Variety (July 1915)

18 MOVING PICTURES **MnM^ FILM FLASHES Margaret Adair has been engaged by the Iran for the lead in "A Mother's Confession." Chas. Bear Is directing for the Equitable. His first production will be "Blue Grass." Bffle Publicity Shannon Is doing press work for the Equitable and Wlsard companies. J. Searle Dawley Is again a member of the directing staff of the Famous Players. Florence Reed will be In "The Cowardly Way" to be directed by John Ince. John R. Freuler is now handing out "straight talks from the shoulder." Florence Malone Is the feminine lead In the Nat Ooodwln feature, "The Master Hand." Lasky has obtained film rights to 'The Chorus Lady," from Its author, James Forbes. William Courtlelgh has a leading role In the film Terslon of "Life's Crucible." "The Heart of Jennifer" Is a Famous Play- ers' production. Tom Mix Is writing scenarios as well as di- recting and appearing in them for Sellg. Paul McAllister and Qall Kane bare been engaged to support Bruce McRae In the fea- ture, "Via Wireless." Francis X. Bushman has been working In a flre-reeler. "The Silent Voice," which fol- lows "The Second In Command." "Jeanne of the Wilds," slated for release on the Paramount program Aug. 19, has been renamed "Helene of the North.' The Bryant theatre on 42nd street Is closed for repairs. It will reopen July 0 with the same ploture r Hey. Frank D. Sniff en has been made general sales manager of the Paramount. It Is a newly created office. A film scenario by Frederlo de Oressao has been submitted by Sanger * Jordan to BUUe Bourke for her proposed screen debut Kathlyn Williams Is the author of the three- part animal feature. "The Mark of a Ldon- The Lasky production of "Carmen," with Qeraldlne Farrar, will be released upon the Paramount program in October. Hilda Spong started with The Triumph Film Co. Monday. This company was formerly known as the Cosmos. The Sherry F. F. Co. has secured the Great- er New York lights for "The Allen" from the Select Booking Agency. Harry Carey will play opposite Julia Dean In the forthcoming U feature, In which the latter Is starring. • The Mutual released "The Mating" July 22, with Bessie Barrlscale as the principal player. Clara Kimball Young Is to make a single reel society comedy at the old Ramo studio In Flushing, at present occupied by the Equitable. Larry McOUl will leave the Metro-de-Luxe next week. He has Just completed the direction of "The Sealed Valley." Eugene Nowland will direct the plcturlslng of "Vanity Fair." In which Mrs. Flake Is to be starred by Edison. ' "Comrade John," the novel by Samuel Mer- wln and Kltchell Webster, Is to be made Into a feature with William Elliott and Mary Boland as the principals. "York State Folks," which has James Lackaye in his original stage role, Is receiv- ing Its finishing touches by the Drako Film Co and will be released about Aug. IS. Lubln has turned loose the first of a series of Made-ln-Ireland photodramas, produced in Ireland by Sidney Olcott with an American company headed by Valentine Grant. E. H. Perry will devote most of Mb time to pictures next season and has cancelled all of his road shows. He will have out the Perry Sisters stock but It will play week stands. Many of the smaller city exhibitors are acting as their own "reel boys" these days through the generally hard times the small house Is experiencing. Harry Neville, a picture actor, was struck by an automobile at 64th street and Broadwaftr Sunday. He was taken to Polyclinic Hospital Buffering with a fractured skull. The W. H. Bell F. F. Co., of Chicago, ha*s secured the state rights for Indiana, Wiscon- sin and Iowa for the featum picture "Prohi- bition." T. Hayes Hunter has been specially engaged by the Universal to make the feature of "A Run on the Bank," in which Ward and Vokes are camera enacting their old stage roles. In the Thanhouser four-part feature, "Mile- stones of Life," the Juvenile contingent of the T forces play Important ro\es. Mlgnon Anderson Is featured. Orrln Denny and C. B. Christie, formerly with the Universal and Essanay companies, have organised a picture company that will make educational films for weeklies. With several new players to support him In future pieces and his company now Installed at the new Essanay plant on Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Charles Chaplin has set his plans for the remainder of the summer. The Eastern Film Company, which plans to make any number of new comedy subjects, has placed