Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 18, 1922 Gunning Has Profit Sharing Film Plan Proposes Exhibitors Finance Productions and Share in Profits (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7.— A plan whereby the exhibitor will share with the producer in the profits of a production is announced by Wid Gunning. Mr. Gunning's plan is to go direct to the exhibitor for financial support for twelve forthcoming productions,' each of which the exhibitor may play within ninety days after publication date. Share Half of Profits In addition to the pictures, the exhibitor would receive a proportion of .">() per cent net profits, equal in ratio to the cash payment made by him on signing the contract to the total cost of the twelve productions. Under the plan the full productions are to be delivered before September 1, 1923. Each of the productions will be sold at a $500,000 national quota, but as the maximum cash outlay per picture is set at $100,000, it is pointed out that only those exhibitors participating in the raising of the first $100,000 on each production will share in the eventual profits. "Solves Film Problem" Under the contract the exhibitor will pay in advance on signing, for as many productions as he sees fit, this advance payment to apply against the last of the twelve productions. Money advanced by the exhibitor not applied against productions actually delivered by September, 1923, shall be returned with interest, it is specified. "This is the solution of all film problems— direct partnership between producer and exhibitor," says Wid Gunning. Lichtman Goes West Without Closing Deal With First National (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7 — The muchtalked-of deal which was to' make "Al" Lichtman general manager of First National is off and Mr. Lichtman left New York for a. trip to the Coast, with his plans still unannounced. For the past ten days the executive committee of First National has given consideration to the subject of negotiations for Mr. Lichtman's services, but it is understood that satisfactory financial arrangements could not be agreed upon and the deal has "been called off. It is rumored that Mr. Lichtman will sever his connection with Associated Producers, of which organization he is general manager, shortly after his return from the Coast trip. Lasky Official to Call Meeting of Paramount Executives at Chicago (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7.— Forty Paramount district and branch managers will be called in conference on the sales campaign to be planned on the UFA productions, "The Loves of Pharaoh" and "The Mistress of the World," on the arrival in Chicago of Sidney R. Kent, general manager of distribution of Famous Players-Lasky. Mr. Kent also will visit the exchanges at Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis. Des Moines, St. Louis, Denver, Salt Lake and San Francisco and will confer with Jesse L. Lasky on the Coast. Joe Reddy Goes West Joe Reddy, Pathe publicist, arrived in Chicago, Monday, on the first lap of his journey to Hollywood, Calif., where he will be engaged for the next year writing publicity for Harold Lloyd. Mrs. Reddy accompanied him and paid the Herald office a brief visit. Second Arbuckle Trial Ends in Disagreement (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SAN FRANCISCO, CAL., Feb. 7.— The jury in the second trial of Roscoe C. (Fatty) Arbuckle on a charge of manslaughter has been discharged following a failure to reach an agreement, in connection with the death here last September of Virginia Rappe, film actress. MONEY Which Have Exhibitors to MAKING IDEAS Been Used Successfully by Build Up Their Patronage By WILLIAM MORRISON (Manager, Sterling theatre, Greeley, Colo.) Do you find numbers of your audience continually talk while you are running slides of your C <> in i n g attractions? The strongest medium of advertising is at your command and yet the most economical. Why not make up a set of three or four slides (for each change of program) of jokes or witty stuff? Run them in between your "coming attractions" >lides and cultivate them all into the habit of looking for something slides. peppy m By H. B. BARR (Manager, Rialto theatre, Enid, Okla.) Advertise your pictures as nearly as possible as the merit of the picture deserves. Do not try to fool your patrons. Run the best or none at all. There is no such thing as an exhibitor having everything sewed up in his city, if there are two or more theatres. Meet your patrons and convince them you are doing your best. Freckles Wins High Honors in Oratory Marshall Neilan Star Guest at Luncheon for Trade and Daily Press Wesley (Freckles) Barry, Marshall Xeilan star, has proved himself to be adept at after dinner speaking since his arrival in Chicago to appear personally in conjunction with the presentation of his latest First National attraction, "Penrod." The youngster admits, however, that if it were not for the versatile pen oi Pete Smith, Neilan publicity representative, his oratory might be less effective. For instance, in addressing members of the trade and daily press at a luncheon at the Sherman hotel last week, Wesley said: Busy Memorizing Talks "All I have been doing for the past week has been memorizing speeches. Between studying my act and memorizing speeches I am always afraid I'll make a speech (prompting off side byPete Smith) when I'm supposed to do my act and do my act when I'm supposed to make a speech. "Chicago is the city of motion picture (prompting off side by Pete) relations Colleen Moore's (prompting off side by Pete) uncle, Walter Howey, who is managing editor of the Herald and Examiner: Pat O'Malley's uncle is (prompting off side by Pete) manager of second class mail at the Chicago postoffice, and Tom Gallery's father and uncle are both cap-' tains in the police force here. I haven't found any relatives of mine here (laughter) so I guess I'll never make a great movie star." (More laughter aiui applause.) Among Those Present Attending the luncheon were: Elmer Balaban. son of Barney Balaban ami Wes ley's double; Harry Marx, managing director. Chicago theatre; Genevieve Harris. Post; L. H. Mason, Motion Picture News; Marguerite Kemp, Moving Picture World; Arthur J. Lang, Cinemundial; Edward Ketcham. Grossett & Dunlap, publishers of "Penrod" book; Jay M. Shreck and Edwin S Clifford of Exhibitors Herald; W. J. Veale. Wesley's tutor; H. S. Joslyn. First National exchange; Lloyd D. Lewis, Daily News; Herbert H. Stern of Balaban & Katz, and Mrs. Stern; Harrv Kat; of B. & K.; Max Balaban of B. & K. ; Irvin S. Koll; Joseph J. Moroncy, Post; W. K. Hollander, toastmaster; J. Ray Murray, Exhibitors IIeralp: Evelyn Hunt, Fred W. McQuigg, Chicago American, and Pete Smith. Blue Law Cases in Indiana Dismissed (Special to Exhibitors Herald) PORTLAND, IND., Feb. 7.— Among a number of state cases dismissed from the circuit court docket here on motion oi A. H. Williamson, prosecuting attorney, are thirteen Sabbath desecration charges against three Jay county motion picture theatre owners. One case was against Earl Coble of Redkey; four were against Mrs. J. S. Hiiies, and five against her husband, for operating the Princess theatre here on Sundays, while two of the cases were against William M. Francis and one against his wife for operating the Crystal theatre here on Sundays. "Orphans" in Chicago "Orphans of the Storm," D. W. Griffith's latest screen spectacle, opened at the Great Northern theatre, Chicago. Tuesday, lan. 31.