Reel Life (Sep 1913 - Mar 1914)

2 Reel Life "Child Representatives" at Ball At the New York Exhibitors Ball, C. J. Hite sprung an innovation by having present for his Thanhouser and Princess Companies an array of "child representatives." Usually at trade balls, it has been the custom for prominent manufacturers to be represented by their best known directors and actors, and to get away from custom Mr. Hite hit on the "child representatives" idea. The result was a near-riot at the Thanhouser box. Mr. Kite's "child representatives" were Leland Benham, the Thanhouser Twins and Kidlet, for the Thanhouser Company, and Marie Eline and Dorothy Benham for the Princess. None of the youngsters was over eleven years of age, and onel. Dorothy Benham, hadn't reached three. Mr. Hite expects to have the same "representatives" at the Screen Club Ball, provided the whooping cough, croup and measles steer clear of the prodigies for another month. Rejoins Old Director It is not generally known that Lucille Young, of the Pathe and Universal Western pictures, and of Western pictures generally, was an Eastern leading lady before that, with the Thanhouser Company at New Rochelle. It was over three years ago, and in the nature of a "break in" for Miss Young. Her whole Thanhouser connection was merely a matter of a few months, as she answered a call from the West. Her Thanhouser director was Lucius Henderson, and Miss Young, leaving New Rochelle, said it was a real pain to part from the direction of this able producer. Recently the New Majestic forces at Los Angeles found need for a new leading woman. The business representative of the company went to see Miss Young. She wavered over the contract until the Majestic man mentioned that Mr. Henderson, who was transferred from New Rochelle, to New Majestic, was the director who wanted her. Then she signed without further hesitation. The Thanhouser Zoo A real little zoological garden is being built out to the left of the new stages. Lila Chester, prize animal lover in the Thanhouser aggregation, is altogether happy. The other Thanhouserites merely hope that the bars of the zoo hold tight. Just what kind of dumb players are being bought for the zoa, the press agent doesn't state. Michael Schliesser will be "Wild Animal Manager." He was formerly in charge of animals for Hagenbeck, Germany, and collected animals for the Museum of Natural History of New York, for which he became taxidermist. The camels used in Thanhouser's "Joseph, Son of Jacob," were especially trained for that production by Mr. Schliesser. Santa Barbara Mission American to release "The Planting of the Cross," a two part feature on the founding of the Santa Barbara Mission. The principal role of Padre Junipero Serra will be played by Sydney Ayres. "In the Firelight" A literary gem by the "Flying A" Company, in which Edward Coxen plays the lead, supported by Charlotte Burton, George Field and Wm. Bertram. Replete with gorgeous firelight and sunset scenes. Release date, Monday, Dec. 29th. The American Makes Another New Departure On Monday of each week the American Film Mfg. Co. will release a two part feature and once each month the two part subject will be replaced with a three part production. This innovation goes into effect on Monday, Dec. IStln, and the first three part release will be on Jan. 12th, 1914. Noted Author Visits "Flying A" Studios Marc Edmund Jones, scenario writer and author of national reputation, recently made a trip from New Orleans, La., to Santa Barbara, California, for the purpose of getting better acquainted with the members of the "Flying A" Companies and to better familiarize himself with the vast re Harry Von Meter American sources and facilities available. He is at work on a number of special feature productions. "In the Firelight," a two part subject to be released Dec. 29th, was written by Mr. Jones. American Announces Three Reel Subject The first three reel subject put out by the American Film Mfg. Co. has been set for release Monday, Jan. 12th, 1914. The title is "DESTINIES FULFILLED," and makes a very beautiful subject full of heart throbs and human interest. It involves three generations, and is told in a charming manner, with great care and precision. Sydney Ayres plays the lead, with Vivian Rich playing opposite, in the first two reels. In the last reel Harry Von Meter is the lover and Vivian Rich "doubles" as her own daughter. Excellent versatility is displayed on the part of the entire cast. The usual "Flying A" quality and beautiful natural settings predominate. , Henry Walthall With Mutual For the third time in five years Henry Walthall, who is said to be one of the most widely known favorites in the moving picture art, has become a member of the Reliance stock company. His last change marks the second time he has left the Biograph to return to Reliance, while his record shows that once he was won away from Reliance by a second tempting contract