The Film Daily (1923)

^THE Mill nMDOM ^recocmizeb Authority 1. XXVI No. 62 Thursday, December 13, 1923 Price 5 Cents ^. J." Again Active? ported Arthur S. Friend is Aranging With Motley Flint For His Re-Entrance in Selznick topic of interest in film circles terday concerned the reported de of L. J. Selznick to again become ve in the Selznick organization, n effort made to reach L. J. for itement failed. W. C. J. Doolittle, iident of Selznick Distributing there was nothing to the report ch ran something like this: hat L. J. wanted to re-enter Selzas an active figure and that he arranged for Arthur S. Friend , as an attorney has represented on several occasions, to make a to the coast where he would conith Motley H. Flint, of the Los eles financial interests which are much interested in the Selznick pany. The purpose of the conice with Flint was to arrange L. return to the satisfaction of the a banking group, of which Doo■ is the representative. Idwyn Signs Hjalmar Bergman jalmar Bergman, one of the most issed of the younger writers of jpe, has arrived in New York is way to California, where he contracted with Goldwyn to , and adapt, stories for the -n. e arrangement was made at the estion of Victor Seastrom, for m Bergman will concentrate his ts. :rgman is little known in the ed States, only one of his novels lg been translated into English, is "God's Orchid." Three of stories, "Mortal Clay," 'Fire ird" and "The Headsman" were uced by Seastrom in Sweden. rgman leaves for the Goldwyn o tomorrow. ;lc Ss Km th Au o Wampas Frolic in 'Frisco (Special to THE FILM DAILY) s Angeles — The Wampas have ed to hold their annual frolic in Francisco on Jan. 19. The San cisco authorities have pledged co-operation, placing the Civic :orium with a seating capacity ,000 at their disposal. onel Barrymore in "America" W. Griffith has engaged Lionel •more for the role of the "heavy^ merica." Production is expe continue until Spring. Mabel Normand in "The Extra Girl" pines for the life of a star. No wonder. And no wonder crowds everywhere are going wild over the Mack Sennett production, distributed by Associated Exhibitors. — Advt. Inferior Films "Out" J. D. Williams Says There's No Room for Them Abroad — Continued Silence on Valentino J. D. Williams in a lengthy statement issued yesterday covering his observations on the situation abroad declared that the day of the inferior film had gone and that the European public is "just as tired of ordinary pictures as is the American public." In the statement there appeared only one reference to the reported settlement of the long-drawn out litigation between Rodolph Valentino and Famous Players when Williams stated: "Regarding the status of Mr. Valentino's contract and Famous Players, I can say positively that absolutely nothing in the way of an agreement has been signed. If such an. agreement is reached it will be announced doubtless by Famous Players and Ritz Pictures. I shall have more to say on this subject at an early date." (Continued on Page S) Godsol Resting (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — F. J. Godsol is resting at Beverly Hills. He will probably remain for the winter. Intends Suing American Society to Act Against Exhibitors Who Violate Copyrights on Music E. C. Mills of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers stated yesterday that his organization intended bringing actions against the many exhibitors who violated copyrights during the time that negotiations were pending between the Society and the M. P. T. O. He said that many exhibitors felt they could proceed with the use of the music "as they saw fit without license," with the result that confusion has resulted and a large number of violations piled up. Mills evidently does not feel very kindly toward the national exhibitor body. He declared he had discovered that it was necessary to "watch his step," at every stage in the proceedings which, at noted, have now been definitely dropped. State Righters Meet Today About twenty firms dealing in the state right field will meet at the Astor today to discuss the formation of a credit organization which is designed to function under the wing of the Hoy Reporting Service. Asking About Studios Coast Representatives Here Gathering Data About Advantages of Eastern Production It is understood that the representatives of several coast producing interests are in New York making a general inquiry about the advisability of producing in and around New York. The inquiries have been general, it is true, but Eastern studio men are of the opinion that the fact that interest in local studios has been evinced indicates the trend of mind so far as 1924 production is concerned. In some quarters, it is held that actors and actresses can be employed here for less money than on the coast. Richard A. Rowland of First National has often stated he favored New York as a production center rather than Hollywood. Famous Players intend maintaining at least three companies at the Long Island City plant with a possibility of additional units. Some of the inquiries emanate from production units which have never made any pictures here in the East. One of the best posted men in the production field declared yesterday that the tendency for next year is decidedly toward the East. He looked for the resumption of picturemaking here on a large scale in the near future. 1st Nat'l Backs Brandt Plan First National will co-operate in the plan suggested by William Brandt, to assist in the effort to remove the admission tax. E. A. Eschmann hag instructed his sales force to drive home to exhibitors the importance of taking an active part in the fight. The use of salesmen was suggested by Mr. Brandt and was endorsed by H. M. Richey, special contract man between the Hays organization and exhibitors on tax matters. Gance Preparing "Napoleon" Film (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Paris — Abel Gance is actively at work on preparations for "Napoleon." As noted, the picture will be made with the co-operation of the French Government and will probably be ready the end of next year. First Ready Early in 1924 Barbara La Marr will appear in her first picture as a First National star the early part of 1924. Clarence Badger will direct.