Exhibitor's Trade Review (Sep-Nov 1921)

November 19, 1921 EXHIBITORS TRADE REVIEW 1713 Fewer Concerns Incorporate in N. Y. State Compared to October a year ago, when 34 companies, capitalized at $5,282,400, were incorporated in the motion picture business in New York state, the past month does not show up as well. During October this year, 28 motion picture companies were incorporated in this state, but all of these were comparatively low in capitalization, the entire number amounting to but $1,452,500. Up to the present time, there have been incorporated in New York state this year a total of 389 motion picture companies. These represent a capitalization of $24,451,800. Comparing the past month with October a year ago, the records in the Secretary of State's office at Albany show that this year more companies are locating in New York City, than outside. For instance, in October ig20, of the companies which incorporated at that time, five were located outside New York City and these five represented a capitalization of not less than $3,265,000, leaving the 29 companies located in New York City with a capitalization of $2,017,400. Apparently companies are realizing more and more the advantages of locating in New York City, the Mecca of the motion picture business, for of the 28 which were incorporated in the state last month, not a single one was outside the metropolis. Selznick Forces Producing in Talmadge Studios Mail intended for the producing unit of the Selznick Corporation is no longer properly addressed to Fort Lee, N. J. With less palaver and advance announcement than sometimes accompanies the purchase of a new scenario, Myron Selznick, vice-president in charge of production of the Selznick corporation, has taken over the Norma Talmadge studios on East Forty-eighth Street, New York City, and surrounded by his cohorts, has established himself there. Mr. Selznick negotiated a long term lease with Joseph M. Schenck, the studio being available because of the fact that the Talmadges, Norma and Constance, have decided upon the West Coast as their production home for an indefinite period. The trade knows that the Selznick corporation has been producing in the big studios across the Hudson River for some time and, during their tenancy there, developed what was conceded to be one of the best equipped and most efficient motion picture studio plants in the business. This development made for better Selznick pictures for the exhibitors and for a happy and peaceful frame of mind for Vice-president Myron Selznick and those associated with him. Meeting Called in Georgia Freeman, Patterson, Schiller and Oldknow Sponsor Gathering in Atlanta of Civic Leaders, Exhibitors and Others Calls have been issued by four leading exhibitors of Atlanta — Y. F. Freeman, W. C. Patterson, E. A. Schiller and William Oldknow — for a meeting of Georgia exhibitors in Atlanta on November 13. Invitations have been sent to more than twenty exhibitors in different sections of the state, and a number of civic leaders and amusement men outside the motion picture industry have been invited to attend. It is hoped that the group of men responding to this call will form the nucleus of a state organization whose duty will be to function regularly on all matters outside the industry, which have a direct or indirect bearing upon the industry itself. The purpose, as outlined by the sponsors of the movement, is almost entirely protective. Such an organization as is contemplated will not concern itself with any differences which may arise within the ranks, but will be solely concerned with matters without the ranks that affect the motion picture industry, it is stated. While direct invitations have gone to only a few exhibitors in the state it is hoped that a great many others may find it possible to attend the meeting scheduled for November 13 in Atlanta. The sessions will be open to all Georgia exhibitors, and the proceedings will be given out to the trade press, it is announced, so that though many exhibitors may not be able to attend they will have the full benefit of all information touching upon the meeting itself. Below is a list of these to whom special letters have been sent: R. J. Edenfield, Augusta; R. M. Stripling, Southeastern Fair Association, Atlanta; Arthur Lucas, Odeon Theatre, Savannah; R. E. Martin, Columbus; F. H. Smith, Thomasville; A. H. Paxson, Valdosta; Joe Burton, Toccoa; Emory Rylander, Americus; E. M. Prather, Americus; Adolph Samuels, Atlanta; Salter-Evans, Cable Piano Company, Atlanta; Manning & Wink, Dalton; T. F. Thompson, Cedartown; A. J. Flournoy, Macon, Ga.; Martin May, Atlanta; Mr. Spiller, of the Atlanta Baseball Association, Atlanta; Y. F. Freeman, Atlanta; Willard Patterson, Atlanta. Big Theatre Merger in St. Louis Skouras Brothers Figure in $1,500,000 Deal — Aftermath of Sale of Famous Players' Holdings in Missouri City The amalgamation of fourteen theatres and airdomes controlled by the City Wide Amusement Company and three theatres and one airdome owned by the Skouras Brothers Enterprises was effected in St. Louis on November 7. The amusement places involved are valued at about $1,500,000. A new amusement company has been formed which will be known as the St. Louis Amusement Company. Spyros Skouras has been elected President; Harry Koplar, vice-president; W. A. Stickney, secretary and assistant treasurer; Sam Hamburg, Jr., treasurer, and Charles Skouras, manager. The Skouras Brothers control the Missouri and Southern Illinois franchises for First National, Associated Producers and Educational Pictures. The City Wide Amusement Company was formed in August shortly after Kopler, Hamburg and Ben Cornwell contracted to purchase the sixteen outlying theatres and airdomes from the Famous Players Missouri Corporation for $1,100,000. "Musketeers" Makes New Records Sets Two Broadway Marks — President Harding Enjoys Picture on His Birthday According to reports circulated by United Artists following receipt of letters and telegrams from exhibitors, Douglas Fairbanks' latest super feature, The Three Musketeers, is continuing on its recordbreaking career.. The feature broke two records this week, one on Broadway in New York and the other on Broadway, Los Angeles. At the Mission Theatre in Los Angeles the picture played to 150,000 persons in . 315 performances, while in New York at the Lyric Theatre played continuously to capacity houses. Official attendance figures, however, will not be available until next week, as the run there came to a close this Saturday night. In spite of • a downpour of rain and Hallowe'en, which mythical night is made much of in Baltimore, The Three Musketeers received an auspicious opening at the New Theatre in that city. The picture was shown to s. r. o. audiences at both opening day performances. The press critics, on the following day, commented favorably and enthusiastically on the picture. United Artists officials, although pointing proudly to the achievements of The Three Musketeers, at the box office were particularly enthusiastic when they made known the fact that that feature was selected as the crowning feature of the birthday celebration of President Harding. The picture was projected in the special projection room at the home of Mrs. E. B. McLean, who was host to the President and his wife. A special program was given incident to the showing. Another unusual tribute was paid the star and picture in Baltimore when the Baltimore Grand Jury, then in session, insisted on having this feature shown to them.