Variety (November 1917)

MOVING PICTURES HEARSTS PICTURE PAPER. It appears quite probable from cur- rent reports that W. R. Hearst intends issuing a weekly paper devoted exclu- sively to the picture trade. The story says that while Mr. Hearst may con- sider the purchase of an established the- atrical or picture trade journal, it is more likely he wMl issue instructions to found a new film publication. The report of the Hearst picture paper fits in with the story of the re- invigoration of the International, con- trolled by the Hearst interests, and which is now under the executive di- rection of C. F. Zittel, who, as "Zit." has been in charge of the dramatic department of Hearst's New York "Eve- ning Journal" for some years. It seems probably Mr. Zittel will also direct the new Hearst film publication, wlien is- sued. The entire affair of the Hearst connection with pictures may have something to do with a very strong rumor of late that the Hearst people will attempt to project a massive cor- poration enveloping the entire film in- dustry. Late last week the Hearst publica- tions were notified that thereafter no special publicity was to be given to any picture enterprise, other than that en- titled to it for advertising placed in the Hearst papers. It had not been uncommon previously for the Hearst publications to extend a large quantity of gratis space to picture advertisers, in the form of cartoons, special reviews and write-ups, etc. One reason given for the new order was that Hearst re- alized the importance and value of pub- licity in his reading columns and had determined to reserve that for his own or affiliated picture interests. FLYNN'S SPY FILM CAST. During the past ten days the Whartons have been busily engaged in filming the opening episodes of their new serial, "The" Eagle's Eye," written by William J. Flynn, Chief of the United States Secret Service, starring King Baggot and Marguerite Snow, which will be distributed through the Hoffman Foursquare Ex- changes. The cast, in addition to Baggot and Miss Snow, includes John P. Wade, William N. Bailey, Paul Everton, Bertram Marburgh. George A. Les- sey is handling most of the prelimi- nary work under the personal super- vision of Theodore W. Wharton. Courtney Ryley Cooper is making the screen version of Chief Flynn's expose of the Imperial Government's propaganda and espionage in the United States. COMMISSIONER LEAVES. Pat A. Powers, treasurer of the Uni- versal, who was approved by the Ameri- can Cinema Commission as its volun- teer commissioner to France to handle the distribution of films sanctioned by the New York offices of the commis- sion, has assured the commission he will go to France when desired. Frank J. Marion had a final confer- ence in Washington last Friday before proceeding to Havana en route for Spain. George Creel, chairman of the Committee on Public Information, lent every assistance to Mr. Marion, and in addition to giving him a special dip- lomatic passport, also appointed him fiscal agent for the Government in the expenditure of money necessary to carry on the work of the commission. Just who will go to Russia will be determined later. The present crisis in that country may upset the early plans of the Commission regarding it. FAITH IN SERIALS. There will he no further announce- ments from the Paths offices regard- ing the serial subjects expected to be arranged for after the present serial, "The Hidden Hand." has exhausted its 15 weeks' exhibition. Pathe is reported as inclined to go in next year for the serial subjects stronger than ever. STAR WITHDRAWS FROM CHARITY Los Angeles, Nov. 28. Louise Glaum, the former Triangle vampire, at present under contract to the Paralta, has wired all of the New York papers she has withdrawn the use of her name in connection with a war charity that was promoted by C. Donald Fox. Fox was one of those associated in the Army and Navy Bazaar, which the New York District Attorney is investi- gating. C. Donald Fox was the promoter of the Army and Navy Bazaar exposed in the daily papers in New York last week and as a result of the investiga- tion on the part of District Attorney Swann, Fox was indicted and placed under arrest. He is at present in the Tombs. After the Army and Navy Bazaar Fox obtained the right to use Miss Glaum's name for use in connection with a War Lucery Fund, to secure tobacco and cigarettes for soldiers and sailors on overseas duty. The picture star, be- lieving that it was a purely patriotic en- terprise, gave her consent, but left the active management to Fox. A number of advertisements were run in various picture magazines soliciting contribu- tions to the fund, but she is unaware what disposition was made of funds collected. Sam Harris' Horn* Sold. Sam Harris (Cohan & Harris) has sold his home in Great Neck, Long Island, to Olga Petrova for $105,000 cash. EXPORT CONCERN AN AGENCY. Frank Hall, president of the U. S. Exhibitors' Booking Corp., has put through a new deal for the distribu- tion of the foreign rights to his pic- tures. He has entered into an ar- rangement with the Robertson-Cole Co., an important international general ex- port house, to handle the foreign dis- tribution of his pictures. Each of the foreign offices of the export concern will receive a print of the releases and will have its own trade showings for that community. Orders will be taken for the features the same as if it was for a consignment of tract- ors, mining instruments, agricultural implements or other industrial com- modities. The new arrangement is understood to cover a period of two years and in- volves a minimum of 24 special produc- tions. Rex Beach Pictures « r ^mmmmmmmtt^tttttlKMtmimmmmmtmmtmfmimtmm «;<**« .♦>' -■• t«• *~ - • -i* *^ i-:~iW»x *■# MtSSasa i M at V *»*^' I- * Stories in 0*ig 3 Love. Stories 3 Melodramas I Drama, of Night Cife l_Sensational Prologue 8 REX BEACH'S Greatest Story THE AUCTION BLOCK Tells the love story of Lorelei, the pretty country girl offered as a sacrifice in the Big City; the love story of the sarcastic critic and "the wickedest woman in the world;" the story of a beautiful mill girl and the Pittsburg steel millionaire. The melodrama of Lorelei's wayward brother and Melcher, the blackmailer; the counterplot that rounds up these criminals and the thrilling story of a woman's vengeance. An intimate, vivid picturization of the night life of New York and a daring prologue that will make every man and woman think. Released everywhere December 2. ©GOIDWYN PICTURES CORPORATION O Samuel Goldfish Edgar Selwyn Margaret Mayo Prwidmi VHtPHfidftd tdHmimiPinctar 16 East 42d Street New York City :CX'«-G=:-«'©< sdli If JEBSE 7/zr ^•i»Ntiirt(»ft«fiRfi«*«ft««(»it«Nnnfl«fl«««iflf>Bftfiftrnno^ftnnnnftnnrflrftrrinftrfrpnrt(mflnnfinnflirtfl