Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

44 EXHIBITORS HERALD Optimism Reigns On West Coast As Studios Hum Sam Goldwyn Moves from New Yorl^ to Hollywood — Southwest Theatres, Inc. Acquire New Houses By HARRY HAMMOND BEALL HOLLYWOOD, CALIF., Feb. 12. — Things have been happening this week in the film capital. Announcements have been broadcasted and cinematically speaking things have been humming generally. All in all, it looks favorable for a studio "come-back," and as a result optimism reigns supreme. First of all, word has been received from Sam Goldviryn who arrives here February 15 that he is about to say "adieu" to Gotham and "hello" Los Angeles. Although this is not news because of a previous announcement previously made by the film magnate, it is a confirmation of an important statement and is therefore worth relating. Goldvifyn announces the closing down of the Biograph studios in New York and the immediate removal of all his staff and equipment to the coast. The Eastern metropolis is not a producing city according to Goldwyn, who bemoans the fact that the picture business is not accorded the attention and respect it should be. So much for that. HERE'S some live news that sounds encouraging. Fifteen picture theatres in this city, Pasadena, Riverside, Huntington Park. Taft and Glendale have been taken over by Southwest Theatres, Inc.. a million dollar corporation that recently entered the California theatrical field. The officers of the new organization are chiefly officials of the giant West Coast Theatres' chain — Claude Langley, president ; A. L. Gore, vicepresident; Sol Lesser, secretary; Frank Livingston, of Exter, treasurer ; directors Adolph Ramish, and Mrs. Claude Langley. In addition to the fifteen houses already operating which the new firm has taken over. Southwest Theatres, Inc., will erect new houses in Pasadena, Huntington Park and Glendale, bringing the total to eighteen. A First National franchise has been purchased from Gore, Ramish and Lesser for the sum of $225,000. which will give all of the present "Southwest" houses First National pictures. * * * By the time this appears in print John M. Quinn, who for the past seven years has served as general manager of the Vitagraph Company, will be laid at rest in Chicago. His sudden demise was a distinct shock to the local "film row where he was a well known figure. Mr. Quinn had been in the city but a few days when he was stricken and was ordered to a Hollywood Sanitarium where he passed away last Monday. Mystery shrouds his death which is said to have been brought about by a combination of disorders resulting in heart disease. His body was taken to Chicago where it will be buried by .■\lbert E. Smith, president of the Vitagraph Company. * * * Westwood, the boom suburb of Los Angeles, has acquired still another promise of a studio. This time it is the National Film Corporation, a pioneer organization that has been more or less inactive for the past several years, that asserts it will erect a modern picture plant at Westwood on a site purchased this week and which adjoins the acreage acquired by the Christie brothers. It is said that the deal involved $250.ono. Officers of the National include R. E. Frey. president : C. G. Logan, treasurer, and William La Plante. vice-president and secretary. Other studios besides this one and the Christie company that are land owners in Westwood are the Fox Film Corporation and Harold Lloyd Productions. * * * And while on the subject of Westwood it might be well to mention here that it is rumored that the object of William Fox's journey to the coast is that he might start the ball rolling for the immediate construction of his new plant there. Be that as it may, the mogul who plays the title role in Fox Film Corp. will arrive here most any day now and all is a-flutter at the Western avenue and Sunset boulevard plant where the "big chief" has been expected to arrive ere this. When he does enter his studio gate, this week or next, Fo-\ will be greeted by twelve companies now engaged at the plant And while speaking of Fox and his local studio we are reminded that he has acquired a new master director in the person of Denison Clift, former supervising editor of the same organization, who has spent the past three-and-a-half years in England as chief producer for the Ideal Film Company, Ltd. Clift arrived here this week and at once took up his duties under a two-year contract at the Fox Studios where he will direct a series of specials. And that isn't all the news that has been breaking about the Fox lot lately. For instance we are told that Shirley Mason, whose contract with Fox expired a few weeks ago, has been signed again, and is to resume work shortly. Jack Conway has also put his name on the dotted line of a long-term contract and he will direct the next Tom Mix picture. George .^rchainbaud will begin production on a big feature, as yet untitled, shortly. * * * Ruth Mix, daughter of the inimitable "Tom" by his first marriage, will be seen on a local vaudeville stage here next week. The young actress will appear with capable support in a dramatic playlet. The act was tried out at a suburban theatre recently and evidently made good. * * * Coincident with Chinese New Year, the Wampas will hold its annual election next week. It is declared on authority that several bomlis will be touched off in celebration of both events. Results will be announced in the next issue of Exhibitors HER.\Ln. * * * Local attendance records at theatres were shattered during the month of January ac February 23, 1924 cording to tax reports. Receipts for the month on amusements totalled $476,507 as compared with $263,547 for January of 1923. The unprecedented tax receipts of the past month are indicative of local conditions generally, as the C of C secretary would say. * * ♦ Alec Pantages, vaudeville mogul, got in bad with local federal authorities last week, by presenting motion pictures of the Dempsey-Firpo set-to of July 4. last, at his local playhouse. Following the seizure of the tight film, warrants were issued for Pantages, Ralph Proctor and Mrs. Margaret Proctor, who were indicted with the theatrical magnate. Each gave cash bond of $3,000. A telegraphic warrant was dispatched to New York for the arrest of Fred C. Quimby. short subject sales manager of Universal Film Company. It is understood that a number of other defendants were named in the indictment, which was returned as a secret bill by the grand jury here last week. * * * Owen Moore is slowly recuperating from a serious case of blood poisoning resulting from injuries received in an automobile accident recently. The ex-husband of Mary Pickford is at the Good Samaritan hospital here and early this week he underwent an operation on his arm to stem the progress of the poison. Moore was injured about three weeks ago when his automobile overturned after striking a ditch on a little-used dirt road that was in terrible condition. Passing motorists worked for two hours before they could raise the machine off of Moore's body. His right arm had been pinned under the car and it was badly mangled, though no bones were broken. + * * "When you call me that, smile!" This famous line echoed around the world by various handsome and devil-may-care "Virginians", is to be repeated for the screen by none other than dashing Ben Turpin, we are informed. Dick Jones is to direct a burlesque on Owen Wister's widely read novel for Mack Sennett and "Big Ben" is to do the title role with his fingers crossed — as well. Dustin Farnum and Kenneth Harlan are advised to look to their laurels. * * * Jesse L. Lasky departed for New York this week on one of his quarterly trips for a conference with Adolph Zukor. This time production plans concerning the summer and fall months are to be discussed. * * * Harry Brand, publicist for Schenck, Talmadges. Keaton. et al. has not had time as yet to name the new arrival at the Buster Keaton home. We trust that the "frozenfizzed" comedian will break his long silence after this one. Here's a piece of bad news for embryo scenarists. Goldw>-n studios are attempting to discourage the submission of amateur manuscripts. The department read over 4.000 manuscripts in 1923 without finding one that it cared to purchase. Save your stamps, pupils! is the advice of the scenario chief. * * * For the first time since it was opened. Goldwyn Studios is now soliciting outside business. Clyde Slater has been made sales manager of the newly created rental department. The studio has enlarged its technical department and is making an active campaign to induce independents to produce their pictures there. * * * Harry Beaumont has returned to the Metro studios after an absence of one year and will direct Viola Dana in. "Don't Doubt Your Husband", her newest starring picture. .•\llen Forrest is to be "the much-doubted benedict."