Dan Mason, Wilfred Clark and Tom MacAvoy under contract for stock berths. The Eastern has Its studios In Providence. Among the most recent options upon pieces for film production by the Metro are "Pigs In Clover," "The Silent Voice," "Baccarat," "The Purple Lady," "Richard Carvel" and "Rosemary for Remembrance." Ground has been broken for the new Drury Lane theatre on Eighth avenue, between 43d and 44th streets. The United cigar store and delicatessen store, on this site, have been torn down. Workmen are turning the old dance hall on 52d street, near 8th avenue, Into a picture studio. It Is expetced to be ready for occu- pancy by an Independent concern within the next month. The Kolb A Dill Film Company filed ar- ticles of Incorporation, In San Francisco, July 21. Capital stock. $50,000, with shares SI each. The directors are C. William Kolb, Max Dill. Oscar Bretvllle, Maud L. Moulin, George D. Perry. Essanay has completed Its comedy feature version of "A Bunch of Keys" by Charles Hoyt In It are featured William Burress, John Slavln and William Edwin. The same company will fllmise all of the Hoyt the next subject being "A Milk White The Universal has set Dec. 13 as the release date for the Nat Goodwin feature, "Business Is Business," which will be made on the Coast In support of Goodwin will appear Anna Lit- tle, Wellington Playter, Gretchen Lederer, Maud George and Marie Robbins. Robert Mantell and his wife, Genevieve Hamper, have been engaged by Fox. They have signed a contract saying that they will do no theatrical work while under contract for all of next season with the picture con- cern. Modern drama will be used for the screen work of the star. Marie Cahlll has been having a time in get- ting her feature picture made for the Uni- versal. On top of a falling out with her director at the start came a mishap In which Miss Cahlll had a bone caught In her thrbat and this forced her to abandon her film work for a time. Henry Slegel, who has been with the New York office of the World Film, has been pro- moted to take charge of the Newark Branch. He has made a record since his advent In the film game Just a short time ago and pulled down the second money bonus for Increase of office business his first week In Newark. The ranks of an Independent producing film company In New York are quaking with fear over the "underground report" the axe Is to fall heavily their way within the next fort- night. The lopping off of heads Is also said to take in at least three directors who have been with the company a long time. A legitimate actor, who has been with sev- eral big New York companies, was Instructed to call regarding a picture Job. When the meeting took place the legit was offered 12.60 for a day's work, providing he fell out of a moving auto In a suit of white flannel (fur- nlHhed by the thesplan) and follow that by rescuing the heroine, the actor to wear evening clothes (his own) while this incident was be- ing cameraed. $100,000 MORE SUBSCRIBED. The stockholders of the Metro, at a recent meeting, decided to subscribe $100,000 more to its working capital fund, in order to give the film service concern unlimited scope for activities. The subscriptions for the added amount came from the stockholders. COAST PICTURE NEWS. BY GUY PRICB. Henry Walthal won his case against Balboa, which sued him for breach of contract. He has returned to Chicago to resume his work with Essanay. Hobart Henley has left for San Francisco to attend the Exposition. He will represent the Universal artists at the Exhibition League Convention. Miriam Cooper is visiting in New York, but contemplates returning to the Griffith Cali- fornia studio soon. (Miss) Signs Auen, of the Reliance and Ma- jestic, entertained the company of Japanese players who appeared with her In "The Fox Woman." Francella BUllngton will participate In the annual tennis tournament to take place at Long Beach, Cal. Douglas Fairbanks has been engaged by Griffith to appear in feature photoplays. Gladys Brockwell has returned to the Re- liance-Majestic studios after a few days' ill- ness. The Major Film Co. has started classes of Its own In picture acting and camera work, for the purpose of developing Its own producing com- pany. Charles J. Wilson Is In charge of the former and A. N. Wilson the latter. Frank Lloyd has been engaged by Moroeco as director. Forrest Stanley has severed his connection with the Burbank stock to become permanent leading man for the Morosco Photoplay Co. Raymond