Variety (February 1909)

12 VARIETY ■3T COLUMBIA CO. WILL SOON „ MAKE FILM ANNO UNCEMENT "Important Deals Pending," Says Vice-President, " Which Will be Made Public When All is Ready." Although officials of the Columbia Phonograph Co., reported as ready to set ' up moving picture opposition to the Patents Co., would make no authorized statement this week, a Variety represen- tative who talked to Paul- H. Cromelin (▼ice-president of the Columbia concern), who has the film enterprise in charge, was led to believe that preparations are going forward for tlje establishing of a . general film and moving picture business. "The Patents people," said he, "have made repeated efforts to learn of our plans. Inquiries have recched us from ♦ remote sources, but in the majority of • eases were traceable to the trust.' It is ■ therefore easy to understand why we do .fiqt care to divulge our intentions. 'This.much I can say, however: Im- portant transactions are in process of formation. When they have been com- pleted and we are ready to start busi- ness, we shall make a formal and detailed announcement." i Jlr. Cromelin admitted that there was a probability of the company going into the .business, of making film, but said that .that phase of the matter had not yet been .decided upon, f^e verified the statement in. last week's Variety that his concern ha<J a contract under which it could take I possession of the American Graphophone ^Company's plant in Bridgeport (Conn.) for picture machine manufacture, if that course were deemed desirable. From his description it appears that the Bianchi camera has been thoroughly demonstrated. Positive film taken on the camera was remarkably clear, the smallest 'detail being easily visible when the strip was held against the light. "This camera," said Mr. Cromelin, "in- volves a principle entirely new to the art of moving pictures. The 'flicker* is en- tirely done away with and the film is not run off with an intermittent motion as in all other systems. 'T3y a principle of mechanics, familiar to every student of the science, but never applied to the moving picture art, each separate photograph is exposed in such a way that it has the effect of a series of 'dissolving views.' These views are exposed with such tremendous rapidity that the pictures have the effect of abso- lute continuity and the 'flicker' is reduced to* a negligible quantity." Since the trade has learned of the Co- lumbia Company's move Mr. Cromelin has received a large number of applications for licenses to manufacture films from independent concerns. No licenses have been issued, but the company will prob- ably select a certain number of makers to operate under their patents on a royalty arrangement. dependent renters' movement, that it has fourteen new subjects ready for delivery. This film, which is of foreign manufac- ture (Hepworth, Cricks & Martin, Shef- field, Graphic, etc.), totals about 6,600 feet. From the descriptive bulletin there is good variety in the list. The announcement gives the release date as Feb. 10. Regular bulletins will be issued weekly, with description of new subjects, and mailed to exhibitors. CONFLICTING STATEMENTS IN ST. LOUIS. St. Louis, Feb. 10. "Less than 12 per cent, of the St. Louis exhibitors have signed the application for license demanded by the Patents Co. In- dependent exchanges will very shortly be established in this city to supply local theatres with the output, both imported and domestic, of the International Pro- jecting and Producing Co., organised in Chicago by J. J. Murdock and others." This was the statement this week of Frank Tate, of Middleton & Tate, pro- prietors of the Columbia Theatre here and also important factors in the Middle Western vaudeville field. Mr. Tate added that the timely announcement of the In- ternational people had had a good deal to do with encouraging the exhibitors to hold off from arrangements with the Patents Co. Alf. H. Moses, of the Cooperative Film Service of America, declared that 25 per cent, of the St. Louis exhibitors were using independent film, but that it was not giving entire satisfaction. O. T. Crawford, affiliated with the Patents Co., estimated that only 10 per cent, of the exhibitors were on the inde- pendents' list. Said Mr. Crawford: "The best of the independent exhibitors were taken into the new association. The in- dependents are not in a position to sup- ply a large demand.' »» WANT ONE EXCHANGE. Chicago, Feb. 10. The Chicago, Royal and Glove Film Exchanges are working together to the end that there may be others gathered in, making one executive film association exchange. The three exchanges named have issued further circular letters this week, up to "No. 4." The final letter has little be- yond the announcement of new inde- pendent reels ready to place upon the market to-day. It informs exhibitors, however, they are "free to use independent films as well as licensed films" and gives notification that all users of their independent goods will be legally protected against interference. MAT CONNECT IN EAST. Nothing of very important ^interest developed this week, in the newly formed International Projecting and Producing Co. John J. Murdock, the president, said this week there was no statement to be made. Arrangements are rapidly focusing for an organization, and it is rumored there may be an affiliation with the forthcom- ing Columbia Phonograph Co.'s venture in the east, although there is nothing posi- tive to be obtained on this point. It is also reported that an eastern agent or some one who has been given the rights' to the eastern