Motography (Jul 1918)

78 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XX, No. 2. Brunet Tells Status of Pathe and Hearst Takes Exception to R. H, Cochrane and P. TAKING exception to statements of R. H. Cochran, vice president, and P. A. Powers, secretary and treasurer, of the Universal' Film Company, Paul Brunet, vice president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., last week issued the following statement concerning the relations of Pathe and William Randolph Hearst: The only reason I can assign for the statements as to the alleged partnership is that the Universal Film Company is disappointed at being unsuccessful in obtaining the release of the Allies Official War Review and is seeking publicity for its own News Weekly. This is evidenced very strongly by certain remarks made by Mr. Powers of the Universal Film Company in his interview before the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Representatives on June 18. In that interview Mr. Powers cleverly insinuated that his company had endeavored to obtain the release of the Allies Official War Review and had been prevented from doing so, not because his bid was higher than other competitive bids, but because of some power or control exercised by the Hearst interests and favoritism shown by the Committee on Public Information. He stated also that he represented about 96 per cent of the motion picture industry ; that he had been in the business for fifteen years and knew it from every angle. Mr. Powers displays the most remarkable ignorance regarding an organization which is one of the leading ones in the field. In the first place, in reply to Mr. Sloane's inquiry, Mr. Powers stated 'Pathe is a trench company.' With Mr. Powers' professed knowledge of the motion picture industry he should know a fact which is known to the public generally — that the Pathe Exchange. Inc.. is an American organization and not a French one, and that practically the entire personnel of the organization is American. Mr. Powers represented that he did not know why the distribution of the Official War Review had been given to Pathe Exchange, Inc. As a matter of fact the opportunity of jointly distributing the Official War Review was offered to several of the leading film companies, among which was the Universal Film Company. It was only after Universal among other film companies had failed to take advantage of the opportunity to release the Official War Review that the distribution of the same was offered on competitive Mr. Towers stated that he does not know why his company s bid was not accepted. I can su^est ..several reasons. First, the Committee on .Public Information has no reason to question the loyalty, patriotism and Americanism of Pathe Exchange, Inc. : second, the fact that the laboratories of the French Pathe companv have been placed at the disposal of the American government without charge; third, the, fact that Pathe Exchange, Inc., in making its bid did not seek to make any profit out of the release, but was willing to distribute the Official War Review at an actua loss for the benefit of government propaganda. I want to emphasize this fact, that the statements attributed to Mr. Powers and Mr Cochrane to the effect that the Division of Films of the Committee on Public Information is composed largely of former Hearst-Pathe employes are deliberately and maliciously false. J. A. Berst was formerly vice-president and general manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., and to my certain knowledge has never been connected directlv or indirectly with any Hearst organization. The same is true of H. C. Hoaeland. who was formerly head of the scenario department t ™ the Exchange, Inc. The same is also true •*i. k Arsdale, who was also connected with the scenario department of Pathe Exchange, Inc Lew Simons was formerly employed by Pathe Exchange, Inc., as a cameraman. H A Smith was formerly serial publicity manager of Pathe Exchange, Inc., and is now in Camn Sevier, Greenville, South Carolina. Mr. Hubbell has never been employed by Pathe Exchange Inc in any capacity. Mr. Donahue was employed as a cameraman for Pathe Exchange, Inc., but left us about fifteen months ago. Another thing I want to emphasize is 'hat there is no partnership of any kind or character between Pathe Exchange. Inc., and any of the Hearst interests, and that neither Mr. Hearst nor any of his own organization own or' control, directlv or indirectly one single share of stock of Pathe Exchange, Inc. This company releases motion picture photoplays for any producer if Recent Statements of A. Powers of Universal the merits of the productions come up to the required standard. When we release a picture produced by the Astra Film Corporation, Rolin Film Company and any others we put the name of "Astra" or "Rolin," etc., on the film; not necessarily because we want to do so, but because we are under contract to do so. By the same token, we put the name of Hearst on pictures released under our contract with the International Film Service, which photographs the news items shown in the weekly, because the terms of the contract specify that such weekly shall be known as Hearst-Pathe News. I fail to see why the name of William Randolph Hearst is brought up in connection with the distribution of the Allies Official War Review. Mr. Hearst has no connection, direct, indirect, remote or contingent with the distribution of the Official War Review awarded to Pathe Exchange, Inc., under competitive bids. _ Other war pictures, official or unofficial, are distributed by any other film companies which care to obtain the privilege of doing so ; and the only obligation imposed upon such film companies is to have such pictures first censored by the Committee on Public Information. It is not my purpose to discuss the question as to whether or not the Committee on Public Information discharges its duties as they should be discharged, although Mr. Cochrane has taken upon himself to criticize severely certain members of that committee. We can only assume that the Committee on Public Information has discharged its duties in accordance with the powers delegated to it until it is shown to the contrary. The Cochrane statement referred to appeared in last week's issue of Motography, as did the remarks of Mr. Powers before the Ways and Means Committee also. Show "Finger of Justice" An invitation showing of "The Finger of Justice," Rev. Paul Smith's sevenreel production dealing with conditions of the underworld', was given at the Lyric Theatre, New York, June 29. The picture began its first New York engagement at this theatre. Barrymore Picture Finished With the completion hi a number of yachting scenes, Director Chester Withey last week wound up the production of "On the Quiet" at the Fort Lee studios of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. This is the farce in which John Barrymore makes his re-appearance as a Paramount star. The Barrymore picture done, Withey at once started work on a new picture for Paramount, "In Pursuit of Polly," starring Billie Burke. Simultaneously with the starting of the Billie Burke picture, John Emerson commenced the production of Shirley Mason's first picture for Paramount from a story written especially for her and her co-star, Ernest Truex, by Mr. Emerson and Anita Loos. "Come On In" is the title and it is a patriotic comedy of the training camps. Films Get Another Stage Star Walter Percival is the newest motion picture recruit from the ranks of musical comedy stars. In the role of Beauty Blair in Metro's production of "Our Mrs. McChesney," Ethel Barrymore's first screen vehicle of the season, Mr. Percival is making his first appearance before the camera. Mr. Percival is well known to lovers of musical comedy, particularly in New York, for he holds the distinction of having played eight years without a break right on Broadway and during that time at only three theatres, the Broadway, Knickerbocker and Casino. Noon hour on location with the American-Mary Miles Minter company. The star is indulging in her favorite pastime — taking snapshots. Director Lloyd Ingraham, George Periolat, Carl Stockdale and Alan Forrest are willing victims.