Hitchcock was elected chairman of the Los Angeles Boosters Club. The members of the Motion Picture Exhibit- ors' League who visited Los Angeles were en- tertained at Universal City. Stella Razetto, former Sellg star, has Joined the Universal. Charles-Glblyn, who attended the conference of the Shrlners in Seattle, has returned to the Universal Pacific Coast studio*. N. G. Jones, head of the Universale publicity department, has returned from San Francisco, acting as special representative of the company at the convention of the Motion Picture Exhib- itors' League of America. Carl Laemmle has returned to New York. NEW INCORPORATIONS. C l a i e e aomt ABMsewaeat Co.i $10,000; E. S. and Q. R, Benda, S. Bergoffen, Bronx. Lambert Film Corp.j $2,500,000; L. H. Freed man, Leland B. Oarretson, D. C. Muhleman, New York. lateraatloMl Photo Play Advertising? Corp.| $10,000; C. H. Weston, A. Ober- beck, M. Meyenberg, Montclalr, N. J. Tke Brooklyn Olympici $5,000; theatri- cal; J. Shlndler, J. LI twin, W. N. Wald- ron, Brooklyn. Lincoln Film Co.i $5,000; J. Boyd Pot- ter, Q. H. Horsey, H. L. Hughes, New York. Colnon Amusement Co. No par value; A. A. Schaeffer. M. B. & L. S. Colson, Brooklyn. Ueona Corporation. Pictures; K. Short, O. Sanford, A. V. Parsons, New Brigh- ton. CHURCH PICTURE AIRDOME. Red Bank, N. J., July 28. The Rev. Lester G. Leggett of the Reformed Church is conducting an airdome next to his church here run- ning a straight picture show during the week with stereopticon views and a choir of girls used on Sunday. This is said to be the only airdome in the country run tor church purposes. The proceeds go to the fund for a new church. ANOTHER STATE RIGHTS FEATURE Another feature film concern has gone in for states' rights selling. It is the Mirrorgraph Corporation, offer- ing the five-reeler, "All for a Girl," by Rupert Hughes, and with Renee Kelly as the star. Several picture men say they would not be surprised if the supply of weekly feature releases after the opening of the season did not force a general states' rights sale of many long-reelers before Jan. 1. FEATURE EXHIBITORS MEET. Chicago, July 28. A meeting of exhibitors of feature films is reported to have been held here recently, with another meeting scheduled at the Sherman House Aug. 15. The object of these meetings is to take some steps whereby the feature manufacturers, direct or through the services they are connected with, will make concessions, including price of service and permission to use first run features in vaudeville theatres. Among the exhibitors attending the first meeting are said to have been Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville and Bos- ton men. After it was over each one present contributed $50, according to report, for an expense fund, and the movement may be extended. BOOKING MEETING NEXT WEEK. The United Booking Office man- agers will hold a routing meeting next Tuesday (Aug. 3), to dispose of an accumulation of mail in reference to bookings, that includes many accept- ances from acts, necessitating routes to be laid out to avoid later confusion. RETURN DATES FOR FILM. "The Melting Pot," sold on the state rights basis, is playing return dates up state, Albany and Troy asking the teature be returned for a three days' exhibition. Trenton's Tabloid Stock. Trenton, July 28. A tabloid company headed by Nat Fields has opened at the Grand for six weeks, shows to be changed weekly. The company includes Elva Bcrton, Martin Guild, Herbert Standing and Thomas Van, who is producing the pieces. Several of the old Weber and Fields burlesques are being used. Engaged for Indianapolis Stock. Tony Kennedy, Jack Hubb, H. Rath- burn, Mrs. Rathburn, Ted Russell, Myr- tle Howard and Louise Henry open in stock burlesque for the Heuck in- terests at Indianapolis, Aug. 2. STOCKS OPENING. Birmingham, July 28. The Grayce Scott Players, manage- ment, DeWitt Newitig, open the fall season at the Bijou Sept. 13. In the company are Leona Soule and Herbert Charles. The Gertrude Ewing Company opens a road tour of stock pieces Aug. 1 under the management of William N. Smith. Trenton, N. J., July 28. The Cal-Burns stock, formerly at Bridgeport, will open at the Trent here Aug. 16. Susanne Jackson Joins Keith's stock, Port- land, Me., next week, as leading woman. Maude Potter of the Royster & Dudley Opera Co., at Rlverton Park, Portland, Me., wrench- ed her knee while dancing Monday and will In all probability be unable to dance again this season.