Exhibitor's Trade Review (Mar-May 1922)

1412 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW Volume 11. Number 20 New Englander the First Polo Buyer Sam Grand of Boston Gets Initial Slice of ^^Cap'n Kidd," State Rights Serial Now Being Filmed in New York Studio Sam Grand, of the Federated Film Exchange of Boston, this week attached his signature to a contract which for a sum reported to be large assigned to the New England Federated Exchange the rights to Cap'n Kidd, first of the independently produced Eddie Polo chapter plays which the Star Serial Corporation is marketing for independent distribution. The contract closed 'by Mr. Grand, representing the Federated interests, and Mr. Brandt, of the Star Serial Corporation, is the first to be consummated on the Polo product in this country. The sale of the Polo serial was made to Mr. Grand primarily on the strength of Polo's wide popularity as a serial star. The first three chapters of Cap'n Kidd, viewed privately by Mr. Grand, were also instrumental in clinching the sale. "I am happy to announce to the trade in general and to New England exhibitors in particular that I have acquired the rights to Cap'n Kidd,'' said Mr. Grand. "I know that in the acquisition I have made a cinema 'ten-strike,' and it is my belief that exhibitors of New England will concur with me in designating Polo's serial as such after their box offices have disclosed Polo's personality and pulling power. "I viewed the first three chapters of Cap'n Kidd, and it revealed to me the most spectacular and extraordinary six reels. Although I have known Polo to be an accomplished aerial artist and acrobat, I discovered in him a finished actor as well." A num'ber of other important territorial contracts covering the distribution of Cap'n Kidd are now in their final stage of completion. All-Star Features, of which Louis Hyman is general manager and Sol Lesser president, announces Louis Baum, sales manager of Equity. The territory embraces California, Nevada and New Mexico. The purchase by All-Star Features adds another well-known name to the list of Wandering Boy distributors. Equity consistently sold this feature to exchange men whose reputations for keen showmanship and discrimination are unexcelled. Ever since the opening at the Criterion, state rights buyers have rallied to the standard of this wholesome, heart interest drama. Within a couple of months Equity has disposed of practically 90 per cent of the territory. Mr. Lesser, Mr. Hyman and Miss Rosenfield are indorsing the judgment of such independent exchangemen as Ben Amsterdam of Philadelphia, Sam Zierler of New York, and Harry Charnas of Cleveland, and others of equal reputation. All Star Feature Buys Three States on "Wandering Boy" All-Star Feature Distributors is the latest buyer of Equity's Where Is My Wandering Boy To-night? the B. F. Zeldman Production which was given its premiere in the independent market at the Criterion Theatre in New York several weeks ago. The sale was consummated through Miss Rosenfield, eastern sales representative of Arrow Reports Big Transaction with Bromberg Company A most important deal in the state rights market was recently completed when the Arrow Film Corporation and Arthur C. Bromberg Attractions completed their negotiations for the handling of many Arrow releases in territory controlled 'by the latter. Under the terms of the just-signed contract Arthur C. Bromberg Attractions will handle the following Arrow productions in Louisiana and Mississippi: Twenty-six Sport Pictorials, 52 Arrow Comedies, Nan of the North, the ArrowAnn Little serial; 10 productions featuring Jack Hoxie, 4 productions featuring Neva Gerber, 2 productions featuring Grace Davison, The Deceiver, starring Jean Hersholt; The Stranger in Canyon Valley, featuring Edythe Sterling; 4 Peter B. Kyne productions. The twenty-six Sport Pictorials wei'e produced 'by Town and Country Films. The fifty-two Arrow Comedies represent Mirthquake Comedies, Cruelywed, Broadway, and Speed. The four Peter B. Kyne pictures, two of which have been released so far, are made from the best works of this popular author. In commenting on this deal Mr. Bromberg said: "Having studied and analyzed the state rights market for several tnonths I am thoroughly sold on the fact that Arrow is offering a better and more consistently high-grade program than any other organization on the open market. I am sold as well on the co-operation which Arrow is known to give to various distributors." "Determination" Gets Quartet of Bookings in First Run Houses In addition to the large number of first run houses and circuits which have been announced, the Lee-Bradford Corporation has arranged the following bookings for Determination : Eight days at Woods Theatre, Atlantic City, opening April 1. One week at Shubert's Academy of Music, Baltimore, opening April 3. Directly after the showing at the Academy of Music, Mr. Whitehurst has arranged to run Determination in one of his best houses in Baltimore. Arrangements have been made to open the ten-reel production in the New England States in E. F. Albee's Victoria Theatre, Providence, beginning May 29, for a week's run. There are several additional contracts pending which will be announced shortly. Jans Productions Control Title of "Man and Woman" David Primsky, who instituted an action in the Supreme Court seeking to restrain Jans Productions, Inc., from using the name "Man and Woman" in connection with the release of a special production starring Diana Allen, has discontinued the action on the merits of the case, so that Jans Productions has now full right to the title Man and Woman. Morris Schlank in Town Morris Schlank, producer of ArrowBroadway Comedies, featuring Eddie Barry, is in town from the West Coast for a conference with Arrow officials. Mr. Schlank has just completed his last contract with Arrow and plans are now under way for new productions. It is not known yet what Mr. Schlank's plans are, except that his productions in the future will continue to be released through Arrow. Memorial for Tom Hancock As a memorial to the late Tom Hancock, who with John J. Hayes organized the Pacific Film Company, Inc., a martble shaft, with a suitable bronze plate at its base, will be erected at the Pacific's Culver City, Cal., studios. Mr. Hancock's widow retains the family interest in the firm. Mr. Hancock was one of the best informed state rights sales executives on the coast. Scene from "You'd Be Surprised," first of Sunbeam Comedies featuring Billy West to be distributed by C. B. C. Frumm an Officer of Pacific A. Guy Frumm has been made secretary and treasurer of the Pacific Film Co., Inc., a California corporation. Mr. Frumm has 'been an associate of John J. Hayes since the latter embarked in the film business.