Variety (March 1918)

MOVING PICTURES 49 GRIFFITH'S GREAT FEATURE SENSATI ON AT I TS PREMIERE Brilliant Audience in Los Angeles Makes Impressive Demon- stration. Producer Almost Breaks Down in Respond- ing. Griffith's Newest Work Declared Triumph for Photodrama. Los Angeles, March 13. David Wark Griffith's new cinema production, "Hearts of the World," cre- ated a sensation at its premiere be- fore 3.000 people in Clune's Auditorium here Monday night. The film has been more than a year in the making and has occupied the screen's master producer in the war zone, in England and in this coun- try constantly. It deals with the large humanitarian subjects involved in the European struggle in a powerful dra- matic way and involves scenes in the trenches which are of undoubted au- thenticity. No more representative audience of filmdom ever before attended a screen "first night" than that which gathered in Clune's. In it were noted camera stars without number, as well as lead- ing directors and men prominent on the financial side of the industry. At the end of the picture the aud- ience spontaneously rose to its feet and cheered. Mr. Griffith came upon the stage to address the crowd, but was so affected by their enthusiastic approval of his work that he became dumb after a few formal words and bowed himself away, overcome and almost in tears. The demonstration was overpowering. All the producer was able to say be- fore he broke down was. "If you mean this and the picture makes so honest an appeal for ou. fighting boys, I am well repaid for all the hard work I have put into it." Lillian Gish has an appealing role as the heroine, while Dorothy Gish scored heavilv in an exquisite charac- terization which has touches of com- edv. Robert Herron is a manly hero. The audience agreed that "Hearts of the World" is a new triumph for Grif- fith. The opinion went beyopd that to the belief that the work is a triumph for the photodrama. While its patri- otic appeal alone would establish it with Americans and their allies against the Kaiser, its worth as a dramatic and creative achievement will make it an enduring art work. There were many film' folk at the premiere who expressed the conviction that the production would surpass in popularity "The "Birth of a Nation" (also produced by Griffith and recog- nized as filmdom's ranking feature pic- ture). Griffith spent many months in Eng- land and northern France under what amounted to an official United States commission. His work had the sanc- tion of the British and French gov- ernments and high military command of the entente armies gave him the utmost of liberty and cooperation, ac- cording to reports which reached this side from time to time. The film opens with a prolog, show- ing impressive scenes in Europe in the pre-war days. This occupies but a few minutes. Then the main story becn'ns. The plot concerns the son and daugh- ter of two American painters who have gone to France. The young people meet and after a brief courtship are about to be married when the war breaks out. The boy is inflamed with patriotic fervor and enlists. From this point is developed an exquisite ro- mance. Of ne cessity the atory Involves many battle scenes. These are of a real- ism and vividness so intense that they at times become almost painfully mov- ing. Many, of course, were taken in the war arena by cameramen actually under fire and they bear the stamp of actuality which increases their effec- tiveness. The horrors' of war are pic- tured with the utmost realism, which takes added power from the pretty, human romance which runs through the narrative. The script is the work of Gaston de Toltgnac, translated by Capt. Victor Mercer. The continuity is flawless. There is action every minute, all lead- ing up to a powerful climax. One spectator said: "It opens with a 42-centimetre bang and ends with a barrage so terrific that it brings you to your feet in spite of yourself." Among the principal characters in- volved in the action are George Seig- man as the German giant, who made a strong impression, and little Ben Alexander, aeed nine, who wins his way irresistibly. FILMING "DE LUXE ANNIE.* Norma Talmadsre has secured the screen rights to "De Luxe Annie," pre- sented by Arthur Hammerstein as a musical comedy this season. The part of Annie will go to Miss Talmadge, and in support will be Eugene O'Brien. Tony Kelly is writing the scenario. Her sister, Constance, is also at work filming a Broadway show, "Good Night Paul." ROTHAPFEL LEAVES F. M. E. Samuel Rothapfe! has resigned from the First National Exhibitors' Asso- ciation, of which he was president. He may withdraw entirely by disposing of stork in the company. The given reason was that he could not devote time to the F. N. E. A. In addition to handling the Rialto and Rivoli and that he had been appointed chairman of the committee of the Na- tional Association of the Motion Pic- ture Industrv on the third Liberty Loan drive. Mr. Rothapfel is also concerned with work for the U. S. Marine Corps. He states that his relations with the exhibitors' company are friendly. "SONIA" DIDNT DO. Official announcement is made from the Fox office of the retirement of "Mme. Sonia Markova" as a Fox film star. Under the stellar nom de cinema of "Markova." the Fox people endeavored to foist Gretchen Hartman as a new- comer from abroad, but evidently with- out success, for she made but two fea- tures. "The Painted Madonna" and "A Heart's Desire." Vita's Reissues of Drews. Commencing this week, Vitagraph will release regularly a series of reis- sues of the Sidney Drew one-reel come- dies, which will continue for an in- definite period. New Chaplin Showing April 1. The new Chaplin, which will be en- titled "A Dog's Life." will have its first metropolitan showing April 1 at either the Rivoli or Rialto. and will be gen- erally released in Manhattan April 7, with Brook ly n and the Bronx April IS. FILM RECEIPTS. The three picture houses, Rialto, Rivoli and Strand ran a rather even race last week, each getting about $15,- 000. The Rialto had George Beban in "One More American," while the Rivoli played Jack Pickford in "Huck and Tom. "Carmen of the Klondike," a Selexart-State Rights Distributors re- lease, was the Strand attraction. The Rialto switched its opening date to Sunday this week with