Year book of motion pictures (1925)

Oct. 9 William Goldman buys fifty per cent interest in St. Louis Amusement Co., operating 14 St. Louis theaters. J. F. Cubberlcy forms Independent Film Co. in" Minneapolis to supply Nortwest exhibitors with steady flow of westerns. Oct. 11 Semi-annual meeting of First National executives and franchise holders at Atlantic City. Line-up interesting material for later in season. Al Lichtman resigns from Universal Oct. 13 Loew denies Louis 15. Mayer would resign from Metro-Goldwyn. Report declared ridiculous . Fritz Lang, director of "Siegfried," and Ehrich Pommer, Ufa head, here to study Amercan production. Oct 16. Balaban and Katz buy into Kunsky's Detroit chain. Stanley interests of Philadelphia, take over five houses operated by J. Fred Zimmerman. Deal involves $3,000,000. Supreme Court decides Weiss Brothers, New York, cannot use the words "The Ten Commandments" in connection with "After Six Days." Oct. 20 Wolverine Film Co. in process of formation in Detroit. To be backed by 150 exhibitor members who will own and operate an exchange. Viftcr Seastrom signs new con .vat t with MetrrGoldwjn lo direct three more. Oct. 21 Metro-Goldwyn officially announces Lillian Gish will make series. "Romola" scheduled for run at a Broadway house. Oct. 22 Selznick thrown into involuntary bankruptcy. Oct. 24 "Cyrano de Bergerac," filmed by U. C. I., now hand-colored, for distribution through Unity Pictures. Oct. 25 Charles Pathe back in French company, following request of directors who ran into trouble. Oct. 27 Joseph Schenck announces on Coast that Norma. Doug and Mary will release through one organization. Famous Players launches its defense here in Government monopoly charges. Fire in warehouse of Ideal Films, Ltd., London, burns many negatives. Oct 29 Talmadge-United Artists organization ready by September, according to Joseph M. Schenck. Metro-Goldwyn acquires "Chu-Chin-Chow" for America. Oct. 30 Du Pont, Pathe Exchange and Pathe Cinema of Paris form raw stock combination. Oct. 31 Joseph M. Schenck and United Artists merge with United name to be retained. Interstate Theaters, Inc., formed in Chicago by Lubliner and Trinz to fight Balaban & Katz. Nov. 3 Famous Players (Canadian) adds 10 houses to its chain in a year. String now totals 82. Nov. 4 The M. P. D. A. of Hollywood decides not to produce. Nov. 6 P. C. T .of England reported taking over important Davis theater chain. New tax rulings explained by Revenue Dept. Nov. 8 Nine new theaters planned for Detroit. Brings up problem of overseating. Nov. 10 Coast 1925 production budget between $75,000,000 and $100,000,000. Output greater "Covered Wagon" gets "Photoplay" medal for best picture of 1923. Nov. 12 Proposed new theater projects for Chicago will add 10,500 more seats to "Windy City. Nov. 13 Court issues order for Selznick to cease business Charles Pathe and Paul Brunet in control of Pathe Constorium Cinema, Paris. Nov. lh F. B. O. to open office in Berlin. Franco-American committee named in Paris to promote international accord . Nov. 17 Talk of a British First National in London to beat down high rental situation United Artists secures three Wilcox (British) productions for distribution in many foreign countries. Nov. 18 "He Who Gets Slapped' breaks record at Capitol, New York, drawing $70,468. Nov. 19 Thomas H. Ince passes away on Coast. End comes suddenly, caused by indigestion. Tax Free Music Bureau starts. Golden State Theater Corp. in San Francisco now has 50 in chain. Five houses building. Nov. 20 Charlie Chaplin expected to make one picture for reorganized United Artists. Nov. 22 New English government won't lift entertainment tax. Films Erka reorganized in Paris. Goldwyn output for 1925 acquired. Nov. 24 Prod. Dist. Corp. to distribute "Charley's Aunt." Foreign distribution through Ideal of London. Nov. 26 I. E Chadwick lining up star series for 1925. Lionel 'Barrymore to continue. George Walsh m series. Nov. 28 Sam Bischoff, formerly with Grand Asher, to enter production. De Forest Phonofilms in Canada. Exhibitors interested in new company. Future plans for United Artists disclosed by Joseph M. Schenck. To produce twelve a year, beginning next season. December 1 Sydney Kent, in Paris, invites committee to come to America and investigate the field here. Paramount plans more production there. Al Lichtman's deal for Mid-Western exchanges falls through. December 3 Walter Hays, of Buffalo, succeeds Mike Walsh as head of New York M. P. T. O. Statewide legislation committees planned. ' December 4 Sam Sax buys Selznick assets for Universal. Leases, negatives, stories, included. Criterion, State, Miller's and California theaters in Los Angeles under joint control of West Coast theaters and Loew. Finkelstein and Ruben, Minneapolis, expand. December 6 1923-1924 business tops previous year, admission tax survey shows. Total for fiscal year $78,011,036. Fewer theaters operating. Paramount's new home on the site of the Putnam Building to be started June 1. Theater will be ready by Sept., 1926. Henri Diamant-Bergere, French director, to produce a picture in New York for Associated Exhibitors. December 8 Metro-Goldwyn signs Joseph von Sternberg, producer of "Salvation Hunters." Disintegration of Selznick results in F. B. O. acquiring 10 features. 695