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

The Billboard FEBRUARY 6, 1915, THE ETERNAL CITY FOR NATIONAL RELEASE Famous Players’ Big Spectacle To Be Booked Through Agency Into Theaters Charging 25 Cents as Minimum Admission New York, January 28.—The Famous Players Film Company announces its photo spectacle, The Eternal City, by Hall Caine, with Pauline Frederick, for immediate release to legitimate theaters and motion picture houses charging twenty-five cents as the minimum admission that can house a long-run attraction. A special booking agency has been organized by the Famous Players Film Co. for the exploitation of The Eternal City, and other special subjects too long for the regular program. This booking organization is to be called the Select Film Booking Agency, with offices at 110 Weat Fortieth street. Geo. M. Welty is to be the booking manager of this company. He is one of the best known booking men in New York, having been with the Liebler Co. for many years. The Famous Players’ future Mary Pickford releases will also te booked through this special agency. When asked for an official explanation of the purpose and policy of the Select Film Booking Agency Mr. Zukor, president of the Famous Players, said: “For a long time we have been perplexed by the limitations of a definite four and fivereel program, which often wmilitated against important subjects whose nature required longer and unusual treatment. The solution of this problem we found in the organization of a special booking agency for the distribution of a few selected subjects that were too long or expensive ty be confined to the regular program. After these sSbjects have been booked in the theaters throughout the country ‘that are equipped to house long-run special attractions they will be placed on the regular program, and when they «re 60 released to the regular program exhibitors they will possess a prestige Similar to that which attaches to a theatrical production «fter a metropolitan run. The enormous cost of the forthcoming Mary Pickford releases makes it imperative to distribute these subjects through the Select Film Booking Agency. “The organization of this special attraction Program will do more to enhance the dignity of the feature film and the integrity of the industry at large than any other single or various steps ever before taken, as for the first time in the history of the motion picture busimess it is absolutely and inseparably placed on the plane of legitimate theatrical offerings of the most serious type. The adoption of this policy will greatly dignify the public aspects of the trade, as it will now assume every fota of systematization associated with the business methods of the theater.” In reviewing Mr, Zukor’s declaration it does pot seem surprising that the man who organized the first movement to connect the screen with the stage should also be responsible for the last «te toward the thorough adoption of accepted theatrical methods in the presentation of motion pictures, The mammoth film adaptation of Hall Caine’s master work, The Eternal City, the first pro duction to be distributed through the Select Film Booking Agency, was produced last summer in Italy and England, and in the exact locations in which Hall Caine made the stirring action occur, under the direction of Edwin 8. Porter and Hugh Ford, and was recently given a notable premier exhibition at the Lyceum Theater. Added to its general and unusual yalue is the vital timeliness derived from the recent @isastrous cartbquakes in Italy, which injured many of the historic and ancient buildings that form the background of the screen production of this immortal! novel and play. Coming as the crowning triumph of the Famous Players’ producing activities, after three years of leadership in feature production steadily maintained by this concern, and @isplaying to the utmost the transcendent genius of Edwin S. Porter as a master of the higher principles of the silent art, it was accepted COUPON BOOKS —FOR— Movies 6's and 12's Gaaste and Prices Request. Weldon, Williams & Lick Fort Smith, > Ark. as peculiarly appropriate that the greatest distinction that was ever won by a subject filmed by American producers should accrue to the first concern in the world to present a regular feature program, That The Eternal City will create a greater and more lasting impression among the general public than that achieved by any other productions in the history of the film is a comparatively safe prediction. MISS ETHEL HOPP KILLED. Chicago, Jan. 29.—As the result of an automobile accident Thursday evening Miss Ethel Hopp, daughter of Joseph Hopp, president of the Union Film Company, lost her life. Miss Hopp was riding in the limousine with ber mother and sister, Miss Pear] Hopp, and all were on their way to meet Mr. Hopp at his office. When at the intersection of Wrightwood and Lakeview avenue another car swung around the corner, and both came together with a crash. Muss Hopp was thrown through a window on her head, while her mother and sister were sl'ghtly injured. She was immediately taken to the Columbus Hospital, near by, but died in a few minutes. Neither chauffeur was hurt. Mr. Hopp is a pioneer of the film industry, and has the sympathy of a host of friends in that business as well as other walks of |'fe. JANIS OFFERED $150,000 A YEAR. New York, Jan, 28.