Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Apr 1924)

36 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 29, 1924 Brandt Organizing Independents Into Solid Unit Producers Heartily in Accord With Movement — Tully Peeved at Writers Club Criticism By HARRY HAMMOND BEALL HOLLYWOOD, March 18.— With the arrival here of Joe Brandt, vice-president of the Independent Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association this last week, elaborate preparations are being made for the immediate organization of the independent producers and distributors in California. Brandt on his arrival in Hollywood immediately went into conference with Ben Wilson, Morris Schlank, Harry Cohn and William Steiner, who are already members of the association and notices were sent out to all other independents to attend a luncheon Tuesday at Montmartrq cafe at which the organization's "modus operandi" would be explained. Brandt expects to enroll practically 100 per cent of the independents in) Hollywood, Culver City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Mateo. A branch office in Los Angeles is being considered, according to Brandt, who states that those who have been approached informally cm the proposition are heartily in accord with the movement. AS the result of certain guests at the Writers Club one evening recently assuming a "kidding" attitude toward Richard Walton Tully's "Flowing Gold" which was being pre-viewed there, relations are somewhat strained between the scribes' organization and Associated First National. In fact, it is understood that no more First National films will be given pre-view there. "Flowing Gold" just finished its first run at Loew's State theatre here to one of the biggest weeks the house has ever known and Ray Coffin, Tully publicity chief, is being congratulated on his successful exploitation campaign. Angeleno critics also gave "Flowing Gold" a wonderful sendoff. * * * Sid Gkauman played host on Wednesday night to members of the Chinese High Commission touring the United States at his Hollywood Egyptian theatre. It was the only playhouse the Celestials visited in Los Angeles. Perhaps the fact that astute Sir Sidney handed them a flowery invitation written in perfect Cantonese was the answer. * * * The transcontinental rail lines continue to wax fat from the bankrolls of film executives. Joe Schenck leaving; J. D. Williams arriving; Charlie Christie returning home; James R. Grainger of Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan a little overdue; Paul Mooney of Hodkinson just getting in; Phil Kroha. Tully business manager, en route east on a flying trip to join his chief, all of these should help the railroads pay dividends. * * * No longer can the cinematical-ly ambitious get the ear of the Universal "prexy" and interrupt him at luncheon or dinner. Instead of the long table for Carl Laemmle and his aides, which used to grace the northwest corner of the "Big U" cafeteria, a private dining room now protects him from intra-prandial interruptions. * * * With the racing season almost over week ends at Tia Juana see many Hollywood screen celebrities. Last week Arthur L. Sawyer, Joe Engel, Metro viceprexy and general manager; King Raggot, Clarence Brown, and Eddie Laemmle, Universal directors, and William Koenig, "Big U" business manager, were Baron Long's guests, as were such well known publicists as Ray Leek, Arch Reeve, Larry Weingarten, Joe Steele, E. O. Van Pelt, Bill Gentz, Fritz Tidden, Carrol Graham, Pete Smith, Sam W. B. Cohn, Al Wilkie, Howard Strickling, Tom Englar, Harry Wilson, Antonio Martin, Walter Greene, Wid Gunning, L.-C. Barclay, Charlie Condon, Tabor Divikey, Foster Goss, Monroe Lathrop, Howard David McBride and others. Reports that the publicists in question, many of whom were Wampas members, came back with another $20,000 winnings from Tia Juana were later denied. William Beaudine, than whom there is no greater handler of movie children, is up to his "kid tricks" again. He is directing Ben Alexander and Lloyd Hamilton in "The Goof" for First National, at Hollywood Studios. Beaudine, who is TWO STIRRING scenes from D. W. Griffith's "America," now playing at the 44th St. theatre, New York. quite a kid himself, has won a name for himself among producers as "the child specialist of the movies" and he has to his credit at least one of the ten best pictures of last year. The latest recruit in the ranks of the independents is Sam Wood, erstwhile Paramount director, who will shortly begin production on his initial independent photoplay. Wood's contract with Famous Players-Lasky expired last month. * * * Wampas members of yesterday are becoming the screen stars of today. First it was long Tom Reed who deserted the typewriter for the grease paints. Then Ray Coffin stepped out of his role of press agent in real life to become a "reel" reporter in "Flowing Gold." Now Lou Marangella, typewriter toureador for Ruth Roland, is impersonating a news gatherer in "Dollar Down," being made by Co-Artists Productions at the F. B. O. studios. Branding a rumor that has been afloat throughout the movie and theatrical world for the past few weeks, as false, Blanche Sweet has issued a statement denying the story that she contemplated accepting the title role in the stage production of "Anna Christie," the vehicle which she so successfully interpreted for the silver sheet. An Eastern theatrical publication printed a yarn along these lines recently which led to the spreading of the story that Miss Sweet would tour the country in another road show company in addition to the Pauline Lord organization. * * * Actors, directors, scenarists, studio mechanists and members of all arts and trades allied with the motion picture business here are rejoicing over a statement recently given to the local press by Joseph Schenck, president of the Association of Motion Picture Producers, just returned from the East. Says Schenck: "Production of pictures will increase 100 per cent within the next two months. Otherwise there will be a great shortage of screen entertainment next Fall." And right now the prediction of the producer appears to be coming true, for things are beginning to pick up around the various studios, while new companies are being organized and the old line ones are preparing for a season of renewed activity. * * * Another bit of good news this week is the announcement that "boss tradin' methods" in the matter of farming out contract actors, are to go. In other words, no longer will a producer gouge another producer for "velvet" when he loans him an actor. In the past it has been the custom of producers to add a few hundred dollars on to the salary of one of their contract players when they loaned him to another studio. It is now agreed by the film moguls that "them days are gone forever," and just to prove it, Lasky has loaned Charles De Roche, the famous French artist, to Tourneur, at his regular weekly wage. New Strand Theatre Has Formal Opening (Special from IV. D. P.) FLORALA, ALA., March 18.— The Strand theatre moved into its new $25,000 quarters on March 13, the opening bill being Harold Lloyd in "Why Worry?" The new theatre was recently completed by W. D. Patrick, owner and manager, who also owns the Strand theatres in Dothan, Samson and Elba, Ala., and books for all four theatres.