Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1918)

EXHIBITORS HERALD AND MOTOGRAPHY Hearst Buys Universal Weekly And MutuaPs Screen Telegram Combination Will Be Known as Hearst-International News Weekly — Universal To Handle Distribution "Hearts of Love" Is First Production of American Feature Carl Laemmle, as president of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, and William Randolph Hearst, as head of the interests controlling the International Film Service, have consummated a deal whereby the Universal News Weekly becomes the property of the International. The final details were completed in a conference between Mr. Laemmle, Mr. Hearst, C. F. Zittel and their attorneys which lasted far into the wee sma' hours last Friday morning at the International offices at 729 Seventh avenue. New York City. Every effort was made to keep the result of the conference from leaking out, as it was thought that a premature announcement of the merger might meet with adverse criticism, by reason of the fact that the rumormongers have been unusually busy of late with International's future plans. Under the terms of the agreement the Hearst interests will control three of the biggest news film services in the field. These are the International, now distributed through Pathe, the Universal, just acquired, and the Screen Telegram, purchased from the Mutual Film Corporation about four weeks ago. Universal to Distribute Upon the expiration of International's present contract with Pathe on Dec. 24, the three will be combined and published as the Hearst-International News Weekly. Distribution will be made through the Universal exchanges. The ownership of the three news weeklies above mentioned gives Mr. Hearst a dominating position in this branch of film activity. There will be but two other weeklies in the field as possible competitors, on the date that the merger goes into effect. These will be Pathe, which plans to produce its own news film as soon as its present arrangement with the Hearst interests is terminated, and Gaumont. It is said that elaborate plans have been made and that practically carte blanche has been given as far as expense is concerned to put over the merged weeklies in a fashion which will make competition of the keenest. Whether the Hearst bank roll will be called on to furnish all the nourishment or whether other financial backing is involved cannot be learned. It is reported, however, that a sum aggregating $75,000 weekly is expected to be spent in making the new weekly set an entirely new mark in news film service. Commences on Christmas The first news film of the combine will be issued on Christmas day through the Universal exchanges. If the influenza epidemic has subsided at that time sufficiently to permit all territories to return to normal, this first issue will be not less than 500 prints. For the first two months the HearstInternational will be distributed as a bi-weekly news film, as at present. Later an effort will be made to turn it into a daily. Local news films will be distributed from Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta, Ga. It can readily be seen from these facts that the cost of the merger, with its many ramifications, will run into big figures. As to the price paid to the Universal and Mr. Laemmle for the Universal Weekly, there is no information obtainable, but that it was a handsome figure there is little doubt. Pathe Explains In an open letter addressed "to every exhibitor in the United States," Pathe announces that "for reasons which seemed to us good and sufficient, we have decided not to renew the Hearst arrangement, and consequently on and after Dec. 24, 1918, the name 'HearstPathe News' will be discontinued and this famous news reel will then resume its original name of 'Pathe News.' " 'Pathe News' has always been edited, distributed, owned and controlled exclusively by Pathe, the Hearst interests acting simply as a news agency. In future 'Pathe News' will be photographed by our own exclusive staff of cameramen, in all parts of the country, and in every section of the civilized globe." The American Feature Film Corporation of Greenville, S. C, has recently taken New York offices on the 6th floor of the Candler building, 220 West 42nd street, with Thomas Bedding in charge of Sales and Publicity. H. A. Tansil of Greenville, S. C, is president of the company. The first feature is entitled "Hearts of Love," a sixreel production starring Edna Mayo. Frederick Truesdell and F. Hearn are also in the cast. "Hearts of Love" is described as a thrilling production on a vital theme of world-wide import. Against a background of profound historical interest, starting with the events of 1787, when the young American republic was in a turmoil, the action speeds to the times of the civil war in 1861-1865. The majestic figures of Lincoln, Lee and Grant are seen in the picture; there are battles and stormy scenes in state and national legislatures. The outdoor and indoor settings are said to be of great beauty. Slave episodes, plantation scenes and a wealth of rich American national color are also seen in the picture. The love story in which Edna Mayo and Gladden James are the leading figures is, however, the strongest theme ol "Hearts of Love." J. Charles Hayden directed the picture, which was photographed by Will C. Smith. Siegel Back on Job Henry Siegel, manager of Select's NewYork exchange, is back on the job once more, after having spent four weeks in the French Hospital, where he underwent two serious operations. A SCENE FROM "TREAT 'EM ROUGH," A FOX PLAY. TOM MIX HAS THE LEADING K< H.K IX Till S STIRRING WESTERN 1'I.AY, WRITTEN H Y CHARLES ALDEN SELTZER AND DIRECTED BY LYNN REYNOLDS. 21