Canadian Moving Picture Digest (May 1925-May 1926)

Page Eight Equitable Contract Open for Discussion by Independent Owners and Producers Frederick Elliott, for Independents, Makes First Move to Give Exhibitors New Contract Deal. REDERICK H. ELLIOTT, General Manager of the Independent Motion Picture Association of America, has stepped forth with a definite offer to the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America to discuss a new equitable contract between Independent producers and distributors and the theatre owners. Within ten days after he had made a pledge to do so, Mr. Elliott had a committee appointed to confer with a similar committee from the M.P.T.O.A. on the matter of contract. His promise was given at the Asbury Park convention of the M.P.T.O. of New Jersey, in a speech outlining his policies, and on July 8th he caused his association to redeem his pledge by naming the conference committee. Its selection was announced in a letter to R. F. (Pete) Woodhull, national president, M. P. I. O. A., reading as follows: Mr. R. F. Woodhull, President, Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, 25 West 43rd Street, New York City. Dear Mr. President : In accordance with my promise to you and your associates at the Annual Convention of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey, held at Asbury Park on June 29th, I desire to advise that this association at a meeting held on the 8th inst. appointed a Conference Committee of three members to confer with a similar committee from the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America on the question of a new uniform-equitable contract fair to all parties concerned. This committee consists of Mr. Oscar Neufeldt, De Luxe Films, Philadelphia; Mr. Jack Bellman, Renown Pictures, New York; Mr. Joe Klien, Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation, New York. Upon receipt of advise from you of the appointment of your committee, I will be glad to confer with you regarding arrangements for a joint meeting in New York at a place and date to be mutually agreed upon. I am forwarding a copy of this letter to Mr. Sydney S. Cohen, Chairman, Board of Directors, M.P.T.O.A., and Mr. Joseph M. Seider, President, M. P.T.O. of New Jersey, also Chairman Arbitration Committee. With assurance that it is my pleasure to convey the report of the action taken by our association, and trusting that the conference will be productive of an equitable agreement, of mutual benefit to the organizations which we represent, I remain Very truly yours, (Sgd) Frederick H. Elliott, General Manager. Mgr. Golding, Imperial, St. John, Entertains Boston Canadian Club During the visit of members of the Boston Canadian Club and Women’s Auxiliary to the Boston Canadian Club to St. John, the Imperial Theatre and its manager came to the fore in the entertainment of the visitors. The first evening of the guests arrival in the city on th occasion of the opening of the Admiral Beatty Hotel, previous to the Dance held that evening, Mr. Golding placed a box at the disposal of the Local United Canadian Clubs (Men’s and Women’s). In charge of Miss Alice Fairweather, Corresponding Secretary of the Club, the party witnessed a showing of a feature picture, and ‘‘Cinderella,” a revue put on by the clever Rossley Kiddies. The visitors expressed themselves as delighted with the theatre and the kindness of the manager. Several of the visiting guests were entertained at the charming home of Mr. and Mrs. Golding. At a meeting of the combined executives of the St. John Clubs by a vote of thanks Mr. Golding was thanked for the active part he had taken in arranging the programme of amusements. B. P. Fineman, general manager of the F. B. O. Studios, announced yesterday, the selection of Larry Kent to play opposite Alberta Vaughn in the new two-reel series ‘““The Adventures of Maisie” for Film Booking Offices. The stories come from the pen of Nell Martin, which appeared recently in Top Notch Magazine, and which deals with the adventures in business and romance of a stenographer, beautiful but seemingly dumb, and a youthful lawyer. Miss Vaughn will be the stenographer while Mr. Kent will be the attorney. Al Cooks and Kit Guard, comedians, will also be in the cast. CANADIAN MOVING PICTURE DIGEST MARITIME PICTURES By ALICE FAIRWEATHER “FIFTH AVENUE MODELS” (Universal) Didn't the feathers fly in a fight staged between Mary Philbin and Betty Francisco in ‘Fifth Avenue Models’ the Universal picture which the Queen Square Theatre showed recently? There was no fake about it apparently, for Mary Philbin’s opponent certainly showed signs of the conflict. The story was, billed as being from Muriel Hine’s novel “The Best in Life.” It was much like another picture taken from a successful novel. The author’s comment upon the production was “Yes, I enjoyed seeing it very much. It was so different from the story.” In “Fifth Avenue Models” there is a daughter who is devoted to an artist father and that is about as far as the similarity between picture and novel goes, but nevertheless a rattling good plot has been evolved bringing in scenes in the salon of a fashionable modiste. This gives opportunity for the display of beautiful clothes which pictures never bore, at least the feminine part of the audience and none of the men present seemed to object, as the lovely mannequins preened themselves and glided so gracefully over a huge mirror set in the floor which doubled their charms. Mary Philbin in her portrayal of the loving daughter who is true to her father through adversity, gave a pretty presentation of the part and was most attractive in all her scenes. The lover, Norman Kerry, was perfectly satisfactory as Francis Doran. Others in the cast are William Conkin and Rosemary Theby who complicate the plot but who make the amende honorable; Josef. Swickhard who does some splendid character work as the artist father, never overdoing the part even when strongly tempted. For instance, when he is unjustly condemned to prison. Rose Dione the modiste and Betty Francisco, who is the jealous mannequin living on anything else but her wages. As well as the city scenes there is a pretty bit of sea scenery introduced. The entire picture, directed as it is by the Danish director Gade, gives excellent entertainment and has a nice clean atmosphere. THEATRE FOR SALE 375 Seats H.C. ROBINSON BEAMSVILLE A ONTARIO Before Buying Pictures Read The Digest Adveritsing Pages. Google