Variety (August 1925)

VARIETY PICTURES .V,*'. -.-.,>>. ,i*iT<''' f,*!;/ ,'■ • ^*^«dneiday, August 12, 1925 ^ INDEPENDENTS WITHOUT DAIB; BIG DISTRIBUTORS CUT PRICES Exhibitors Heavily Sold by Regular Line Producers —Independent Picture Makers Must Wait for Open Time—Organization Doesn't Help Sales WARNERS BID FOR PUCE ON BK BOARD WIFE NAMES TWO WOMEN Orpheum Report for 6 Months —Famous Declares $2 Divi- deru^—Pathe's Drop with the Big Five, Famoue Play- era, Metro-Qoldwyn, Firs'. National, Fox amd Universal, waging a battle \ for play dates, It looks as though , the Independents are going to And » themselves, or are flnd'ntf thenj- ■elves up against It to break into bouses the country ovov Seemingly ' the quintet of big ones decided that ^^ they were not going to wait for the independents to carry o it their :'- threats, oft repeated, that they wore going to give the big fellows a r battle, but decided to carry the , flght right up to the Independent ' ranks. The rer ult la apparent in ; the squawks heard from all sides In ^; the state rights market. { For years the Independents bave s'^arrled on their business without ' tfae big fellows taking notice <f them. This made it posslblo for the Independents to make noney and become strt>nger In t'le flcUI. About a year ago they org.nlsed a pro- tective and collection agency, tak- ing in the producers and national distributors in the Independent field. The protective measures were to be against gyp state right buyers and the collection end was to com- pel those buying territories to live up to their agreement and notes, independents Hurrah Recently, however, they have had a reorganization within the ranks. The Independents went to the Mil- Tkraukee convention and made a grand hurrah. As a result the M. P. T. O. A. formed a Play Date Bureau - and a Board of Trade to co-operate with the independents. More re- cently that was divorced from the M. P. T. O. A. as an offlcKl part of the exhibitor organisation, but is still getting ready to function ...and to carry out Its Intents and pur- is; poses at least as far as genera: ^ statements are concerned. »^^ But the hurrah woke up the big rr fellows that there was a flght loom - ing so they Individually started oul to protect themselves by selling and getting all the dates they could. So v, well has this worked out that now when the Independents are trying to get dates they And the majority of exhibitors are so loaded up with production form two, three or four , of the bigger companies that the lltt!e fellow will have to wait until there Is an open date here and there that b« can creep Into. Big Ones' Big Cut Be hot has become the battle for business among the bigger com- panies that In one Instance where ' an exhibitor was paying from |S5 to tlSO a day top for Famous Play- ct-s' product last year he is getting It this year from $25 to tlOO. Just where the Independent Is go- ing to get off at Is a question. He can lay back and wait, but his In- vestment will eat him up In Interest. ENGLISHMAN AGAINST HARM OF AM. FILMS 'Ticklish'' Situation in Dep't of Commerce Re- lieved by Resignation Washington, Aug. 11. What could be termed a "tick- lish" situation has been "cleared up" in the Department of Com- merce by the resignation of W. I*. Hoagland, head of the department's Specialties Dttlslon, to accept an important assignment with one of the large typewriter companies. One of Mr. Hoagland's biggest Jobs while In the department was the further- ance of American pictures abroad, particularly In England, Germany and France. H. C. Hoagland, brother of the Hoagland referred to above, Is head of the Stoll Film Co., of Bngland, and is reported as now on his way to the United States to go into con-' ference with President Coolldge and Win Hays on the subject of the harm being done by some of tbe American Alms abroad. "The Brother Against Brother" situation was watched here with much Interest. The resignation of Hoagland, although termed one of the most eflSclent men of the de- partment, caused a sigh of relief, due to the possibility of the em- barrasment the situation might cause Secretary Hoover. FATHER FEATURING SON Wolfman Organizing Film Washington Co. at jss-ff'- Washington, Aug. 11. '"'.