The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

Last M i n u t e News From Everywhere "REEL EXCHANGE" is not where you swap your '*iunk" •fibn, nor Is it a "biqy dins'' combuneu Ifs the title of the Hays or^anizatiion'tf firC Piitovention Picture, MOVING PICTURE WORLD OLD ADAGE "Actions speaJc louder than words,'* doesn't hold true any more, Sam Warner, speaking: Vitaphonically, might tell the world, {f he would. VQL. 83 New York, November 13, 1926 No. 2 F, P. Canadian Theatres Gross Shows Increase Report $800,581 for Last Fiscal Year (Special to Moving Picture World) Ottawa, Nov. 3. According to the seventh annual financial statement of Famous Players Canadian Corporation, Ltd., Toronto, i.^suod by J. P. Bickell, vice-president, the theatres owned, operated or affiliated with the corporation now number 101, all being in Canada. The report, which is for the fiscal twelve months ended August 28 last, showed that the profits for the year were $800,581 before depreciation, interest and deferred charges were accounted for. This compared with $730,007 for the previous fiscal year. It is interesting to note that the corporation made an allowance of |26.j,408 for the year's depreciation, as compared with the previous corresponding allowance of $180,000. This large increase was due to the fact that the company brought the depreciation charge in line with the amount allowed by the Canadian Income Tax Department. After deducting bond and mortgage interest and other deferred charges, the net profits for the past fiscal year were $:j9!t,6;in. Tlie .surplus brought forward was $281.00.5, as compared with $215,401 at the end of the preceding fiscal year. Therefore, the balance carried forward in surplus increased by $.'?«,<i80 for the last year. Mr. Bickell reported that the first quarter of the 1925-1926 year was most unfavorable from the standpoint of theatre operation, but practically every theatre operated by the corporation had shown substantial improvement in net earningrs for the twelve months. Capital assets in the form of theatre properties were shown (Continued on fage 2) Clarke Admits Plan fol. W. F. <"Iarke of C'ranflrld & CInrko thiM week iidmltted that he Ih intereNted In a new i»r<»ductloii diMtrlbutlon wht-me. He In not yet ready to announce details. It In rumored that the name of 'IVlansle may be liroiutht Imek to the xcreen. Harry Aiken, former preNldent of 'I'rIanKle. may be Interenled In the plan. Short Subjects Suddenly in Great Demand; F. P. Closes Deal, M-G-M Is Negotiating Late Chicago News Notes Aseher's new Sheridan Square Theatre of SJOOO seats Trill open on Thankselvingr Day with an elaborate progrram. Fifth Anniversary Week brougrht out an attendance of 75,UOO. Osoar l>»ob ha.s been made publletty inanuj^er for Balabau-Katie-Kunsky in Detroit. He Is succeeded here by Williaoi Pine. D. W. Griffith Reported To Have British Offer L>. W. Griffith is reported to have received an offer from an English producer to make two, or possibly three pictures in England. The offer is said to have come "from a titled Englishman.' It is known that Lord Beaverbrook, wlio recently visited Canada, is interested in English pictures, but it is not known whether he was in touch with Mr. Griflith at that time. At the ofUces of D. W. Griffith, Inc., in New York City, it was stated that nothing is known of an offer from England. Mr. Griffith has two more pictures to make for Paramount. Rejoins First Love (tt'orgo n. Stevenson is back in the film game a.s miniiger of publicity for Columbia. Joe Brandt and Jack Cohn, president and treasurer of Columbia, taught him the busin -s in the early days at Univerut... Paramount Buys Two Winkler Series of Five Each — Schenck Now Making Plans By Sumner Smith The short subject, once the orphan of the motion picture family, has become the favorite son, surrounded by herds of fatted calves. In their efforts to offer exhibitors complete programs, big distributors are putting out the welcome mat and offering the glad hand to the formerly unpopular short subject. And doesn't he love it ! Here's the dope to date: Famous Players-Lasky has closed with Winkler Pictures for two series of short subjects for release beginning in September, 1927. Five subjects will constitute each series. London Cable By W. E. ALLISON-BOOTH Moving Picture World Bureau London, November 2. "The Big Parade" is being withdrawn next week after a record run for any picture in England. "So This Is Paris" is held over owing to its huge success. "Beau Ceste" was presented at the Plaza this week and is a sure winner. This picture has been criticized in France and complaint has been made of wearing the uniforms of the Foreign Legion without nermission. Ernie Romer is the latest English film find. He weighs 480 pounds and can do any athletic stunt. Pictures' Greatest Development Now at Hand, Says "Joe" Kennedy Joseph P. Kennedy, president of P. B. O., in New York this week had a few words to say in defen.se of the modern film producer. Having Just looked over Hollywood, he spoke with autliorily. "The modern film producer," he said, "is fully alive to hl.° responsibility in maintaining his present prestige and In keeping ;'.breast with the times. A', no time in the history of the Indus try has there been greater opportunity for every man and woman engaged In it, because the keen competition for ideas will mean advancement. Undreamedof possibilities lie only a few years ahead. The field I? so broad that nobody can forese'! what may be commonplace ten years from'now." After a chat with trade paper men he took them Into the pro(Coniinucd on pane 2) Famous has been tallying with Mack Sennett, now In New York, but any deal that might have been planned seems to have fallen through. Conferences are also said to be on with Educational and with the Christies. George Weeks has been appointed to conduct a new short subjects department for Famous. Hal Roach, It is rumored, will produce a series of comedies for Me tro-Goldwyn -Mayer. Nicholas M. Schenclv. vicepresident of M-G-M back at his desk in New York after a visit to Culver City, in a chat with Moving Picture World set at rest vagua reports of the company's position in the short subject field. "We will have a definite announceftient to make about the first of the new year,'' he said, "and about September 1, 1027, with the opening of the 1927-28 season, we will release our first short subject?." Concerning the origin of the product Mr. Schenck said: "We will acquire existing PiOduction units of outstanding merit and create new ones, under I)Ians now being worked out." It Is reported that P. D. C. is seeking an amalgamation with Pathe Exchanges, Inc., but thai J. J. Murdock of Keith-Albee. which has an interest in P. D. C, is holding the deal up, it is said. Nat Mintz, vice-president of Winkler Pictures, who has signed with Paramount, has left for Hollywood to aid George Winkler in supervising the new product. He recently completed a tour covering the key cities, making everything ready for the two Paramount series. Kill Time Change Syracuse, IV. Y., N^vnnipod dayllRTht savln«r this week by a vote of 17.1f>n for to 31,.t.'>:t aK-nlnst Michael J. Toole of the M. V. T. O. A. reports.