Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

pril 29. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 33 Production Speeded Up to Meet Returning Prosperity All Distributing Organizations Mirror Approach of Normalcy— Lasky Predicts Definite and Sharp Revival in Early Fall If production is the barometer of the motion picture business, better times are close at hand for the entire industry. Acting on reports from business conditions from all parts of the country, practically every distributing company is speeding up to meet the expected increased demand for product from the theatres. Paramount Production at High Tide Jesse L. Lasky, first vice president of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, on reaching New York from the west coast this week, announced that May will be a red-letter month in the Lasky studio with no fewer than thirteen companies working continuously on a series of big pictures. Simultaneously. R-C Pictures Company announced the completion of a pooling arrangement with the L'nited Studios. Inc.. which will permit it to accommodate twenty or more producing units where in the past half a dozen companies strained its facilities. And even more prophetic is the leaving for Los Angeles of Joseph W. Engel. for the purpose of reopening the Metro studios, of which he is general manager. Carl Laemmle, passing through Chicago recently on his return to New York from the west coast, stated that he had fifteen companies at work. All of the producing units for Associated First National Pictures are working at full schedule. Mr. Lasky's Statement "Production ?t the Lasky studio will reach high tide in May," said Mr. Lasky, "and our present plans call for thirteen companies to be engaged constantly throughout May. June and July, making a series of the biggest pictures we have ever produced "After a careful survey of conditions I am confident that this increase in production forecasts a return to conditions How About the Radio? Is it cutting into theatre attendance? Is it practical for use in theatres? These two questions are answered by three prominent Chicago showmen in letters ap nearer to normal in the next few months. Just as more than a year ago, curtailment of production indicated that we were trimming our sails for a period of depression, so now our biggest studio program shows we expect a sharp and definite revival in business in the fall. "Never before have we had such a large number of companies concentrating on really big pictures. But although I feel sure the tide of prosperity will turn and come in next fall, this result cannot be completely achieved without big pictures. In other words, we feel depression is weakening and the final blow will be administered by a series of unusual pictures, powerful in their box office appeal and enacted by casts of well known stars." P. A. Powers Is Optimistic P. A. Powers, the new controlling factor in the affairs of the R-C organization, who engineered the pooling arrangement with the United Studios, Inc., brings to his producing units an amalgamation of resources conservatively placed at $12,000,000. "No more compact and complete motion picture studio than ours is to be found anywhere," he said. "Yes. I foresee such considerable increase in our activities in the immediate future that expansion and amplification of our plant and its resources cannot be avoided." Work will commence in the course of a week on a big portal to connect the two plants, which in combination cover fifty-six acres and have a remarkable collection of sets, costumes, furniture, draperies, rugs, 'and machinery. It's a Rattling Good Idea J. E. D. Meador, director of publicity for Metro Pictures Corporation, writes: "Incidentally, your new department of the 'Pictorial Section' is a rattling good idea. I will venture to say that it is enjoyed and looked forward to more than any other department in the magazine." orms Company to Operate Gladstone ;oyd Lenhart Will Manage Theatre Acquired byCapitol (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., April 18.— ( e of the first deals negotiated since t organization of Capitol Enterprises, I big theatre and booking company smsored by Sam Harding, Phil L. Ian, Dave Harding and Harry Taylor, i the purchase of the Gladstone, the I 0,000 house erected some years ago by hn Hiatt \. subsidiary, Capitol's Gladstone Theaj Company, has been formed to opera the house. Sam Harding is president cthe subsidiary; Mr. Ryan is vice-presicit; Dave Harding, treasurer, and Mr. Tylor, director trustee. Lloyd J. Len11 returns from Iola, Kan., to manage t theatre. To Be Redecorated "he Gladstone is considered one of the fi st buildings devoted exclusively to t atre purposes in Kansas City. No red deling is contemplated, although it is pnned to redecorate the interior. )mcials of Capitol also announce plans (i rebuilding the Linwocd theatre at 1 rty-first and Prospect, the work to be i charge of Earl S. Nesbitt of Tarkio, .. prominent advertising and exploit. on man. Is Elected Director n addition to managing the Linwood, N Nesbitt will assist in advertising all p ures playing theatres in which Capitol is financially interested. He has been e ted a director of the Linwood Corp ation and likely will be appointed to tl advisory committee of Capitol. Voria Swanson Off to Europe For A Vacation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) EW YORK, April 18.— Gloria Swansi . Paramount star, has sailed for E ope, where she will vacation and v t for two months before resuming w k on further pictures. 1 am leaving for one big. grand, glorio time and I know I shall enjoy every n" nent of my vacation," said the star, a: he bade good-bye to numerous friends w > were at the pier to see her off. pearing on page 78 in the "Letters from Readers" page of the "Herald." Every question of current interest is discussed by exhibitors on this page from week to week. It is only one of the many exclusive features which have made the "Herald"— THE PAPER THAT IS READ Metro to Start Three Units Metro's plans call for the making of the new Rex Ingram production "Black Orchids"; for a Viola Dana special and the first photoplay of Metro's new star, Billy Dove. Clara Kimball Young will work at her own studios, and Mae Murray will continue to work in the east. "The Metro organization on the coast is intact, ready to go," said Mr. Engel. "We plan to produce a full complement of pictures this year, for we have found that depression does not affect a product that the public wants to see. I look forward to the most auspicious season the company has ever had."