Reel Life (Sep 1913 - Mar 1914)

"The Trail of the Lost Chord" This story dates back to the period when the Franciscan Missions were in their flower. It is a very apt and clever adaptation of the poem by Adelaide A. Proctor, the music for which was composed by Arthur Sullivan. The scenario was prepared by Clarence J. Harris. Mr. Tom Ricketts, one of the ablest producers, deserves credit for his masterful handling of the subject. The subject is scheduled for release dn two parts on Nov. 17th, 1913. "The Occult" A fantastic production replete with the weirdness of the doctrines of the Hindoos. Sydney Ayres plays the lead and makes his bow to the picture fans through the "Flying A" subjects for the first time. His appearance in this subject and his masterful interpretation of the lover wall win him a warm reception in future productions. Jack Richardson as the Rajah Singh, a theosophist, handles the part in an exceptionally convincing manner, and Vivian Rich is also deserving of marked notice for her painstaking work. The subject will be released Nov. 24th, 1913. Another "Flying A" Feature Film With Miss Winifred Greenwood in the role of Marian, this picture will be an object lesson to girls who have come to "Where the Road Forks." Miss Greenwood's rare histrionic ability is given a vehicle to portray her very best work, and to the spectator it is not a picture, but the living, breathing reality of one woman's decision. The Master hand of Director Ricketts is plainly seen behind this picture, the fineness of detail, the delicate blending of youth and age as portrayed, and the careful staging of the entire production. The American Film Mfg. Co. can justly be proud of the masterly handling of this unusual picture, which combines rare histrionic ability and careful direction. Old Friends Locate Childhood Playmates Through the Movies In the past four weeks Miss Vivian Rich, the charming little leading woman of the AMERICAN, has receivea two letters from childhood playmates, who have recognized her name and some little gestures, characteristic of Miss Rich, and have written her renewing old friendship. One young lady in Boston was not sure, but recalled many little things to Miss Rich of the days when they attended school together. Miss Rich recently wrote her and through her renewed many old friendships. Beauties of Nature Recent "Flying A" subjects have elicited considerable comment because of the beautiful backgrounds and settings used throughout the productions. Aside from the trend of the stories which retain their interest the plot is unfolded amid such inspiring beauties of nature as to prove a perfect delight to the eye, a rare treat to the mind and a joy to the soul. James Durkin in Films Now Another legitimate leading man has deserted. James Durkin, of Broadway and "stock" note, and last of the celebrated Fealy-Durkin Stock Company, Denver, is a genuine every-week-inthe-year photo-player now. Miss Fealy had joined the Thanhouser forces last July. Mr. Durkin has attached himself to the same pay roll. His first film is a two reeler called "The Junior Partner," released Tuesday, Nov. 4th. Flo La Badie is his leading woman. Mr. Durkin says that the picture producer goes into James Durkin Thanhouser detail a little more than the stage producer in the securing of realistic effects. This was because "The Junior Partner" script called for a fire scene and the director burn-ed down a regular house. Mace Resembles Roosevelt That Fred Mace, president of the Photoplayers and fun-maker of the Apollo films, resembles Theodore Roosevelt, is a statement you — won't believe. Mace wouldn't give it credence himself when a friend mentioned it. Mr. Friend had Fred* put a set of "Teddy" teeth in his mouth and a Rooseveltian mustache under his nose. Looking dn a mirror, Fred saw the statement wasn't so far "off" at that. He looked like the comic paper's Roosevelt, anyway. So much so that he got up a quick play and wore the teeth and mustache in it. The release day is Sunday, Nov. 9th. The title shows that Mr. Mace has nothing against Mr. Roosevelt except the "resemblance." It's "Freddy Loosebelt From Africa." Miss Ostriche Not Superstitious Murial Ostriche, the seventeen-year-old leading lady of the Princess films, has nothing in common with the demon Superstition. P'haps it's because she's not old enough yet. Playerfolk are strong on the superstition thing, and if this temperamental weakness hasn't "got to" Miss Ostriche yet, likely it's because she's young. At any rate, she has always asked her director to start taking the picture on Friday, the thirteenth, and has walked under every ladder at the Princess studio. So it was altogether fitting that she appear in a playlet entitled "Friday the Thirteenth" that showed she gave divil a care about the terrors of superstition. Her husband — in the playlet — is a superstitious dog. He has evil dreams, and they frighten him. The unsuperstitious wife laughs, and in the end she laughs last. The dreams aren't borne out by actual events. It's a good film for superstitious people. Friday is the release day, at that — not the 13th, unfortunately, but the 7th. Majestic Additions Finished The new additions to the plant of the Majestic Motion Picture Company are now completed. They comprise two rooms for developing and printing still pictures, a joining room, and a large scene dock. The Majestic Studios now have an equipment second to none on the Pacific Coast. It was certainly like watching a circus when Jack Adolfi put on his latest comedy, "Levinsky's Holiday." The Wild Man, the Snake Charmer, the Human Skeleton, the Oriental Dancer and the Bearded Lady were all there. William Nigh, as Levinsky, is certainly destined to make one big hit in this screeching comedy, and it may probaby result in a demand on the part of exhibitors for a series of Levinsky pictures. Great Activity at Keystone Studios in Edendale, Los Angeles, California Just a little bit over a year ago the Keystone Brand of Film was released for the first time. There was one company operating in Los Angeles and one reel of film was exhibited per week. The demand for Keystone Pictures grew from the start, and one by one the companies were added until now there are four. Everything is in great shape, and the Directors are kept very busy keeping up the stories to Keystone standard. Considering the enormity of the number of people employed for a picture, the "Bandmaster" which is a two reel comedy, by the way, had more actors than any Keystone ever produced. We used nearly five thousand people in the audience scene, and they worked like old-time actors. The cost of this production will run into thousands of dollars. Just recently we chartered the steamship "Harvard" of the Pacific Navigation Co. This is the fastest passenger carrying ship that floats the American Flag. On a trip down and up the coast we made a one reel feature that will please everyone. We took along a company of about 50, and also used the entire ship's crew in several of the scenes. The Captain, lending a willing hand and himself playing in a couple of the scenes. This will be a little "different," and we think should be a corking good release. "The Speed Kings," with Teddy Tetslaff and Earl Cooper playing the leads, will certainly be a grand and exciting success. They are the best known of all race drivers at present, and they are shown in action during the Santa Monica and Corona Races last month in California, Cooper winning all three of the races with his "Stutz." With them are also shown ,the great Barney Oldfield, with his 100-milean-hour Mercer just before he went into the fence in the Corona Race, and Ralph De Palma and his team mate. Spencer Wisheart. Some of the scenes are remarkable, and the excellent photography will show them to great advantage. Have you noticed the industrial trailers that have been shown lately on Keystone split reels? Automobile Tire Making, at the famous Savage Tire factory at San Diego. Abalone Fishing taken technically right. A few days ago we made "How Modern Dairying is Done at the Los Angeles Creamery." "The Kelp Industry" is a great strip. To-day we are taking the Bertillion System of measurements in the Los Angeles Detective Department. We will show finger prints, etc., etc., etc.