The New York Clipper (April 1919)

April 23, 1919 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 33 FORM COMPANY TO MARKET FILM S OF TH E BIG FOUR New Corporation Will Purchase World-wide Distribution Rights to Pictures Produced by Chaplin, Fairbanks, Pickf ord and Griffith; Stands Ready to Spend $150,000 A corporation with Urge financial back- ing was organized last week for the pur- pose of fxpiiriwg the world-wide-distrib- uting rlghtS'to the pictures 1 produced by the tig" four—Chaplin, Fairbanks,:. Pick- ford, Griffith. The corporation, known as the World Wide Distributing Corporation, is capital- ized at $50,000 and is controlled by An- derson T. Herd, the shipping man who backed "The Better 'Ole*' and more re- cently backed John P. 81ocum'e forthcom- ing reproduction of "The Lady in Red." Herd owns 60 per bent, of the stock of the corporation, and is president, and the re- maining 60 per cent, is divided equally between Arthur Levey, formerly connected with the Over Seas Film Corporation, Ltd., which distributed the Chaplin-Mutual pic- tures'abroad,-and'Frederick E. Goldsmith, the theatrical lawyer. Goldsmith will act as counsel for the new corporation, which has already commenced active operations. Beyond saying that they were negotiat- ing for the world-wide distributing rights to the big four's pictures, the newly organized corporation failed to divulge its plans for the immediate future. But' it is known that the corporation stands ready to expend an initial outlay of $160,000 in order to get the big fours pictures for foreign distribution. RIALTO HAS ANNIVERSARY BILL The third anniversary of the opening of the Rialto is being celebrated at that house this week. William S. Hart in "The • Money Corral" is the feature, and the rest of the program includes Charles Chaplin in "The Adventurer," a scenic picture; "The Wolf of the Teutons," and three numbers of the orchestra. At the Rivoli, Elsie Ferguson iu "Eyes of the Soul" holds the position of honor, and the rest of the bill includes "The Cloud," "Capriccio Italien," the overture Tividar Nachez' I'Gypsy Dance," played by Helen De Witt Jacobs, and an organ solo .by Professor Firmin Swinnen. FILM FLASHES SUES LICENSE COMMISSIONER Isaac Silverman last Saturday started an injunction suit in the United States District Court against Commissioner of the Department of Licenses, John F. Gil- christ, to prevent the latter from inter- fering in any way with the exhibiting of "FH to Win," a picture produced by the War Department with the express purpose of exhibiting it before soldiers and sailors. Silverman secured the rights to the film for.the entire country, and then gold the New York State rights to Shea and Slutzker for $20,000 and a share of the total receipts. The latter showed the pic- ture at the Grand Opera House and had plans in view to distribute it widely. Commissioner Gilchrist, however, inter- fered and told the different owners and managers of houses where films are shown that he would have their licenses revoked if they exhibited the production. RIALTO STATISTICS INTERESTING Following the Rialto anniversary, the theatre statistician gave out the following figures.' In the three years of its exist- ence, the Rialto has entertained 6,570,000 people, excluding those who got in unseen at the side doors; 10,950 hours were taken up in showing the films to these people) and a total of 1,948 reels. 52,560,000 feet of films, has been used. To select pictures .for presentation, Hugo Bieaenfeld and his staff have looked at 6,000,000 feet of film. The orchestra has played eighty different musical comedies outside of the thousands of other selections. Riesenfeld rehearsed the orchestra 312 times. '. WILL HALT "RED" FLAG AS ADV. :: Washington, April 18.—The Postotfice and Justice Departments of the Govern- ment are, now investigating an alleged plan of" excrting^interest in a motion pic- ture on Bolshevism .by placarding cities with red flags so that soldiers will tear them down. ■ Secretary of Labor Wilson has called the attention of these two departments to certain advertisements in magazines, where the producing companies advise motion picture theatre, owners to follow such methods of gaining publicity. - RUBY DE REMER WINS Denver, April 15.—Ruby Katharine De Remer yesterday secured an interlocutory divorce from Allan De Remer, whom she married on June 5, 1912, at an,-informal hearing held before Judge C. J. Horary of the District •Court. De Remer did -not appear at the hearing, but was represented by Clement F. Crowley. Divorce papers were served on -the defendant in Chicago. WORLD FILMS REORGANIZE The World Film Corporation re-organ- ized last week with the approval of over 600,000 shares. The stockholders who voted in favor of the plan, have the right to exchange each share on the payment of 40 cents each, for new 7 per cent first preferred stock, to the amount of 80 cents a share, and new 7 per cent second pre- ferred participating stock of a par value of $2.50. The par value of both new is- sues is $5. H. O. DAVIS DUE NEXT WEEK H. O. Davis, who got the film industry all wrought up over his "efficiency ideas" a couple, of years ago and who held im- portant executive positions with Triangle and Universal for some time, while the "efficiency excitement" was on, .is due back in New York next week, after a year's sojourn on the coast. DWAN SIGNS CONTRACT ADan D wan signed a contract last week to direct super-pictures for the Mayflower Photoplay Corporation for a year from May 19. According to the terms of the contract, Dwan will receive 50 per cent. of the profits on each-picture he directs, being permitted to draw $1,500 weekly against the prospective profits. LASKY BUYS THREE PLAYS The Famous Players-Lasky Corporation has bought three stories which they will shortly produce. They are: "Too Much Johnson," in which William Gillette played a few years ago; "The Black Bag," by Louis J. Vance, and "Hawthorne of the U. S- A." STRAND HAS NOVELTY This is the fifth anniversary week of the Strand Theatre, and Manager Plunkett has arranged a pleasing illusion novelty called "The Girl in the Bubble." "Capt. Kidd, Jr.," with Mary Pickf ord, is the main attraction, and is her hut Paramount production.