Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Sep 1924)

36 EXHIBITORS HERALD August 16, 1924 George Blaisdell Resigns Trade Review Post for Films Gives Up Editorial Direction of Eastern Trade Paper to Join Rayart Productions on Coast By JOHN S. SPARGO New YORK, August 5. — George Blaisdell, long and favorably known in the trade paper end of the film industry, has departed on “the great adventure.” Accompanied by Mrs. Blaisdell, he left on the Century Sunday for the Coast, where he will take charge of production for the new Rayart Productions, Inc., of which W. Ray Johnston is president. The announcement of Mr. Blaisdell’s resignation as editor of E.xhibitors Trade Review and his new connection was made at a testimonial luncheon given him by about fifty friends last Friday at Keen’s Chop House. The luncheon was in the nature of a surprise to Mr. Blaisdell, as he had been invited to take lunch there with J. K. Adams of Arrow Film Corporation and one or two other friends. On Mr. Blaisdell’s arrival at 1:15 he found, instead of two or three friends, about fifty had gathered, among them being representatives of every branch of the industry. Morrie Ryskind, director of publicity of the Riesenfeld theatres, served as toastmaster and after introducing Mr. Blaisdell, called on W. Ray Johnston to make the announcement of Mr. Blaisdell’s new duties. In doing this, Mr. Johnston paid high tribute to Mr. Blaisdell, which was greeted with hearty applause by every one present. Mr. Blaisdell in responding said: “This is my ‘great adventure.’ I have often thought of laying my pencils aside and trying my own in the larger things about me. This opportunity looms large. I had hoped to go quietly, and, if possible achieve something before the news got out. but somehow my secret was discovered.’’ Victor Shapiro, president of the A. M. P. A., on behalf of his organization and the indstry generally, presented Mr. Blaisdell with a handsome wrist watch at the close of a happily termed speech. .•\mong those in attendance were the following: * * * W. Ray Johnson, Rayart Pictures Corp. ; J. G. Bachmann, Schulberg Productions: J. S. Dickerson. Motion Picture News; Don Mercereau. Film Daily; Maurice Kami, Film Daily; Ben Schwartzman. Schulbers; Productions; Vic Shapiro, Samuel Goldwyn; J. K. Adams, Arrow Film Corp.; Louis Guimond. Selznick Distributing Corp.; George W. Harvey. Producers Distributing Corp.; M. Curran, Arrow Pictures Corp.; Spencer G. Sladdin; Robert E. Welsh, Moving Picture World; Ben H. ('irimm. Moving Picture World; Lawrence A. Urbach, Moving Picture World; Clarence Schottenfels. Moving Picture World; Eddie Eckles, Exhibitors Trade Review; John Spargo. Exhibitors Herald; Charles E. Hastings, Morning Telegraph; Oscar Cooper, Motion Picture News; Laurence Ried, Motion Picture News; M. Cruikshank, Exhibitors Trade Review; Tom Hamlin. New York Film Curb; Sumner Smith, Moving Picture World; Louis Kramer, Film Booking Offices; Harry H. Thomas, M?rit Film Corp.; M. Morgan; Matt Taylor, First National; Lynde Denig, First National; J. V. Ritchey, Ritchey Lithograph Co.; P. A. Parsons, Pathe Exchange, Inc.; Arthur M. Brillant Pathe Exchange, Inc.; Colvin W. Brown, Thomas H, Ince.; Fred Schader. Variety; Jerome Beatty. Universal; Morrie Ryskind, Rialto, Rivoli ; M. Mitchell, Film Fun; Southard Brown, Benner Productions; Paul Gulick, Universal; Gordon White, Educational Films. Inc.; Harry Ennis, Weiss Bros.; J. Charles Davis, 2nd, Chadwick Pictures Corp. Mr. Blaisdell will be in charge of the West Coast sales department and pass on all casts, continuities and completed pictures now in work for Mr. Johnston and also arrange for new product. Temporary headquarters will be opened at Los .A.ngeles, where he wdll establish his office for the present. With a run of nine months to its credit at the Geo. M. Cohan theatre, the engagement of Cecil B. De Mille’s “The Ten Commandments” terminated there last Sunday night and yesterday afternoon the big picture was moved over to the Criterion theatre, where it will remain for a continued stay with matinees every afternoon and one performance at night, including Sundays. The move is necessitated by the expiration of the contract held by Famous Players-Lasky Corp. for time at the Geo. M. Cohan theatre. Up to and including the performance of Saturday night “The Ten Commandments” w'as seen for exactly 31 weeks and two days at this playhouse. The total gross receipts to that date reveal that the average weekly business has exceeded $14,000. This figure shows an increase of over $4,000 per week in comparison with the weekly business done by Famous Players-Lasky’s previous great success, “The