Nigh Proves His Versatility (1915) 🇺🇸

William Nigh, of the Metro directing staff, has begun work on a five-part feature production, yet unnamed, in which Valli Valli is starred, and William Davidson, Frank Bacon, Ilean Hume, Robert Elliott, Joseph Maddern, R. A. Bresee, J. H. Goldsworthy, David H. Thompson, and other prominent stage and screen artists appear in the supporting cast.

This feature picture was written by Director Nigh, who wrote and directed A Yellow Streak, the Columbia-Metro five-part production, recently released, in which Lionel Barrymore is starred. Besides being one of the ablest directors in the country, Mr. Nigh is talented in many directions, and is one of the most resourceful men in the business. This was again forcibly demonstrated in the making of this picture. Valli Valli had just completed the stellar role in The Turmoil and was waiting until another suitable production could be found for her. Mr. Nigh was also obliged to wait on another production, which he will shortly direct, and suggested that he had a vehicle in mind that might suit Miss Valli. When he outlined the story it proved to be the very thing.

Mr. Nigh was directed to write the scenario and cast for the production. He wrote the first two reels and calling together a strong supporting company, began work on the picture. One of the men he engaged for a part did not show up promptly and Mr. Nigh took the role himself. He had considerable experience, both as a stage and screen star, before he became a director. He appeared in many notable stage productions on the Pacific coast before going into pictures and afterward was starred in Reliance features for several years. This is just another instance of his versatility, for beside directing this new Columbia-Metro feature, he wrote it, found the exterior locations, formed his own cast, designed his studio sets, and is now playing a prominent role.

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Billie Burke in “Peggy”

Wonderful picture shown at Majestic Theater, the new home of Triangle Pictures in Los Angeles

The most notable reception and opening accorded any of the large theaters in Los Angeles was witnessed at the Majestic theater on Monday night, December 20, when this popular house became the home of Triangle program pictures with the famous Billie Burke in C. Gardner Sullivan’s comedy-drama Peggy, produced under the personal direction of Thomas H. Ince, director-general of the New York Motion Picture Corporation.

The assemblage which viewed the film-play included such well known west coast personages as Mayor and Mrs. Charles E. Sebastian of Los Angeles, Councilmen Martin Betkouski, John C. Langdon, Fred C. Wheeler, John Topham and Councilwoman Estelle Lawton Lindsey, Chief of Police Claire Snively, Mr. and Mrs. M. D. Ihmsen, Josephine Ihmsen, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Barham, Otheman Stevens of the Los Angeles Examiner, Monroe Lathrop of the Los Angeles Tribune, Guy Price of the Los Angeles Herald, Henry Christeen Warnack of the Los Angeles Times, Adela Rogers St. Johns of the Green Book, Mabel Condon of the Dramatic Mirror, J. C. Jessen of the Motion Picture News, Clarke Irvine of the Moving Picture World, G. P. Von Harleman of the Moving Picture World, Captain Jack Poland of Motography, Frank E. Woods and party from the Fine Arts Studios, William H. Thompson and party, William Desmond and party, De Wolf Hopper and party, H. B. Warner, Rita Stanwood, Mack Sennett and party, Roscoe Arbuckle and party, Bessie Barriscale, Howard Hickman, Charles Ray, Charles Giblyn, and others from Inceville.

Nearly all of the leading stars, players and executive officers of the big companies operating in and near Los Angeles were represented with special theater and automobile parties doing honor to Billie Burke and Thomas Ince.

Newspaper critics, dramatic writers and trade correspondents pronounce the pictures a beautiful work of pictorial and professional art. Miss Burke was seen to especial advantage as Peggy, and the feature is highly commended.

In the cast were Billie Burke, the dashing, winsome star, as Peggy; William H. Thompson as Andrew Cameron, the Scotch uncle; William Desmond, as the pastor and lover of Peggy; Charles Ray, as the wayward son of Uncle Cameron; Nona Thomas, the weaver's daughter; Gertrude Claire, as Mrs. Cameron, the splendid old mother; Joseph Dowling, Truly Shattuck, Charles Miller, Walt Whitman, Fanny Midgley, Clara Gates, J. Frank Burke, and others.

The musical score was by Victor Schertzinger of the Ince staff, fitting perfectly every detail of the film production.

The program of the opening week was augmented by Mack Sennett’s presentation of Fatty and the Broadway Stars, featuring Roscoe Arbuckle, supported by William Collier [William Collier Sr.], Sam Bernard, Weber and Fields, Joe Jackson, Al St. John, Ivy Crosthwaite and Mack Sennett, in a roaring Keystone comedy.

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Memphis Film Men Organize

On Saturday, December 18, representatives of six Memphis exchanges met at the office of the Consolidated Film & Supply Company for the purpose of combining in some sort of an organization for mutual protection. The particular business of the moment was the important question of securing a reduction of the original amount of a special tax bill proposed by the city of Memphis, the bill having already been up for second reading.

This bill proposed to tax all concerns engaged in the manufacture, distribution or sale of motion picture films $100.00 per annum. As exchanges there are already paying a high state and county special tax, in addition to merchants’ privilege and other regular taxes, this proposed city tax was deemed exorbitant. It was quickly decided at the meeting to place the matter in the hands of .an attorney, who would represent the film men at the third and final reading of the bill. As a result, through the efforts of the attorney employed, and the prompt action of the organization, the tax was reduced to $25.00 per annum, a figure certainly more reasonable than the original tax proposed.

It was suggested that the organization not stop at a membership of exchange men only, and plans are under way to form an organization to take in exhibitors and parties directly interested in the motion picture business in the state. Thomas H. James, of the Consolidated, was elected temporary chairman, and C. M. Brown, of the. Mutual, temporary secretary. Those present at the meeting were: Fred F. Cresswell, World Film Corporation; A. L. Parker, General Film Company; Abe Kauffman, United Program Film Service; Thomas H. James, Consolidated Film & Supply Company; N. M. Bernstein and I. M. Cohn, Monarch Film Service; Fred Suzore, supply dealer.

A final election of officers is expected at the next meeting, when a name will be chosen for the organization. An invitation will be extended to exhibitors to become members, and regular business dispatched. The purpose of the organization will be of a protective nature, and arrangements will be made to protect the interests of exhibitors and exchanges in cases such as the one cited. Like combinations will doubtless be formed in other southern film centers.

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Hazel Dawn has just returned from St. Augustine, Fla., where she spent two weeks at the head of a Famous Players company under the direction of Sidney Olcott, where the principal scenes in her next production, My Lady Incog., were taken. The play, which is an original script written expressly for the star, combines to a greater degree than anything in which Miss Dawn has previously appeared on the screen, the elements of comedy and dramatic thrills.

Collection: Motography Magazine, January 1916