New York Clipper (May 1915)

20 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER May 22 WORLD FILM SECURES ENTIRE CONTROL OF SHUBERT AND PEERLESS FILM COMPANIES. INCREASES CAPITAL STOCK TO $3,000,000. The World Film Corporation last -week secured entire control of tire Shnbert and Peerless Fttm Companies. At a meeting of the executive board of the World Film, held Tuesday, May 11, It was de- cided, to Increase the capital stock of the corpora- tion from $2,000,000 to $3.(KKi.OOO. Five- hundred thousand dollars, or one-naif of the stock Increase) waa placed in the treasury and the remaining; half million was utilized to buy oat the, interests of individual stork holders In da Peerless and Sbn- hert concerns. The World Film Corporation has always main- tained a one-half equity In the above mentioned film producing companies, and the big-deal reerat- lyn consummated places the World In the position of "manufacturer to consumer direct," an ambi- tion cherished by Lewis J. Selznlck, the able ex- ecutive head of world Film since that distributing concern's entrance Into the field. While the World will not practically manu- facture a large portion of Its own pictures. It will still continue to handle meritorious produc- tions evolved In the studios of Independent film concerns. BRONX EXHIBITORS HOLD MEETING AND ELECT HEW OFFICERS. LOCAL NO. 1, M. P. E. L. OF A.. SEVERS RELATIOX9 WITH CIKEMA CLUB. The Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of Amer- ica, New Tone Local No. 1. which is the official title or the organization of Bronx, New Tork, pic- ture men filmed a few months ago, held a mass meetlug at the Art Theatre, 1077 southern Boule- varq, New Tort City, Thprsday, May 13. There seems to have been quite some dissatis- faction among, the rank and file of the member- ship of the above mentioned body recently owrn? to what AdoiDh Weiss informs this paper amount- ed to serious discontent, because of certain alleged acts of remission on the part of officers of the Cinema Club, of the' Bronx. A word or explanation Is necessary In regard to the Cinema Club and Its relation to the M. P. E. L. of A.. Local .\'o. 1. When the Bronx Local was formed the Cinema Club oeld the New Tork City charter of the M. P. E. L. of A., and at the time of the new Local's Inception, which involved an amalgamation of several independent associations of exhibitors, It was deemed expedient to con- tinue In nfllce the various officials ot the aforesaid Cluema Oiub. After a brief period of time, however, there seems to have arisen a dispute over the amount of per capita tax to be paid the parent organization 5>f the M. P. E. L. of A:, with the Tesutt that the Cinema Club decided to refuse the terms proposed by the executive board of the latter body add elected to remain an independent organization. As things: stand now. the Cinema. Club stays In business, out becomes a social organization, with no say over the future cctlvitles of Local No. 1, M. P. E. L. of A. The tatter association becomes the active repre- sentative of the Bronx exhibitors with a new set o! officers. At the meeting. May 13. David Picker was dcted president: Chas. Goldreyer, -vice-president: A. B. Samnelscn, secretary, and Thos. Howard, tirasurei. Jos. Harris, formerly attorney for the Cinema Club, agreed to steer th» r.«w loc.il clear of legal shoals, for the present at least, for which service he refused to accept remuneration. It looks as If things were straightening out nicely for the Bronx picture men at last, and all present at the recent meeting delared the future looked Cecldedly promising. HAMMERSTFJN'S VICTORIA TO BE- COME PICTURE HOUSE PALATIAL IN THE FALL CELEBRATED "CORNER," FOR TEARS NEW lOnK'S PREMIER VAUDEVILLE THEATRE. TO BE HE-MODELED AND RE-MAMED "THE KIALTO." Hammersteln's Victoria, celebrated for over a decade £.3 the premier vaudeville house ot New York, and the one theatre In the big city in which llie ambitions' variety entertainers of days agone always cudeavored to secure a hearing, that he might obtain metropolitan endorsement and subse- Vient prestige. Is to be converted into a motion picture theatre de luxe otter the present plana cf remodeling are finished, and re-named the K.'alto. .. Sept. 1 Is the date set for the inauguration ot the new policy, which will Include the exhibition ot high class feature films, selections by concert artists, and which, ou the whole, will embrace an entertainment fashioned closely - after that In vogue at the ultra-successful Strand a few block*, further .np Broadway. Several factors have combined to cause the •.hangs In policy above stated, chief among wblco may be mentioned the wonderful ascendancy of the feature film, the erection of the Palace, n handsome and luxurious edifice a few blocks dis- tant, -with consequent disastrous vaudeville com- petition, and last, and vastly Important indeed, the death of William Hammersteln, who. when he was alive, made "the corner" a distinctive feature of New York's conglomerate amusement places. Stores will be built, around the Seventh Avenue entrance of the Victoria, and the seating capacity. It Is understood, will be lhcreased. Oliver Livingston beads the company that will operate the Victoria after Sept. 1, and a rumor current on Broadway this week Is strong for placing S. L. Rothapfel In the managerial chair. Rotbapfel, who Introduced some truly remarkable Innovations, that none can deny, contributed largely in placing the Strand, which house he Is presently •fflclently directing. In the hit column, has been mentioned In connection with every new picture interprlse