Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

April 1, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 77 Sam E. Morris Going Abroad to Manage European Distribution Becomes President of Select Pictures, Ltd., With Headquarters in London to Put in Effect New Foreign Business Plan "Universal Treated Me Fairly"— Polo Well Known Serial Star in Statement on Reason for His Change Eddie Polo, well known serial star who is now making a serial "Cap'n Kid" for the state right market, has issued a statement explaining his reasons for leaving the Universal Film Manufacturing Company and forming his own company. Explains His Leaving Mr. Polo opens his statement by saying Universal treated him fairly and that he obtained his release at the expiration of his contract because of the "natural aspiration of everyone to some day branch out on his 'own.' " Continuing, he declared that as a producer as well as a star, he would be free to spend all the money he deemed necessary to make his serial a success. To O. K. All Contracts "My pictures shall be sold direct to state right buyers and I shall see to it that he gets it at a price at which the exhibitor may book it at a safe margin of profit," he concludes. "You ask me how I, an actor, can guarantee fulfillment of such a pledge? Well, in the present instance, I shall not only be an actor but one of the principals in the producing and distributing unit, and every territorial contract closed shall await my approval before its consummation." Charles Ray Policy to Mean Greater Pictures In Future Says Ragland With Arthur S. Kane's election to the presidency of Associated Exhibitors, the duties of John C. Ragland as vice-president and general manager of Arthur S. Kane Pictures Corporation, have been expanded. Included among his other duties is the handling of the details of Charles Ray's business, though Mr. Kane continues to look after major deals affecting Mr. Ray's interests and will present his productions through First National and United Artists. Discussing Mr. Ray's affairs, Mr. Ragland said: "Notable as has been this picture player's past career, I am confident that his greatest triumphs are yet before him. Mr. Ray's plans call for productions which are certain to increase his already remarkable prestige and virtually universal popularity. In producing only two pictures a year, as provided in his contract with United Artists, he will have time and opportunity for that close attention and study which he considers requisite in the preparation of films of the very highest order." New Universal Serial To Be Published Soon "The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," an eighteen episode chapter-picture being made by Universal with Harry Myers in the role of "Crusoe," will soon be ready for publication it is announced. Three chapters of two reels each already have been received in the East, and the production company at Universal City is well into the middle of the serial. Changes of importance dealing with the affairs of the Selznick Corporation have just been announced by President Lewis J. Selznick. Sam E. Morris, who has been identified with the company for many years in various executive capacities and most recently as vice-president in charge of distribution, is being transferred from New York to London. Announcement Is Surprise The announcement that Mr. Morris has been transferred to London will come as a great surprise to the trade. Neither SAM E. MORRIS, who is to handle Selznick foreign business. Mr. Selznick nor Mr. Morris have had the least word to say of the contemplated move despite the fact that it has been under discussion for a good many months. The importance of the general plan in the affairs of the company which has brought about the transfer is indicated by the fact that to fill a newly created post Mr. Selznick has selected the chief among his executive associates. Mr. Morris is going to London to become President of Select Pictures, Ltd., an English coiporation which is to be formed for the purpose of conducting Selznick business in Great Britain and on the European continent. His headquarters will be in the English capital but his general supervision will extend over numerous other offices which are to be established in the near future and his duties abroad will be such as to demand his frequent presence in most of the big European cities. Survey Brings New Plan During the past six months Selznick representatives, including Vice-President Myron Selznick, whose principal duties have to do with production, have made personal surveys of the European situation and it is as the result of these surveys that the new plan of operating abroad has been adopted and Mr. Morris designated to put it into effect. The new plan, it has been made clear by President Selznick, will not interfere in any way with existing contracts for foreign distribution in Europe. This statement is important in view of the fact that it has been many months since a big deal was closed by the Selznick company with the English branch of Pathe Freres for certain distribution in Great Britain. According to the present arrangement Mr. Morris will sail for his new post about the middle of April. He will be accompanied by his wife and his fifteenyear-old son Edwin. He is giving up his home here in New York and is making other arrangements which indicate that he will be absent from Broadway for an indefinite period. Hector Sarno is Latest Member of All Star Cast Making "I Am The Law" Hector Sarno. popular portrayer of outdoor types, is the latest screen celebrity to join the all-star cast making "I Am the Law," the first of the Edwin Carewe productions to be published by C. C. Burr, president of Affiliated Distributors, Inc. Sarno is known for his work in "The Silver Horde," and with Dorothy Phillips in "The Right to Happiness," as well as in Carewe's special feature "Rio Grande." More recently he played with Vitagraph in "Three Sevens" starring Antonio Moreno, and "Diamonds of Jet" featuring Earle Williams. The "I Am the Law" cast, which now includes Alice Lake, Kenneth Harlan, Rosemary Theby, Gaston Glass, Noah Beery, Wallace Beery, Hector Sarno, and others well known is said to rank with the best and biggest all-star casts ever assembled for any production. With about ten days more work at the Fine Arts Studio on the co;.st, the picture will be completed and ready for independent distribution. Pacific Film to Publish Armstrong Comedy Films "Billy" Armstrong, who is said to have appeared in comedies of practically every brand, will be starred in a series of tworeel comedy plays by a company recently formed. Armstrong will be directed by Ray Hunt and the productions will be distributed by the Pacific Film Co. of Culver City, Calif. Armstrong's last contract was with Mack Sennett, with whom he made his first comedy years ago under the former Keystone banner, starring jointly with Juanita Hansen. Woman Sales Manager Mrs. A. H. Sessions is now sales manager of the New Orleans office of the W. W. Hodkinson organization. A. G Gugel remains as branch manager. At the time of Mrs. Sessions' appointment, it was erroneously reported she had been named "manager."