territory has been secured by the International Co. This is also unconfirmed. Through Mr. Murdock's connection with the Western Vaudeville Association there has been talk as to whether the new com- pany would have a bearing upon the use of Geo. K. Spoor's "Kinodromes" (pic- tures) in the many houses, including the Orpheum Circuit, affiliated with the W. V. A. The understanding is that Mr. Spoor will continue to supply the pic- tures as heretofore for several reasons, the principal one being according to in- formation that 'his service has always been extremely satisfactory and of the first grade. Mr. Spoor has made an ex- ceptional record on the Orpheum Circuit. As far west as San Francisco and Los Angeles, he has been forwarding "first run" reels, which were shown in the Or- pheums at these points before any pic- ture place in town had them, despite active competition. The Spoor renting Co. carries on a large business with the vaudeville theatres. The projecting machine of the Inter- national Co. will not be on the market for at least six months. The fact of the Keith-Proctor people in New York having signed the Motion Patents agreement is accepted as an indication there will be no immediate change in the supply to the vaudeville houses. Martin Beck, the Orpheum Circuit's general manager, is not interested in the International Co., as at first supposed. Mr. Beck was in Chicago this week. There are several men who hold stock, but their names have not been given out. Will G. Barker, the representative for the International, who made the deal with the European manufacturers, is due to return to New York next Saturday with samples of foreign goods and stock. The present intention of the Interna- tional, as far as can be ascertained, is to import and sell film to independent ex- hibitors or renters or to join or co-operate with other independent manufacturers. It may act as a renter itself later. Independents release 14 films. Chicago, Feb. 10. Announcement comes from the head- quarters of the Chicago, Globe and Royal Film Exchanges, who are leading the in- The People's Vaudeville Co. will play pictures and vaudeville at the Casino, Ar- verne, L. I., this summer. Mark Magolies, the dealer in expensive "oriental" rugs, u the owner of the house. AMERICA'S LARGEST PLANT. ~~ Chicago, Feb. 10. George K. Spoor, the film manufacturer, has purchased 90,000 square feet of ground adjoining the new plant of the Es- sanay Company (part of the industries controlled by Mr. Spoor). Additions will be made in a few months. When completed it will be the largest plant in America. N. Y. MANAGERS MANUFACTURING? The vaudeville managers : wilhinThe United Booking Offices are quite apt.to form, a_atock corporation for the manu- facturing of moving pictures, if no con- nection is formed with either one of the large "independent" concerns now forming, one having been incorporated, the Inter- national Protective and Producing Co., of Chicago, of which John J. Murdock, the influential western vaudeville manager, is the president. The arrival in New York of Mr. Murdock will probably settle fhe question as to how the plans of the eastern managers will shape themselves. Mr. Murdock was looked for by to-day. He may have come on here with Martin Beck, who is likely interested in some manner with Mr. Murdock's picture company. Percy G. Williams, the leader of the movement for independent pictures for United vaudeville houses, said in effect the above this week to a Variety repre- sentative, adding that the future would develop the preaent immature plans more fully than they now are. From Mr. Williams' remarks, there may have been some conferences with the pro- moters of the Columbia Phonograph Co.'s venture in the moving picture field, but nothing positive seems to have been ar- rived at. The New York dailies have given some space to the vaudeville managers' plunge into the picture side, but the reports have been vague. The New York vaudeville managers for years have been supplied with pictures through Percy Waters, of the Kinetograph Co., and William T. Rock of the Vita- graph Co., the latter a manufacturer. Moving pictures received their greatest impetus for popularity over here through introduction as the closing number to vaudeville programs. PLAN ANTI-TRUST ASSOCIATION. Cleveland, Feb. 10. Invitations have been sent out to 4,200 moving picture exhibitors to attend a meeting in this city next Monday. The Toledo Film Exchange is the prime mover in the demonstration. The scheme is to form an association of all the exhibitors in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Preliminary steps have already been taken to organize the Interstate Film Exhibitors' Association to resist the Pat- ents Co.'s demands. Five signatures appear on the call: A. A. Gotschall, Carl Miller, of Fremont; J. Brengartner, of Sandusky; D. H. Shields, of Forest; A. B. Studley, of Findlay; Rupert Holland, of Toledo, and W. R. Thorp, of Adrian. It is said that when Richard Hyde re- turns from Florida, either Hyde & Beh- man's Bijou in the Baby Borough, will in- crease its admission and calibre of show, or the firm will dispose of the house. The present scale is 10-20-30. Alf. T. Wilton booked Amelia Summer- ville at Shea's, Buffalo, next week, the starting point of her Eastern time this season. Gus Hill's "Happy Hooligan" opens for a tour at Dover, Feb. 20. The principals are Ritchie, tramp cyclist; Ward and Raymond, Irish-American Trio, Dennis Mullen, May Villion, Ritchie Duo and the "Eight English Ponies" from the Joe Weber Co. Bob Manchester is interested in the venture.