The Billboard 1915-02-06: Vol 27 Iss 6 (1915-02-06)

FEBRUARY 6, 1915. The Biliboard 51 EDISON After Webb bb Invention? Reported Negotiating for Purchase of Talking Motion Pictures Invented by Ba'timore Man The Billboard is creditably informed that negotiations are now pending between Thomas \. Edison, Inc., and George Web?, of Baltimorey, imyentor of Webb's Talking Pictures, towards the Edison Company taking over Mr. Webb’s.invention. As the information was received just at pre<s time no verification, could be had from any of the parties concerned, The Webb Talking Pictures first «attracted attention about a year ago, and at that time were pronounced by many experts to be the closest approach to perfect synchronization 4s vet attained. But little has been done towards their exploitation to date, it being the assump tion that Mr. Webb Wag working on imprevements tending to perfect his invention before putting it on the market. William A. Brady was reported at one time as considering the purchase of the exhibition rights, but if such was the case nothing was done in the matter so far aa is known. The Webb Company has offices in the Candler tuilding, New York City. The Edison Company put on the tairket talking pictures invented by Thomas A. Edison, and while considerable success was atttiined it was net to the degree anticipated. PROFIT-SHARING PLAN WINNERS. New York, Jan. 30.—Richard Fox, of the .thicago branch of the World Film Corporation; J. Walter Lamb and ‘Jerome Sobel, both of the New York branch, are the first prize winners to win salesmen bonuses under the Selzaick profit-sharing plan that is in active operation with the employees of the World Film Corporation. Mr. Fox won the first prize lamb secured the second prize, $@, and Mr. sobel'y prize is $25. These prizes were awarded to the three winners tecause they secured the zreatest amount of business based in gross ash collections at the lowest expense during the first four weeks of the profit-sharing plan's operation. The period started November 29 and vended December 26. An organ. designed exclusively for the use of a sales foree te being gotten out by the Workt Film Corporation under the tith, ‘The Firing Line.’ It is to be published weekly on ‘ehalf of the sales force, and will be edited by C. B. sales director, and Leon J. Bamberger will. act as assistant editor. The ‘ret number will make its appearance February smd it is planned that only the livest sort of material, that will be of value te ihe sales smd exeeutive staff of the World Film Corporation will appear in this putlicatior A, S. Schaefer, secretary to Mr Selenick, ts entitled to the credit for christesing the publi «ation. of $100; Mr. Seelye, M. P. EXHIBITORS’ ASSN. MOVES. New York, Jan. 30.—Tae Metion Picture Exhibitors’ Association of Greater New York has removed its offices from Broadway and Thirtysixth street to the World Tower Building, 110 W. Fortieth street, CLEVELAND LOCAL BUSY. the Cleveland Local of 1 the M. P. E. L. bas “ent ont a letter to exhibitors in Obie in an Tort to bring about a change in the condition ‘f the affairs of the exhibitors in the Buckeye State. In the letter it states that last spring tite Cleveland Local conducted a mail referendum ‘fe among the exhibitors of Obio for the re eal of the Ohio Censor Law; that in July last ‘wey followeq the recommendations of the Natwoal Convention at Dayton and again reor sinized as Cleveland Local No, *, inasmuch as ‘e Ohio Censor Law and its sponsors were repudiated at that convention: that they are siting hard to eliminate that piece of legis ‘Con from the statutes and with the help ‘ud vote of the exhibitors can repeal the bill. ‘he attention of the exhibitors is cajled to the avention in Columbus on February 9 and 10, ‘vat the Legislature will be in session, and ‘vat there are a number of propositions that ‘iil come up which will concern the exhibitors. Cleveland has no slate for election of officers, ‘t will lend its strength to put nene but anti ‘user men on guard, Iu conclusion it says: ‘‘If we kill ‘usorship the politicians will let us “verything else. A percentage tax on your gross cipts is threatened.’ legalized alone on FT NEW ITALA FILM (MADE FOR AMERICA) SETS THE PACE FOR STATE RIGHTS WHY? BECAUSE THE OF TREASURE *:LOUZATS In four acts, made all the critics smile with delight when they saw it. Wise buyers were quick to note that “CABIRIA” STARS, including Lydia Quaranta (Cabiria herself) appeared in this splendid new film. They knew the drawing power of such a vehicle— Bound to Get Money! The remaining territory will be sold to responsible showmen. Are you one of these? More facts if you write HARRY R. RAVER ITALA FILM CO. OF AMERICA apuress 110 W. 40th St. areeune $$$$55959555555555555$ There Are But FOUR United States Mints, But There Are 1 HOUSANDS of Moving Picture Mints IN THE UNITED STATES THEY ARE THE THEATRES Where Money Is Made BY RUNNING THE GREAT SERIAL Runaway June By George Randolph Chester Author of “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford” See Our Representative in Any Mutual Exchange AND BOOK IT AT ONCE Produced by RELIA NCE Serial Publication Corporation, 29 Union Square, New York City. § j $ § : § j j $ j $ $ $ +830 Se Se ee ee ee oe ee $$$$555555555555555$ Feature Films Reviewed YOUNG ROMANCE. (In Four Parts.) THE CAST. SN ScuuS. ct fee veveavesoun ..Edith Taliaferre MM cecetetdecacede Gudcesdeves Florence Dagmar Telegraph Gqueter ates ecnesccesed Violet Drew BOMEREY cece ccccowesccecss Mrs. Lewis McCord Se DOMME cc coscuccosesecedncese Miss Kellar Miss Jenkins .............