Moving Picture World (Aug 1916)

August 5, 1916 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD ^rpHE BIRTH OF \ NATION" concluded its Sydney reduction in prices of admission a month ago the "house full" sign has been exhibited every night. Altogether 160,000 people have seen the film iii Sydney. The Theater Royal, where the picture was screened, has gone back to legitimate attractions. It was reopened by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., as a photoplay house a few months ago, showing first run Fox productions, but since the amalgamation of the firm with the Waddington theaters, the Fox pictures have beer screened at the Strand, one of the finest picture houses in Sydney. Raymond Longford, a prominent Australian picture producer, has returned with his large company of players from New Zealand, where they have been filming a historical subject. The working title of this picture is "The Mutiny on the Bounty," and its length will probably be eight reels. It deals with an early incident in Australian history, the mutiny of the crew of the ship "Bounty," carrying Governor Blight from England to New South Wales. rv gives many opportunities for spectacular displays and the picture should mark a new era of production in Australia. The second production of the George Willoughby Photoplay Company was released this week. It is a four-part adaption of the famous stage play, "The Woman in the Case," which makes a very suitable subject for the silent drama. The picture was produced under the personal direction of George Willoughby. and is quite up to the standard of imported English productions. ompany is now filming the last scenes of its third release, which is entitled "A Pearl of the Pacific." This has ith a South Sea Islands flavor. The story is written by Randolph Bedford, a prominent Australian writer. * * * Another picture was released this week by J. C. Williamson, Ltd. This is a film version of the famous stage melodramatic farce, "Seven Keys to Baldpate." The adaption, which is in four reels, is one of the best of recent home-made and the best effort of "J. C. W." to date. On the stage the play had a splendid dramatic plot, though the was humorous, and although the humor is not so pronounced in the picture, the dramatic story has been well developed, and it works up to the splendid climax. When the stage version was produced some time ago by J. <'. Williamson. Fred Xiblo and Josephine Cohan appeared in the leading roles. They do not appear in the picture, however, Fred Maguire, a Victorian player, and Dorothy Brunton being the stars. Miss Brunton has had a stage career of extraordinary success. Barely two years ago she had a small part in the comic opera. "Gipsy Love," and from this beginning she has now gaini Australia. She IS at present -tarring in "So Long I.etty" in Melbourne, and has been chosen by Williamson, Ltd., to appear in thai production in London. The New South Wales Governmenl is at present releas Ims dealing with the training of soldiers in the various camps within the state. Three have air released, iii. ist dialing with the training of infantry, the ith field artillery, while the third is devoted to the light horsi section. Each picture has been taken by Burt ter, and they are about the Ims the writer has yet seen. The pictures are also printed on non-inflammable film, the used for Australian pictures. i has also given a private press screening in mat subjects for world-wide exhibition lm \ isil to the Murruiiil.nl Hon Area, in New South Wales This is a gigantic schem< ,, e barren countr> Scene are als,, given of the hi Rest 'voir, which holds the water supplj ol thi irrigation schemi It is one irgest works of its kind ever attempted in Australia lire was taken under the direction of Alfred Rolph. Films. Ltd. Another picture, which I understand is • publicity in foreign countries, is a series of scenes taken at the German Internment camp at Liverpool. N. S. W. They show camp life among the enemy subjects there, and are very interesting. Australasian Films, Ltd.. have announced that they will shortly release -The Xe'er Do Well" and "The Battle Cry of Peace." The latter picture was known in England as "An American's Home." but it is improbable that this title will be used here. The same people are making big preparations for the first Chaplin-Mutual subject, which is due to arrive next month. C. L. Yearsley, the firm's publicity manager, says he is going to use some advertising stunts that will make Sydney sit up and stare. The twelfth Triangle program consisted of "Cross Currents" and "The Edge of the Abyss:" the thirteenth, showing this week, includes "Daphne and the Pirate" i Fine Arts'. "The Green Swamp" (Kay-Bee) and "He Did and He Didn't" (Keystone). This has been given favorable writeups in all the Sydney papers which mention that the Triangle productions seem to be increasing in quality as time goes on. The public seems to think the same, as it is now difficult to secure a dress circle seat at the Triangle-Lyceum playhouse at the night sessions. "The Moral Fabric." another Triangle subject, is the current screening at the Crystal Palace. "The Soul ot New York," a Fox production, featuring Valcska Suratt: "What Will People Say" (Metro), with Olga Petrova; 'Body and Soul" (World) and "Out of Darkness" (Lasky) have also proved good drawing cards this week. "The Birth of a Nation" is having a very successful run in Melbourne at present. The big Griffith spectacle was advertised for a limited two weeks' run. but owing !■• the huge crowds who wished to view the picture the management decided to extend the run, and so the Town Hall v. for a week. Melbourne is going to see some big things in film adverAustralasian Films, Ltd.. as R. .1. Dexter, from the Sydney house, arrived here this week. Mr. Dexter is one ot the most prominent publicity men in the business. Current screenings in Melbourne include The Woman S Law" (Lathe), "His Picture in the Papers" .Fine Arts) and "The Iron Strain" (Kay-Bee), "The Puppett Crown I 1 ara Sydney. X S. W.. Australia, June 14, 1916. "LET THE STAR FIT THE SCENARIO '—BLACHE. Since Herbert Blache's thousand-dollar scenario i published, inquiries have been pouring into the Blache Studios at Fort Lee. X. J., asking exactly what kind of live-reel dramatic scripts were wanted and the sta "fitted." Mr Blache asks the Moving Picture World to answer the questions. "I have no special requirements— or restrictions to lav down." states Mr. Blache. "I am looking for good ideas, no matter in what form pi lust a' synopsis mav be submitted. I will find stars the plays I accept. I know this is reversing the usual process, but the play's the thing in my mind, and then the star." SMALLEYS TO PRODUCE "IDLE WIV1 Universal City, Lai.. Ink . Upon the completioi current production, "Saving the Family Name." tin 5 wiH stait the picluri/ation of James Oppenheil story, "Idle Wivi This photoplay will contain a notable east 1 be beautiful new found star, Mary MacLaren. will be featured with Phillips Smalley and Lois Weber. Bupporl hall, one of the Universal^ late aoiuisitioi and many of the most noted of that comp and actri , ... . , This picture will be released in five reels and wt , list Of Blue Bird features whi turedom by storm. "DEUTSCHLAND" IN PICTURES IN THIF HOURS \, 7 O'clock OH the morning »i July 1 German submarine. " Dent schlaud." aimed It I Baltimore after its histon makii '1 hirteen hours later the Hearst h dashed upon the screens of leading New York I ion picture of this