Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

fanuarv 28, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 51 Emerson's List of Imported Films John Emerson, independent producer, in a talk before the A. M. P. A. took exception to a statement made by Saul Rogers of Fox that less than twelve foreign pictures have been found worthy of distribution in this country. He listed the following forty-five foreign films which he said either had been presented or were advertised for exhibition: PARAMOUNT: Deception. The Call of Youth, The Red Peacock, The Last Payment, The Bonnie Briar Bush, Indian Tomb. Mistress of the World, His Wife, King, Queen and Joker, Dangerous Lives, The Golem, Mystery Road and Three Live Ghosts FIRST NATIONAL: One Arabian Night, Passion, All for a Woman, Alfs Button, Sultanas of Love, Vendetta, Intrigue and Gypsy Blood. GOLDWYN: Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Theodora, The Ship and John Forest Finds Himself. NORDISCHE: Our Mutual Friend. UNITED ARTISTS: I Accuse and Carnival. ASLA NE1LSON: Hamlet. SWEDISH BIOGRAPH: Sir Ames Treasure. FOX : Nero. PATHE: The Road to London. Lady Gcdiva, Blanchette and The Orderly. R-C: Possession and Bigamist. WID GUNNING: Quo Vadis. REJANE: Miarka. STOLL: Sherlock Holmes (.3* reels*. WORLD: Judgment. METRO: L'Atlantide. The Polish Dancer, Power of the Borgios and Fabiola. U. S. Will Aid Foreign Trade by Distribution Of Commercial Films (Jf'ajfcixff/oit Bureau, Exhibitors Herald) WASHINGTON, D. C, Tan. IT. — A new field for producers of commercial films is to be opened up as a result of the decision of the department oi commerce to try out motion pictures as a means of promoting foreign trade. Arrangements have been made between the departments of the interior and of commerce, whereby the motion picture export of the bureau of mines of the former department is to assist the bureau of foreign and domestic commerce in inspecting and approving films made for foreign distribution. The cost of producing the films will be borne by manufacturers desiring their product advertised. The films will be circulated throughout the United States and in foreign countries. Credit will be given the cooperating company in the title. A main title will show that it was produced under the direction of the bureau oi foreign and domestic commerce or of the bureau of mines. Plan Review to Raise Money for Clubhouse (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. IT— Western Motion Picture Advertisers are planning a big spring review in which scores of stars will participate to raise funds for a clubhouse. The review will be presented at Philharmonic auditorium. Emerson Tariff Advocacy Ruffles A.M.P.A. Members Three Attending Meeting of Advertisers Challenge Statements Made by Producer and Head of Actors Equity Association (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 17. — John Emerson, president of Actors Equity, and himself a producer of motion pictures, spoke on tariff matters before the members of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers, Inc. at their last week's meeting. Mr. Emerson recently attended the hearings on the film tariff at Washington, where he appeared as an advocate of an increased tariff and in opposition to the representatives of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, who are seeking a removal of the 30 per cent duty in force. Members Challenge Statements by Emerson Incidentally, Mr. Emerson stirred up quite a hornet's nest at the A. M. P. A. session when some of his statements were challenged by Charles Barrell. head of the film department of Western Electric, Howard Dietz, of Goldwyn, and Harry Reichenbach. Prior to Mr. Emerson's talk an ad half ago sixty-one companies were work dress made by Saul Rogers of Fox, at Washington was read. In this Mr. Roger's statement that of all the foreign films brought to this country, less than twelve were found worthy of offering to the American market. Mr. Emerson took exception to this, and when the statement was also made by Harry Reichenbach, he read a list of forty-five foreign films which are either showing or advertised to show here. Want 60% Tariff The independent producers who have no financial interest in the importation of motion pictures and the 250,000 people normally employed in making pictures are the ones who want a tariff of 60 per cent, or at least 50. on the American valuation of films, said Mr. Emerson. Of the 250,000 normally engaged in production, 64 per cent now are out of employment, he stated. The Equity president compared the production figures of a year and a half ago and today to qualify his statement that a high tariff is necessary to "protect from destruction this great industry in America." Production Work Decreases He said: "In New York a year and a "I'll Never be Without It" To Star in Own Right (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES. Jan. IT— Viora Daniels is to star in her own Christie comedies hereafter. Is the way C. P. MacDonald, Virginia exhibitor, feels toward a service he purchased for his theatre last Spring. At the time, he wanted to kick himself because he thought he was letting a glib salesman talk him into buying something he didr.'t need and didn't want. Now he thinks differently and he wants every exhibitor in the United Spates to share his secret. He tells all about it in his own words in column one on page 80. ing. Today but eighteen companies are at work. "In Los Angeles a year and a half ago 14T companies were working, while today but fifty-six companies are working. The total number of companies working a year and a half ago in New York and Los Angeles was 208, while today they number 74. "This result has come about in one year and a half since the importation of foreign films began. In other words, 64 per cent of the industry in this countrjhas been wiped out in one year and a half. Cites Reason for Demand "Now we will allow that perhaps 30 per cent of this reduction is due to the hard times and other causes. How do you account for the other 34 per cent? Simply by the flood of foreign pictures and the well-grounded fear on the part of the producers of a continuation of this flood. The demand for pictures has not decreased 64 per cent by a long shot." He stated that he believed an adequate tariff would have two results: First, it would raise funds for the government, and secondly, it would preserve to America at least a part of our industry instead of letting it be transferred bodily to Europe, a process which, he declared, is taking place at the present time. In support of his last statement he cited the foreign activities of Famous Playcrs-Lasky Corporation and Fox Film Corporation. Hurts Little Fellows The high priced stars and directors, he said, would not be effected by this transfer of production activities. The little fellow, he said, was the one who would suffer. Mr. Emerson stated that he considered the talk of retaliation if a tariff measure is passed as "bunk." He said that other countries already have put a tariff on films, the purpose being to raise money and not to prohibit the importation of American pictures. He sa>d that in his opinion the big producers did not favor a tariff because they apparently "have made up their minds to shift the industry to the place where they can produce at the lowest possible cost and then bring their products back here where they can sell at the highest possible price."