The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-18
A c0'o On So Of CHATTER About Photo tss Ply.
Nv THE CHATTERER.

After tWenlN-three years Oh con-
tInuous notion picture production in
this country, beginning with the
earliest activities in the field OF
photoplay- making. j. Stuart Black
ton will leave for England on De-
cembcr 20 to establish studios in
London for the production of film
plays on large scale for world
wide distribution.
Because of the great influence of
Commodore Blackton during his
long experience in the American
motion-p picture field and OF the en-
phatic influence he has had in the
, development of the motion-picture
art science, and industry, great in
terest has been expressed in the
European plans of this pioneer Of
the photoplay.
Commodore Blackton produced his
first photoplay in 1897. He had been
Il reporter illustrating his own ar
ticles with pencil sketches for the
New York Evening World when he
was assigned to interview Thomas
A. Edison on the animated pho
| t. graphy." then being exhibited in
New York vaudeville theaters. This
| showed mere motion photography of
sea waves, horses running, etc.
Blackton had a vision Of what the
motion pictures could accomplish.
With his friend Albert E Smith,
young Blackton purchased from Mr..
Edison one of the first projecting
machines the inventor would sell.
The two young men got pictures of
American soldiers embarking for
Cuba in the Spanish-American war
and then of battles in Cuba. These
first news pictorials were sensations
when shown in New York. Then fol-
lowed photoplays, which attracted
still wider interest. The Vitagraph
Company was then formed. and the
Vitagraph stock company made his
tory in the realm of entertainment.
Commodore Blackton pioneered in
the screen world. and for almost
quarter of a century has been a po-
tent figure in developing the art and
industry OF the film. and spreading it
| throughout the world. His activities
| abroad will be watched with interest.
Nick Carter, the same old fellow
YOUR father followed down behind
| the barn, is coming to the movies.
Pioneer gives for the first time the
| titles of the first eight Nick Carter
two-reelers. "a Cry at Midnight"
The Mysterious Bond Case" Among
the Countcrfeiters," mick Carter
Down East Birds OF Prey" Sealed
Orders" 1.-THE Path OF the Spend
thrift" and 'Dodgine the Law
The Alhambra Theater in Utica, N.
Y, was doing almost no business be-
tween II a. m. and p. m, so the
manager had bright idea. He
formed "The Alhambra Lunch Hour"
club with the slogan, watch while
YOU eat" "The Virtuous Vamp," in
which Constance Talmadge is
photographer. seeming to have n par
ticular appeal to office workers, they
had cards printed announcing that
the eating of lunches would be per
mitted in the theater between IL and
?. They suggested to several OF the
biggest firms in the city that the re-
taxation OF the noon entertainment
would be beneficial to the employees,
and had no trouble in getting the
cards well distributed through all the
offices. The "Noon Hour Lunch Club
has been a succ, ss from the start.
NJ V. A.--Cannot for obvious rea-
sons reply here to your last beautiful
note, but It was appreciated. We
await more intimate discussions.
After n long vacation spent in
travel throughout the United states
and Canada, Virginia Rnppe will
mako her rearpearancc on the screen
in THE Punch of the Irish Henry
Lehrmans fourth comedy under his
Associated First National releasing
contract, Miss Rape will be remem-