Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

March 14, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 23 Think Carl Laemmle May Keep T wo U nits East for Production {Special to Exhibitors Herald') NEW YORK, March 3.— Much interest on the part of those interested in production attaches to the action of Universal in making a picture in the East for the first time in more than nine years. The belief is generally accepted that Carl Laemmle came to the decision to make one production in New York as an experiment and that if this works out to his satisfaction, one or possibly two units will be kept busy here as a regular feature of Universal’s schedule. The picture selected for the experiment is “Once a Peddler” which is in course of production at the Fox studio. William Nigh, generally recognized as one of the fastest working directors in the industry, was selected for the production, and with him is his production manager, E. L. Smith, another speed artist. It is conceded that the speed with which a good production can be turned out in the East is a considerable factor in the experiment, and will have considerable to do with Universal’s decision in regard to working regularly here. Schenck and Grauman Plan Theatre Circuit; Bill Hart to Produce {Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, March 3. — Joseph M. Schenck, upon his arrival home from Europe, announced that plans for the construction of a chain of Sid GraumanJoseph Schenck theatres in twenty cities of the country are practically completed. A three million dollar production program he outlined includes four Norma Talmadge films, four Constance Talmadge pictures and two Buster Keaton comedies. He announced that Bill Hart will produce his own films for United Artists of the sort that first made him popular. Hart will finance the films, the stories being subject to the approval of Schenck. Griffith will make one more picture for United Artists after which, according to an adjustment of contract, he will begin work for Famous Players-Lasky, stated Scheilck, who was accompanied here by his wife, Norma Talmadge, Lora Bara, her traveling companion, and Nicholas Schenck, his brother, vice-president and general manager of Metro Goldywn. Gloria Denies Signing New Famous Contract Los Angeles report says that Gloria Swanson, following Warner Brothers withdrawal from the bidding, has signed a new contract with Paramount calling for $17,500 a week. Paris report quotes Gloria, who is convalescing following an operation, as denying that she has signed, or knows anything about, such a contract. Judge for yourself. Orpheum Will Operate New J. L. & 5. House Through a deal closed last week the new Jones, Linick & Schaefer theatre in Clark street at Diversey, Chicago, will be operated by the Orpheum Circuit of Theatres as a combination vaudeville and picture house. The theatre, to be known as the Diversey, will open May 1. Forecast Lively Scrap Over Badger Booking Combination Report Distributors Will Look With Suspicion on Alliance Until It Is Learned Whether or Not Grauman Is Interested in the New Organization A prominent Chicago exchange manager, in discussing the Wisconsin situation, discounted many of the reports emanating from Milwaukee telling of the strong undercurrent of opposition among distributors to the new Badger booking combine. Asked if his company, one of the strongest in the industry, would do business with the alliance, he replied: “Do business with them? Certainly we will. We’re doing business right now and plenty of it.” (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MILWAUKEE, WIS., March 3.— A lively fight with the leading exchanges, such as Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn and First National, appears to be in prospect for the Badger Theatres Corporation, newly formed booking combine in the Wisconsin territory, over the corporation’s proposal to buy only after the screening of pictures for its screening committee. Although no definite statement is forthcoming from any of the exchanges, it is reported in reliable quarters that none of the leading distributors' will consent to depart in any way from the established custom of selling blocks of pictures in advance. At Badger headquarters it was said that some deals have been closed, but it is believed that these were simply to clean up the tail ends of blocks of pictures already released and the real battle probably will not develop until the leading exchanges start selling their new blocks for the fall season. It is known that for some time exhibitors who are not among the fifty holding membership in the Badger have been speculating on the question of whether Jack Grauman, Celebrated Players, is interested in the new organization. Until this point is cleared up, it is understood that the principal distributors at least will look with suspicion upon the new combine. Deny Grauman’s Association Those sponsoring the Badger deny without qualification that Grauman is in any way connected with it, but despite these denials there is talk that the head of the Celebrated Players office in Milwaukee is really the power behind the scenes. Those circulating the reports meet the denials with the following questions: Why, if Grauman is in no way interested in the organization, did he repeatedly attend executive sessions of the board of directors, a privilege denied even to individual members? What significance is there, if any, to the selection of Max Wiesner, Grauman’s right hand man, as general manager of the Badger? What importance should be attached to the fact that J. H. Silliman, president of the new organization, is associated with Grauman in conducting the Juneau theatre? Grauman has been in both ends of the business for years. He knows the viewpoint of both the exhibitor and exchange man. He is popular among exhibitors. His experience naturally fits him to give invaluable advice to an organization of this kind. What is more, although not a member of the Badger in his own name, he is nevertheless an exhibitor in addition to being an exchange man. Why then, should his valuable advice be spurned? Regarding Wiesner, is it not a wise move to place at the head of a buying combine someone who knows the exchange end of the business? It is true, the Badgers assert, that Grauman is Silliman’s partner in the Juneau, but just because that is a fact it does not necessarily follow that Grauman exerts any influence over the affairs of the buying combine. It merely is another explanation, they say, of Grauman’s attendance at some of the meetings. 17 Sparks Theatres Acquired by Laemmle {Special to Exhibitors Herald) ATLANTA, GA., March 3. — Universal Pictures Corporation has acquired seventeen theatres in Florida from E. J. Sparks Enterprises. Purchase of these houses by Carl Laemmle is said to be in line with the producer’s policy of acquiring theatres only in localities where Universal pictures cannot get proper representation. Pre-View^* Off Press (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, March 3. — The first issue of the “Paramount Pre-View,” a Famous Players-Lasky publication devoted to advance production news, advertising campaigns and the like, has been mailed to exhibitors. Film Board Bars Non-Theatrical Dates as a Protection to 1st and 2nd Runs (Special to Exhibitors Herald) PHILADELPHIA, PA., March 3. — The local Film Board of Trade has taken action to forbid members loaning or leasing inotion pictures to theatrical groups which have been released in the territory less than one year. The action was instigated to protect first and second run houses that they may show productions before they become available for non-theatrical organizations. Fraternal organizations in the city have often tried to secure for special showing practically new pictures. It has been estimated that the weekly audiences at the so-called private screenings aggregate 10,000 people, and, as a result, the exhibitors are deprived of that number of patrons. Requests for the use of film other than in licensed motion picture theatres must be sent through Jack Greenburg, secretary of the Film Board of Trade. The board is urging exhibitors to cooperate with the move and to discourage clubs who request the use of films. The exhibitors are commending the exchanges for the stand which, it is believed, will have a favorable effect on business.