Douglas Fairbanks in "Headin' South," and broke the single day house record by capturing $4,250. The Strand is play- ing Mary Pickford. Business was off Monday night. A report showed that between 8 and 9 p. m. on that night there were six of the Strand's 16 rows of 50-cent seats empty, the balcony was well filled, but the eight loges held only 64 people and the boxes were empty. This week's bill at the Rialto is Taylor Holmes in "Ruggles of Red Gap," attracting a fair business. The Ambassador Gerard feature, "My Four Years in Germany" drew $1,800 Monday, its second day at the Knicker- bocker, at $1.50 top. New Orleans, March 13. The Strand did slightly less than $4,- 000 last week. Douglass Fairbanks (most popular of the male screen stars locally, with the exception of Frank Keenan, who holds all attend- ance records here) ran the gross very high with his newest picture, "Headin* South," the fifst half. Then Petrova happened the latter part of the week in a padded treatise called 'The Light Within," which only served to deflect patronage. The Trianon brought back for its steenth showing that filthiest of all films. "The Little Girl Next Door," with little success, proving that dirt and vulgarity are no longer a material box- office adjunct. GOLDSTEIN'S TROUBLES. Los Angeles, March 13. Trouble continually has kept up with Robert Goldstein since he produced the feature film "Spirit of 76," for which he is now awaiting trial on a federal charge of espionage. Goldstein's late*st worry is an action for divorce. His wife says her hus- band formed the habit of taking clan- destine trips with other women. Gold- stein denies it and in return charges his wife with cruelty. Goldstein's trial in connection with the film started Tuesday. Attorneys for the defense asked for a change of venue, alleging Federal Judge Bledsoe, who presided, was prejudiced. Goldstein asserted he had overheard the jurist make a statement concerning his case. PRODUCERS AGAINST BUYERS. Following the story printed in a re- cent issue of Variety of the anti-bid association existing among a half dozen of the buyers of feature pictures for the state right market, 11 independent pro- ducers of features have banned the members of the anti-bid association from seeing their product. There was a meeting held in the Hotel Astor last week at which the matter was dis- cussed in private by the producers. Several of the independent producers are already laying plans for a regular distribution outlet and one has linked up with a program by this time. That the state right men formed the combination will have the effect of practically killing the independent mar- ket for the time being. The producers figure they have as much right to take steps to protect their interests as the buyers have to line up in a proposition to hammer down the prices of pictures. The buyers have not been informed they have been placed on the unde- sirable list by the producers nor will thev be. Their names will simply be dropped from those Invited to witness private projections at which the pic- tures will be shown for bids. Tf the 11 producers associate them- v*'selves' *with program distribution it will practicallv clear the market at this time of available productions. Those who cannot join advantageously say thev will shelve their pictures before letting them go at the prices the anti- bid association has placed on them. CULVER CITY ADDITIONS. Los Angeles. March 13. Culver City rapidly is gaining a repu- tation as a rival of Hollywood as a center of cinema activities. Tom Ince put this new half-way-between-the-city and-the-sea citv on the map two years aero when he built the magnificent New York Motion Picture Co.'s plant (now Triangle). He is negotiating for a new big studio near the original location and one or two other smaller firms have erected film properties there. Now comes the George Beban Fea- ture Companv with the announcement it will construct a studio, also in C. C The Culver City Realty Co. is working out the details. Beban's business manaerer, George Stout, has engaged the following peo- ple durincr the past few day* : Del Claw- son, cameraman; Arthur Ford, assist- ant director (he has been with Lois Weber and Phillip* Smallev for sev- eral months), and W. H. Carr, master of properties. Actual "^hooting" will be begun •hortlv bv Beban. Paralta studio will be used until the new institution can be constructed. HARRY LEVEY MANAGING B'WAY. Harry Levey, whose chain of cleans- ing establishments and the lavish ad- vertising of them gained him consid- erable attention several years ago, is now manager of the Broadway theatre for Universal. He has been with the U. for some time in charge of the in- dustrial department, which specializes in filming manufacturing plants for the private use of the owners. He will handle the "industrial" office in addi- tion to his duties at the Broadwav. ADOPTED BY MILLIONAIRE. J. M. Baxter, the millionaire, is re- ported to have adopted as his protege Bernard Thornton, the leading man in Fox films. Mr. Baxter lives at Green- wich, Conn., and is noted as a philan- thropist. Mr. Thornton is taking a brief va- cation at the Baxter home, after fin- ishing the Fox film, with June Caprice. The Camouflaged Kiss," which will be released April 7. VERDICT FAVORS CARRIER. Justice Charles Hiscock. of the Court of A n r*'*^1 c . ha* handed d^wn an iTnnnr- tant derision to the picture industry. Tn an appeal from a iudgment of the Fourth Appellate Division affirming a nidpnient of the Trial Term he rules that an unreasonable delav on the part of an express company to deliver a packare which it knew contained films ard was told to "rush" because thev were to he exhibited, is held insufficient to charge the companv with loss of profits throueh small attendance at the consigner's theater where the films were advertised to be shown. The aetion was brought to recover damace'; for "unreasonable delav" in transportation of films which were de- livered to the American Fxpress Co. in Trov for shipment to TTtica. There wn« evidence from whfeh the inrv found unrrrtsnnahle delav in the deliverv rind the plaintifT was allowed to rerover as damncrcs the profits it was" claimed he could have renlired from the exhi- bition of the films if they had been de- livered with reasonable pro mptn ess.