Variety (October 1918)

BUY BONDS ARTCRAFT MAY LAND CHAPLIN AND PICKFORD ON SAME PLAN Coast Opinion Has Picture Stars Under Same Producing Regime—Twofold Benefits Gained by Having Film Com- edian Follow Pickford on Same Program Basis— Famous Players-Lasky May Get Chaplin. Los Angeles, Oct. 2. The prevailing opinion here is that Mary Pickford has now practically de- cided to continue her arrangement with Art craft. Following closely upon this common belief is a persistent report that her decision, when it is formally made, will have an important influence on Charlie Chaplin inasmuch as Chaplin has for a long time wanted to be associated with Miss Pickford in the distribution of their pictures. It is a well known fact that Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks have proven to their own satisfaction that they have helped each other by ap- pearing on the same program and that Chaplin has always believed he and Miss Pickford would also help one another through a similar arrange- ment. This appreciation of the power of their combined personalities prompted Chaplin to induce Miss Pickford to consider an arrangement with the First National Exhibitors' Circuit when he consummated his contract with it. It is known in film circles that Chaplin highly respects Miss Pickford's busi- ness judgment and looks up to her as the greatest individual success over the longest period in the picture busi- ness. Thus it is easy to presume when she does indicate her preference to remain with the Zukor-Lasky organ- ization Chaplin will accept that fact as a direct suggestion to himself he should also affiliate with the same group. , Adolph Zukor's attitude toward ac- quiring stars under contract with other concerns is well established and has frequently been clearly defined. His repugnance to any such arrange- ment has often been demonstrated and this attitude is generally known to all ■the' big Stars:'""If is'therefore''apparent'' that if Chaplin is considering, even remotely, opening negotiations for an arrangement with the Famous Players- Lasky Corporation his contract with the First National is in such a con- dition that it can be automatically terminated whenever he evidences such a desire. Early this week the indications were that Mary Pickford, after considering the numerous offers submitted to her, would once more sign with Artcraft. It is understood she has arrived at an understanding with Adolph Zukor and will return to work almost imme- diately. Verification of the report is freces- sarily lacking until the contract has been actually signed. "DANGER OF FOREIGN FILMS." Under a heading "Danger of ^For- eign Films," the London Daily Mail of Sept. 9, in the Paris edition, publishes the following article; The British Screen Club, which has been formed to promote and encourage the exhibition of British pictures throughout the British Em- pire, is going ahead. During the past week Mr. Hannen Swaffer, the acting chairman of this organization, has interviewed the following representatives of the Dominions: Mr. W. F. Massey, the Prime Minister of New Zealand; Sir Joseph Ward, Postmaster-General of New Zealand; Sir Robert Garran, Attorney-General of Australia; Sir Thomas Robinson, Agent-General for Queensland, and many other Im- perialists, who heartily endorse the objects of the British Screen Club and offer every support. One of the first things the British Screen Club will attempt will be to introduce more Britrsh films into Australia, where the people want them. The foreign films there are a danger to the continuity of British thought and ideals. - CARUSO WILL OPEN EXPGv Late arrangements on the forthcom- ing film Exposition at Madison Square Garden include Caruso's consent to appear on the opening night, Oct. S, and start the activities by singing "The Star Spangled Banner." REASON FOR "FRIENDLY ENEMIES." Despite that "Friendly Enemies" is in the heydey of its success, it will likely be filmed before long, the first instance on record where a picture version was permitted under such conditions. As H. Woods has five companies out and it is his intention to "clean up" quickly on the basis that if the war should end the value of the play would be negligible. Among his film offers is one for $50,000 advance against half the profits of a film version. This offer comes from Universal. v TRIANGLE AGITATION. Los Angeles, Oct. 2. The Triangle Producing Co., it is reported, will close its plant., H. E. Aitken, however, denies this. Actors have been let out by scores and executives dismissed. It is understood a fight is on be- tween S. A. Lynch and' Aitken. Pro- duction of several pictures has been stopped. < A visit to the lot finds grumbling by employees, including wild stories from actors and office staff. Nobody, not even O. L. Sellers, general manager, seems to know what the next move will be. TARZAN" TROUBLES. The National Film Corporation of America, the producers and owners of the film, "Tarzan of the'Apes," made application Sept. 30 to set aside, the injunction which Harry Palmer, a broker, secured against it, on the ground that Harry Reichenbach, the general manager of the film corpora- tion, had no authorty to represent the company in the deal in dispute. Palmer claims $2,400 as brokerage fees for the disposition of the rights of the Tarzan film to the Stoce Film Corporation, Ltd., of London. When contracts were ready to be signed, the National people received a better offer and left the Stoce proposition. Pal- mer claimed his brokerage fees for the trouble and served an injunction. The case was adjourned until next Monday. CONVICTED FOR GAMBLING. Indianapolis, Oct. 2. Gustave G. Schmidt, city councilman and proprietor of the Crystal, Indian- apolis, was fined $500 and sentenced to 10 days in jail, on the charge of operating a gambling house in rooms over the theatre,. .His..testimony, and that of the other witnesses for the de- fense in a trial that has been dragged out over several weeks, that the charge brought against Schmidt was a polit- ical frameup failed to convince' the jury and the verdTct was brought in after less than a half hour deliberation. LOAN FILMS APPLAUDED. Washington, D. C, Oct. 2. The opening of the Fourth Liberty Loan campaign here was inaugurated Friday night when the Treasury De- partment held a showing of the new Liberty Loan pictures before the Na- tional Press Club members and friends at the Central High School auditorium. A number of New York film men were present and the affair was the largest ever held before the National Press Club. The stars were given ova- tions as they were flashed on the screen in their Liberty Loan appeals. Vice-President Thomas R Marshall opened the program, introduced by Gus Karger, president of the Press Club, with an address. Geraldine Farrar sang American and French anthems. Frank R. Wilson, director of pub- licity for the Fourth Loan, expressed his appreciation for all the, industry had done and announced that the film contributed to the loan was over 400 miles long. "LIGHTS" MODIFICATION. At the New York headquarters of the National Association picture the- atre owners and managers have been expecting an official communication from the Federal Fuel Administrator regarding the number of lights they will be permitted to burn on "lightless nights." While the legits and vaudeville man- agers have urged Washington to let down the lighting bars sufficiently to allow some illumination up \o the be- ginning of the show, the picture in- dustry has also been active with a similar Appeal for some lighting leniency. HOUDINI SERIAL NAMED. The B. A. Rolfe Co. moved last week to 18 East 41st street. It has named its Houdini serial "The Master Mystery," to be released in 15 episodes. John W. Gray has been, appointed advertising director. At the present time Grey is a non-com in Squadron A., N. Y. Cavalry. A. H. Fischer, a manufacturer of gloves and leather goods, has entered the film business and is associated with Rolfe productions. True Bonrdman Dies Suddenly. Los Angeles, Oct. 2. True Boardman, well known film actor, died suddenly, Sept. 30, follow- ing a nervous breakdown, aged 36, v ..He : leaves .a-widow.*nd; daughter. Division of Films Moves. The Division of Films of the Com- mittee on Public Information Monday removed its New York headquarters from the Times building to Fifth avenue and 48th street.