Variety (September 1917)

SSSfe :JB^sai: MOVING PICTURES a dae PETROVA ON SPEAKING STAGL Mme. Pctrova'i contract with Fred- crick L. Collins, president of the Pe- trova Picture Co., provides she may continue her stage pursuits when not actually re<^uired at the studio. Petrova is, therefore, planning a brief appearance on the legitimate stage at one of the smaller houses, like the Princess, in a series of re- citals on afternoons other than regu- lar matinee days. She will present some of the big moments from impor- tant plays, several impersonations and a number of new songs. Chicago, Sept. 19. From reliable sources it is stated here the Petrova Picture Co. has signed a contract with the First National Exhibi- tors' Association for the distribution of its output. According to the report the First Nii tional is to pay over a lump sum on the delivery of the respective negatives, which will insure the retrova Co. against loss and a slight profit and to release the pictures on a percentage basis, At the offices of the Petrova Co. no confirmation of the Chicago dispatch was forthcoming, nor was any denial offered. New Company for Bach Hyhnd Film. Although the first of the Peggy Hyland features under ihe irmdcmarke of the Mayfair Film Corpormtion hat been finished, the first release date of "Persuasive Peggy," has not been set- tled. It may be arranged within the fortnight. For each of the Peggy Hyland sub- jects a new director and new company. will be engaged, Miss Hyland being the only member of the company whose services are retained. PERSHING ARMY PICTURES. With the General Pershing army in France are a score of picture experts, who are taking pictures that will even- tually reach the United States hodses as soon as completed and the American government has approved of their pub- lic exhibition. Much of the picture camera work is being done with close observation by heads of the U. S. troops now across the pond. One big company expects to turn loose a "special" when the govern- mental approval is given on the film already taken. ROCK AND WHITE OFFER. An offer has been made by the First National Exhibitors to Rock and White to appear in four' special films, for which they are to receive $50,000, with an optional agreement taken by the pic- ture people to retain their services thereafter for a full year at $100,000. Edward S. Keller is handling the negotiations for the team. Prances White will play kid's roles only if the contract goes through. POSSIBLE FILM LITIGATION There ma^ be litigation over two film productions of "The Man Without a Country." One was made by Jewell Productions and is now showing at the Broadway. It is understood William L. ShcrriU also claims the picture rights to the story. Ardsley Starting It* Second The Ardsley Art Film Corporation, which has just completed the "Run- away Romany" film play starring Marion Davies, will immediately begin work on another picture' with Miss Davies. The same big trump card—MARIE WALCAMP—that got the money, that is still getting the money for Exhibitors in "LIBERTY.** This great patriotic serial has been pro- nounced by every manager who booked it as the greatest money-getting serial ever produced. MARIE WALCAMP, star of "Liberty,** has an even more important part in '*The Red Ace.*' She is duplicating her former triumph—and that means another big winner for you. There is more pep, punch, swift action; more tense situations; a stronger plot and a wider appeal in "The Red Ace" than there is in anv competitive serial now open for booking. There is the big feature of a punch plus at the end of every episode that brings the fans back every week. The most gripping serial ever produced and the one that will play to the most money is "THE RED ACE.*' Book now and you'll insure your house capacity on every epi- sode day. Book thru your nearest Universal Exchange, or Universal Film Manufacturing Co., Carl Laemmle, Presi- dent, "The Largest Film Manufacturing Concern in the Universe,** 1600 Broadway, New York. JAP ACTORS ORGANIZE. . Los Angeles, Sept. 19. The Japanese Photoplayers' Club of Los Angeles has. been.formed by Ses- sue Hayakawa and FranV; Tokonaga. The object of the organization is to use every effort to prevent Japanese actors playing parts derogatory to their native character. RAPF CO. LEAVES. With one big feature finished and another getting under way, Harry Rapf, independent producer, is mak- ing no other manufacturing plans for the pictures until the two sub- jects have been duly disposed via the state rights channels. The feature completed is "The Road to Love," with Robert Warwick. Rapf will release it sometime in October. It was written by Leonce Pcrret, and also directed by him. Rapf started the new Florence Reed feature last week. Rapf, Edwin Milton Royle and Bennett Munson accompany- ing Misi Reed and company to Port- land, M^., Monday, where the open- ing scenes will be taken under James Kirkwood's direction. The Reed subject, "The Struggle Everlasting," is taken from the Royle play once produced at the Harris and adapted for the screen by Munson. Tnis marks Kirkwood's first film for the Rapf offices. 'WARRIOR" RBCUT. There was another showing of "The Warrior" (with Maciste) for the trade journal representatives, newspapers and managers at the Mecca Builoing, last week, when a revised and rccut edition of the big film was placed on the screen. Following the exhibition, the scribes were given luncheon at Rector's by the film owners, with Bert Ennis acting as the company's host. Ennis is handling the film s publicity. '^LIFT' REMOVED. The scheduled suit for injunction and damages threatened by Flo Zieg- feld against Jos. M. Schenck for the alleged "lift" of a section of '^busi- ness" created for "The Follies" and employed in that production by W. C Fields, has been called off, Schenck having voluntarily eliminated that por- tion of the film from the "Fatty" Ar- buckle picture, "His Wedding Night" where the scene was duplicated. That no intention of piracy existed was made clearly evident b^ Schenck's prompt action while in addition it was known that Schenck, previous to the picturing'Of "His Wedding Night" at- tempted to locate the source of the scene, understanding it was common property and not created especially for "The Follies" show. When "His Wedding Night" is shown around the New York Loew theatres Arbuckle will personally ap- pear as an added attraction. CANADIAN DISTRIBUTION. The distribution rights for Art Dramas pictures for all of Canada has been arranged by Arthur F. Beck, gen- eral manager for A. D., with George F. Perkins, a well known Canadian ex- change manager, who has exchanges in Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg. Helping to consummate the new booking deal were W. Fischer, who will act as generaf manager for the Drama distribution in Canada, and George Rotsky, general manager of the Hol- man and Grand theatres, Montreal, the latter arranging to show the A. D. sub- jects in his theatres. STBGER ACCEPTS BOOK. Julius Steger has purchased, for fu- ture film adaptation, the rights to "Ce- cile of the Pink Rose," a recent noveL Steger is reported tb have paid $1,50Q for the film rights. ^ ^C.*^ t -r^:. U J /■ >;- .■:> A DOX OFFICE HIT! ONE REEL EACH WEEK! ■> .'it ALKRrE.SMITH prosonk LAWRENCE SENO} a/K/VITAGRAPH'S RIOT SQUAD WGV^ (DMEDIES WRfTTEN EY GRAHAM DAKER. DIRECTED BT LAWRENCE SEMON in luJiHi>