Le Courrier Cinématographique (Sep 1920)

s4 TR Le COURRIER CINÉMATOGRAPHIQUE By Pierre A. D'URVILLE … More light about, the 100.000.000 dollars | Franco-Américan-Film Company NUE D The first lines published in Le Courrier under Mr. Ch. Le Fraper Signature about this Strange business have caused great comments in the press everywhere, huge correspondance, and are responsible that peoples from many parts of the world wants to know all about it. Contracts, were given in the most generous manner by Mr. Himmel hymself to many folks, one of them a well known parisian actor was _engaged at the rate of 3000 dollars per Week to undertake the artistic management of the firm, It is useless to add the good gentleman still waiting. _ À letter received here from Mr. Himmelfarb to answer | the article « trust-fantôme » States once more that the Franco-Américan Cinématograph Corporation was régistered : in July 21 St. 1920, in the State of Delaware with a capital of 100.000.000 dollars. % Every one knows what are américan laws, and how much différents they are to those in France. It is easy to make à Society with a capital of 100.000.000 dollars, in Delaware without paying the first penny, what may be interesting to us in Paris, is to have some explanations. from Mr. Himmelfarb concerning the statements he mades to américan journalists about his big french businesses. Now Mr. Himmel is back to France, And, singular paradox he is only talking of his big américan business It is not exactly what we want to know. Our « confrère » The Cinéma, like ourselves, is asking what was underneath the story of the 100.000.000 dollars Franco-Américan film company ? | And if there is more than one big américan concern which is not too ready to pay cash at the present moment ? We shall then, like our Englich friend, ask Mr. Himmel a few questions. Giving for the present these références from: Pathé-Cinéma, Sociéty with a capital of 30.000.000 Frs. Sociéty des Films Eclipse with a capital of 3.000.000 Frs, And L. Aubert with a capital of 4.000.000 Frs. All well known, big concerns which have formerly denied Mr. Himmel, statements. ; To-day Mr. Edmond Benoit-Lévy,; chevalier of the Légion d'honneur, managing director of the Omnia Cinéma and extensions Sociéty with 2.000.000 Frs capital, chairman of a group .of Cinematograph Sociéties with a 50.000.000 Frs, capital, which is controling over hundred cinémas in France together with two producing houses, is writing us the following letter: OmNiA CINÉMA Paris, 8 septembre 1920. Dear Mr. Le Fraper, Concerning the informations published in « the Mowing Picture World », New-York times, and at your request : I declare that none of the Sociéties of which I have the “chairmanship has anything to do with Mr. Himmel, nor for the cession of halls or association in any trust. d Î cannot understand very well what Mr. Himmel, wante to say when he spoke of his Sociéty controling already over 2.200 halls in France? Statement of this kind followed by such commentary could create the greatest prejudice to our industsry. ' Signed: Ed. BENOIT-LÉVY. Ch. DELAc, M. VANDAL et Cie : 11, Bd. des Italiens Paris My dear friend, You are asking me if the « Film d'Art » the « Agence Générale Cinématographique » the « salle Marivaux » 27 the « Théâtre Français » de Bordeaux, were to work in Mr. Himmel combine. There has’nt been such a question put forward at anÿ tme. Believe, My dear friend... Ch. DELAC. Mr. Jules Demaria, chevalier of Légion d'honneur, F se sident of the « Chambre Syndicale Française de la Ciné matographie » talk to me about this strange business, he sal to me: Ï dont know Mr. Himmel. I never saw him. From neaï or far he has néver been in business with me. Amongst our friends and members of the « Chambre Syndicale Française » Mr. Himmel is only known throught his « OR niqués » published in différents newspapers, and by the. Courriers articles. None of them are in commercial relations with him. Fr: As a matter of conclusion, could Mr. Himmelfarb be kind enough to answer these questions? Ces Where are the 2.200 cinémas controled by the « Société Cinématographique de France? » When was it given such power? Lea Which are the leading French firms signing on with the. « Société Cinématographique de France? » What is Mr. Himmelfarb nationality ? If he is french. When did he acquire this quality? What was he doing durmg the war? Paris, le 9 septembre 1920. The Syndicate of Films renters, cinéma and entertaine” ment exhibitors of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and neighbouring districts, decided in its meeting of august 30 to shut down their establishments if a new taxe was forced on them, According to the growing dissatisfaction amongst peoples troug (3 the present taxes: state, charity and luxury taxes, the n€W one, a Municipal taxe, would not be accepted by the public. À trade show for na 21 St, at the Electric-Palace. Li-Hang-le-Cruel, first film of a great « série d'art » will be presented by L. Aubert. This picture will be the best of the year. (See page 40.)