- RJVOLI GETS NAZMOVA FILM Hugo Riesenfeld has booked "The Red Lantern," with Narimova, for the Rivoli for the week of May 22. He did so with- out viewing the production. Nazimova is expected in New York soon, on-a-flying visit." . KASHBr TO RESIGN When B. & Moea takes over the Broad- way Theatre on April SO, M. Kashin, who is acting in the capacity of manager at that house, will leave ft. „■ FILM LIFE OF PADEREWSia- Messre. F. O. Johnson and Joseph Sel- den Bailed for France last week to perfect 'arrangements with Richard Ordynaki of the Metropolitan Opera Company for mak- ing; a film on the life of Premier Ignace Jan Paderewski. Ordynski will supervise the production, and both he and Pader- ewski are donating their services. The film is being made by the Tetra Production Corporation of New York, headed by a number of Polish residents. BOOKS "VIRTUOUS MEN" Tom Moore, of the Moore Features Cor- poration, and owner of the Rialto Theatre in Washington, completed arrangements last week with Arthur H. Sawyer and Herbert Lubin for the initial presentation of "Virtuous Men," starring E. K. Lincoln, at the Rialto. He has arranged a big lobby display with E. K. Lincoln's original oil "paintings and scenes from the play by C. F. Under- wood, R. O. Morgan, Gustav Miehelsen and others. WORLD GETS HOUDMI SERIAL . The World Film Corporation has ac- quired from the Octagon Films, Inc., the distributing rights in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, California, Nevada, Ari- zona, Montana,'Washington and,Oregon and in Northern-Idaho, for the "Master Mystery," the serial featuring HoudinL SIGN ELAINE HAMMERSTEIN Elaine Hammeratein last week signed a contract to appear in.pictures for the Selz- nlck Pictures Corporation for the next-five years, beginning June-20. Under the-terms of the contract she will receive a salary of $500 a week the first year, with a rising scale which will allow her $1,500 a week during the latter portion of the five years. LAEMMLE RETURNS FROM COAST Carl Laemmle returned from his first semi-annual visit to University City last week.after a stay of eight weeks. While there he supervised a number of forthcom- ing Universal productions, among them one of Dorothy Phillips, under the direction of Allan Holubar. Guy Cmpey has started work on "Bell on Eurtb. "The Master Mystery." the Houdinl serial. 1« being norellred. •»»•»■. . K*" 1 ,JR nM . 0 h " won the popularity con- tent of Winnipeg-. Man. ™ "A Leap for Life," la the title of the ninth episode of "The Bed Glove." . Zen £.? eef . e W,, L°* •tarred In "The Ama- teur Widow," by World Films. ^^ "TbeUnwrltten Codej" with Shirley Ma- son, will be released by World. •, *22tf S . b * nt,n :h V M??!* at.Culver City to write scenarios for Goldwyn. . Prank Uoyd has been engaged for the directorial staff of the GoIdwyasV „Hsle Hamilton, with "After His Own Heart.- will be released April 28. Jane t E!ff nner u w *°» the press depart- ment of "The Hearts of Humanity." ^^ Devil," will be released by Universal. William Farnum recently underwent an operation for tonslUtJs in Los Angeles. George Beban is In New York on a vaca- tion after completing "Hearts at Hen." Aggie Herring will' appear In support of Dust In Farnum In 'The Harvest of Shame." Charles Bay has signed with Thomas Inee and the Famous-Players nntll January, 1020. "The Unknown Love." with Dolores Cas- stneUi and E. K. Lincoln, will be released April 27. Mitchell Lewis Is _ third Select production, called Between." Kitty Gordon has completed "Playthings of Passion" for United, and baa gone to San Francisco. "Frisky Lions and Wicked Husbands," la the Century comedy to be released by Uni- versal In May. . . Dolores' Casslnelll has started work on a series of productions under the direction of Albert Capellnni. •The New Moon," will be the title of Norma Talmadge's new production, which she is now completing. Cotinne Barker has returned to New Tork after two months on the Coast "t fc< "g pic- tures for Goldwyn. World Pictures will distribute "The Unbe- liever," "Conquered Hearts," and "The Un- chastened Woman.". Doris Kenyon In "Twilight" will be shown at Loew's Sew York Theatre, and will be advertised by Loew. Dustln Farmum in "The Light of Western Stars" will be shown to President Wilson on bis.' return voyage. Print B. Crane baa been . United Picture Theatre to direct Heed's next production. .". - - The Victory Film Company baa sold 'The' Triumph of Venus," to the Sterling .Film Corporation for Nebraska and Iowa. . 'The Last Outlaw" and "Wanted for Mur- der," are the working titles of two Western dramas being made st Universal City. Dorothy Dalton - and her company have been sent to New York by Thomas Inee to work on Miss Dalton's first original story. now working on his "tba Golf sssJMsd let Flor for New York, bringing with htm the prints of "South of gantcFeg and "The She Wolf." ' Norma Tslmadge lsjstsrting on "By Sight of Conquest," which Is to follow "The New Moon." Wyndham Standing win be her lead- ing man. The British-American Pictures Finance Corporation have .secured the world rights to "The. Other Man's Wife," starring Stuart Holmes and Ellen Casatdy. Thurston Hall, Stanhope Wbeatcroft, Wo. Btewell, Bobert Anderson, Henry Burrows. Heater Barno. Margaret Mann and Alma Ben net will support Dorothy Phillips Is "The Bight to Happiness." -,-•-■• Carle Laemmle has announced that the exchangeman'e contest of Bluebird released prior to March' 10 for the month ending April 10tb, was won by the - ClnchsnsH branch, under the Jurisdiction of Louis Banm.