Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2234 Motion Picture News November 14 1925 MOTIO/f PlCTVKE JVEWS Founded in September 1913 Publication Office: Lyon Block, Albany, N. Y. _ Branch Offices: Editorial and General Offices: 84S g Wabash Ave., Chicaro, 111. 729 7th Aye., New Y«rk City Ktom »16 Security Bldf., Hollywood, Calif. Speaking Editorially THE whole industry rejoices in the great victory achieved at the polls this week by Senator James J. Walker, who is now the Mayor-Elect of New York City. Jimmy rode into office by a plurality in excess of 400,000 — an emphatic endorsement of ability in public service. The election was also a triumph for another great friend of the motion picture — Gov. Alfred E. Smith, who sponsored the Walker candidacy, and waged a great fight of his own for the adoption of an important group of constitutional amendments. * * * EWS items of unusual significance are abundant this week. There is the resignation of E. A. Eschmann from First National, and the appointment of a Sales Committee, with Samuel Spring at the head, the other members being Ned Marin, Ned Depinet and A. W. Smith, Jr. Universal^ distribution department has undergone complete change. Messrs. Marin and Jules Levy are succeeded by Lou Metzger and Earl Kramer, with a successor to Depinet still to be named. N FOX comes forward with still another important announcement which shows, clearly enough, that the company is embarking on the biggest production program in its history. With Winfield R. Sheehan at the Coast, things are humming in all directions. In addition to the group of David Belasco plays, other significant books and plays are announced this week. The program for 1926-7 is virtually settled now. A large number of players have been assigned to their roles, and everything is fast getting "set" under Mr. Sheehan's direction. *• * * WE are greatly interested in the news of the expanding activities of Producers Distributing Corporation and the unification of the De Mille and Metropolitan studios at Hollywood under Cecil B. De Mille. He will have general supervision of the 1926-7 program of forty to fifty features. The appointment of William Sistrom as general manager of the combined studios will give Mr. De Mille greater freedom for the production of his own personally directed specials. P. D. C. has come along very rapidly and its further progress will be followed with great interest. 1 Senator James | J. Walker, \ Mayor-Elect | of New York | City Being I Congratulated 1 By Richard I Barthelmess, I First National Star. SAM RORK'S new picture, "Clothes Make the Pirate," is winning commendation all around. It should, for one reason because it is a distinct screen novelty, of which there are far too few. A producer who gives the screen a brand new type of subject performs a service second to none in the whole industry. Pictures are, of course, the lifeblood of the business. New kinds of pictures are the prime essentials. So we say the release of a film like "Clothes Make the Pirate" deserves and should get special mention. * * * ELSEWHERE in this issue will be found a detailed story on the latest developments in the British film situation, which appears to be more feverish than ever before. The international picture situation is a very important thing; more so, we imagine, than some folk on this side of the water realize. But the well-informed understand its importance; and we are glad to contribute to a constructive settlement, William A. Johnston's recent editorial "Our Films and Europe" has attracted wide attention. * * * A Real Step Forward (Continued from preceding page) vancement, give their active support and interest to exhibitor organization. The Administrative Committee of the M. P. T. O. A. proposes cooperation and a business regime from now on. They are to be commended heartily for their wisdom. And we predict that, with this platform, and its honest observance, they will steadily enlist support all along the line. November 14, 1925 MOTION PICTURE NEWS Vol. XXXII, No 20 Published weekly bv Motion Picture News. Ikc, William A. Johnston, President; E. Kendall Gillett. Vice-President; William A. Johnston, Editor; J. S. Dicker* son, 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 Stares Patent Office and foreign countries Western Union cable address is "Picknews." New York. Entered as second class matter January 31st, 1924, at the postoffioe, Albany, N. T, MMier the A«t at March 3. 1879.