Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 13, 1920 Independent Producers Propose Co-Operative Sales Agreement Series of Conferences Held in Chicago to Discuss Forming of National Board of Trade — Fourteen Companies Represented at Meetings A revolutionary change in the method of selling the products of independent producers is in prospect as a result of a series of conferences held by representatives of fourteen producting companies in Chicago during the past few days. Within the next few weeks, it is very probable that the National Film Board of Trade will be incorporated with at least six producing companies affiliated and possibly as many as twelve. Promoters of the idea are confident that within a year most of the independent producers will have entered the agreement. Aim to Take Gamble Out of Production End The aim of the movement is to place the entire work of disposing of state rights to independent exchanges in the hands of a board of trade. Through it, it is expected that advance contracts for the entire territorv can be obtained before production is started. This it is believed will take the element of risk out of the producing end and will regulate the supply to the demands of the field. Men interested in the movement stated that the waste in the present "hit or miss" method of independent production is enormous. It results, it is declared, in Hooding the market with certain kinds of pictures and causes an unfortunate shortage of other pictures equally desirable. Will End Duplication "As I understand this •movement," said Joe Brandt, special representative of the National Film Corporation; "it will end the present duplication of products and permit each studio to concentrate on one certain type of features or short subjects. "The board of trade will meet with the independent buyers and take orders for the pictures wanted during the next year. These may be serials, Westerns, society features, detective features, domestic life comedies, animal comedies, scenics, news reels or pictures starrinv certain individuals. "Each producer will be assigned a certain type of product, and the orders distributed as equitably as possible. It will create a market for every picture before it is made. The general outline indicates a great saving for both the producer and the buyer. Expects Buyers to Unite "In Chicago this week we have seen eighteen independent exchanges combine to buy their film as one unit. I am confident that other combinations wil! be formed so that in time cooperative producers will be selling to cooperative buyers." Among the companies represented at the conferences, some unofficially, were the Educational Film Corporation, National Film Corporation, Arrow Film Corporation, Capital Film Corporation, Art-o-graf Productions of Denver, Neal Hart Productions, and others. Gossip indicated that I. Bernstein, general manager of the National Film Corporation, is scheduled to be director general of the associated producing companies and Joe Brandt, special representative of National, eastern representative. Both men issued denials. Selznick Signs Ruth Chatterton NEW YORK, March 2.— Ruth Chatterton, well known stage star, who scored a signal triumph in the stage version of "Come Out of the Kitchen," is reported to have been signed by Lewis J. Selznick to star in a series of pictures. J. Alexander Legget To Join Rothacker Industrial Film Expert Is Given Important Post in Eastern Office Official confirmation of the exclusive announcement in Exhibitors Hekai.d that the Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company of Chicago had bought the Legget(iruen Corporation's holdings and goodwill was issued this week by officers of the Rothacker Company with the additional information that ). Alexander Legyet has been named manager of the Eastern Industrial Division of the company. Mr. Legget came to Chicago the last week in February to sign the agreement whereby the Legget-Gruen Corporation's holdings and good will were sold to the Rothacker company. T. Gruen retires from the Industrial picture field. The Rothacker Eastern Industrial Division will retain the Legget-Gruen offices in the Candler Building, 220 West 42nd street. These offices are spacious and fully equipped for film purposes, including a beautifully appointed projection room. It is Mr. Rothacker's plan to include in the Lastcrn Division the branch offices, or agencies, in Philadelphia and Boston, and others soon to be established in that territory. Admission Prices in Two St. Louis Houses Boosted by Managers ST. LOUIS, MO., March 2.— Managers of the West End Lyric and the King's theatres have increased their scale of prices. At the West End Lyric, admissions have advanced from 22 and 33 cents to 30 and 44 cents. Rates at King's have jumped from 20 and 30 cents to 35 and 55 cents. The Pershing will increase its prices on March 7. Makes Educational Films NEW ORLEANS, LA.— The Cosmopolitan Film Company, controlled by Williamson & Co., have a laboratory at Camp and Povdras streets in which it is proposed to make films of all classes. It is announced that the concern will specialize in educational features. CLARA KIMBALL YOUNG IN "THE FORBIDDEN WOMAN' I Two scenes from the Equity Pictures feature, a story of the gay night life of Paris. Conway Tearle has the leading male role opposite Miss Young