The Film Daily (1924)

THE -2&*h DAILY .m iiiiim i Sunday, January 6, 1924 Patience {Continued from Page 1) B. Mayer, who has a real profile and "Watty" Rothacker, who is handsome enough to quit making a fortune with "lab" work and play opposite Norma. Or Mary. GIVING CREDIT Meticulous about these things over at the Fox plant. Made quite a flashy announcement. Of "The Shepherd King" being "an American creation." But sort of overlooked the important fact that "This Freedom" was made by Ideal. And not by the Fox organization. THE SQUARE DEAL "Kine" editorial says in part : Sometimes — only sometimes, of course — an exhibitor gets a bad picture. He looks painfully round the gaps where the audience should be, and goes to town and books a super on which he probably packs his house and comes out on the wrong side in his balancesheet. Sometimes — only sometimes — he does otherwise. But he rarely does what an exhibitor at Hull did last week. He had booked a bad picture — it is not for us here and now to go into the reasons why he did not know what the picture was like when he booked it. But when he got it he discovered that it was of no use to his theater; that it was not up to the standard of his house. So he advertised widely that the picture he had already advertised would not be shown because it was not what he had advertised it to be. And he put on another and presumably better picture in its place. The result undoubtedly is a large accession of confidence on the part of his patrons and bigger audiences for some time than he would have got if he had shown the picture hoping to get by with it. Of course, the real point is that he should never have booked it, but somewhere in the story there is a moral. Several, in fact. Wonder why some American showman doesn't do that? He gets chance enough, to be sure. THOSE "INDEPENDENTS" Seem to have finally started in the right direction. Referring to the men who have organized the Independent M. P. Prod. & Dist. Ass'n. Surely there are problems enough in the state right field to need such an organization. They had one several years ago. But it went to pieces. Now Fred Elliott and C. B. Hoy seem to have lined them up properly. Practically everyone in New York in the state right field in. And they anticipate lining up West Coast producers as well. Have a lot of plans. Credits important, but other matters to be settled as well. They intend working together on releases as well as advertising. Irving Lesser tried to get this latter idea in work some months ago. Lunch at the Biltmore, and much talk. But nothing eventuated. Here's hoping that the new organization does get things done. Talk won't do it. HAYS TO COAST Move has nothing to do with the latest front page yarn in which some female stars seem involved. Was on his way before this "broke." Just his usual Winter visit. "FOOLISH LIVES" Editorial caption of item in Los Angeles Times. Which, incidentally, says: "It doesn't help any to be able to advertise that a film cost a million or more in the taking. Too many 'flops' have already passed this expenditure. Some story of great dramatic strength may not call for more than $20,000 or $30,000 to place offl the screen. The people do not care to pay for luxurious or extravagant settings unless they are getting drama with them. * * * Drama is all in the finding and this may often be a matter of lucfe or chance. The wastrel who pours millions into a hole may nofl take hundreds out." There's a lot of truth in this. But a lot of people out Hollywood way would like to know. Where and how you can make a picture these days for $20,000 or $30,000. LOOKING AROUND Bob Bruce. Whose scenics have, been a delight. To millions of fans. Bruce has quit making these little gems. Although his latest series is just about to start through Educational. And Bruce wants to get into the bigger pictures. Some concern which is doing things with outdoor stuff should be able to use Bruce tc advantage — to a decided advantage indeed. SOME SHOW That Xmas bill at the Strand. It was a whale of a show Great pity that Moe Mark doesn't break loose oftener. Plunket' knows how to do it. That's certain. Incidentally that "Boy o: Mine" is going to draw a lot of people into the box office. Anc send them home feeling mighty fine. Peach of a picture. And i didn't cost a fortune to make, either. STIMULATING Up in Voorheesville, New York. Manager Martin of the Od( Fellows Hall wanted to stimulate business. So he gave awaj frankfurters and coffee. To the ticket buyers. Clem Deneker please note. A STUNT Arrow shoots out a letter to exhibitors. Regarding "Gam bling Wives." And encloses a brand new penny. For the pur chase of a stamp. To go on a return postal. Which, when signed will bring info to the exhibitor regarding the feature. An idea STUDIO STUFF Charles Ray. Here for the premiere of "The Courtship o Myles Standish." Has a word to say regarding production. Think that more and more will the studio be used instead of location Bases this on the results obtained for his big picture. Where h not only produced a peach of a sea storm right in the studio, bu used a panorama to excellent effect as well. Says working righ in the studio helps a lot and saves a lot from going on location. PRODUCTION SAVINGS May come. Several large concerns promise they will. Bu if these reductions arrive star salaries will play little or no par therein. There is every indication that salaries will remain wher they are. If they advance don't yell. It won't help. Any saving of consequence must come therefore from preparatory work. Be fore the "shooting" begins. Of course cutting footage down to 6,000 feet, or a little mor< will help a lot. And if this is done much will be accomplished. DANN^i