Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

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INCORPORATED WITH WHICH IS THE NICKELODEON Vol. XIX CHICAGO, JANUARY 5, 1918 No. 1 Three Big Mergers Are Reported Closed RUMOR FACTORY TURNS OUT HINTS OF ENORMOUS COMBINATION OF PRODUCERS WITH the approaching advent of the New Year, the atmosphere in motion picture production circles is surcharged with rumors of impending combinations that will astonish the industry if they are carried out as report has it they are to be. These rumors are based chiefly on the recently expressed attitude of many of the country's largest producers on questions of economy and hints from some quarters that retrenchments were to be put into effect. Along with these rumors come reports of alleged financial distress that is said to be causing much annoyance to some of the larger producing and distributing organizations. Three Big Combinations Three combinations are reported that stand out prominently in the rumor-filled atmosphere. The first combination includes one of the most active producing corporations, two big distributors,and possibly one newly organized firm that has been attracting considerable notice of late through its advertisements in the trade papers. Another reported merger links one of the successful production corporations with an already enormous producing organization. Five Producers Reported Merger Still another combine is rumored which would join in one organization five large producers who now operate five separate chains of exchanges. All three of these mergers are said to have been completed and announcement is to be made shortly. One enormous distributing organization is said to be forming for the purpose of marketing the products of the three combinations. With these reported mergers completed, three of the country's most active producers and distributors would be left to fight for existence against the combined strength of the merged corporations. Economy Is Rumor Keynote The understood purpose in forming these combinations, is primarily to cut down the tremendous overhead expense under which each individual organization is operated. Under this plan one of the prospective members of the combine would save more than $100,000 a year in a single item of its overhead expense. On this basis the twelve organizations re ported to be about to merge, would save an almost unbelievable amount of money in the overhead of the present competing institutions. Who Will Get Saving? Nothing has been said in any quarter relative to where this tremendous saving will go. Whether the benefit of this plan will be passed on to the exhibitor who is in dire need of the benefit of some kind of an economic solution of the present day financial problem, or whether the money accruing to the producers by this plan will go into their own pockets, has not been made clear in any of the conversations that have been heard on this subject. Points Censorship Evil A small number of clergymen representing the Catholic, Episcopal, Baptist and Presbyterian churches of New Jersey met in the Senate Chamber of the State House at Trenton on Wednesday afternoon, December 19, to discuss the question of preparing a bill for introduction at the legislature, providing for state censorship. Some opposition to the proposition developed. H. F. Sherwood, assistant secretary of the National Board of Review, attended the conference and pointed out that state censorship did not accomplish anything of value, and was destructive, not constructive. He showed that the average of the quality of motion pictures is constantly rising, and wherever there may be a demand for finer pictures, constructive methods are better than destructive for securing them. He indicated that the industry was constantly striving to improve its product, and that the United States Government was recognizing the tremendous value of the motion picture as a means of distributing information. First Pictures Made in Vera Cruz The first motion picture to be taken in the State of Vera Cruz, with the exception of those relating to current events, was made recently by the Mexican Film Co., of Mexico City. The subjects chosen were scenes between Spaniards and Indians from "Tabare," a work by the Uruguayan poet, Juan Zorrilla de Sanmartin, and the place selected was a picturesque tropical ranch at Boca del Rio, a short distance south of Vera Cruz. The apparatus and supplies were purchased in New York.