Variety (August 1917)

MOVING PICTURES 21 MAYFAIR'S NEW IDEA. M. A. Schlesinger, president of the. Mayfair Film Corporation, has an- nounced that he has made tentative ar- rangements with four of the leading di- rectors of the trade to direct the spark- ling Mayfair star, Peggy Hyland, in her forthcoming releases. Mr. Schlesinger proposes to have a new director for each Peggy Hyland- Mayfair production, so that they will lack the sameness so often prevalent. It is a physical impossibility for any one man to conceive new touches and novel effects in production after pro- duction, and in this way some degree of variety is certain to be attained. The names of the men engaged will not be announced until they begin their work on the production, but each one has a number of successful pictures to his credit. They will all enter the May- fair employ, however, with the under- standing that their engagement is ended when the production is completed. FILM HOUSE BUILDING. The new picture house being erected running from Broadway through to Seventh avenue just above 47th street, is progressing favorably, but will not be ready for occupancy until Decem- ber, despite announcements to the con- f trary. Its owners have not yet leased the theatre, though they have many offers, among them from film men hail- inp from other cities. No building operations have yet com- menced for the large Capitol theatre, the lessee, Messmore Ke.idall, deeming it wise to await more favorable condi- tions before letting his contracts. RIALTO, ATLANTA, FILM HOUSE. Atlanta, Aug. 15. The Rialto, which formerly played five acts of Keith vaudeville, opened Aug. 13 with a new picture policy, play- ing Paramount, Artcraft and Goldwyn features. Each attraction will hold over a full week. The new Chaplins and Ar- buckle comedies will be added attrac- tions. The first picture shown was Doug- las Fairbanks in "Down to Earth." This sterling feature, together with the beauty and comfort of the house, packed them in all day despite a driz- zling rain. The house is under the personal di- rection of Jake Wells and John G. Evans. Miss Grace Vail is handling the publicity. The opening of this house with Art- craft-Paramount pictures sets aside all rumors that the Forsythe, the big time Keith house, also under the Wells: management, was going to play these attractions. MARY PICKFORD REFEREE. Los Angeles, Aug. 15. Mary Pickford will enact a new role at the Mason Sunday, when she will referee a burlesque boxing bout be- tween Charlie Chaplin and Eric Camp- bell. The funds that are raised at the benefit are to go to the French Emerg- ency Hospital Committee. - CHI MINUS BIG FUJI HOUSE. Chicago, Aug. 15. Present indications are that the Loop section will be without a big picture house during the coming season. Chi- cago has no large theatre in the down- town section especially built for pic- tures, and during the past few seasons the features have been practically con- fined to the Studebaker and the Co- lonial. The latter opens with vaude- ville on Monday, but will also carry one feature film weekly in addition to the acts. The Studebaker reverts to its owners Sept. 1, but since the latter have expressed an opinion that they are tired of pictures, none will prob- ably be shown there in the immediate future. Jones, Linick and Schaefer's lease on the Studebaker really has three years more to run, at an annual rental of $44,000. The house was never a money maker for them. Lately the owners expressed a willingness to cancel the lease and J. L. & S. never gave them another chance to change their minds. Orchestra Hall has been running pictures during the summer as usual, but with the season opening practically all the dates there are filled with music recitals and the like. SOME IMPROVEMENTS *- .. LUNCHING THE BUYERS. A representative of one of the large film accessory houses in New York has been in the habit of lunching the pur- chasing agents for all the film con- cerns at a well known theatrical club every Thursday. DISMISSES ASSAULT ACTION. Los Angeles, Aug. 15. Lottie Pickford discontinued an ac- tion charging assault against her maid, after having caused the latter's arrest. Moving picture conditions in Los Angeles were never better than right at present, according to reports from financial sources. The Industrial Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of statistics touching on the im- provements made at the various studios since the first of the year. Here it is: Famous Players-Lasky corporation, $90,000. William Fox studios, $75,000. Sanborn Laboratories, $50,000. Universal Film Mfg Co., Universal City, $40,000. Universal Film Mfg. Co., Holly, wood, $20,000. New York Motion Picture Co., $32,- 000. Keystone Film Co., $30,000. Pacific Film Laboratories, $20,000. Oliver Morosco Photoplay Co., $20,- 000. Bernstein Film Productions, $20,000. Fine Arts Film Co., $20,000. Vitagraph Co., $40,000. Christy Film Co., $3,500. Total, $424,500. These figures do not total as much as for the same period last year, but they give a fairly good idea of the healthy condition that now prevails. MISS YOUNG'S FIRST FOUR. Detroit, Aug. 15. Harry I. Carson, personal repre- sentative for Clara Kimball Young, says her first four pictures will probably be as follows: "Magda," "The Marion- nettes," "Shirley Kaye" and "The Savage Woman." The last picture will be made on the west coast. 7 > SUCCESSES inMotionPicture As big an Attraction as most 5-reel features. METRO- DREW COMEDIES 1000 Feet Long—1000 Laughs Wide One Every Week \soming: JULIA fANDERfON ! 'jQUtfWAY Ann Murdock Oliue Tell • 'A l PM.M / > i $ * f V'VXr-WV'V