The Washington times., 1918-06-29
T.R. TOPUT BOOKS
ON SCREEN TO AID
WAR RELIEF WORK

ULSTER BAY, juno Z9.-With the
hope that his action will benefit the
American Red Cross and other war
charities to the extent OF many thou
sands OF dollars, Colonel Roosevelt
has consented to allow his writings
and books to be placed before the
motion picture public. All through
the war the Colonel has worked hard
to raise money for the various war
organizations, and this move, he be-
Iieves, will help greatly.
After he had completed the details
for the production OF the pictures
Colonel Roosevelt said: Several OF
the more important producers OF mo-
ton pictures approached me with
plans for films based on the books
that l have written. I have never
considered any of these offers serious
ly until recently, when 1t occurred to
me that large sums might be realized
for the American Red Cross or other
war charities through the production
and exhibition of such pictures.
Royalties TO Chart y.
IT have, therefore, consented to the
production of a limited number Of
pictures to be produced and exhibited
in accordance with a properly co-ordi-
mated plan on the definite condition
that all OF the royalties received by
me during the war may be devoted TO
such war charities as l may desig-
nate.
knowing very little about the film
business myself, 7 have placed all OF
my motion picture affairs in the
hands Of Frederick L. Collins. pub
Usher OF McCIure's Magazine. who
has already had wide interests in the
motion picture field. and who is, I be-
lieve. in a position to produce these
pictures or TO secure their production
under his supervision in a dignihed
and successful manner.
81 shall be very glad to cooperate
in every possible way with Mr.. Col
Inns and his associates in the hope
that a considerable sum may be re-
allied to help meet the war needs.
The final success of the undertaking,
of course. does not depend upon me.
but upon the consideration and sup
port OF the great motion picture pub
lie. Exactly TO the extent that the
motion picture public approves these
pictures it will help TO provide addi-
tional means for backing the men at
the front"
hnLlOuN ~ No-opfEAAc-
Frederick L. Collins, president Of
the McClure's Pictures, Inc. who was
present, said:
YES. 1t is true that I have at last
been fortunate enough to convince
Colonel Roosevelt Of the desirability
of adapting his books and writings to
motion pictures. When the matter
was first preached to him he was not
at all favorable to the plan, but when
IL occurred to the colonel that thou
sands Of dollars for the Red Cross
and other war charities would be
raised by the production Of such
series OF motion pictures at this time
he began to see the matter in quite
a different light.
"The uppermost thought in Colonel
Roosevelt's mind today is to win
insisted that he should have the priv
ilege OF designating certain war
charities to which the royalties,
which normally would go to him,
should be donated. With this end
in view he has promised his hearty
in making the films as
successful as possible.
some OF Colonel Rooseyelt's more
recent patriotic writings OF non
political CIaracter. such as Fear
God and Take Your Own Part, Put
she Flag on the Firing Line and
The Hun Within Our Gates should /
certainly be among the hrst fllms
10 he produced. although a picture Of
a more general chaacier, based on 7.
Theodore Roosevelt An Autibiog /.
may be the first production .
released.
To Preserve Dignity
Every attempt will be made in ,
the production and distribution OF .
these pictures 10 have every detail /.
with the dignity of the col .
0nels position and with a full real .
zation of the opportunity for patri- /
1tic service which his generosity has .
made possible"
It is understood that many OF the .
scenes in the films will he taken .
about the COIOners home at saga
more Hill.