Year book of motion pictures (1925)

First National. Has four more to make under contract. Thomas H. Ince plans six for 1924-25. Studio reorganized with John G. Wray in charge. February 14 John C. Rock, new general manager of Vitagraph, A. Victor Smith his assistant. Eastman Kodak reduces cost of positives 25 per cent, effective March 1. Theater activities of Marcus Loew in Westchester County cause exhibitors there some concern. February 15 About 350 film folk attend luncheon in honor of Thomas A. Edison at the Ritz. "Pressure of other interests" compels Gayer G. Dominick to resign from the Famous Players' directorate. Roach has ambitious program. Several new units .to start soon. February 16 Huston Thompson of Federal Trade Commission intimates that George B. Christian, while President Harding secretary sought to influence the Commission from issuing complaint against Famous Players. February 18 F. B. Warren joins Famous Players in special sales capacity. Douglas Fairbanks says exploitation is as important as distribution. Stresses need for better showmen. Northern Jersey theaters operate on Sunday, despite "blue laws." February 19 Famous will star William Farnum now and Adolphe Menjou later. A. N. Smallwood reports receiving over 200 communications on his plan for a more adequate distribution. February 20 I. M. P. P. D. A. members to mark each print of future releases in order to check piracy. John C. Flinn, back from trip says first-runs are congested because of release of special attractions. February 21 Sidney Olcott's present contract with Lasky ends with "Beaucaire." Quite some time expected to elapse before Max Bernhardt directs for Cosmopolitan. February 23 Charles Ray expected to return to type of picture that brought him popularity. No change in ownership of Fox Philadelphia theater. Interchange of several films with Stanley planned, but nothing further. February 25 Three local laboratories reported in local combine. Republic, Craftsmen and Erbograph mentioned. Famous buys "Spring Cleaning." Gloria Swanson to star in "The Swan." Architectural Forum survey shows nation will spend $179,821,700 in new theater projects in 1924. Kessel and Bauman to revive Kevstone Comedy brand. February 26 Richard Barthelmess reported dissatisfied over manner in which First National franchise holders play his pictures. Sidney Olcott still dickering with Famous over new contract. Ernst Lubitsch to direct Pola Negri in one picture for Paramount. Boston to be 1924 M. P. T. O. convention city. February 27 January tax figures reach $7,576,991, highest sinceJune, 1921. Famous calling in district theater managers for four day conference in New York. Hearing in Famous Players case to be resumed in March. February 28 I. M. P. P. D. A. enlisting aid of exchanges through country to standardize state right field. Court action reveals that Cosmopolitan spent $1,426,000 on "Knighthood." Denied Detroit M. P. Corp. is insolvent as claimed. Russia seeking help of production experts to establish its own industry on flourishing basis. February 29 Harry Davis, of Pittsburgh, a vice-president of the M. P. T. O., seeks receiver and accounting for Theater Owners Distributing Corp. Cohen replaces True as new president. Difficulties apparently settled between Barthelmess and Inspiration. I. M. P. P. D. A. launching new division on Coast. Joe Brandt in active charge of work. March 1 William Vogel secures Hodkinson output for abroad under new agreements. Adverse legislation up in Kentucky. Censorship and ten per cent tax on amusement among measures. Goldwyn to investigate conditions in small towns and inaugurate special exhibitor aids. March 3 "Architectural Forum" survey shows that theater construction for 1924 will top 1923 by $77,000,000. Illinois leads the nation with $20,520,000 for new houses. W. W. Hodkinson's activity in company ceases. Attending directors' meetings only. March 4 Harry Rapf signs with Louis B. Mayer. William S. Hart through with Famous. Goerz raw stock to be sold at 1.50 cents per foot, meeting Eastman price. Children's bill up in Albany would allow each city to determine whether minors should be permitted into theaters without proper accompaniment. March 5 Final hearings on Eastman case under way in Washington. J. R. Bray sailing for Europe to confer with H. G. Wells on "Outline of History." Louis B. Mayer to make series for Elinor Glyn Prod. M. P. T. O. of Canada organizing along fraternal lines. March 6 Adolph Zukor's name appears in reports concerning future of United Artists. "Big Four," listen to distribution offers. Fairbanks dissatisfied with cost of maintaining company's exchanges. A. E. Lefcourt plans picture theater on site adjoining the Strand. Masterpiece, De Luxe and 20th Century of Philadelphia, join in formation of Trio Prod., new Washington exchange. "Monsieur Beaucaire" to follow "The Covered Wagon" at Criterion in June. March 7 Distinctive in new releasing deal with Selznick, whereby latter will distribute all future George Arliss productions. Long Island residents oppose Wm. O. Hurst's studio plan in Queens. March 8 Future plans of D. W. Griffith undetermined. Hobart Henley and Robert G. Vignola dickering with Metro on distribution. Jesse D. Hampton to remake "The Barrier" and "The Auction Block," probably for Goldwyn release. March 10 United Artists directors to meet shortly on future plans. William Randolph Hearst holds option for remaining fifty per cent interest in Goldwyn-Cosmopolitan Dist. Corp. Runs until May. Boston film circles discussing possible theater deal between Gordon chain and Famous Players. Denied here. Famous Players earns $4,245,783 in 1923. Increase over 1922 March 11 Visit of J. D. Williams to coast revives report of possible deal for Harold Lloyd. Harry Rowson purchased Douglas MacLean Prods, for England.