In 1917, the “Exhibitor’s Service Department” of Artcraft Pictures issued a series of 9 slides depicting their biggest names and sent them free-of-charge to exhibitors “after the acceptance of their star series contracts.” (Artcraft Advance, September 24, 1917.) The set included Mary Pickford, seen here in a photo by Campbell Studio, along with George M. Cohan, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks, Geraldine Farrar, Elsie Ferguson, David Wark Griffith, William S. Hart, Thomas H. Ince. As would be expected, the promotional stunt was well-received, but if you're signing a contract to show Artcraft films--were they really free?
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