Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1923 - Mar 1924)

32 EXHIBITORS HERALD March 8, 1924 Film Folk Celebrate the Return of Goldwyn to Coast Thousands Gather at Station to Greet Norma Talmadge, Joseph Schenck and Sam Goldwyn -Oakland Film Co. Fails By HARRY HAMMOND BEALL HOLLYWOOD, CALIF., February 26.— It looked like "old home week" at the Santa Fe Station last Thursday afternoon when hundreds— yea, thousands — of good townspeople and film colonists gathered at the depot to welcome home a trio of celluloid celebrities. They are Norma Talmadge, Joseph Schenck and Sam Goldwyn, all of whom will join in production activity at the film capital ere this is printed. The reception accorded the three distinguished film folk was one of the largest and most enthusiastic assembled by a press agent in many a day. TiieFwnre^Side £)dubition THE Oakland Film Company is no more! Last week the parched bones of the defunct producing organization which started out on its film career with a flourish, at the Hollywood Studios a few weeks ago, were picked clean by disgruntled members of the erstwhile cast and technicans, all of whom had filed salary claims with the local labor commissioner. Arthur \V. Copps, vice president and general manager of the deceased concern, essayed the role of defendant in the little tragedy that was enacted in the official's office. Stuart Paton was engaged as director of the "independent" company while Betty Compson was to have been the star. Jack Boyle wrote stories for fiimization which never saw the light of the projector. * * * "Bill" Farnum is coming home. He has been engaged by Famous Players-Lasky to do a series of productions to be directed by Wallace VV'orsley, famous producer of Universal's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The ex-Fox favorite will be accompanied West by Edward People, who will adapt the stories in which "Big Bill" will appear. * * * Al LicHTM.vN, the new G. M. of Universal Film Exchanges, is in town. The object of his visit, it is said, is to form a closer personal contact with the studios and players and to confer with Carl Laemmle and C. L. Thererkauf. At the end of the week he will return to New York Citv. * ^ * Dorothy Phillips, wife of the late Allen Holubar, will return to the screen shortly. She is now considering several offers of starring contracts but as yet has reached no definite decision as to her future plans. • =k * * Harold Lloyd's next production will concern "first year" domestic life, it is said. Doubtless the stellar comedian feels that he is now qualified to do such a picture having just completed a year of married blessedness with his former pretty leading woman. Mildred Davis. However, Jobyna Ralston will play "friend wife" in the film production. * * * Either it's a good press agent story or it's a brand new disease peculiar to motion picture people who remain away from the glare of the studio lights fof a long period after having worked in front of them steadily for months. It's known as "vac-eyes" and is said to be the antithesis of kleier-eyes. Anyway, James Morrison, was afflicted with the most modern movie ailment. Morrison, who but recently returned to the coast after several months on the speaking stage in the East, woke up one morning to find his eyes seriously troubling him. His optician told him it was "vac-eyes" and resulted from optic nerve reaction. Now "Jimmie" is being pointed out as a distinguished citizen of Hollywood, having been the first member of the local picture colony to be afflicted with the strange malady. * * * BIRTH NOTICE Born to ^Ir. and Mrs. Strongheart; two boys and two girls ; mother and children doing nicely while father is passing bones around to all of his friends and associates. The youngsters were on display in the lobby of Grauman's Metropolitan Theatre last week, during the engagement of "The Love Master" and attracted much attention. * * * Hollywood friends and former associates of Florence Tltrner, popular movie star of yesteryear who is now destitute in London. England, are starting a trust fund for her aid. Contributions are pouring in and a substantial income for the erstwhile screen favorite appears to be assured. + * * Local producers were so impressed by the work of Memo Benassi, young leading man of Mme. Duse, who has been playing a series of matinees here to enthusiastic audiences, that they have been bidding for his services as a screen actor. Famous PlayersLasky and Pola Negri are especially desirous of securing Benassi to play opposite the Polish star in her forthcoming production. It is said that the young Italian is seriously considering the various screen offers made him. * * * The motion picture industry will be represented for the first time in the judge's stand at Atlantic City when the annual beauty pageant is staged at that resort this year. Mack Bennett, noted picker of screen beauties, has been invited to serve with Flo Ziegfeld. and other celebrated judges of pulchritude, on a committee that will pass on the charms o,f this year's contestants. Mack has accepted the invite. * * * That First National will continue to produce in this city despite many rumors to the contrary afloat during the past few weeks, is indicated by the formation of First National Productions. Inc., a subsidiary to First National Pictures. Inc. * * * The Wampas, with its new found prosperity (?), !■; to have offices and cverythin' in the near future. At least this is a part of the program outlined by President Harry Wilson, of the press agent's organization. The new executive is planning to make the Western Motion Picture -Advertisers the outstanding film organization of the entire country not that it has attained that enviable distinction in the West. This interesting feature of the "Herald's" columns is being reidved at the urgent request of many exhibitors. Last year the slogan for this "Written by Exhibitors'' department was, "Let's have a laugh in 192$." Now it reads, "Let's liave a laugh every year." By K. C. KEHRBERG (Lyric theatre, Sheldon. la.) To me one of the most entertaining features of the "Herald" has been the column entitled, "The Funny Side of Exhibition." I miss this little column now that it has been discontinued and am wondering what the reason might be for its discontinuance. Really, when a fellow is running a small show in a small town and the town in question is composed of 65 per cent Hollanders of the third variety he needs something to cause a laugh occasionally. In hope that you may see fit to revive this column in the future I am relating in this letter the only funny thing that ever happened to me. Perhaps you may not think it funny. In that event, throw it out. We ran a stock company in our house about the same time the big Live Stock Exposition was in Chicago. Of course the admission was raised. I had two of these young Hollanders come to the window and lay down 50 cents, asking for two tickets. I informed them that the admission was 55 cents each. They wanted to know what the show was and I told them we were playing a stock company. One turned to the other and said: "Ain't this a heluva place to have a stock show." They walked out. I laughed at the time, thinking it to be a good joke, but on checking up for the night I decided the joke was on me. We hadn't even broken even, (Please, kind gentlemen, crank up the little column. My digestion has been poor ever since the little aid died.) '^ First Choice of the Best Producers^' Wins Rothacker Print Test Neil G. Caward. Chicago film advertising man, has been adjudged winner of the first prize of $100 in the contest conducted by Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company for a slogan for Rothacker prints. Mr. Caward's suggestion was: "First Choice of the Best Producers." Samuel Schwartzberg, New York film attorney', won the second prize of $50 with the following slogan : "Makes Better Pictures Better." William J. McGrath, of Fox Film Corporation, won the third prize of $25 with this slogan: "Prints with Personality." Martin J. Quigley, James R. Quirk and William A. Johnston were the judges. Goldwyn Leases First Run House in Boston {Special to E.rhibitors Herald) BOSTON, MASS.. Feb. 36. ~ Announcement has been made that GoldwynCosmopolitan has leased the Park theatre in Boston until September 1 in order to assure itself of a big first run theatre in th«' New Encland territory. Cosmopolitan's Marion Davies picture, "Little Old New York," is now in its fourth week at the Park.