Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD Distributors in Keen Competition For Alliance with Noted Directors Newly Formed Associated Producers Corporation Is Bombarded with Opportunities to Publish Productions Through Existing Exchanges George Loane Tucker's Withdrawal Surprise (By Wire to EXHIBITORS HERALD) LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24. — From various distributors and distributing organizations propositions are pouring in here directed to the Associated Producers Corporation. Distributors Seeking Alliance It has been learned authoritatively that practically every important distributing organization, has been in communication with the directors since the announcement of the new corporation and that the associated directors have been given an opportunity to decide upon almost any one of the existing channels of publication. Despite the offers of alliances the directors thus far have been standing by their original plan of bringing into existence their own distributing company, although it is known that certain elements in the combination are beginning to lean toward an arrangement with one of the existing distributors. George Loane Tucker Withdraws It is learned that the original alignment of Ince, Neilan, Sennett, Tourneur, Dwan and Tucker already has been broken up by the deflection, temporary at least, of Tucker. Since the original agreement was entered into with the "Big Six" the fact was disclosed that the Mayflower Film Corporation, which holds a contract for the services of Tucker, had been absorbed by interests identical with or friendly to the Famous Players-Lasky corporation. It is not known whether or not this has actually had anything to do with the disappearance of the name of Tucker from the original "Big Six" list, but it is a fact that Tucker is not now being mentioned as a member of the combination. Ince Issues Statement The following statement in which it may be noted the name of Tucker does not appear has just been issued officially by Thomas H. Ince: Following the recent announcement of the association of five of the foremost motion picture producers rumors have been circulating of the connection of other interests with those originally mentioned, and rumors that certain individuals and organizations are financing the associated producers. The Associated Producers, who are Thomas H. Ince, Mack Sennett, Maurice Tourneur, Allan Dwan and Marshall Neilan, announced today that no other producing or distributing interests are in any way allied with them, nor are they being financed by any outside or individual capital. They want to make this plain to the exhibitors throughout the country because of several inaccurate reports which have found circulation. The Associated Producers are rapidly perfecting their plans and announce that they will shortly make a complete statement of them. In view of the deep and widespread interest which the original announcement caused it was not unexpected that further rumors should be set afloat. It is these rumors which the members of the new association wish to put at rest. No Explanation Offered When questioned regarding the deflection of Tucker, one of the prominent directors concerned in the combination declared that this is not to be interpreted to mean that there has been any substantial change in the plans of the organization. He refused, however, to explain the dropping out of Tucker. Shortly after the arrival here last week of Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players-Lasky corporation, he announced that his company had no plans relative to the directors' combination and that he was present in Los Angeles merely on a periodic trip for the purpose of inspecting matters at the West Coast studios of the company. Schulberg with Zukor Nothing has been revealed relative to the activities of Walter Greene, recently resigned as vice president of Famous Players, or of B. P. Schulberg, who has been here for some time. Mr. Schulberg recently resumed association with the Zukor interests. Sid Grauman Will Manage Theatre on Broadway for Lasky NEW YORK, Nov. 22.— Sid Grauman is to become director-general of the New York Theatre on Broadway, which was recently taken over by Famous PlayersLasky corporation, according to information disclosed here today. Mr. Grauman is one of the best known and most successful exhibitors in America and has achieved a notable record with Grauman's theatre in Los Angeles. It has been known for some time that Mr. Grauman has aspired to the position of conducting a theatre on Broadway and from a report current here he is to be given such an opportunity. Mr. Grauman is now staging a lively contest in Los Angeles for exhibitor supremacy against S. L. Rothapfel. who was recently imported by the Goldwyn Pictures corporation to conduct the California theatre in Los Angeles. 53