The Film Daily (1923)

THE -<^ DAILY Thursday, November IS, 1923 VtL XXTI Ni. 39 Tkirsfcj. No*. IS. 1923 Prico 5 Celts Copyright 1923, Wid'a Film and Film Folki. Inc., Published Daily except Saturday, at 71 73 Writ 44th St.. New York, N. Y., by WIDS FILMS and FILM FOLKS, INC. Joseph Dannenberg, President and Editor; J. W. Alicoate, Treasurer and Business Manager ; Maurice D. Kann, Managing Editor. Donald M. Mersereau, Advertising Manager. Entered as second-class matter May 21, 1918, at the poat office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. Terma (Postage free) United States. Outside of Greater New York, $10.00 one year; 6 months, $5.00; 3 months, $3.00. Foreign $15.00. Subscribers should remit with order. Address all communications to THE FILM DAILY, 71-73 West 44th St., New York, N. Y. Phone Vanderbilt 4551-4552-5558. Hollywood, California — Walter R. Greene, 6411 Hollywood Blvd. 'Phone, Hollywood 1603. Chicago Representative — Irving Mack, 738 S. Wabash Ave. London Representative — Ernest W. Fredman, The Film Renter, 53a Shaftesbury Ave., London, W. I. Paris Representative — Le Film, 42 Rus <U Clichy. Central European Representative — Internationale Filmschau, Prague (Czecho-Slo Takia), Wenzelplatz. Quotations 4 / High Low Clo« Sales East. Kod. .112^ 110 110J4 6,100 F. P.-L 65% 64^ 65 5,600 do pfd Not quoted Goldwyn ... 11 11 11 200 Loew's 17 y2 17 X 17 y2 900 Favor Wells' Plan (Continued from Page 1) i? the admission tax. The exhibitors present declare that the small exhibitor is in desperation over the tax. Olsen is of the opinion that exhibitors should co-operate to the fullest extent with the Hays organization to this end. Rembusch told THE FILM DAILY that French Lick is the ideal place to hold a general conference of the three branches of the industry and have a frank discussion on existing problems. Hays at the Monday Club Will H. Hays may attend a meeting of the Monday Club at the Metropolitan Auditorium next Monday evening. The members of the club are prominent in social work in New York. The Hays office is arranging for a motion picture program. Jesse L. Lasky is expected to discuss production, while whatever stars are available on that evening will make an appearance. T. O. C. C. Ball Jan. 24 The annual ball of the T. O. C. C. will be held at the Astor on Jan. 24th. (£>d.ivcatloruxl U-CciuAXA^ -^D THE SnCE OF THE PROGRAM" WHY ROME IS CALLED "THE ETERNAL CITY" The Arch of Triano, fronting the Coliseum, one of the ancient beauty spots, conceived by the famous architect, Apollodoro of Damascus. The profile represents conquests in the Orient of the Roman Generals. It was completed in the year 79 A. D. For the first time in history this m asterpiece of antiquity appears in a film. It is seen as a background in George Fitzmaurice's production of "The Eternal City." Presented by Samuel Goldwyn. (Not now connected with Goldwyn Pictures). — Advt. Leaders Won't Talk (Continued from Page 1) right and that the day of a joint distributing machine, at least so far as the actual physical handling of the product was concerned, was not far off. He said the transition was inevitable. W. W. Hodkinson, W. E. Atkinson, Joe Brandt and Billy Brandt did, however, voice their ideas. Hodkinson declared that co-operation was vital in the business if it were to survive. He declared: "There must be absolute co-operation between the different factions and factors in the industry because the nature of the business is such and it is Bo closely related in many ways, that it cannot long continue to stand the punishment inflicted on it by a lot of persons advancing their own interests regardless of others or the industry as a whole. If the industry has not within itself, the vision to see this fact clearly, the wisdom to devise practical methods of co-operation with which to change the condition and the integrity to stick by equitable plans, in my opinion, it is at a point of perishing as set up today and my recent article in Collier's Weekly clearly sets forth the lines which my experience indicates it will follow in gravitating from the so-called theatrical into the non-theatrical field, leaving high and dry the interests now concerned with production and exhibition of pictures along the ruinous lines pursued at present. "I was never more optimistic than at the present in believing that the industry can work together, but I have felt and do feel that it will only do so under pressure, and that the sufficient pressure is now at hand to force a proper set up within the industry." W. E. Atkinson of Metro said: "Our product for this season has been arranged in such a manner that it was not necessary to take any steps in curtailing production. There is nothing that I care to say about joint distribution. It has been tried before but has too many ramifications for a successful carrying out." Joe Brandt, of C. B. C. said: "There isn't any doubt in the world that the present day high cost of production calls for drastic remedies. But I do not agree with Mr. Godsol's suggestion that this remedy can be met by a plan of joint distribution. In that plan I see danger, in that it would inevitably tend to discourage the competition that is so necessary in the film business as in any other. If all pictures were distributed and sold through the same channels, they would be accepted on practically the same reliable basis. With this in minJ, there would be no incentive for producers or directors to do the unusual thing in production — and this would eventually sound the death-knell of the industry. Uniformity of rental price would bring uniformity of pictures. Every picture must be judged individually and bring its own price; every exhibitor must stand on his own feet." Billy Brandt said: "It's about time high-powered film executives would stop issuing statements of that kind to the daily press. It's doing more to hold up the campaign for the admission tax repeal than anything that I know of," Kane After Product (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Contrary to announced intentions of other companies to curtail production, Arthur S. Kane's visit here is for the purpose of annexing new product. Dillon Here W. A. Dillon, of Ithaca, attended the T. O. C. C. meeting yesterday. He says business up-state is good when suitable pictures can be booked. He controls three houses in Ithaca, one, the Crescent, showing straight pictures. "Messalina" Here (Continued from Page 1) Speaking of conditions in Italy, h said yesterday: "I came to the United States ti attend to the sale of 'Messalina' afte the re-editing and titling to answe the requirements of the America^ market. I have many plans regarditi| future productions but do not car to discuss them at this time. Ameri can pictures in Italy are well liked particularly from the technical poin of view. Conditions in Italy as ti the production of motion pictures ari on the way to improvement, after i period of stagnation which has beei beneficial to the industry because i served to eliminate the spurious ele ments." The production of "Messalina' was sponsored in a more or lesi official manner. The King and Queei of Italy evinced considerable interes while it was in the making. Thi story occurs in the year 12 A. D. when the Roman Empire was in tb height of its glory. Guazzoni re built the Arena, the Forum and Ros trum in Rome for many of the scenes' A chariot race plays an importan part in the development of the storyi "Messalina" has been purchased b Pathe Freres, Ltd., of London foi Great Britain. HAL ROACH'S SPAT FAMILY COMEDIES "Laughing Purposes Only." 2 reels Pafhecomedy WANTED Laboratory wanted equipped with a capacity of 700,000 feet a week or more. Apply Box S-75 c/o THE FILM DAILY 71 West 44th St., New York