Fred Wright Rejoins Pathé (1917) 🇺🇸

Returns to scene of his earlier successes after absence of three years.

The directorial forces of Pathé Exchange, Inc., have been augmented by the return to the fold of Director Fred E. Wright after an absence of three years from Pathé activities. Mr. Wright has the distinction of being one of the oldest directors in the industry and one of the first stage directors to devote his services to the production of picture plays. His theatrical experience commenced at the age of sixteen as an actor in the company with Thomas W. Keane, where he served an apprenticeship of three years. Later he was associated with Oliver Doud Byron, A. M. Palmer, Augustin Daly, and Frank Mayo.

Just prior to his entering into the world of pictures he acted as stage director for many well known stock companies in New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Denver and Seattle.

His first work as a director of picture plays was in the independent field where the quality of the productions made under his direction attracted the attention of the old Pathé Company, then known as Pathé Frères. He remained with Pathé Frères until 1914 and then became a director for Essanay, producing many of the best features released by that company during the three-year period of his contract.

Mr. Wright started work for Pathé immediately upon the expiration of his Essanay contract and is now engaged in the direction of “The Mysterious Client,” starring Irene Castle, supported by Milton Sills and Warner Oland, the famous trio of shining lights that made up the brilliant cast of Patria, and Caesare Gravina, who distinguished himself in The Fatal Ring.

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“The Song and the Soldier”

One reel production by Plimpton Epic Pictures calculated to promote a greater use of music — part of national plan.

Under the auspices of the National Bureau for the Advancement of Music, the Plimpton Epic Pictures, Inc., has just completed a one-reel subject, entitled “The Song and the Soldier,” the first of a series of similar subjects intended to encourage the more general use of music everywhere. By pictured illustration of the manner of using music and the good that can be accomplished by its use the National Bureau hopes to make music more general in its application to American life. No special form of music or method of presenting it is suggested, but every instrument and all worthy compositions are to be encouraged. The head of the National Bureau is C. M. Tremain, formerly with the Aeolian Company.

The Song of the Soldier presents the subject in a very understandable and impressive manner. There are scenes in the home, in the trenches and in the hospital which prove how valuable music is as a comfort and even a remedy to those in mental or physical distress. There is a touch of home life portrayed that is certain to reach the heart of those who witness the picture and to impress the fact, known in medical practice, that music is almost invaluable in certain cases of great nervous stress.

The idea of applying motion pictures to this use is peculiar and new. Mr. Plimpton seems to have caught the inspiration in his first production which not only illustrates the principles but holds the attention and stirs the soul.

There should be a market for this series of subjects on both entertainment and educational grounds.

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Scene from The Song and the Soldier (Epic).

Collection: Moving Picture World, December 1917

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see also Frieda Hempel in Pictures (1917)