=;■ Washington .s to have a motion picture producing company with Its '- own jtudlo. Jacyb Wolfman, now at Qlen Bcho, an amusement park, States he has acquired land near the entrance to the park and work will commence upon the studio in two weeks. * * ' It is Wolfman's idea to produce two-reel comedies with his son, who has had experience before the cam- era In his father's studios in Florida, as the featured pinyer. An outlet for the Alms Is said to have been secured. A stock company of from •igltt to ten players is to be engaged. COSTUME 8 F'OR hire: PRODUCTI<|l^8 ■XPUOITATIONS CriKttB.NTATIONS R P/g New Wash. House; Stanley Co. and CrandaU's Washington, Aug. 11. Everything is set for Washing- ton to get its new 3,200-seat Famous Players theatre, t the cdrner of 14th and F streets. The National Press Club is to erect the building and have their club house located therein. Famous Players is reported to have signed a long lease for the theatre portion. In this same connection it is now understood that the deal for the purchase of the local Crandall chain of picture houses here has been closed with the Stanley Company of America set to take them over on Oct. 1 next. Details are not forth- coming, but reports have it that the Stanley Company are only acquiring 76 per cent, o: the stock of the Crandall enterprises, with Mr. Cran- dall ho!ding the remaining 26 per cent, and operating the houses. The Crandall offices still continue to deny the reports of the sale, how- ever. Tbe Warner Broa this week pe- titioned tbe Qovernors of tbe Stock BUcbaage for a listing of the shares of tbeir organisation on tbe big board. Tbe Warners are showing a tremendous prollt abroad, getting a heavy check each week from tbe Suroi>ean exchanges that they took over from 'Vitagrapb. This foreign field is p roving so profitable tliat they bave commissioned J. Stuart Blackton to make four pictures with an eye especially on that market. Their statement shows them in par- ticularly good financial shape, and tbeir taking over of theatre* in New York at this time places the organ- isation quite in tbe running with tb« other big organisations. Famous Players declared a quar- terly dividend of |2 on their pre- ferred last week. Tbe Orpheum Circuit and Its sub- sidiaries for tbe period of six months ending June 30 report a net Income of tl>091>S>8 after all charges bave been paid. This is equal, after preferred dividends, to $1.(2 per share earned on tbe 649,- 179 shares of common outstanding, a« against $1.10 last year. Orpheum was off three points this week as against the last week quo- tation. At the same time Warners ar« four points under what they were a week ago, and Pathe Is In tbe worst position of all, with a flve- polnt drop. Tbe Fox Film stock, on the other band, bas advanced three points during the week. Right now the sales organisation of this company bas about 76 per cent of tbe na- tional territory sold and Is far and away ahead of Its sales a year ago. The others remained fairly Arm. Tbe e lose of the market yesterday showed: Sales. Hlcb. Low.CIoM.Ch'are. mamtwmn Kod.. 400 107 lOSK lOT + % Pam. Plar-L.- 8,B00 MM 106% lOTH — % •Do. pf Flnt NafI 100 1»1 101 101 — % Utaw, Ine 1,100 32% »2% U^ - H Matro-OoUl ... 400 21% 21U 21M Or^bcam Or... MO M% M^i »% - % Do. vf 100 102% 102% 102% - % Curb Salaa. HIcta. lA>w.Cloae.Cb'ce. Flta IiMV 400 •% ~ l^>x Pllm 1t,000 <Z% M. P. Oorp 100 18 Patba Is. A...1,M0 «% Uahraraal «00 SS% WanMT B. ▲.. MO 1«% 1« Chicago Bale*. Htsb. Liow.Olow.Cb'g*. Mrs. Inex With«r« %—k* Divei Patricia Collins and "Janiea" Named Loa Angeles, Aug. 11. Mrs. Ines Withers filed suit In Superior Court agalnit Grant Wlth«;rs, screen actor, charging be has another soulmate and that be deserted her. The complaint alleges Withers sent a message to bis wife be had been out wltb^ the girl be love* and he can no longer deceive her. She alleges the girl is Patricia Collins, and there was also another woman In her husband's life known as Janice. The complaint says Withers is receiving $400 a month from Metro- Qoldwyn and asks $200 a month for the support of Mrs. Withers and a baby boy. LEADING MEN ARE HOLDING FOREIGN FILM IMTORTS SHOW SUGHT INCREASE Positive Film Footage Greater But Value Lower—Exports Exceeded Imports « 18 81 + % e e% 18 81% -1% 86% + % 16% ... fialabaa a K.. U. Tbaa. OOB.. •I. Louis Skowras BM. 44% Aiked. 