Covered Wagon,” at the Criterion theatre for the first 31 weeks of its -wonderful engagement. Considering that practically half of the time for the run of “The Ten Commandments” W'as through the dull summer months, these figures set a new record for attendance for any motion picture spectacle that has ever been presented for an extended engagement in New York City. * * * J. D. Williams has just insured his life for $500,000 as a protection to the RitzCarlton Company, producers of Rudolph Valentino’s forthcoming pictures. Phil Rosen, not yet of age, son of the famous Harry Rosen, world’s champion insurance agent, gets the credit for writing the big policy. * Jk * “The Covered Wagon,” the James Cruze production of Emerson Hough’s famous novel, which played for more than a year at the Criterion, will be at the Rivoli theatre the week of Sunday, August 3rd. Morrie Ryskind, who has been dealing publicity for Dr. Riesenfeld, man and boy for the past year, says it will be presented at the Rivoli with the original cast. * * * Herbert Brenon, w'ho will direct “Peter Pan” for Famous, sails tomorrow for London for a conference with Sir James Barrie, whose decision in regard to who will get the coveted main part in the picture production of his story w'ill be final. Among Mr. Brenon’s baggage is a trunk full of film tests of twenty candidates for the job. Jesse L. Lasky, who left for the Coast on Friday, stated before his departure that the production would be made at the Long Island studio and that work would be commenced immediately after Sir James Barrie had made his decision con cerning the candidate. * * ♦ Henry King, director general for Inspiration Pictures, has decided to retire temporarily from picture making long enough to produce a stage play entitled “Old Husbands and Young Wives.” First reports were that Mr. King had severed his connection with Inspiration Pictures and that he had also quit the film industry. The latter has been denied by Mr. King, who asserts that his departure is but temporary. No official announcement has been made as to whether or not he will again take up his duties with Inspiration after the completion of his work in producing the stage play. ♦ * * Over five hundred children attending the summer play schools of the city saw the program of motion pictures and music at the Capitol theatre last week. These are the first of the groups of the fifteen hundred who are daily attending the vacation playgrounds of the Federation for Child Study with whom S. L. Rothafel has arranged to assist in keeping happily occupied the children of the crowded sections of the city. Similar groups will be given advantage of the educational influence of the motion pictures, music and dancing throughout the remainder of the summer. * * * Official announcement has been made by Joe Plunkett, manager of the Mark Strand theatre, that “Monsieur Beau caire,” the first of the Valentino pictures, will open its engagement at the Strand next Sunday. This marks Valentino’s redebut to the screen after two years’ absence. * * * Joe Weil, who has been in Paris for the past three months exploiting “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” for Universal, is ;n route home, having sailed July 30th. * * note from Horace Judge indicates that the A. M. P. A. and First National representative in London has paused in his labors of educating British newspapers and public along American exploitation lines long enough to take a vacation. In his note Horace Judge says: “Spending a few days here with Mrs. Judge in the beautiful champagne country. Champagne costs seventy-five cents a magnum here at the source. Vie la Liberte! Vive le vin! Best wishes to all the Ampas and to yourself of course.” Certain portions of Horace’s note will cause a lot of envy in the A. M. P. A. ranks. Not Baby Peggy Kin (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Aug. 5. — Exhibitors are warned by Irving M. Lesser, vice president of Principal Pictures Corporation, that a child actress known as “Baby Alma” is making personal appearances in the middle west, and, according to Lesser, wherever she makes these appearances she is heralded as a sister of “Baby Peggy”. Mr. Lesser wants it made clear that “Baby Alma” is in no way related to “Baby Peggy”. Honor Theatre Manager (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ALBANY, Aug. 5. — The biggest final blow out ever given in this section of the state to an exhibitor about to leave, was tendered “Mike” Friedman, manager of the Albany theatre in Schenectady, N. Y., last Friday night. Mr. Friedman will spend a few days in the Catskills, after which he will leave for the Coast.