Moving Picture World (Dec 1917) - Learn About Movie Posters

1820 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 22, 1917
"New York Luck" Leads Mutual
Russell Is Featured in a Scrappy Financial Story—Other
Pictures for Week of December 17.
William Russell is the "headliner" In the Mutual release
scheduled for the week of December 17, appearing in "New
fork Luck." a story of "frazzled finance," intrigue and romantic
adventure In tlie great metropolis. "The Lost Express,"
Willi Selen Holmes, arrives at the threshold of the mystery;
BUUe Rhodes comes near losing her happy home in "Little
Scene from "New York Luck" (Mutual).
Miss Fixer," and the Cub Comedy, with George Ovey. and
the Mutual Weekly balance the schedule.
Never has William Russell appeared in a more engrossing
characterization or staged a more-thrilling fight, than in
his latest Mutual-American production, "New York Luck,"
released Monday, December 17. There is an unusual twist
to the story, distinctly agreeable. It was written by Charles
T. and Frank Dazey, scenarioized by Chester Clapp. Edward
Sloman has achieved another triumph in directing this production.
In the cast are Francelia Billington, Harvey Clark,
Clarence Burton, Edward Peil, Alfred Ferguson, Frederick
Vroom and Carl Stockdale.
A domestic tangle, arising from a family wrangle, gives
Billie Rhodes another of her refreshing comedy roles in the
Strand one-reeler, "Little Miss Fixer," released by Mutual,
Tuesday, December 18.
The strongest dramatic climax yet reached is shown in
"Unmasked," Chapter 14 of "The Lost Express," the Signal-
Mutual photonovel, starring Helen Holmes, released Monday,
December 17. Despite the discovery that "The Hare" is proved
to be an impersonation, the clever villain succeeds in actually
marrying Helen while the real secretary is held a prisoner.
George Ovey "double crosses" old man Grouch in his latest
Cub Comedy, "Jerry's Double Cross," released by Mutual, December
20. The Mutual Weekly, released December 17, shows
momentous events on land and sea with a liberal number of
stirring happenings in the war zone.
METRO ACQUIRES "A WEAVER OF DREAMS.
Admirers of the stories of Myrtle Reed will rejoice to hear
that one of her most popular novels, "A Weaver of Dreams,"
has been acquired by Metro Pictures for the use of charming
Viola Dana. Work on the production has already been commenced
at the firm's West Coast studio.
"A Weaver of Dreams" is a story of the heart, and Miss
Dana excels in stories of this description, as will be made
doubly evident when Metro's great special production of "Blue
Jeans" is shown to the public. The action of "A Weaver of
Dreams" takes place in a rural community filled with quaint
types of humanity, where among simple surroundings a mighty
dr.una of the human heart is played and reaches its dynamic
denouement.
An actor of note has been engaged to create the role of the
old "weaver," and the sympathetic part of Cynthia Bancroft
is In food hands. John H. Collins, who is directing the production
of "A Weaver of Dreams," starring Miss Dana, will
announce his entire cast at an early date. The only player
so far announced is Clifford Bruce, who will play opposite the
star in the part of Carter Keith.
UNCLE SAM TO USE MOVIES TO INCREASE FOOD
PRODUCTION.
Official motion pictures, bringing home the vital importance
of increased food production, will be shown by the United
States Department of Agriculture in hundreds of regular
motion picture theaters throughout the United States. The first
releases, which are to be handled under an agreement with
the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, through its exchanges,
will be made early in December. The first film will
show activities in the national forests, which are important
sources of timber and water supply and also afford grazing for
a large number of cattle and sheep.
The second release, which will follow in about two weeks,
will show what children, through the pig clubs, are doing to
increase the supply of pork. Other selections from the department's
40.000 feet of official subjects will make clear various
features of food production, the raising of meat animals and
horses, and will deal with home activities, such as poultry
raising and the canning and drying of perishable products.
The department laboratories are at work on a number of
other popular films, specially designed to make clear to city
as well as rural populations, problems of food production and
to show them 'ways in which they can co-operate effectively to
feed the nation and the Allies.
FOX REPORTS FOREIGN INTEREST IN "THE SPY."
The generally favorable reviews and the reports of big business
on "The Spy" are resulting, according to the foreign department
of the Fox Film Corporation, in many inquiries being
made regarding the picture by exhibitors and agencies in
territory outside the United States.
Advices from London are to the effect that the picture received
markedly favorable comment on the occasion of its
recent presentation at British trade showings. Interest, of
course, is heightened by the fact that experiences paralleling
those pictured in the film story have been of common occurrence
in England during the past three years. The same,
however, is true of other capitals and important cities; in all
of these the agents of the contenders in the present world
war long have been busily at work seeking information and
data which might be of military value.
The Fox management is confident "The Spy" will prove just
as big a success in other parts of the world as it has proved
in the United States and at the British trade shows. An international
campaign on behalf of the picture now is being
outlined, and meanwhile the foreign department is closing with
buyers for territory remaining open.
DIRECTOR O'BRIEN GETS DETAIL.
No expense has been spared in reproducing an ancient Egyptian
throne room, one of many of the unusual scenes shown
in "Her Sister," the Empire All-Star production which presents
Olive Tell for the second time on the screen and is scheduled
for release by Mutual December 24.
Director John B. O'Brien is a "stickler" for truth—in detail.
He was not satisfied with the descriptive literature at the
New York public library, so, accompanied by David Powell and
a well-known artist, a visit was made to the Egyptian room
in the Metropolitan Museum, where, by special arrangement
with the authorities, permission was granted to make drawings
of the pottery, carvings and draperies and other furnishings
of the royal chambers of ancient Egyptian royalty.
From these drawings exact duplicates were made, imported
tapestries obtained to conform to the designs of the original
ones and a magnificent tiger's skin was secured as a covering
for the throne itself.
The result is an exact replica of the original throne room
and is strikingly illustrative of the determination of the
Empire-Mutual directors to reproduce the real thing in pictures.
CARMEL MYERS HAS NEW LEADING MAN.
Following an engagement of more than two years with the
American Film Company Ashton Dearholt lately joined the
Bluebird forces, and is playing a leading role opposite Carmel
Myers in "The Green Seal." which is being produced as a program
feature under the direction of Stuart Paton. While with
the American he was featured in a number of productions, and
played juvenile leads in several of William Russell's pictures.
He appeared opposite Mary Miles Minter in "Charity Castle"
and Juliette Day in "The Calendar Girl." More recently he
played one of the principal roles with Jack Pickford in "The
Spirit of 1917" for the Morosco company.
Mr. Dearholt is an all-around athlete, and before entering
the photoplay field was a racing driver of more than ordinary
capability. His athletic training is being put to good use in
"The Green Seal," for he is called upon to do some fight scenes
and other strenuous stunts that would make the average actor
throw up his hands in absolute despair.
IRENE CASTLE IN "CONVICT 993" (Pathe).
To "Convict 993." a five-part Pathe Play featuring Irene
Castle, goes the distinction of being the first Pathe feature
of 1918. This picture was produced by Astra from an original
scenario by Wallace Clifton of the Pathe scenario department.
It was directed by William Parke, this being the first time that
Mrs. Castle has been under his direction. Members of Pathe's
film committee have not hesitated to express the opinion that
"Convict 993" is the best picture in which the famous star
has yet appeared.
Associated with Mrs. Castle in the cast are a number of
players of sterling merit, some of whom have been starred in
Pathe productions in the past. Prominent among them are
Warner Oland. Helen Chadwick, W. H. Gilmour. Harry Benham
and Bert Starkey.