Moving Picture World (Aug 1917)

1094 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD August 18, 1917 Selig Releases for August 13 Several Excellent Subjects Scheduled for the Week's General Film Program. FOR the week beginning Monday, August 13, the Selig Company announces some interesting releases. For example, on Monday, August 13, "The Sole Survivor,'' a two-reel drama of Central American jungles, is released. "The Sole Survivor" was written by James Oliver Curwood and features Scene from "The Sole Survivor" (Selig). winsome Bessie Eyton, supported by an all-star cast. "Her Heart's Desire" is the title of the one-reel drama released by Selig in General Film service on Saturday, August 18. Bessie Eyton is again featured in this beautiful production, one of the few one-reel film dramas directed by Colin Campbell. "Between Man and Beast" is the title of the Selig two-reel jungle drama released by Selig in General Film service on Monday, August 20. Again is pretty Bessie Eyton exploited in a drama of thrills. One sensational episode is where a gigantic ape captured and cares of a little child. "Her Salvation" i3 the title of the Selig one-reel release for Saturday, August 25, in which Bessie Eyton is again starred in a drama having i.o do with the "submerged tenth." "William N. Selig calls especial attention to the fact that his very best stars, very best writers and very best directors are now contributing to General Film releases. Colin Campbell, responsible for the direction of such great film dramas as "The Garden Of Allah," "The Crisis," etc., directs one or more of the above described film productions. Bessie Eyton of "The Crisis" fame, Eugenie Besserer, Wheeler Oakman, Charles Clary, Thomas Santschi, Kathlyn Williams and other wellknown stars appear in General Film service through the medium of Selig pictures. There is also a dearth of jungle dramas, and the Selig Company is endeavoring to supply the prevalent demand for these thrillers. Brady Makes a "Discovery" World Film Manager Finds That Hot Weather Does Not Affect Picture Business. ONE of the undeniable fascinations of the motion picture business," said William A. Brady, director-general of World Pictures, "is the element of surprise which is so frequently in evidence that nobody engaged in this industry need complain of monotony or feel that nothing is necessary but to float with the tide. "The surprise which attracts the attention of World executives at this particular moment is exceedingly agreeable. Everybody familiar with any branch of theatrical amusements is of course aware that the hot weather months are detrimental — often disastrous. This is but a matter of course, for nobody with any idea of physical comfort could be expected to sit in a hot audience room for any length of time to observe any ordinary attraction. "This is the annual condition which closes most 'regular' theaters altogether, and makes it hard for the managers of those motion picture houses remaining open to make both ends meet. The manufacturer of photoplays in turn looks for a marked shrinkage in the volume of his business with the approach of the heated term — which is 'natural cards,' as the sporting element would say. "It may be readily imagined that when we in the WoKjd concern found there was no shrinkage at all in our gross ou put, and an actual gain in some quarters over the best part of the year, we were shaken completely out of any complac ency or lassitude that might have been imposed upon us by the thermometer. "In the New York exchange, for example, the business for the week ending July 14 broke every record of this branch for a period of similar duration, Winter or Summer, from the very beginning of World Film Corporation activities. "In some of our other exchanges also an unexpected growth was noted, while in none was the looked-for slump recorded. "Seeking to account for this unforeseen state of affairs — for it is well to analyze every step forward as well as each slip back — we have reached the conclusion that our policy of dependable pictures and loyalty to the program system are the principal things that count. "These pictures are rendered possible by a studio efficiency which I believe to be unequaled anywhere. We do not hurry in the completion of our productions, but our procedure is systematized to a degree so closely approaching perfection that there is practically no wastage of time, money or energy. "In our studio it is a very infrequent occurrence that a group of players has to wait for a set, or a set to wait for the players. When one of our stars completes a play, another is usually ready for him or her to plunge into on schedule time. If there is any 'stalling' in the movement of our machinery it is fraught with peril to its promoters. There is no room for cheaters in our scheme of action. "Similarly, at the business end of World Pictures an efficiency basis has been reached which certainly is not exceeded anywhere else, if indeed it has a single parallel. The World selling force is a body that challenges comparison — and, having the regular pictures at regular intervals, this force has built up a regular clientele of satisfied exhibitors who know what they are going to get, when they will get it, and what their patrons will think of it." Jackie Saunders Heads Mutual Program Appears in "Bab the Fixer" for Week of August 13 — Other Good Subjects. JACKIE SAUNDERS in "Bab the Fixer," sixth of her series of star productions for Mutual, tops the Mutual release schedule for the week of August 13. "Bab the Fixer" was produced by E. D. Horkheimer, under the direction of Sherwood MacDonald, from the story by Lee Arthur in which Miss Saunders herself collaborated. The production Is a five-reel drama, laid principally on a western ranch, but the first of the first act is laid in Wall Street, and there are a few scenes in a Fifth avenue finishing school. "Bab the Fixer" is the sixth of her series of star productions for Mutual, the others of the list being: "Sunny Jane," "The Wildcat," "The Checkmate," "A Bit of Kindling" and "Betty Be Good." Each one of the series has been a box office success. The Mutual schedule for the week of August 13 includes two comedies, "The Widow's Might," a one-reel La Salle, and "Beach Nuts," a one-reel Cub starring George Ovey. "The Widow's Might" is based on a conspiracy to acquire the fortune of a stingy old woman, by fair means or foul, marriage being selected as the most effective. George Ovey disports himself amid a bevy of beautiful girls at the seashore in "Beach Nuts," gets into their dressing room, where all varieties of complications ensue, and closes his laugh-making journey by smashing his flivver into a gasoline filling station. Reel Life No. 68, the weekly screen magazine, which is released August 16, shows the work of the T. M. C. A. in various sections of the world, pictures the various phases of military training through which army recruits are placed, and contains as the animated drawing from life, "The Absent-Minded Dentist." Mutual Tours Around the World No. 41, released August 14, takes the audience through southern Corsica, down the Houyoux river in Belgium and thence to picturesque Tripoli. Mutual Weekly, the one reel of current events, released August 15, carries the latest news of importance up to within a few hours of its release. The Weekly is made up of pictures wTiich in many instances beat the newspaper illustrations of big events. PATHE GETS FILM PAST BLOCKADE. Prints of a very remarkable one-reel picture which was produced in France and which successfully ran the submarine blockade have been sent to Pathe Exchange. The film is entitled "The Latest French Creations," and as an example of the way France still maintains her position in the world of fashion even in the fourth year of the greatest war in history the film is one which the live exhibitor can present in a way that will give him an opportunity to demonstrate his ability as a showman. The picture shows a collection of very beautiful gowns made by the leading Parisian Modiste and worn by the most beautiful models in France. The names of the makers — names that mean everything worth having to every woman — are in the titles, and this in itself is a feature that assures the picture's pleasing power. Pathe managers are selecting the best exhibitors in each town to give this picture a presentation that will afford it an opportunity to demonstrate its drawing power. They are now ready to receive applications for bookings. CONGRATULATIONS FOLLOW NORMAND ENGAGEMENT. A deluge of congratulatory letters and telegrams has followed the announcement that Mabel Normand will begin production under the direction of Goldwyn Pictures. In answer to the question as to the kind of literary materials to be furnished for Miss Normand, President Samuel Goldfish said the advisory board has now under consideration a half dozen light comedies by well-known authors that are suited to Miss Normand's faculty for comic and artistic expression.