Exhibitors Herald (1927)

October 8, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 9 Eastern Capital Obtained for Cohn Merger, Says Sax Deal Abandoned One Year Ago Resumed Says Gotham Head on Arrival on Coast to Confer with Columbia President; Big Stars Being Signed (Special to the Herald) LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4. — Sam Sax, president of Gotham productions, arrived here last week and today announced that his first job in California will be to settle terms with Harry Cohn whereby Gotham and Columbia will make and sell pictures under one banner. Eastern Capital to Finance Theatre Buying The merged companies will have the backing of Eastern capital, he said, and will be able to buy houses in territory so far closed to them. Jesse Goldburg, Gertrude Short and Scott Pembroke, producer, star and director, respectively, as they completed work on “Polly of the Movies," for First Division Pictures. Fox Finishes Half of Feature Films for 1927-28 Season (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Oct. 4. — Within a month after the start of the 1927-28 season, Fox Films is in the position of having completed one-half of the 52 feature productions scheduled for the year, according to an announcement by the company. Work is progressing on six additional features, and production has been completed on three or four special films not yet assigned for release. Those completed are: “Paid to Love,” “Chain Lightning,” “Singed,” “Tumbling River,” “What Price Glory,” “2 Girls Wanted,” “Loves of Carmen,” “The Joy Girl,” “The Gay Retreat,” “Blackjack,” “Publicity Madness,” “Silver Valley,” "East Side, West Side,” “High School Hero,” "Pajamas,” “Very Confidential,” “Robinson and Crusoe,” “The Arizona Wildcat,” “Branded Sombrero,” “Blood Will Tell,” “Jungle Rose,” “My Wife’s Honor,” “Cameo Kirby,” “Honor First,” “St. Elmo” and “Truxton King.” Besides the features, seven comedies and eight Fox Varieties have been completed. The deal is looked at more seriously and more hopefully by Sax than the merger that was reported two years ago, because at that time banks refused to loan the sums on assets then available. But Gotham’s output has been increased several fold since then and with such productions as Columbia’s “The Blood Ship” being made financial aid has been readily obtained. Sax believes the present time is highly promising to soundly organized independent companies. He said “independents of five or 10 years ago are the big companies of today. This is the completion of an historical cycle. In this business a trust is impossible because there will always be theatres unable to pay ‘trust prices’ who will buy the independent product. A few months from now the theatre field will demand relief from boosted film rentals.” Sax said he hopes other independents will join him in his endeavor. Small Studios Sign Big Stars ( Special to the Herald) LOS ANGELES, Oct. 4. — Columbia, Chadwick, First Division, Gotham, Tiffany and other independent studios have recently signed numerous stars for current productions. Included in the number are Gertrude Olmstead, Gotham; Claire Windsor, Belle Bennett, Margaret Livingston, Jason Robards, Bert Lytell, Tififany; Jack Holt, Jacqueline Logan, Percy Marmont and Lois Wilson, Columbia. Goldburg Tells of British Deal (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Oct. 4. — Jesse J. Goldburg announced before sailing for England last week that First Division Pictures has settled on all terms of a deal involving more than $2,000,000 for the production and distribution of pictures here and abroad over a period of five years. He will return to America in two months. Six F B O Companies Go on Location in One Week ( Special to the Herald ) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— All records for location trips from the F B O studios in Hollywood were broken this week when six companies were scattered throughout the state. Ralph Ince took Lois Wilson to Venice, to get scenes for “Coney Island”; Bob Steele went to Kernville with a score of Indians and cowboys to make the “Renegade”; Jerome Storm traveled up the Big Cahunga river for “The Swift Shadow” ; Tom Tyler loaded his gang in busses and dashed off to Warner’s Hot Springs, for “The Texas Tornado,” and Robert DeLacy is in the high Sierras making “Red Riders of Canada.” Leo Meehan is the only F B O director who is staying home, and he plans to go away after some of the interior scenes are made for “Freckles.” Mae Murray Appears in Person in Theatre (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 4.— Starting Oct. 13 Mae Murray will appear in person at the Metropolitan theatre for one week. Upon Miss Murray’s return from Europe recently she was offered a contract to appear in a New York show, it is said, but she refused this and other offers owing to other contracts which she held. When she reached home, however, she was approached by West Coast officials regarding a week of personal appearances and accepted. Three of the several characterizations portrayed by Gertrude Short in “ Polly of the Movies ” are (left to right) “Salome,” “Polly” and “Camille.” It is a First Division picture.