Weir to Picturize Kalem Series (1916) 🇺🇸
In addition to being successful as a novelist and magazine contributor, Hugh Weir has also on several occasions ventured with success into the writing of photoplays. It is a peculiar coincidence, in view of the fact that he has been called upon by Kalem to handle this important part of the campaign around the company's latest undertaking, that Hugh Weir's first story written especially for the screen was also produced by the Kalem Company. It was a single reel, and naturally, being a newspaper man, Mr. Weir's mind turned to that field for a theme, his story being The Girl Reporter’s Scoop, released September 9, 1909 [Transcriber’s Note: A movie with the title The Girl Reporter’s Big Scoop was released by Kalem in 1912].
Since that time Kalem has also produced others of Mr. Weir's stories, written especially for the screen. He was induced, after the success in book form of Miss Madelyn Mack, Detective, to write two photoplays for Kalem, detailing further adventures of that fiction character. They were The Riddle of the Tin Soldier and The Riddle of the Green Umbrella, both released as two-reel features.
Mr. Weir was among the first newspaper men to induce picture producers to see the value of syndicating the stories of their series productions in newspapers throughout the country and he has been responsible for the fictionization of many of the best-known successes in this line. He has made a specialty of this work and the value of his name in connection with the syndication of Kalem's "Love Pirates" is evident. The George Bronson Howard series is to be syndicated under the direction of the Buffalo Times syndicate, which last week opened offices in New York, preparatory to the launching of an elaborate campaign to link the newspapers and photoplay producers.
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In a recent issue of this paper it was stated that Glen Gano, a female impersonator employed by the Kalem Company to double a hazardous feat was dangerously hurt. We have found upon interviewing the Kalem Co. that Mr. Gano was not seriously hurt, but was able to return to his usual duties a few days after the accident. Also that Mr. Gano was not doubling for anyone at the time of the accident, but was performing a feat as one of the crooks in the story.
Mr. Gano is a member of the Hazards of Helen company and is more often seen as taking a crook's part than in any other.
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We had a letter this week from good old Sam Spedon. Says the well-known Vitagraph publicity man, "It I can manage it, you can expect to see me out your way again this spring." Mighty glad to hear it, Sam. We all wish you welcome back to California.
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Daily papers advise that Ted Montgomery, a moving picture actor, is under arrest in San Diego on a charge of having passed checks forged against the Universal Film Company. The police allege the checks were forged in the interests of Miss Florence Hardman, a cabaret singer. The complaint recites she visited a millinery store and purchased a hat on which she made $1 deposit. Later, it is alleged, Montgomery appeared with a check for a considerable amount, paid for the hat and received the balance in change. He is also reported to have cashed other checks. The complaint was made by B. J. Becker, of the Universal Film Company. Detectives have left to bring Montgomery here to face prosecution.
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Director of visual education is a new position offered by Los Angeles county schools. Visual education is now an established part of the county educational system.
The requirements for the position are, that applicants must have a practical working knowledge of moving pictures, their installation, care and operation and must hold a high school teacher's certificate.
Announcement of the civil service examination of applicants for positions was made last week by the county civil service commission. The examination will take place January 15 in room 1007, Hall of Records.
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Selig's magnificent feature production The Ne’er-Do-Well, opened this week at Clune's Auditorium. This big photodrama in twelve parts from the fascinating story by Rex Beach and produced by Colin Campbell (1859–1928), the producer of The Spoilers. has received unstinted praise from the reviewers and critics of the daily papers.
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The Vitagraph spectacular anti war drama, The Battle Cry of Peace, will be run this week at the Trinity Auditorium.
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The Hoover theater at Ninth and Hoover streets has been purchased by Olsen Bros., of Moravia, Cal.
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Wm. G. Muir has bought the Ferris theater in Ferris from C. Blagg.
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W. Frank Harris and Floyd E. Knight, of Orange, Cal., have purchased the Colonial theater of Louis Bedding. The opening under new management took place last Saturday.
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Flickers
Well now, Christmas has come and gone, what are you going to do. I suppose that the majority of you fellows are going to climb on the water wagon and leave me flat. Go ahead, you'll be with me again in a week.
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Any of you sport lovers been over to the Manhattan Opera House to see the wrestling bouts? Somebody slipped me a couple of pasteboards and I went, for no other reason than to see the masked marvel throw everybody who faced him. I just learned that masked man is none other than Francis X. Bushman. If it can possibly be true, he sure is some man.
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Our good friend Bishop, after a short stay in this country. has returned to England with forty thousand dollars worth of negatives.
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So long as we tell tales on everybody else when the opportunity presents itself. I feel privileged to inform you that our business representative. Wen Milligan, is now called "Pop." It is a little girl, was born Christmas Eve and speaks three languages so fluently that you can't understand a word she says. Her mother is doing very nicely.
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I felt sorry indeed while on my way to the factory this morning to see the staff of the Novelty Slide Company watching the firemen fighting a very stubborn blaze in their building. It looked as though the entire structure would be rendered uninhabitable. Our sympathy, Mr. Coufal (Joseph F. Coufal).
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F. O. Neilsen, of Chicago, is in the big city again. This time he won't say what he is doing amongst us. I can see by his early start that if he stays long enough he will carry back a story about the big time he had New Year's Eve.
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Among the Christmas cards that were received was one from Elaine Ivans. Her Christmas was merry, and the prospects for New Year's bright. The Equitable Motion Picture Corporation engaged her to play opposite Arthur Ashley.
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James V. Bryson, sponsor for the North Western Motion Picture Company, left New York for his home after a short stay. Mr. Bryson's visit to the city was partly for business and a little more than that for pleasure.
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Three weeks ago I showed you a picture of Harry Reichenbach's new automobile. Today, after being separated by the pole of a brewery truck, the Oldsmobile Company are trying to reassemble the many parts that were not fastened together tight enough at that time.
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Eleanor Woodruff, the Vitagraph leading dramatic woman, allowed her name to be entered among an open field of speed ice skaters at Saint Nicholas Rink, Christmas Eve, and walked home with a first prize for the mile scratch race for women.
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If Old Doc Cairns thinks that a Christmas card is going to square him for his continued absence from our town he has some more guesses coming to him. Come across, Jay, and quit yer stallin'.
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George Balsdon, Boston manager of V-L-S-E, was in New York Monday and placed the first order the Novelty Slide Company received after the fire.
Mac.
Collection: Moving Picture World, January 1916