The Film Daily (1924)

THE Sunday, August 31, 1924 11 Good Will ground of Indians, a dirty villain and all the things that happen. To Hero and Shero and all the rest. With this combination. It's a sort of glorified Western. Which is just what "The Covered Wagon" is. Incidentally, Fox steals a lot of thunder with "The Iron Horse." He beats the barrier and gets away to a flying start. Over "North of 36" the big Famous special, and "Sundown" the First National special. And Tom Ince has "The Last Frontier" — another of this type. Bill received a lot of compliments. At the opening. And he beamed. Just as when he put on "Over the Hill." He has something to beam about. This one is "in." THOSE ADVANCES! Always have been annoying. In this business. Used to stir up exhibitor conventions. A lot. Now they appear in another form. Nathan Burkan sues Ann Luther. For $500.35. The five hundred berries are easy to figure out. That's just a fee. Plain and simple. But the 35 cent charge is difficult. Asked several attorneys what it might mean. All up in the air. One, however, suggested Ann may have held Nate up. For a coupla ice cream sody's. ECONOMY MOVE Hennery Ford has ordered employees of his railroad — The Detroit, Toledo & fronton — to economize on telegrams. Over 700 were filed during June. Well, Henry, it's a good thing you own no stock in a film concern. Otherwise the telegraph bills would drive you blooey. They can use more words in a picture concern telegram than the late lamented Webster put between his dictionary covers. Several important producers write letters. And put them on the wire. And think nothing of it. NOT IN THE SCRIPT Priscilla Dean. The lady of agile movement. Who has a way of her own. In fiUums. Demonstrated that she can move. Like lightnin.' Even tho it isn't in the script. Was scheduled to appear personally at the premier. In Frisco. At the California. Was working on location. At Balboa. Dashed 90 miles to the station. As only she can dash. Missed her train. By the proverbial eye lash. Got itito Frisco 24 hours late. But they liked "The Siren of Seville" a lot. Out there. Even tho Beaucaire and Thief of Bagdad were opposition. Looks like a hit. From some newspaper criticisms. ORGANIZED DISTRIBUTION Wanted to go over the Irwin-Motion Picture News prize winning distribution plan. But haven't had a real chance yet. So darned much doing. Day and night. But will. Hope to for next week's column. Meanwhile see if you can get a giggle out of this: Important man in industry. Talked to one of his lieutenants. "I'm leaving tonight" he said, "for the week. Wish you'd strike off an analysis of that Irwin plan this afternoon." And the Lieutenant is still gasping for breath. INNOVATION First National meeting. In London. Many exhibitors present. Got some ideas as to running their houses, etc. While being told of First National values. Incidentally were given some tips on proper projection. And during the discussion which followed. This came out : a lad who acted as projectionist was found roasting chesnuts by the heat of the projection lamp. First thing you know they'll be cooking ham and eggs that way. IRVING HOISTS A FEW Postcarding from Havana. Irving Lesser writes: "Just a wide open space not located on Broadway or the West. Seems good to hoist a glass. Regards." (Continued from Page 1) It doesn't sound so good to hear about it. where is prohibition? By the way, SOME YARN Talking of prohibition. Reminds of a "break" that Universal got for "Wine." Yarn printed in Herald-Tribune. Of fancy bar on ship moored off 12 mile limit. Near Long Island. Story was flashed all over. Sensation. Finally proved story was "fake." But what mattered a little thing like that? To "Wine." Which got a whirlwind of free publicity. SPOOKY STUFF Advices from M. Pisarek. Of the Seven Seas Film Corp., who is in Lithuania. Says when the Lithuanian peasants come to the city and are enticed to go into the movies, after a few minutes they get frightened, make the sign of the cross, and muttering something about the evil spirit, promptly leave the place. There are only a few theaters in Lithuania. English and German pictures are shown with titles untranslated and the audience is usually totally at loss as to what it is all about. SCHENCK OUT OF WEST COAST So Joe Schenck is out of West Coast. And Adolph Ramish now holds a 30 per cent interest. In the biggest chain. On the Coast. A lot of people will be interested in this. Reported Joe wanted more time. For production. Guess he needs it. Because running that Producer's Association. Plus his real business. Needs a lot of time. Incidentally Schenck is one of the most influential men in the business. Knows more about what's going on. With men — big and little — in all branches. Than perhaps anyone else on the Coast. Has many friends. Result of his generous spirit. Both in giving advice, time, money — anything that is wanted. When you figure the big men. Don't overlook Schenck. He's a lot bigger than a lot of people think. SERVICE Had a thought or two. On "Service." Couple days ago. About how Mister Exhibitor should work this out. Then to prove the irony of things. Along comes this. From way out in Canada : Walter F. Davis, managing director of the Metroplitan, Winnipeg, was literally called upon to live up to his motto of "Service to the Public," which he had been preaching extensively, when he received a request from an out-of-town patron to go to a nearby store and make the purchase of two desired shirts which were to be sent to the man by return post. Davis complied with the request, particularly as the applicant had pointed out that he could not come into the city to attend the Metropolitan until he had secured a new shirt. DANNY. COMING SOON PRODUCERS DISTRIBUTING CODPODATION I RECIOESS ROMANCE "AL CHRISTIE FEATURE Adapted from the ^reat Broadway success whatS your wife doing ? a great box-office cast TROY BARNES LINCOLN PLUMMER TULLY MARSHALL HARRY MEYERS WANDA HAWLEY SYLVIA BREAMER JACK DUFFY MORGAN WAIUCE MITCHELL LEWIS Dirtctedby ,>SCOn SIDNEY (' \ ry.vyj.v,j.vy^i:w,:w;X}X:iX^;si VIC ""i*^ '^^^ "'i^ "•■.■y* ' SEASON 1924-1925 THIRTY FIRST-RUN PICTURES