-sseeceeeeMiss Abril Girl at Cigar Counter ...............Miss White TOM ncccvccees eerecteccocceces --.-Tom Forman EOP sccccccce edveubenndsesé Frederick Wilsou House Detective ...... eoeeewiesinn Fred Wilson Ecce odeeuud sucteeucecedes .-Ernest Garecl Bell Boy ..... a oe ....Marshall Mackay Silas Jenkins ...... Cutecetoceees Harry de Vere ONE SOUND 65 ce c'vedevedecHetite Parke Jones Chauffeur ..... ae teate dual deaean Charles Wells In this picture Edith ‘Taliaferro makes her screen debut in William C. DeMille’s play, Young Romance. The heroine, having saved $100, is anxious to live just one week like a lady and decides te visit a popular Maine summer resort under the name of a well-known society girl. A boy in the store decides to spend his vacation at the same place and bluff his way through. Their meeting and experiences at the resort form the basis of the picture, and the sfory ends with their meeting in the department store after vacation, and after many explanations they live happy ever after. The scenes were taken on the Pacific Coast, but looked like any part of the Maine (Coast. The story is interesting, the acting and photeraphy good.—WEN. BUCKSHOT JOHN, (In Five Reels.) THE CAST. “Buckshot John’? Moran ....... Hobart Bosworth The Great Gilmore ........... Courtenay Foote I ieee o5.50emetane Carl Von Schiller Ruth Mason ........ esbecdeeese Helen Wolcott CE wre cvetseceteand Herbert Standing Warden of State’s Prison..... Marshall Stedman Bad Jake Kennedy ............. ‘Frank Lanning Jordan, one of Kennedy’s gang...... Art Accord Se GENES Scoccadoccoctcvnes Oscar Linkenhelt Se, MOOG “seccctcccccceccoeees Rhea Haines Charles E. Van Loan’s story of Buckshet John, featuring Hobart Bosworth and Courtenay Foote, is a combination of the Western style of pieture and society drama. The attack of the outlaws on the bank and the resistance of the townspeople was very realistic. Courtenay Foote as Gilmore gives a perfect and high-class impersonation of a clever faker. Great daring was shown by (Mr. Bosworth when he jumped on a moving freight train. The story is goed and very clearly told, The phetography is fine all through the picture and the direction good, Buckshot Jobn will hold an andience ther oughly interested for its five reels.—WEN. FRITZI SCHEFF BEFORE THE CAMERA. New York, Jan. 30.—Fritzi Scheff, favorite of the legitimate stage, whose signature was recently secured by the Oliver Morosco Photo play Company to appear before the motion pic ture camera, has arrived at the Bosworth-Morosco studios to star in a screen version of her winter’s hit on Broadway, Pretty Mrs. Smith. Work has been begun in earnest in the filming of this artistic comedy, written by Oliver Morosco and Elmer Harris, and an elaborately spectacular production is assured. Supporting Miss Scheff are Owen Moore, Forrest Stanley, Loyie Bonnison, Myrtle Stedman and a score of other screen favorites in important roles. A MUSICAL BONANZA. hérentiitiee that is cheap, ever been a vexing problem rights’’ man, W. RR. Hart. of Vera Cruz fame, however, recently hit upon a scheme that has brought wonderful results —a method simple aud effective that it yet powerful, hes for the ‘feature Feature Film that is so cheap, was immediately adopted by several Upon arriving in the community where lie is to exhibit during the afternoon he engages an automobile and a Deagan electric unaphone or calliope—a new instrument manufactured by the J. C. firm, of Chicago. With tanners announcing the feature attractions, he drives about the com munity, with a pianist tickling the keyboard In quality the tone of the unapbene is a pe enuliar combination of pipe organ, “Vox Hu mana’ and calliope, and has the effect of bringing people to the street a considerable distance in advance, usually creating as much excitement as the circus steam calliope. Furthermore, the instrument is placed at a ridiculously low price, and the maintenance cost is alight. As this method is effective for the transient exhibitor, there is no reason why it should net be effective for the permanently located ¢x others. and evening places in it Deagan hibitor, who isn’t playing to capacity. AEE ities 8AD IA SRE SEALE A REE AEDT AIA He Abt SAAS LE SSE Teo . =. ie oY, ed Prt eso o~ ot. — eo ee ed 6 ab sats jas -o