45 OOK.8 AW B'way. TaLMWPgiw Eastman Case Appeal Washington, Aug; 11. The Solicitor General of the De- partment of Justice has practically completed the appeal for the Fed- er.il Trade Commission to carry to the United State Supreme Court on an adverse decision recently handed down by the U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit In the Kastman Kodak Company case. The "cease and deniHt" order ot the commission Issued against the lioduk company in April, 1922, in which a monopoly was charged, was carried to the courts by the film manufacturing company, who se- en r' a partial victory over the trade controlling body here In Wnflhington. The appeal of the commission Is srheduled to go to the Supreme Court when that bodr again meets. Mrs. ChapGn Exaimiied Washington. Aug. ll. Tbe special examination of Charlie Chaplin's mother, ordered to take place in California from the Depart- ment of Labor here, has been com- pleted and a report returned to Washington. This import and the other papers of tbe case are now before Secretary Davis. It is stated It will possibly be three to four weeks before a final decision is ren- dered. Mrs. Chaplin was first admitted into the United States In 1921 fol- lowing a special order that was is- sued by tbe then Secretary of State Colby. Since the expiration of the first order the screen comedian's mother has been permitted to re- main in this country with her con- dition reported as constantly im- proving. It was then, and is now, an established practice of the de- partment to permit aliens to enter this country to receive treatment from specialists for physical and mental Ills, which treatment could not be secured by them abroad. It Is generally believed here that, In view of the fact that the final day of the last extension. March 26, 1925, has passed and another spe- cial examination having been or- dered and completed. Charlie's mother will be permitted to.remain, possibly indefinitely. Variety Buraau, Washington, Aug. 11. Slightly increased Imports Into the United States of foreign-pro- duced motion pictures as well as the sensitized but not exposed films are disclosed for the fiscal year of the government ending Juno 30, ac- cording to the records maintained by the Department of Commerce. In the case of positives, however, though the footage Is greater the declared value Is lowered. Positives Imported for the last fiscal year totaled 6,135,462 feet, with a value of $200,562, as against 4,522,- 664 feet, valued at 1817,088, the pre- ceding fiscal year. For the purposes of comparison the figures published last week in Variety on this nation's exports showed In excess of 210,p00,0O0 feet of positives as having left the United States during the period from July 1, 1924, through June SO, 1925. Thua, tbe exports exceed the Imports by close to 205,000,000 feet. While the American exporter was declaring a valuation of f6,000,000 on his exported productions, the Import valuation, as stated. above, was but slightly in excess of $200,- 000. Imports of negatives totaled 2,226,126 feet, with a value of $836,- 182 for '24-'25, as against 2,062,706 feet, valued at $465,794, in '2S-'24. Here the exports exceeded tba im- ports by over 7.000,000 feet. As for the sensitised but not ex- posed film, the export flgurea as reported by the department last week, were not included. This class of film Is recorded as paving dropped close to 8.000,000 feet In 1924-'25, with a corresponding decrease In valuation, while the Imports of the sensitized but not exposed film, though showing an increase, was but 60.000 feet. The Imports totaled 387,696,880 feet, valued at $3,460,302 for the 1924-'2S period just closed, as com- pared with 239.464.123 feet, valued at $3,311,437, for the preceding pe- riod of 1923-'24. SUNDAY DEFENDANTS FREED Urbana, III., Aug. 11. The city ordinance under which two proprietors were arrested for operating their film theatres on Sunday has been declared Invalid. Hence