How Harry Carter Doubled (1915) 🇺🇸

In the majority of cases, “all work and no play may make Jack a dull boy,” but Harry Carter (1879–1952), famous for his character portrayals in Universal pictures, believes he is immune from such a malady, for recently, not satisfied with playing one of the principals in Robert Leonard’s production, That Lass o’ Lowrie’s, he has essayed an equally important role in Otis Turner’s feature, The Frame-Up.

Since Carter is a member of Leonard’s company it was something of a surprise when Director Turner came to the head of the Rex Company with the request that Carter be allowed to leave for one picture. Then began the debate. Leonard insisted that he had to have Carter for his picture. Turner likewise insisted that he needed Carter for his picture, and he purposed to have him. Then it was Carter stepped into the breach with the announcement that he would work for both.

“Don’t kid us,” snorted the directors. “This is serious.” “So am I,” returned Carter, and so the matter was settled. Carter was to try working for two directors in the production of two big five-reel productions at the same time. More than that, he did it.

It was not easy work. While Turner staged a few scenes in which Carter had no part, the actor would be at work with Leonard. Through juggling the time well neither director lost any time waiting for Carter, who, however, is now busy making up several nights’ postponed sleep.

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“Carmen” Will be “First Run” at Strand

Theater Management Declines Big Offer to Permit Farrar Subject to be Shown First at $2 Prices.

The fact that the film production of Carmen, in which Jesse L. Lasky is starring Geraldine Farrar, will not be shown in New York at prices ranging from 50 cents to $2 is entirely due to Mitchel H. Mark, president of the Mark Strand Theater Company, who has refused a large offer made by the Lasky Company, in which it was stipulated that the management of the Strand theater would receive a percentage of the profits derived from showing the Carmen picture in a New York theater, with a guarantee of $20,000. Mr. Mark has sent the following letter to Samuel Goldfish, general manager of the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company:

My dear Mr. Goldfish:
With reference to our recent conversation regarding the playing by your company, of the Geraldine Farrar picture “Carmen,” at prices ranging from 50 cents to $2 for an extensive run, and allowing the Mitchel H. Mark Realty Corporation, owners of the Strand Theater of New York, a share of your profits by reason of our company acquiescing in your playing this picture as above indicated, and prior to its showing at the Strand, I have come to the conclusion, after careful consideration, that it would be best to adhere to the original program, and that the picture should have its premier at the Strand, on its release date November 1st.
This picture has had a great deal of advance publicity, and it is generally known and understood, through the medium of the press and various other sources, that it will have its first showing in New York at the Strand Theater. As to the Strand, with its schedule of prices, following a high price run, this is out of the question. The Strand always leads; it never follows.
No picture is too good for the Lasky Company to produce, n’ likewise no picture is too good for the Strand to play. It is vital to the continued success of our business that the producers are constantly striving for better results and higher ideals, and institutions like the Strand offer a fitting home for such pictures. In my judgment it is a mistake for any manufacturer to withdraw his master pictures from the regular program. We all need such pictures to bolster up the weaker sisters.
The success of the Strand has been due to the fact that we have always considered the public first, last and all the time, and therefore should not wish to break faith with them by withdrawing this picture from our program for pecuniary or any other reasons. No amount of American dollars could tempt me to do this.
I appreciate, indeed, your liberality in offering our company a share in the profits which you would expect to derive by exploiting this picture in New York City at a $2 price, but there is a principle involved in this issue which is of far greater importance than any financial gain we would receive by accepting the same.
I can assure your company that this picture will be presented at the Strand in a manner befitting the star and the play, and I feel confident that we will produce it so well that it will mark an epoch in the upward career of the Strand and the Lasky Company. I therefore trust that you will see the benefits to be derived by your company, by reason of this picture following the course laid out in your program.
WHM:B.
Mitchel H. Mark.

Collection: Moving Picture World, October 1915

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