Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1922)

42 EXHIBITORS HERALD December 16, 1922 9/ieWEEK inNEWYORK FULL many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear, Full many a rose is born to blush unseen, And waste its fragrance on the desert air, quoted Herb Crooker, official press agent of the A. M. P. A., at last week's session as Hopp Hadley did his stuff. "Now there is staid old Hopp Hadley leading the congregation in singing a hymn," continued Crooker. "Didn't think he had it in him. Plumb the depths and we learn of undiscovered treasures." The occasion for the soliloquy was the selection of Hadley as toastmaster of the day by Acting-President Shapiro. Hopp took the job with ministerial seriousness and anyone unacquainted with that gang would have seen only a visiting pastor talking to his flock. After leading the hymn in a voice Hopp fondly imagines is musical, Hadley preached a short sermon on subjects which are not usually given a pulpit setting, and then introduced Canadian Trade Commissioner Hudd as the guest of honor. Crooker has voted Hadley the raffia lawn mower for conducting the most uproarious meeting since the eloquent Will Rogers turned loose his sense of humor on the members. * * * In his talk to the advertisers Mr. Hudd discussed the relations of Canada and the United States and declared that their friendliness was a step toward making a common bond for the English speaking people that would result in friendliness for all times. One particular point that the Commissioner made interesting was the fact that Canada and the United States had lived in harmonious relations for so many years, and laid this to the agreement that there should be no forts on either side of the boundary line and no battleships on Lake Erie. Canadian industries were also touched upon in an interesting manner. * * * It would take more than a little trip from Europe to New York to keep General Bernard Edelhertz away from the annual ball of the T. O. C. C. The auburn-haired and silver-tongued orator of the exhibitors' organization went to Europe several weeks ago and the expectation was that he would be gone a couple of months. Last week he returned. He says his visit was shortened by business matters here which needed his attention, but many of the T. O. C. C. bunch assert that the ball was the attraction. * * * Does anyone know any reason that a good actor should not make a good business man? Dick Barthelmess doesn't and the board of directors of Inspiration Pictures Corporation doesn't know, cither. So last week Hartlielmess was elected vicepresident of the company. * * * The second annual dinner of the Allied Film Laboratories is the high light of social affairs of the week in the film industry. The dinner will be held on the evening of Thursday, Dec. 7, at Delmonico's, preparation having been made to make the affair a Kala occasion. Will Hays has accepted an invitation to be present. Among the other guests will be the chief executives of the producing companies and representatives of the raw stock manufacturers. "What about the flapper?" asked Charley Condon, out in the Louis B. Mayer Studios. "Should she be coddled, reprimanded, spanked or just l?t alone to grow out of it?" This is the problem, Charley says, that confronts Myrtle Stedman in the titular role of "The Famous Mrs. Fair." Really, we don't know, Charley. What about the flapper? * * * And now Vincent Trotta has gone and done it. At a dinner given Thanksgiving Day at 87 Clinton avenue, Brooklyn, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rispoli announced the engagement of their daughter, Rose, to the popular manager of the art department of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. "Vince" is a prominent member of the A. M. P. A. and has many friends throughout the industry, acquired during nearly a dozen years in the picture business. He has been with Paramount in his present capacity for nearly nine years, and established the first motion picture art department with the Gaumont Company in 1913. His work at that time was confined to posters, but since his connection with Paramount he has broadened its scope with the result that his work has attracted wide attention in art and advertising circles. And now he's going to marry Rose Rispoli. That Trotta boy is a lucky guy. * * * Kenneth Webb, the motion picture director, has become greatly interested in a producing proposition recently made to him by a group of Florida bankers. He will soon go to Miami to look the ground over preparatory to making a decision as to whether or not he will make some pictures there. * * * Over at 322 Fifth avenue at the headquarters of the M. P. P. D. A., everyone addresses Will Hays as "General," the title having attached during his incumbency as Post Master General. And now General Hays has a Colonel on his staff. This title has been conferred upon Charles C. Pettijohn, counsel of the Hays office, in recognition of his splendid work in guiding the Citizens' Committee in Massachusetts to the recent overwhelming victory over censorship. So now it is Colonel Pettijohn, if you please. P. S. Fred Beetson says he is still a private. * * * S. L. RoTHAFEL, high gun of the Capitol theatre, is in receipt of a letter from Secretary of the Navy Denby, conveying congratulations on the artistic presentation of the official navy picture, "Rolling Down to Rio with Secretary Hughes," recently at the Capitol. In his communication Secretary Denby says: "Please accept my sincere appreciation of the interest you show in the naval service, and my thanks for the practical assistance which you have given in keeping the service before the public." * * * This is to serve notice on Ai, Feinman to make good. From Buffalo he postcards us: "Wish you were here to share in the enthusiasm which 'Rags to Riches' is creating in Huffalo. Let me lunch you on my return." Al has been back four days and the old appetite nets keener as each meal time passes. Buying that lunch seems to be the best thing Al docs not. — John S. Sparco. WILLIAM deMILLE would rather direct good pictures than play tennis or fish for tuna. But he can't direct pictures fifty-two weeks a year, so when he can't make pictures he likes to play tennis or go tuna fishing. And when he can't do any of these three things he likes to study or discuss politics. Especially is he a keen advocate of the single tax theory. He has been president of the Single Tax League of Los Angeles and Mrs. deMille is a daughter of the late Henry George, "Father of the Single Tax." Like his equally illustrous brother, Cecil B., William was born to the drama, his paternal ancestor being a playwright and producer. To avoid confusion with Cecil B., he has dropped professionally his middle initial (C. for Churchill) and spells his last name with a small "d." William deMille was born at Washington, North Carolina, in 1878. After being graduated from Columbia University he turned his attention to the writing of plays and soon earned recognition as one of the most successful dramatists. He wrote "Stronghcart," "Classmates," "The Warrens of Virginia," "The Woman," and a number of other successes of their time. With the forming of the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, of which Cecil B. DeMille was one of the organizers and its first director, William was for two years scenario editor and many of his own scenarios were produced. He turned to directing in 1915 his first picture being "The Ragamuffin," starring Blanche Sweet. He followed this with a long list of successful pictures with Miss Sweet, Sessue Hayakawa, George Bcban, Julian Eltingc and others. Essentially a dramatist, of late years he lias been devoting his talent largely to the translation of plays to the screen; some of which are "The Prince Chap. "What Every Woman Knows," 'Miss Lulu I'.ett," "Bought and Paid for. "Nice People," and "Clarence."— J. * *