The Film Daily (1923)

iTHE 7/>e BRADSTREET of FILHDOM ZfoRECOCMIZEH Authority Vol. XXIV No. 45 Tuesday, May IS, 1923 Price 5 Can* Gathering Tonight Non-Theatrical Interests Meet at Delmonico's To Discuss General Problems — Notables Accept The Motion Picture Chamber of Commerce (Non Theatrical) will hold a dinner tonight at Delmonico's at which upwards of 250 -°ople are expected. The dinner will be for the purpose of discussing problems in the non-theatrical field and means of further cementing the temporary organization that developed in Albany recently when the passage of favorable legislation was sought by nontheatrical distributors. According to Sidney Morse, of the Masonic Order who is handling the arrangements. Governor Smith, Thomas A. Edison, George Eastman, Courtland Smith, Lee Hammer of the Russell Sap-e Foundation. Dr. Ernest L. Crandall, of the Visial Educational Association, Julius H. Barnes, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Mees, head of the Research Department of the Eastman Kodak Co., are among the notables expected. "Filmland," a picture produced by Eastman Kodak will be shown to the guests and also a special two reeler made up of interesting shots from various of the productions made by non-theatrical firms to show the progress made along these lines. Barrymore for "Eternal City" Sam Goldwyn has engaged Lionel Barrymore for "The Eternal City." He leaves on May 26, for Rome. The Dembow's Change George Dembow, former Philadelphia manager for Fox is now in Boston as district manager in New England for Goldwyn. Sam Dembow, assistant general sales manager of Fox has left the company to go to the coast for Goldwyn. In Philadelphia, J. S. Hebrew who has been groomed for the post has been appointed resident manager for Fox. Death Halts Hearings The Federal Trade Commission hearing against Famous Players scheduled for yesterday was postponed until 10:30 this morning as a tribute to the memory of Edward C. Leffingwell, prominent New York attorney, who died on Friday. Leffingwell was a member of the firm of Cravath, Henderson, Leffingwell and De Gersdorff, which has been assisting Elek J. Ludvigh in the defense of that organization against the Government charges. Renewal Expected Jack White to Continue Release Through Educational — On Way to Coast Although no announcement has been made by parties concerned, it is expected that Jack White will continue his distributing arrangements with Educational. White left for the coast on Friday after spending several weeks here conferring with Earl W. Hammons of Educational and E. H. Allen, the producer's general manager. Lloyd Hamilton, another producer for Educational, is here relative 10 1923-1924 distribution. The Ballins Here Hugo and Mabel Ballin are in town from Los Angeles. Gallagher and Shean With Fox? It is understood that Gallagher and Shean, the well-known vaudeville team who announced their intention of appearing in pictures recently, have signed with Fox. This was unconfirmed yesterday. Another First Run Opening (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Chicago — Jones, Linick & Schaefer are remodelling the Orpheum on State St. and it is said will change to a first run policy for the Fall. This would give opposition to the Roosevelt. The Orpheum seats about 900. En Route for New Orleans (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Chicago— The Famous Players executives attending the various sales conventions left for New Orleans last night after a two day convention at the Drake. The Southern meeting will be held at the St. Charles tomorrow and Thursday. Lichtman Buys "The Boomerang" Al Lichtman and J. G. Bachmann have closed with David Belasco for the rights to "The Boomerang" by Winchell Smith and Victor Mapes. "The Breath of Scandal," a novel by Edward Balmer, has also been purchased. Both will be produced as part of the Fall schedule. Film Men at Plaza Dinner Among the film men who attended the annual dinner of the Vaudeville Manager's Protective Association at the Plaza last night were Adolph Zukor, Marcus Loew, Ed Schdler, Harold B. Franklin, B. S. Moss and W. S. Butterfield, the latter of Battle Creek. Bobby Irons John M. Spargo, who, on behalf of the Exhibitors' Herald, has donated a special prize of 12 Bobby Irons for the forthcoming Golf Tournament at Belleclaire, Bayside, L. I., on Tuesday, June 5, has received the following from W. Wallace Ham of Vitagraph: "When I was uot West last Fall I had the pleasure of playing a round of golf in Kansas with a nondescript set of clubs, borrowed, and one of the clubs was marked "Bobby." It was the only one of its kind on the links and the only one I ever saw. But I will say that it was a wonder. It was this club, and not my ability as a golfer, that enabled me to have low ■ score in a four-ball foursome. "Now I note in Saturday's FILM DAILY that you are strong for the 'Bobby.' It has been my intention all along to be at Bayside on June 5th, but now nothing can keep me away. I must see those 'Bobbies' which I read, are to be there. I 't been able to find one in any store." "Santa Glaus" Zukor What Happened to the Inhabitants When He Visited His Birthplace Near Budapest The Paris edition of the New York Herald of May 5 contains the following interesting item from Budapest: "The other day, the small village of Riese, in the Zemplin district, had the sensation of its life when suddenly and unexpectedly Adolph Zukor, president of Famous Players, arrived by special train and turned out to be the same man who left the place forty years ago as a poor furrier's apprentice to try his luck on the other side of the ocean. His father had a small grocer's shop and scarcely had enough money to pay the third-class (Continued on Page 2) Walker Becomes a Producer (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Johnny Walker, in addition to working in pictures, has formed the Walker-Good Prod, to make 12 five reelers, featuring Eddie Polo, Catherine Bennett and Kathleen Meyers in melodramatic "stunt" productions. Interested with Walker is John H. Good of Youngstown, O., W. H. Curran, co-director of "The Courtship of Miles Standish," will be in charge of production. The Polo pictures will be made with a particular eye to European sales. Walker's next picture for F. B. O. will be "The Worm," which he purchased from Charles Ray. Coast Theater Deal Loew's State, Los Angeles and the Warfield, 'Frisco Leased by } Lesser Group for $7,500,000 (Special to THE FILM DAILY) ' Los Angeles — A deal has been con-* siimmated between West Coast Theaters, Inc., and Marcus Loew whereby the former organization will take over Loew's State here and Loew's Warfield in San Francisco under a! 25-year lease. The lease involves $7,500,000, and the agreement provides that West Coast Theaters, Inc., are to have complete charge of the actual operation of the theaters under direct? supervision of the Loew office. The houses will play First National and Metro pictures in the fdture. The West Coast chain now totals 116 houses. This new, important transaction was closed by Joseph M. Schenck, who is interested in the Lesser-Gore-Ramish activities. Marcus Loew is expected here shortly. The Loew office yesterday, in discussig the coast deal stated that a separate company had been formed to cover the transaction; that the Loew organization had not sold the theaters or the property and that the new arrangement gave West Coast Theaters, Inc.. a 50% operating interest. Various negotiations have been' under way for some time looking toward a disposal or a new means of operating the two big theaters on the coast which are among the finest . in the countrv. Film Row Upset (Special to THE FILM DAILY) San Francisco — Golden Gate Ave., "Film Row," was quite upset yesterday over the report of the acquisition! of the big Loew houses by West Coast. Well posted exchange men' say this is an indication of • the growth of West Coast to even greater strides, and hint that the acquisition of the Rothschild houses, th Granada. Imperial and California, w{ be the next move, to be followed hj (Continued on Page 2) Ford Considering Production? (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Who is Henry Ford's scout here? A number of film people are wondering, because the report is persistent that Ford is considering entering production and that a representative is here speaking about the plan to stars.