Ous T. Freeman and E. E. Alger, defendants, were discharged. The ordinance, the magistrate found, pertained to billinrd halls and similar places and was not con- strued to Include theatrea Lasky, Pres. Relief Fund, Assisting Needy and 111 L.08 Angeles, Aug. 11. Jesse L. Liasky bas been elected preldent of the Motion Picture Re- lief Fund of America, succeeding Joseph M Schenck. The organiza- tion is designed to assist those con- nected with the picture industry. Mr. Schenck was elected first vice-president for the coming year. Mary Pickford, second vice; Wil- liam S. Hart, third vice; Harold Lloyd, fourth vice; Victor H. Clark, treasurer, and Rev. Neal Dodd. sec- retary. Those on the executive committee Include Frank E. Wood, Fred W. Beetson. Donald Crisp. Joseph de Qranne, Mitchell Lewis, B. D. Moore, Arthur F. Statter and Wil- liam P. Wyatt. The organization has approxi- mately 200 life members, and about 600 other members from every branch of the picture Industry. ■:;;vt Shortage at Hollywoo4 Badly Felt by Inde- peilflent Producers Los Angeles, Aug. 11. There is a shortage of leading men at the Hollywood studios, with tbe result that a great many pro- ductions are being held In abeyance until the right actors can be pro- cured. Ernest Lubltscb Is holding up th« making of "Lady Windermere'* Fan" at the Warner Brothers stu- dio until he can find a man of th* John Qilbert type of play, the male lead. Gilbert (Metro-Gold wyn) will be unavailable for montha There are possibly four other men at the Coast studios who might fill the Job, but they are also working at full speed. At the Paramount, studio, they seem to be confronted with a simi- lar problem with two stories sched- uled for August making being held up until some of the leads In other pictures, now being made, are available. The independent producers seem to feel the shortage of leads mora than the bigger producers who have quite a few number of lead- ing players under contract. At the United studios, there a number companies, three already to start, held, due to the fact that the princi- pal male leads cannot be obtained. A similar condition prevails at the F. B. O. and Fox studios. It is expected, bowever. that when the heavy August production has been turned out^ plenty of leading men will again be available. where of Independent productions ara but are being UNITED STUDIOS IN L A. SPENDING $300,000 Combining 3 Stages for 35,000 Sq. Ft. Swimming Pool and Club House a&'r Los Angeles, Aug. 11. M. C. Levee, head of United Studio, will spend $300,000 In Im- provements at tbe studio this fall. The plan calls for two new stages, a large swimming tank (now under construction), a clubhouse for sx* ecutives, a new combination elec- tric shop and garage and additions to existing buildings. The new stages will adjoin tbe present "Talmadge" stage, and tbe arrangements will be such as to make them virtually one stage with a combined area of 35,000 sQuara feet. The two stages will cost $150.- 000, the swimming tank $36,000. The clubhouse for executives, to be equipped with a gymnasium, restaurant and lounging rooms, wllj cost $30,000. United Studio will b« the only one In Hollywood to hava club space for executives. As f rule, at the other studies the stars hava gotten the preference over the sx^ ecutives regarding comfort and cort- venlences. The Sam Warners on Coast Los Angeles, Aug. 11. Sam L. Warner and his bride, for- merly Llna Bnsquette, are sfAending tbeir honeymoon here. .■sHiii'if^ -'j'L- ..1 Jas. Anson Killed; Bay Held for Murder Los .Angeles, Aug. 11. James Anson, 42, picture cowboy, was shot and fatally injured In his room at a hotel In Hollywood. Thomas Bay, 40, was accused of the shooting by Anson In a statement made before his death in the receiv- ing hospital. Ray Carmlchael, also an actor, was in the room at the time of the shoot- ing. He told the police Bay and Anson had quarreled over remarks Anson Is alleged to have made al)Out Bay's wife; that Bay grabbed his (Carmichael's) gun and fired the ihot. He escaped. All three men are working in "The Pony Express," which James Cruae is makinpr. Bay Is held for murder, while Carmlchael Is held as a mate- rial witness. i