Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2122 Motion Picture News Motion Tictvue November 7 1925 JVEWS Founded in September 1913 Vol. XXXII No. 19 Publication Office: Lyon Block, Albany, N. Y. _.. . „ . Branch Offices: Editorial and General Offices: 84S g \vabash Ave., Chicago, 111. 729 7th Ave., New York City Room 616 Security Bldg., Hollywood, Calif. Speaking Editorially f HARLIE PETTIJOHN, of the Hays organization, appearing before the House Ways and Means Committee in behalf of admission tax repeal, decried foolish publicity on star salaries. Incidentally, he pointed out that the amounts alleged to be paid were greatly exaggerated. Will we never learn in this industry that the film business is big enough and important enough to stand on its merits without indulging in ballyhoo statements that only turn out to be boomerangs in the end? * * * THE retirement of Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld from the managing directorship of the Paramount theatres on Broadway is an event of great interest in more ways than one. It foreshadows, if we read the situation correctly, other important developments in the management and operation of large chains of theatres. An interview with Dr. Riesenfeld elsewhere in this issue sets forth his own views on several topics. * # * SALES strategy — and we use "strategy'1 in the best sense — is highly developed, these days. Perhaps organization would be a better word. Certainly a man like E. A. Eschmann of First National would prefer it — and he is a skilled sales organizer, with the intimate details of local situations throughout the country at his command. Mr. Eschmann is a very wise observer of box-office values. He sizes up pictures as they come along — and always from the viewpoint of the public, for that is what governs the sales barometer. The answer to successful selling of pictures is two-fold : first, good pictures and second, real organization. It is an open secret that Mr. Eschmann has built a very fine organization at First National. The results prove it. * * * I N an era of big pictures here and coming "The Big Parade, " "Ben Hur," "Stella Dallas," "The Black Pirate," ' The Dark Angel," "The Vanishing American," and others — reserve space for Sam Rork's "Clothes Make the Pirate." A most ingenious story, built on the universal theme of the hen-pecked husband with a complex to be a bold, bad hero. A remarkable cast is headed by the inimitable Leon Errol, who is screamingly funny when he is turned from a little, browbeaten tailor in New England vPla^e before the Revolution into a roaring pirate chieftain — who docs not roar, how Nick Altrock, irrepressible comedian and coach of the Washington Senators, turned cameraman at the first game of the World's series in Pittsburgh and "shot" Governor Gifford Pinchot with his Pathex. ever, until he has been through a series of adventures in which he becomes the picture of helplessness. Then there are Dorothy Gish, Nita Naldi, James Rennie, Tully Marshall, and others of equal calibre. Production values are first-rate. There are big scenes, notably of the fights at sea. Altogether, a fine picture of which Sam may well be proud. FOX comes along this week with the announcement of the purchase of a large amount of outstanding material — "What Price Glory?" and six Belasco plays, in particular. This is significant because, for one thing, it extends still further William Fox's policy of big specials, which was signalized by the alliance with John Golden some months ago. It indicates also that we shall have another group of very promising pictures to look forward to from this very progressive organization. INDEX TO DEPARTMENTS Editorial 2121-24 Rowland Interview 2123-24 Second Editorial Page 2122 Pictures and People 2125-28 Exhibitors Service Bureau 2153-58 First Run Theatres : 2159-62 General News and Special Features 2129-52 Short Subjects and Serials 2163-64 Opinions on Current Short Subjects 2166 Pre-Release Reviews on Features 2167-73 Newspaper Opinions on New Features 2194 Construction and Equipment Department 2183-89 Regional News From Correspondents 2174-81 Feature and Short Subject Release Chart 2191-94 Classified Ads 2190 The Check-Up 2153 November 7, 1925 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. XXXII, No. 19 Published weekly by Motion Picture News. Inc., William A. Johnston, President; E. Kendall Gillett, Vice-President: William A. Johnston, Editor; J. S. Dickerson. Associate Editor; Oscar Cooper. Managing Editor: Fred J. Beecroft, Advertising Manager: L. H. Mason. Chicago Representative; William McCormack. Los Angeles Representative. Subscription price, $2 per year, post paid in United States, Mexico, Hawaii, PortoRico, Philippine Islands and some other countries; Canada, $3, foreign, $10.00. Copyright 1925, by Motion Picture News, Inc., in the United States and Great Britain. Title registered in the United States Patent Office and foreign countries Western Union cable address is "Picknews," New York. Entered as setood class matter Tanuary 31st, 1924, at the postomoe, Albany, N. Y.» under t>he A«t of March 3, 1879.