The Film Daily (1924)

iTHE of FILHDOM ^recocmizei Authority Vol. XXIX No. 67 Thursday, September 18, 1924 Price 5 Cents PRODIGIES By DANNY They come and go. And chiefly go. That's the trouble. With this type of star entertainment. The latest to be announced : Baby Peggy and Sol Lesser come to a parting. Yet, Avhen Sol took on the wonderful kiddie and planned to star her he fully expected that he would be able to develop her as he did Jackie Coogan. Only it didn't work. The Baby Peggy stardom idea wasn't accepted by First National. The FN exhibitors couldn't see her. Despite Sol's salesmanship. (And he's some salesman.) So her pictures went out otherwise and now Coast r?p"rtc oay ;hcy are parting. If aEuropean contract materializes, Baby Peggy may make pictures over there. Otherwise the future is — at the moment— uncertain. Jackie Coogan has one more to deliver to Metro-Goldwyyi. Whether a new contract ivill be made is uncertain. But this is definite: it xvill not he upon the terms of the present contract. The reason is svmple. For some reason exhibitors aren't so anxious for Jackie as they formerly were. Awhile ago the Warners had Wesley Barry. He was going fine. Then all of a sudden Mr. Exhibitor said he didn't want Barry. He's making short subjects now. This, together with the situation as it rides with regard to Babby Peggy and Jackie would seem to indicate that these child stars should be handled gently. Long term contracts might well be avoided. Not with those mentioned. But with the coming prodigies. And they are always coming along. If exhibitors don't want such stars there is a reason. And the reason probably is that the fans don't want them. And this is easily understood. In one or two or three pictures such prodigies seem to go all right. For more than that — well, stop; look; listen. When a picture like "Merton of the Movies" can only remain on Broadway for one week, it needs looking into. Going to do it. Something about this tomorrow. 30 Day Respite May Be Granted Famous — Hearing Nears End in Boston — In New York Later (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Boston — It is expected the Federal Trade Commission hearing here will terminate today and that the defense will be given a thirty days' period of grace before it resumes in New York. The hearing there will run about a month. A series of continuous tiffs between counsel served to liven up the hearing before Examiner Alvord during the period that Herman Mintz, former general counsel for Famous and Harry F. Campbell, New England manager for Fox were on the stand. Attorney Gaylord Hawkins, for the Government, had things all his own vay as far as the exclusion of testimony was concerned, but Examiner Alvord made it clear that he sustained objections, not so much because of the nature of the questions, but because they bore on aspects of trade conditions in New England on which he was already well posted. In fact, he inferred that New England was in a class by itself as far as the industry was concerned. Bruce Bromley for Famous announced that he had subpoened all district managers here that he could reach, to show that they had never had trouble placing their pictures in this territory, and had never run into unreasonable competition from Famous. Bromley and Alvord Cross Words \^^hen objection to a similar series of questions put to Campbell was sustained, Bromley asked if such would be the case with the other managers under subpoena, Examiner Alvord replying in the affirmative. Bromley countered by saying that such questions had been asked and allowed in other territories by both sides, and (Continued on Page 3) Henabery To Direct Finishes Famous Contract and Now Joins Ritz as Valentino's Director—J. D. Williams Back Joseph Henabery has been signed by Ritz-Carlton and will direct "The Flame of Destiny," Rudolph Valentino's first picture for Ritz. It was again reported yesterday that a deal had been closed for distribution with Famous Players. J. D. Williams and George Ullman returned from the Coast yesterday. No statement could be secured from Ritz relative to dsitnbution. (Continued on Page 2) Champs to Play Jack Dempsey to meet Benny Leonard. Not in the prize ring. .But at golf next Tuesday. Special added attraction for the Fall Film Tournament. Incidentally, Fred Quimby, Universal, and Billy Gibson, Leonard's manager, will make up the foursome. In case Gibson doesn't play, Sam Hellman will take his place. Over 125 entries to date. More coming in every minute. Looks like another great party. PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER. Allied Meets Sept. 22 Topeka Conference Coincident with Kansas Convention — Gatherings Look Important Kansas City — The Allied Organization will meet at Topeka on Monday and Tuesday, to discuss a number of important matters-. At the same lime, the Kansas M: P. T. O. will convene to ratify the merger of the Eastern and Western units into one. The new name will probably be the M. P. T. O. of the Mid-West. It is expected the following will address the Allied meeting, which, among other orders of business, must select a chairman to succeed W. A. (Continued on Page 2) Babv Peggy and Lesser Separate (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Hollywood— "Baby Peggy" has been released from her contract with Sol Lesser of Principal Pictures. "Baby Peggy" starts at 'Frisco on a tour beginning in a week or two, and will make personal appearances indefinitely. Her father says they will go to Europe where an offer has been made to produce. I.M.P.P.D.A. Decides Will Open Exchanges in Closed Territories — First in Operation in a Month The I. M. P. P. D. A. at a special meeting held Tuesday night decided to finance the establishment of several exchanges in territories now considered closed to their product. _ It is understood the first will be launched immediately. It is hoped to have it functioning within thirty days. The members who voted for this plan have already agreed to bear the expense on a pro rata basis. Europe Improving England Bettering Theater Situation — Gene' 1 "Optimism Abroad, Bri' Johnson Found On a bas.s of comparison, Europe is improving, E. Bruce Johnson, foreign manager of First National, said yesterday. Johnson is back, following a three months' trip that included visits to England, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries and Czecho Slovakia. Johnson declared his English trip was a revelation to him, in that he gleaned a real understanding of the English exhibiting situation. Commenting on production, he said the liottom had fallen out of studio activity in England; Germany is not making anything of importance and activities along those lines in other Continental countries, he found to be only negligible. Johnson's obacrvaiious ui conditions abroad follow: England Exhibitors in England arc improving their theaters generally. The large lobbies that characterize a numIjer of British houses are in many instances being done away with. Exhibitors are realizing that much of this space, heretofore used for decorative purposes can be converted into seats. There are theaters in many of the major cities that compare very (Continued on Page 2) 1st Nat'l Executives Here y M. L. Finkelstein of Ruben and (f Finkelstein is at the Ambassador. Col. Fred Levy is here from Louisville. Series on French History Paramount, in a statement concerning production details of "Macjame Sans Gene" said yesterday this picture would be the first of a series dealing with the history of France, to be made with the co-operation of the French Government. "M-G." District Managers Here The Metro-Goldwyn district sales managers are in town for a sales conference. E. M. Saunders, Western sales manager leaves Friday for a trip througii the Mid-west. Franklin on Trip Harold B. Franklin, Famous Players theaters, leaves tonight for Boston, the first stop of a quick trip which will end in about 10 days and during which he will go as far South as Dallas. He will make stops at St. Louis, Atlanta and other points.