind Finish." Miss Walcamp has as many big chances for scoring in "The Whirlwind Finish" as she had in "The Lion's Claws," with a few additional ones. The action is rapid and full of effective situations. The story is of the race-track of the west. Marin Sais Plays Opposite Hayakawa. Marin Sais is playing opposite Sessue Hayakawa in his latest production, the third to be made by the Haworth Pictures Corporation for Mutual release. Miss Sais, it will be recalled, was Hayakawa's leading woman in the first of his new productions, "His Birthright," playing a heavy role. In the next picture she will also appear in a heavy part, but one which will afford her even more opportunity for displaying her emotional power as a screen artist. William Worthington, who directed the Japanese star in "His Birth right,' is producing the third picture. Scene from "The Geezer of Berlin" (Jewel). Government Backs Metro's "Kaiser." In accordance with a government order Screen Classics' "To Hell With the Kaiser" will be shown in all the munitions plants throughout the country. This is a tremendous tribute to the patriot-building powers of the big feature screen drama, which was first introduced at the Broadway theatre, New York, in a run of several weeks, and has since taken the entire country by storm. "To Hell With the Kaiser" has also been recommended to be shown in Uncle Sam's Liberty theatres, as an object-lesson to American soldiers of the brutality of the Hun. The picture has been officially recognized as increasing the loyalty and enthusiasm of the boys in khaki, making them realize their high privilege in being the defenders of democracy and world decency. A recommendation has come from the Intelligence Officer of Camp Jackson, S. C, to his commanding general suggesting that the subject be secured for all Liberty theatres. Carmel Myers Back at Universal City. Carmel Myers, who has just returned to Universal City after a month's vacation in the east, has managed with the aid of others to fulfill her promise made to thousands of soldiers in eastern camps. The young woman appeared at five training camps under the auspices of the Jewish Welfare Board, and agreed to bring back messages from the soldiers hailing from the coast to their relatives back home. Miss Myers is now working on a new Bluebird under the direction of Paul Powell, a recent acquistion to the Bluebird directing staff. The picture is entitled "The Duchess of Dark Entry." It is adapted from a well known story by Perley Poore Sheehan, -who was co-author -with Robert Davis of "We Are French." Miss Myers' supporting cast includes Rodolpho de Valentina, Alfred Allen, R. Cummings and Harold Goodwin. "The Midnight Burglar" (Oakdale). Gloria Joy makes her fourth appearance in an Oakdale production in "The Midnight Burglar." It presents the little star in perhaps the most sympathetic and appealing role in which she has yet appeared, and is expected by General Film to duplicate the success won by the earlier subjects. Neil Hardin, Ethel Ritchie, Ruth Lackaye, Charles Dudley, Daniel Gilfether, Frank Erlanger, and other well known players appear with Gloria Joy. Bert Ensminger directed. Two more Oakdale productions are promised, making a total of six to comprise the present series. For a newcomer little Gloria is reported to be making good beyond expectations. Eight Fox Productions in Work, East and West WITH announcement that William Farnum has begun work at Hollywood on "The Man of Power," the Fox Film Corporation points to eight companies now at work. Besides the Farnum picture, those being made in the west are "The She-Devil," which is nearing completion under the direction of J. Gordon Edwards, and "The Two-Gun Man," which Tom Mix and his company are filming at Prescott, Ariz., under the direction of Lynn Reynolds. Gladys Brockwell has just completed the filming of "The Strange Woman," the picture version of the famous stage play of the same name which was written by William J. Hurlbut. In the east, George Walsh, under the direction of his brother, R. A. Walsh, has begun work at the Eclair studio, Fort Lee, on "How Do You Get that Way?" a breezy, patriotic play. Director Richard Stanton has begun work on "Eyes of the Soul," an all-star production, and another company has started on a big picture. Peggy Hyland is progressing rapidly toward the completion of "Marriages Are Made," and Jane and Katherine Lee, under the direction of Arvid E. Gillstrom, are at work at the Victor studio on "Go Get Em." Virginia Pearson has finished "Queen of Hearts," under the direction of Edmund Lawrence. Press Book for "His Birthright." Mutual is issuing a complete and comprehensive press book on "His Birthright," first of the series of Haworth Pictures Corporation's Hayakawa specials. It will conform to the Mutual policy of extending every possible aid to the exhibitor in the exploitation of Mutual productions. The press book will contain every detail essential to the exhibitor in advertising and presenting the picture, from musical theme, especially prepared, to sample newspaper advertisements. The press book will be printed in two colors and bound in a brown cover. It will be available to exhibitors at the Mutual branches. Pathe Complimented on Poster. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has passed an unsolicted comment on Pathe's 24 sheet exploiting its latest serial, "Hands Up," with Ruth Roland in the star role. The Metropolitan Musuem of Art officials have requested Pathe for sample of this 24 sheet which is desired for the purpose of exhibition. The color scheme and pictorial are highly complimented. These 24 sheets on "Hands Up," Pathe announces, are being posted in all principal cities from the Atlantic to the Pacific and they are certain to prove a valuable aid to exhibitors who book the serial.