laundred ia New York with In -fte past Tear. However, it looks now as If the Strand man- ager has burned his bridges behind him, and de- cided to make a change of base. - If so, the best wishes of this paper are extended to him In his new field of endeavor. BUSHMAN CONFERS WITH CHICAGO'S MAYOR ON CENSORSHIP. Francis X. Bushman, now a member of the Quality-Metro Corporation, last Wednesday morn- ing at the City Hall, Chicago, held a two hour conference with the mayor, William -Hale Thomp- son, (a which the noted screen star made a plea for the moderation of the censorship laws of Chi- Bushman brought out points which the Mayor willingly admitted to be worthy of special attention. Mayor Thompson seemed to be better educated regarding the welfare and uplift ot mo- tion pictures than Mr. Bushman ever dreamed of. He accepted each statement made by -the popular, motion picture actor as authentic, because he knew each to be so. "We were the ones to be en- lightened by the Information that the Mayor al- ready had preparations under way whereby the photoplays would be given their censorship due, and that he had long recognized the fact that a better method of dealing with the 'past and ban slops,' were surely necessary, and that the correc- tive methods were' already being considered," said' Mr. BiiKhman Continuing, Mr. Bushman ealdv "Cats off to Mayor Thompson, and hats off to the new administration. Over such good news pboto- pi*7 magnates, exchange men, exhibitors and fans' may lrterallv form a new prosperity parade and march txtamphtnUy down the street of screen- dom." "in the fihn world such a move will place Chi- cago In the popular limelight nod awaken con- siderable talk which will soon bring motion picture bustnes to our own home town." Mr. Bushman left Chicago last Thursday to enter upon his new duties as a star of greater magnitude, playing leading roles with the Quality Pictures Corporation on the Motro program. He will arrive In Los Angeles Sunday, and begin work Monday on the first production, "The Second la Command/' la which Marguerite Snow, the former Thanhouser start will play opposite him. rTed J. Balsnafer, general manager of the Quality Pictures Corporation, has been In Lcs Angeles-for a week preparing for Bushman's ar- rival, and the laying out of plans for the- drat Quality-Metro release. BRAJtCH MANAGERS OF THE WORLD FILM CORPORATION CENTRAL DIVISION MEET IN CHICAGO. The -branch mangears of the Central Division ■ of the World Film Corporation were all the guests of W. B. Scates and Harry Weiss, of the Chicago office of the World Film Corporation. The day (Sunday. May 9) was spent In discussing conditions. In the evening R. H. Fox took the visitors out for a tour of the city, and from re- ports they saw everything that was to be seen. Among those present were: Clay E. Brehm. man- ager Cincinnati office; B. L. White, manager St. Louis - office; Jos. Klein, manager Detroit office, W. W. Kulp. manager Cleveland office; l'h. Gold- stone, manager Omaha office; E. N. Lane, man.-, St Indianapolis office; E. D. Selden, manager Inneapolls office, and M. J. Burnslde, traveling representative for the Cleveland office. II AX LEVY NOW MANAGER OF THE KAN- SAS CITY OFFICE OF THE WORLD FILM CORPORATION. In view of his excellent services. Max Lew. crack roadman of the Chicago office of the World Film Corporation, has been given the manager- ship of the Kansas City office of the some com- pany. THEY GAVE TRE VISITORS A. ROYAL WELCOME. Headed by Dr. Win. C. Jacobs, superintendent of the public schools of Philadelphia, thirty-five prominent educationalists were the guests ot Sleg- mand Lubln. at the latter's ranch at Betzwooa. Pa., this week and had a most Interesting and thrilling experience. The Philadelphia educational authorities nave been taking a deep Interest In moving pictures recently. -A few weeks ago they spent a day at the Lubln stodlo In Philadelphia, and saw all the inner workings of the big plant, there. So Interested were they that they decided to spend a day at the Lubln ranch. A dozen motor cars toox the educationalists to P.ctzwood, and Just as they reached the ranch entrance the fun began. A dozen cow-punchers swooped down upon them and "held up" everyone. The cars were allowed to proceed and a Quarter ot a mile farther on thirty more cowboys, firing Colt's 45 s, came racing 'cross county and "shot- tip" the entire outfit. From then on there was a constant bombardment. From behind every tree, telegraph pole and stone wall a "moonshiner," "desperado," "outlaw," or "highwayman" suddenly pppeared and began firing with guns point blank Into the cars. After this the visitors were escorted to (be Western town on the ranch, where the cow- punchers gave n rough riding show for them. This part of the program had teen arranged by Joseph Smiley and. Edgar Jones, two of the Lubln direct- ors. The educators had an opportunity to "work" lr. a Western picture, and. following luncheon, made a tour of the ranch. Inspected the studios, labora- tories, factories, and, as a finale, saw a number of pictures that had been, (limed on the ranch. BY THE WORLD'S GREATEST WOMAN EXPLODER AND HUNTER The Most ¥Mlog--y©R Isnfl Ever i J l©f©grapSi@d lady Mackenzie Challenges the World to Equal These Big Game Pictures NATIVE DAE3CBS — HERDS OF BUFFALO Elephanta, Giraffes, Baboons, Zebras, Wild Dogs PICTURE SEWS YG.I UM ©MITO NO LIBY iSGKENZIE COST OP OBTAiHDRJG THESE FB©TURES MORS THAIS $400,000 STATE RIGHTS AND FOUR MILES OF GREAT FILM FOR INDIVIDUAL LEASING PRIVATE VIEW BY APPOINTMENT LADY PANY I0O4 Candler Building NSW YORK Tel. Bryant 6218