with the Biograph. In fact, his whole career as an actor in the silent drama has been with the two. above mentioned companies, with the single exception of a short appearance in Pathe pictures. Mr. Walthall is one of a surprisingly small number of artists who are recognized in the business itself as established moving picture stars. He is one of the exclusive group of talented players who were attracted to pictures before they had gained their present vogue, and have mastered the technique of the silent drama to a degree that puts them in a class by themselves. Associated with Mr. Walthall under the Mutual banner are several recognized members of the superior class of picture experts to which he belongs, and men with whom he has long been intimately associated in the motion picture art. Among his friends of long standing, not only is the recognized peer of picture directors, D. W. Griffith, once more his director, but he is also surrounded by such noted companions of his early screen days as William Bitzer, James Kirkwood and Eddie Dillon. The Stanhopes Stanhope is Stanhope, but Fred is not Walter, even if they both did originate with Liebler and Company and invade the field of motion pictures. Walter T. Stanhope,, who has recently become identified with the Famous Players, is not the Stanhope of Biograph fame, who has lately joined the Mutual forces as one of D. W. Griffith's right-hand men. Fred Stanhope is located at present at the new Mutual studio at Broadway and 16th Street. Blanch Sweet With Mutual Blancli Sweet, the beauciful young motion picture actress, who as leading lady for the Biograph Company, has become one of the best known stars in the screen world, has signed a contract to appear exclusively in motion pictures. As a star in Mutual photoplays. Miss Sweet will again be under the direction of D. W. GriffithI, who schooled her in her art and staged most of the dramas in which she has appeared. Although Miss Sweet is only nineteen years of age, she is recognized as one of the greatest emotional actresses in the silent drama. Her versatility is said to be remarkable in that she plays light ingenue roles or portrays extreme characters with equal cleverness. A remarkable case is recorded on the film in which she played the part of a woman of thirty-four years of age and successfully changed to a woman of forty without the aid of a makeup. She accomplished the difficult feat of showing the difference in years merely by her finished knowledge of the art of facial expression. Mutual Sends New Company West Westward Ho! is still the cry of the film men. Another company of Mutual players will help swell the ranks of the large Los Angeles motion picture colony within a few days. General Director D. W. Griffith selected the actors with special care, having in view the style of dramas in which they are to appear. Many of the stories have already been arranged in final form for picture production, among them being the popular three act play, "A Man and His Mate," by George Durant. Several interior scenes for this drama, which will be presented in three parts, are being made in a Pullman coach, while the company is en route to the coast. The former Kinemacolor Studio on Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, is being remodeled to receive the Mutual players, and a new factory is being completed on the grounds for the handling of the film. Joseph Altschulter, formerly of the Biograph, will be the expert in charge of the factory, while Samuel Landers, also of Biograph fame, will head the list of camera men. Christy Cabanne has been chosen by Mr. Griffith as head director, and his acting company includes Miriam Cooper!,, formerly with Kalem, Raoul Walsh of the Biograph, Frank Bennett of the Vitagraph, Fred and Robert Burns of Biograph fame. Eagle Eye, the expert Indian horseman, and Dark Cloud, who is rated by Mr. Griffith as the foremost Indian actor in the world. According to Director Cabanne, heart interest for the trip is being furnished by Samuel Landers and his bride, who are honeymooners, only a few days removed from the License Bureau. Reliance Plans The many important changes that have taken place in the Reliance Company, which include the organization of what is no doubt the largest stock company of well-known screen artists in the history of pictures, are just beginning to be noted on the screen. A comedy split reel is announced for December 31, consisting of "His Awful Vengeance," a new idea burlesque by Anita Loos, and "Seeing Stars and Stripes," by Charles L. Douglas, which were staged by Edward Dillon, the new Reliance comedy director, late of the Biograph Company. The new year will usher in the first of the Reliance dramas in which the lately acquired famous stars will be seen. Among the vehicles in which they will appear are "Some Rogues and A Girl" by George Hennessey, "The Janitor's Family" by Frank E. Woods, and "The Loaiei" by Mark S. Reardon.