Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May-Oct 1922)

Page Six CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST Shipman Closes Another Big Deal For Pictures Irnest Shipman has purchased the financial interests which were held by the Luporini Bros. in the “Ultra” Company of Rome. Mr. Shipman’s interest is now equal to that held by Dr. Francesco Stame, president of the “Ultra.” Weiss brothers will exploit the great Biblical Italian spectacle, “After Six Days,” in which Shipman has retained an interest. The Shipman contract with “Ultra” calls for an average of four productions a year and covers a five-year period, it also gives Shipman exclusive control of all American Italian film activities in Italy in which Shipman or “Ultra” are interested. A series of productions are to be made from F. Marion Crawford’s novels. Mr. Shipman visited ‘Toronto this week. Exact Monte Carlo Scenes Reproduced in “Foolish Wives” “Foolish Wives,” the super-picture now being released throughout Canada is said to be the first real million dollar picture. Its actual cost up to the time of its first showing was $1,103,736. This stupendous sum was expended in the construction of gigantic and costly sets and in the hiring of thousands of “extra” actors and actresses to make up the crowd scenes. Erich von Stroheim, the auhtor, dir ector and principal actor in the pic-— ture. prided himself upon reproducing at Universal City, Cal. the exact scenes and activities to be found at Mone Carlo. The three principal buildings at Monte Carlo were duplicated in California with remarkable fidelity for the making of ‘Foolish Wives.” These were the Casino, better known as the Hall of Chance, the Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris. The interiors were fitted with the same furnishings as used in the original structures, even to the monograms on the hotel linen. Erich von Stroheim, the director and star, demanded. absolute verisimilitude. Winnipeg Theatre Managers Get New Appointments On leaving the College theatre, Winnipeg, to take over the management of the Lyceum theatre, one of the leading down town houses of Winnipeg, Manager P. D. Fgan was presented with an address and a gold watch suitably engraved, the presentation being made by Walter Dolman, the organist. on behalf of the staff. George L. Larsen, former manager of the Bijou, Winnipeg, has been appointed manager of the College. Digitized by Go \ gle WILLIAM FOX SENDS OPEN LETTER IN REGARD TO “NERO” CONTRO” heralds an epoch in the art of motion picture making. With pardonable pride I believe I can honestly say it transcends what has come before. It is symbolical of progress and high endeavor. Here is a motion picture made, not by artisans, but by artists. It is a picture rich in drama, passion and elemental things yet also anathologically superb. ‘There is indeed nothing more difficult than accurately to revivify stirring history on the screen and indeed there are few things more worth doing. “Nero” as a story is as varied as Dumas, as exciting as Stevenson and as real as Defoe. History records no more dramatic moments than the fall of the last of the bloody Caesars. The cinema production “Nero” has caught the sparkle of this greatest period in Roman history and blazoned the high lights and shadows with astounding fidelity to detail. It is an absorbing story of sublime faith and sacrifice, of almost unbelievable tyranny and lust. The scenes were taken against some of the most beautiful backgrounds of Europe and in some of the most historic structures of the Old World. “Nero” comes as an apostle of realism in the motion picture. The artists who had a hand in its making have given a fresh impetus to endeavor. I present it to the world as a climax of motion picture progress. (Signed) WILLIAM FOX SOME DIFFICULTY WITH MUSICIANS ALLEGED AT ALLEN AND REGENT BILL was handed to the DicEst stating that the Palace, Allen and Regent theatres were employing nonunion musicians, operators, stage employees as Strikebreakers. That the managers refuse to arbitrate. Union men were asked not to patronize these theatres because they are unfair to organized labor. ‘The bill was stamped with the Allied Union seal of Calgary. It seems that as far as the Allens are concerned they have a contract with musicians in the suburban houses for 52 weeks a year, but it’ is verbally agreed and understood that in the event of business getting bad, the four musicians employed in the suburban houses would agree to lay A New Batch of Rumors About Who Will Get the Allen Theatres If we published a new batch of rumors in reference to the Allen theatres it would be to the effect that most of the meetings are being’ postponed, because a reorganization is in process. A reorganization whereby Goldwyn will have something to say about the future of the Allen Theatres. Rumors persist in associating Associated First National with Goldwyn. © well, it 1s an ill-wind which blows nobody good. A combination of this kind should help liven up Trade conditions in Canada. Meanwhile still other rumors state that Mr. Nathanson is still negotiating and that off during the summer months, the houses only retaining piano players. When this verbal agreement was invoked, the musicians it is said disagreed and threatened to call a strike. The men are said to be still out in Calgary. In Toronto at the Allen Theatres the men have asked to be reinstated until July 2, when a committee will decide the finality of the matter. One going to press we have not as yet learned whether the Allen theatres woudl agree to keep the men until July 2nd. As far as the Regent Theatre is concerned upon interviewing Mr. Arthurs, he stated that the bill was libellous, they have not had any difficulty with their musicians either here or in Calgary. he will get the theatres while the others are not looking. Most of the creditors are using binoculars. It’s a great game if you don’t weaken. Foolish Wives Continues To Smash All Records Foolish Wives was held over for two extra days at the Allen, London, for a second week at the Allen Montreal. The line-ups in Hamilton at the Pantages both afternoon and evening were long and wide, and all records said to have been broken. Mr. Rotsky of the Allen, Montreal is to be congratulated upon the splendid coloured page of advertisement on “Foolish Wives” which he carried in one of the local papers. Original from NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY