Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

38 EXHIBITORS HERALD April: 15, 1922 REGINALD DENNY and support in one of the dramatic moments from "Round Four" of "The Leather Pushers," which Universal is distributing. Ince m New Warning Against Exhibiting "Leech" Films Informs Publisher That He Understands Inferior Editions Of " Lorna Doone" Will Be Marketed THOMAS H. INCE, who recently appealed to the industry to "save the motion picture from another black eye" by fighting the "leech" picture, has made that warning more emphatic in a letter to Martin J. Quigley, publisher and editor of Exhibitors Herald. In his communication, which deals specifically with a forthcoming production, Mr. Ince writes : kk"rVTR MAURICE TOURNEUR has -I very nearly completed, at my studios in Culver City, a magnificent picturization of 'Lorna Doone.' "This production has been created with all the skill of Mr. Tourneur, and there has been spent upon it all the money that was necessary to faithfully bring to the screen this classic of English literature. * * * "I am informed from creditable sources that there are in existence several other editions of 'Lorna Doone,' including one very inferior importation, and that these other editions are being held in abeyance awaiting the release of Mr. Tourneur's picture, so that they can be exploited upon whatever success it attains. "I am sure that you appreciate as much as anyone, the desirability for bringing to the screen the best stories of the world's libraries, and you are familiar with the inadequacy of legislation for the protection of these works when they are converted into pictures. "The condition which exists will certainly discourage the legitimate producer from filming the classics unless our industry docs devise some means of combating this brand of piracy. * * * "The evil of 'leech pictures' has been increased by the resumption of production in Europe on a large scale, and while I fed that no American producer of standing fears the competition of foreign made pictures, he certainly cannot face calmly the unfair competition of pictures which arc imported solely for exploitation upon American successes. "I understand that your policy has been to discourage this form of piracy, and speaking particularly for Mr. Tourneur, as well as for other reputable producers, I trust that we will have your support in event an attempt is made to force an inferior version of 'Lorna Doone' upon the public. "It seems to me that the exhibitor by booking pictures of this kind for such purposes is undermining the thing he most needs, the confidence of his public, and certainly the motion picture industry can ill afford to deliberately invite another black eye." Salesman Braves Women It would seem from the recent experiences of James J. Byrne, who is covering Maine for First National, that to be an alert salesman a person must be prepared at a minute's notice to mount the rostrum and tell the world — and more especially the women — about motion pictures. In the course of a single day at Bangor, Me., recently, Byrne was called upon to address three women's clubs. He confined his talks to Thomas H. Ince's production, "Hail the Woman." Needless to say, Byrne and "Hail the Woman" received ample space in the local dailies. Grauman Will Open Two Houses in June New Metropolitan to Seat 4,400; Estimate Cost At $3,000,000 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 4.— June 1922 will see the opening of Sid Grauman's two new Southern California houses, the Three Million Dollar Grauman Metropolitan theatre and the Grauman Hollywood theatre. June 30th is tentatively set as the opening day of the Metropolitan Lobbies to Accomodate 3,5C0 An entire building situated on Broadway directly behind the Metropolitan on Sixth and Hill has been purchased and will be razed to be replaced by another entrance to the Metropolitan. On both sides of this Broadway entrance an arcade of stores will be built making three entrances in all. The main entrance on Hill street will accomodate 1,500 people; the Sixth street foyer will accomodate 1,000 and the new Broadway entrance will hold 1,000, making a lobby capacity of 3,500, while the theatre proper will accomodate 4,400. Hollywood Opens June 1 The arcade of stores which will border the Broadwny foyer will represent modern architectural triumphs. By buying the Broadway building Grauman covers at least one-third of one of the most valuable city blocks. The interior decorators are completing the Grauman Hollywood theatre, which may open June 1. A giant Wurlitzer is being installed. The Egyptian style of architecture predominates. No Music in St. Louis Theatres Unless Wages Are Cut Is Ultimatum (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., April 4.— Following a meeting of theatre owners and representatives of the musicians held March 31 an ultimatum has been served on St. Louis musicians that unless they consent to a 30 per cent wage cut and a more liberal working agreement St. Louis theatres will do without music after April 30. Motion picture, vaudeville and dramatic houses are all included in the demand that musicians accept the cut. The vaudeville and dramatic houses that have contracts covering all the present season will not renew agreements unless the wage reductions suggested are put into effect, the players have been told. It is pointed out that 75 per cent of the theatres arc operating at a loss and that receipts have been practically cut in half since May 1, 1921, when the existing agreement was signed. Re-elect Directors Of Famous Players (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— Jules E. Brulatour, Cecil B. DeMille, Daniel F roll man, Albert A. Kaufman and Sidney R. Kent were re-elected directors of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation at the annual meeting last week. The following were elected to the finance committee: Frederic G. Lee, Gayer B. Dominick, Maurice Wertheim, Theodore F. Whitmarsh and Adolph Zukor.