Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

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EXHIBITORS HERALD Transatlantic to Produce Film For State Right Distribution Super-Specials and Two-Reel Comedies to be Made For American and Foreign Distribution — Purchasing Staff Busy Reviewing opened a few weeks ago, has been showing First National releases without direct affiliation by franchise. Provides for First Runs These two theatres give the circuit adequate first run representation on Broadway. New York, and in downtown Brooklyn theatrical districts. The new plan of operation for First National, it is said, will include practically every one of original exhibitorowners of franchises on a basis which will give them a greater measure of independence than the}' have enjoyed in the past. It is admitted by members of the Exhibitors Defense Committee of the First National that more than a score of large and important theatre circuits not heretofore associated with it have declared their intention of signing for participation in new plan. Negotiations are now under way in practically every territory. Statement Is Issued "It must be remembered," reads a statement credited to a member of Exhibitors Defense Committee, "that final details of new plan wTere completed only a week ago. In fact, the 'warning' advertisement which we published in the trade journals two weeks ago, was composed while members of the committee were still actively at work completing arrangements for putting the plan into effect. "For this reason it is pertinent to the rapidity with which the proposition is being taken up that Crandall and Whitehurst and Mark Strand Company should so quickly give us permission to make public their action in endorsing the plan by joining in it. "With very few exceptions the Exhibitors Defense Committee has received inquiries from every important theatre owner in the country. It is a curious result of our advertisement that several hundred exhibitors in small, 'one-man' communities have written requests for detailed information." With the organization of the Transatlantic Film Company of America, Inc., Cibrario & Company, which has previously devoted its efforts to the exploitation of American films on the European market, has become an important factor in the American market. The newly organized company has entered the American distributing field, and in addition to purchasing features for distribution, has started the production of features and comedies. Louis Roach President Louis Roach, president of the organization, combines with his statement of the forming of the new company the announcement of a super-special already on hand claimed to surpass anything in this line that has been offered the trade in years. Several thousand people took part in the production, it is stated, and arrangements are being made with one of the musical conductors of the Metropolitan Opera House to provide a suitable score. To take charge of the production of two-reel comedies Dale Hanshaw has been engaged. His experience includes the staging of vaudeville acts for the United Booking Offices, associations with Metro and Goldwyn, "Healthograms," recently produced; and the MacFadden physical culture films. Jay Strong, whose past connections include the J. Stuart Blackton and Fox organizations, will act as assistant director. C. Y. Harrison, formerly associated with various motion picture enterprises, has been appointed American sales manager. His activities will cover the buying and selling of pictures intended for exhibition in this country. Many Productions Purchased The past several weeks have been spent in the reviewing of productions by the purchasing staff. With the widening of the market in view care was exercised to secure the best that was obtainable. Those that were purchased, and will be announced for sale in the near future, are said to be the best that the market affords. All of the company's products will be offered upon the state rights market. The same policy will govern both the purchased material and the original productions. What is called "a whirlwind campaign" is announced as about to be launched. This will be directed especially to state right buyers and independent exchange men, but will also aim to acquaint the trade in general with the nature of the company's products and the scope of its activities. Lewis J. Selznick Will Produce Plays For Speaking Stage NEW YORK, Nov. 25.— Lewis J. Selznick, president of the Select Pictures Corporation, has entered the legitimate producing field. The name of the first play which will be produced by Mr. Selznick is "Bucking the Tiger," a melodramatic comedy by May Tully and Achmed Abdullah, adapted from Mr. Abdullah's novel of the same name. Rehearsals for the forthcoming production will be started this week and it is expected that the piece will have its Broadway premiere during the first or second week in January. "Bucking the Tiger" is in three acts and the locale is in Spokane, Wash. The story, briefly, deals with the attempt of a band of men to beat the high cost of living without working. Mr. Selznick's activities in the motion picture field extend to all parts of the civilized world and include Select Pictures Corporation, Selznick Pictures Corporation, . National Picture Theatres, Inc., Republic Distributing Corporation, Select Pictures, Ltd., of England, Select Pictures, Corporation, Ltd., of Canada, Select Pictures, Ltd., of Australia and Select Pictures Corporation of Continental Europe, with branches in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Holland and Switzerland. Sells Ottawa Theatre OTTAWA, ILL.— The Ruby Palace theatre, operated for the past ten years by E. P. Melburn, has been sold to Clarence Hartford, new to the business. A GROUP OF FIRST NATIONAL CELEBRITIES Henry Lrhrmaii, producer of the I.elirnian comedies, was host recently to a party of First National Exhibitors' circuit executives. The men in the group above (right to left) are Robert Iiieber, Nathan Asher, H. O. Schwalhe and Henry Lehman. 52