Year book of motion pictures (1925)

December 10 Analysis of annual report of Commissioner of Internal Revenue shows there are 2,332 less theaters in 1924 than in 1922. Louis B. Mayer, bade from Europe, says Ben Hur" will be complete in Spring. Urges America to watch Europe. December 1 1 Independents may combine producing and distributing and work in one central studio on Coast. Chadwick Pictures to star Theda Bara. Lillian Gish to star in "The Outsider" for Metro Goldwyn, Jeffery Bernard resigns as general manager of Stoll's, England. December 12 Famous and Cecil B. DeMille reported near the parting of the ways. F. B. O. will release 54 features during 1925. 14 specials and 40 program pictures. Sam Goldwyn to make "Romeo and Juliet." December 13 Rerlin intimates that the "kontingent" will be lifted shortly. New York inclined to doubt it. Fox will build in the Loop, Chicago. Talk of selling out to Loew regarded as "silly." Richard Rowland and Sam Katz, back from Europe, where they closed for American distribution of "Quo Vadis." C. B. C. will produce 20 pictures next year. Sydney Kent, general manager of Famous, back from Europe. December 16 De Forest Phonofilm Corp. plans more production. Increases capital from $5,500,000 to $22,000,000. Pathe Freres, of Pa is, and Westi Film, Berlin, arrange co-operative distribution. December 17 Samuel Goldwyn leaves for Europe. William James of Columbus, elected head of Ohio M. P. T. O. December 18 S. R. Kent before Trade Commission, scouts idea that exhibitors need Paramount exclusively to be successful. Hobart-Hurst Prod to make series under Distinctive brand name for Vitagraph. De Forest Phonofilms to produce abroad. December 19 "The Thief of Bagdad" is selected as the best picture of 1924 by reviewers and critics in "The Ten Best" poll of the FILM YEAR BOOK. Simmonds-Kann, Inc.. acquire "Charley's Aunt'' in all foreign countries, except England, where Ideal is the owner. December 20 "The Ten Commandments" enters second year on Broadway. Decembrr 22 Federal Trade-Famous Players hearing ends after 20 months of testimony. December 23 Loew's, Tnc, reported about to close new theater deals on Coast. Walter Reade plans 5.000 seat Cleveland theater. Rudolph Valentino offers gold medal yearly for best performance in acting. Cleveland establishes a theater commission to check up on all amusements. December 24 $10,000 Zukor cash award for best sto-v produced in 1924 goes to Rafael Sabatini for "Scaramouche." The Colony, new 2,000 seat Moss theater on Broadway, Xew York, opens Emelka. important German producers, to make pictures in England. Co-operative Booking Corp., Tohn Kunsky's buying circuit, now includes 22 Detroit houses. December 26 Metro-Goldwyn may produce for William Randolph Hearst. December 29 Dillon Read & Co. and Shields & Co. underwriting $3,000,000 preferred stock for Universal. George Kleine sues Ritz Carlton Pictures and J. D. Williams for $20,300, which Kleine alleges is due him for salary. December 30 After cutting all bank loans, Famous has a cash surplus of $2,500,000. December 31 Imperial Pictures ceases activities. Former executives back with United Artists. Xew Universal Pictures Co. to supersede old corporation. Assets total $10,996,283. I. E Chadwick re-elected president of the I. M. P. P. D. A. Oscar Price re-elected first vicepresident, and Joe Brandt, second vice-president. W. E. Shallenberger elected treasurer. PLAY BROKERS (New York City) Adams, J. K„ 223 W. 46th St., Bryant 5583. American Play Co., 33 W. 42nd St., Longacre 8040. Andreas Eulalie Miss, 1 Bank St., Watkins 8692. Bartsch, Hans, 1432 B'way, Bryant 3459. Bimberg, Ed., 1531 B'way, Bryant 9029. Brandt & Brandt, 101 Park Ave., Vand. 2792. Century Play Co., 755 7th Ave., Circle 6740. Darcy & Wolford, 114 W. 39th St., Fitzroy 5285. Dramatists Play Agency, 213 W. 42nd St., Bryant 4677. Furst, Myra, 25 W. 43rd St. Hughes Massie & Co., 347 Fifth Ave., Ashland 6208. Internat'l Story Co., 501 5th Ave., Vand. 00647416. Kauser, Alice, 1402 B'way, Fitzroy 5860. LaSalle, Miss, 140 W. 42nd St. Nuplay Service Corp., 33 W. 42nd St., Longacre 8926. Osso, Oscar & Bory, 145 W. 45th St., Bryant 3124. Packard, Jay, 25 W. 43rd St. Paget Agencies, 62 W. 47th St., Bryant 4138. Playcraft, Inc., 206 B'way, Cortland 6537. Play Revision Service, 303 Fifth Ave., Lexington 3855 Rice, Frank H., 25 W. 43rd St. Sanger & Jordan, Times Bldg., Bryant 6066. Selden, Edgar, Mrs., 1531 Broadway, Bryant 1530. Small Play Co., Edward, 1493 Broadway, Lackawanna 6880. Stagelore Play Co., 1402 B'way, Fitzroy 3689. United Plays, Inc., 1430 B'way, Bryant 0747. Winniett, Geo. W., 1402 B'way, Fitzroy 6232. Service for Authors, Aeolian Bldg., Longacre 2453. M. V. Wall, 1476 Broadway, Bryant 7835. Laura D. Wilck, 1476 Broadway, Bryant 4065. Jacob Wilk, 1476 Broadway, Bryant 0832. Hughes, Massie, 347 5th Ave., Ashland 6208. Ann Watkins, 30 E. 34th St., Ashland 6750. R. L. Giffen, 1402 Broadway, Fitzroy 5860. Gwen Sears, 132 E. 19th St., Stuyvesant 9315. Curtis Brown, Ltd., 116 W. 39th St., Fitzroy 1210. Mary Forrest, 145 W. 41st St., Bryant 1944. Maurice S. Revnes, 10 E. 43rd St., Vanderbilt 6636. 578 HOUSES IN GREATER NEW YORK There are 578 exclusive picture theaters in Greater New York with a combined seating capacity of 428,926. The total revenue received by the city in license fees is placed at $216,500 and of this amount picture theaters contribute $81,900. The present total compares with 423 in 1919. Aside from the fact that existing theaters are greater in number, they are also of a better grade. Many of the smaller houses operating in 1919 have been torn down and replaced with modern structures. CHICAGO THEATERS It is estimated that there are about 420 places of amusement in Chicago, and the city's licensing bureau computes the number of film houses at between 330 and 340.