—Elsie Janis has proved herself such a success upon the screen that Bosworth, Inc., for whom she appears before the camera, bas offered her a salary far in excess of any woman director in the world, namely, $150,000 a year and an interest in the business, for which she is te make eight pictures a year and direct some of the Bosworth releases, “Miss Janis, who arrived in New York last week, states that she has been obliged to forego the s'gning of a contract because of her European engagements, which she is now about to fulfill, leaving Saturday on the Lusitania for London,» where she will appear at the Palace, under the management of Alfred Butt, in The Girl on the Film, The little star expresses the greatest affection for the Bosworth people, and was high in her praise of the manner in which everyone connected with the organ‘zation treated ber. The troublesome condition on the other side and the fact that a dirigible attack has been made on Sandringham Palace, within a mile of her home, has little effect on her determination to fulfil] her engagement across the pond. PATHE IN LARGER QUARTERS. New York, Jan, 27.—Owing to considerable extension of business ang new plans shortly to be carried out the Pathe offices have been moved to 25 West 45th etreet. At this address are now located not only the head offices of the Pathe Exchange, Inc. (formerly the Eclectic Film Co.), but also those of Pathe Freres, which have been mover over from Jersey City. The studios and connecting services in Jersey City are not to be discontinued. BOSWORTH BUYS MORE PROPERTY. New York, Jan. 28.—Bosworth, Inc., have made further additions to their plant at Los Angeles by purchasing a site opposite the studio, where several buildings are being erected to make the sets for Captain Courtesy, a forthcoming release on the Paramount program, featuring Dustin Farnum, who has been loaned by the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. Those who have viewed the sets for this production and the bu‘ldings which are already completed say they are the best they have ever seen. In staging Captain Courtesy Bos worth, Inc., are displaying their usual exactness of detail and faithfulness to the minor as well as the major points in the story. It is expected that this production will prove one of the greatest successes released by Bosworth on the Paramount program. FIFTY DOLLARS FOR PLAY TITLE. New York, Jan. 28.—Because neither Prestdent Car] Laemmle nor Stuart Paton, the Imp director, can find a suitable title for a two ree] feature, which is to be released on February 27, the Universal Film Manufacturing (Co. offers a $50 prize to the one who will suggest a fitting name for the photoplay. The contest closes August 1, 1915. All answers must be typewritten and on one side of the paper only. ASE A arr oF remotanets OF weer SHE EVEN Mew DANIEL FROHMAN resents Bea El e fomous semncangge a RS A QUAINT PORTRAYAL OF ATENDER ADOLPH nea. President, DANIEL FROHMAN. Managing Director EDWIN -SPORTER Technical Director s0.N a Executive Offices. 213-229 W.26m STREET, NEW YORK a « Nai Ten Fifty J oO Twent c a One Hundred a : THE BIG TICKET AT THE SMALL PRICE Your own Special Ticket, any printing, any colors, every roll guaranteed. Tickets f esse Sh -five Thousand ousand o. @ NATIONAL TICKET CO., Shamokin, Pa. “Sh VA ROLL TICKETS 7) Five Thousand Thousand Twenty Thousand FILM TITLES PERFECT IN EVERY RESPECT—10c PER FOOT AND WORTH IT. INDUSTRIAL MOVING PICTURE Co. 223-233 VW. Erie Street CHICAGO. In addition to the title each contribution should be accompanied by a 50-word explanation of the contestant’s choice of title. Persons who wish to enter the contest will not be limited to one reply, but may send in as many as they wish, the only condition being that each title must be accompanied by a 60word explanation. All answers should be sent to the Editor of the Prize Picture Title Contest, care Universa] Film Manufacturing Co., 1600 Broadway, New York City. The contest will be well advertised throughout the country and in all the theaters where it is exhibited. The story of the two-reel feature introduces an ex-convict sitting on a park bench looking at a five-dollar bil] and the new suit of clothes he has received upon release from prison. His past life passes before bim in review, and this story, brought up to date by the return of the ex-convict’'s old sweetheart, constitutes the plot of the play. Matt Moore, Hobart Henley, Dorothy Phillips, William Welsh and Howard Crampton enact the leading roles. MAY HAVE STATE CENSORS. Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 28.—A bill has been {ntroduced in the Tennessee Legislature for a board of motion picture censors. Motion picture men will endeavor to prevent its passage. Memphis has a city board and police in Nashville and Knoxville act as censors. There is no public demand for any such regulation. “fou in MOTION F:CTURE BUSINESS A Postal Card or Letter ‘* !! that seats “wtow CAPIT vig BARGAINS IN FILMS AND SONG SLIDES... im, elegant condition, $5.00 per reel ont —~ Ty Sete Song Slices, perfect condition, $08 set, with music. Send postal for a. lm Service furnished at lowest prices in th —— Supplies. Bargains in new and secondhand M. P. Machines and Gas-Making outfits. Machines and outfits of all kinds bought. What have your P. O BOX 1179, New Orleans, La. Film Exchanges and Road Men cletine “Ceaent® Gap Upe cf ensasy cago cute, es and Western, $2.00 per reel up. Good paper for all. Send for list. GENERAL FILM BROKERS, 167 W. Washington Street, Chicage, if. MACHINES and SUPPLIES EVERYTHING FOR YOUR THEATER. New second-hand Machines. Liberal allowance on old = chine when purchasing a new one. brands, Arco, Biograph and Bio. Secend Chairs. ILLINOIS THEATER SUPPLY CO., 124-128 N. La Salle 8t., Chleago, Il. 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