The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Hollywood, Calif. THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1927 Page Fifteen | Tamar J | Lane ( ONE-SIDED ETHICS If any further evidence is needed in regard to the untairness of the big distributors in their deals with exhibitors, it can be found in the attitude of the distributors in the matter of exhibitor “buying combines.” While the distributors on the one hand, lead by Paramount, protest against the Government order that they must cease their system of selling films in blocks, claiming that this is a fair system ; on the other hand, these same distributors have just placed a ban upon exhibitor “group buying,” asserting that it is unfair. In other words, it is fair for the distributor to do all the group selling he wants, but when the exhibitor in selfdefense decides to do a little group buying it is another matter entirely. It might pay the government to also give this angle on the situation a little consideration. WHO SAID MOVIE GIANTS? When one reads the figures piled up in other industries it makes the affairs of our much touted movie “giants” shrink up into mere pigmies. According to figures recently made public, the General Motors Corp. earned no less than $129,250,207 in the first half of 1927. More than all the film concerns in the industry earned, combined. U. S. Steel Corp. is reported to have earned $75,000,000 for the first half of the year. Three department stores doing business only in New York City, do an estimated gross business of over $40,000,000 each. Most of our big film corporations, which sell their product throughout the entire world, believe they have had a good year if their gross revenue runs up as high as $30,000,000. WHY PARAMOUNT STOCK DROPPED The film industry is much puzzled over the sudden drop in the price of Paramount stock. It has fallen from 110 down to 93 in a comparatively short time. Wall Street sharpshooters are having a good laugh at the expense of some of the foremost film executives in the business. Several weeks ago the red hot tip was passed out to our leading film magnates to “buy Paramount stock.” “Hurry up, get on the band wagon, Paramount is going to 150.” The list of the noted producers and executives who rushed to get in on this easy money ' would read like a “Who’s Who in the Film Business.” This is just what Wall Street was waiting for. As soon as all the suckers were aboard, the stock exchange wizards sent Paramount toppling down. The film magnates have lost a pile of money on the deal so far and the Wall Street wolves are licking their chops. It all goes to prove that film executives, like cobblers, should stick to their own game. +■ — ■■ — ■■ — .. — .. — >■ — » — ■< — ■> — » — ».+ j JAMES J. TYNAN j I SCENARIST I Just Finished j ‘ Jake the Plumber1 j j — For— | F. B. O. I Paramount Estimates Its Second Quarter Profit Estimated profit of $1,420,000 for the second quarter of 1927 is expected to be earned by Paramount, the company stated yesterday. This would amount, after providing for preferred dividends, to $2.19 per share on the 577,798 shares of common outstanding and would bring total profit for the first six months of the year to $5.52 per share. Charlie Murray Back From Eastern Trip Charlie Murray, First National comedian, has returned to Hollywood after a short trip East. Murray was accompanied by his wife. * * * Universal’s theatre building campaign is in full swing. Between now and the first of the year, 18,900 new seats divided among nine new houses will be added to the new circuit. Management Ben Hershfield MICHAEL S. VISAROFF “Camille,” Fred Niblo, U.A. “Two Arabian Knights,” Lewis Milestone, U.A. “The Sunset Derby,” A1 Rogell, F.N. “Mockery,” B. Christianson, M-G-M. “The Gallant Gringo,” Tourjansky, M-G-M. “Love,” Ed. Goulding, M-G-M. HOlly 8269 W// i % % % % % % s i. * % * — — — . — :* CjW 1 % ». * Clarence J. Marks WAS THE GAG MAN —ON— “BUCK PRIVATES” DIRECTED BY MELVILLE BROWN X X "% % X ’% I X K'