The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Apr-Jun 1922)

May 27, 1922. NEW DISTRIBUTING THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. . ORGANISATION TO PUT OUT 356 UNIVERSAL SUBJECTS DURING COMING YEAR. ——_— Edwin J. Smith Managing Director of the Company. E understand that the entire forthcoming product of W the Universal Film Manufacturing Co., will in future be distributed throughout the British Isles by the European Motion Picture Company, Ltd., which organisation was formed in London this week. Within a fortnight the new company will cpen offices in the premises at 167-169, Wardour Street, at present occupied by Paul Kimberley, possible the new company will establish It is understood that the board cf directors continue to occupy the first floor of the premises, Tne Board of Directors of the new organisation at their first meeting appointed as managing director, Mr. Kdwin J. Smith, one of the best known film men in America, and an expert in sales and distribution on the other side of the water. © Mr. Smith is already busy gathering around him a 100 per cent. British staff, which, completed, it is said, will rank second to none in the industry. One of the first men to join the staff is Mr. K. M. Bates, M.C., formerly secretary of Film Booking Offices, Ltd., who assumes a position as secretary of the new firm, Mr. Bates brings with him 1 experience and knowledge that should prove of incostimable value. As soon as branches in_ the Provinces, will when $56 Subjects Next Year. While the new arrangement for the distribution of Universal's vast product becomes operative at once, it is announced that it does not conflict with the present bookings of Universal Fiims being operated through Film Booking Oftices, Ltd., whose contract with Universal, it is understood, has expired in so far as further releases are concerned. The schedule of the Kuropean Motion Picture Company calls for the release within the coming year of some 356 subjects of varying lengths, with a total negativa footage of more than 1,000,000 fect. The list includes big Jewel super-productions, five-recl Universal attractions, Universal two-reel Century two-reel Western one-ree] Star new brands and specials yet to be serials, comedies, dramas, comedies, and several announced, It is understood that Mr. Smith, who has been making survey of the film field for the past three months, has some very ambitious plans, and that within a fortnight he will have an announcement to make of deep interest and vital importance to exhibitors and the trade in general. AN INTERNATIONAL ACTOR Milton Rosmer to Star in New Italian-British Production. ILTON ROSMER, M the first British film star to be engaged by the U.C.T., in pursuance of their policy of producing Tnternational pictures, new leaves Eneland this weck for Zurich, where he and other members of the Everyman Theatre will represent — British drama at the Zurich Festival. Mr. Rosmer will sub sequently proceed — from Zurich to Rome, in order to commence work at the Ronascimento studios. A keen admirer of Italian films, he is looking forward to this new experience with the liveliest interest. while Sig. Amato, who arranged the conMitton RosMEr, tract during his recent 1 by Go gle visit to London, expressed his personal pleasure in securing the services of so excellent a representative of the British screen. Milton Rosmer will probably be back in England with the producer and artistes of the U.C.I. Co. some time in July in order to photograph exterior scenes for ‘* Woman and the Man,”’ the film version of Robert Buchanan’s novel. Two places of amusement in Barrow were amongst a bateh of other defaulters summoned last week for the non-payment of the borough rates. In one case the over £70. having at present to keep going. amount of arrears was This keenly indicates the struggle that kinemas are At present there are two laces of amusement in Barrow closed, both being variety shows. 1 ’ t=] “ The dearth of good church organists in West London 1s attributed to the competition of the kinemas, which are engaging organists. If Woman could but read the Soul of Man—?