The Film Daily (1924)

jfHE :^brAdstreet of FILMDOM :S(^RE(OCMIZEl AUTHORiTY Vol. XXIX No. 23 Monday, July 28, 1924 Price 5 Cents Deny Free Show Evil Northwest Reports of Practice Minimized Here — F. I. L. M. Boards Called Discreet Sharp disagreement with statements made in the Northwest concerning tl -tent to which the free shows pn e is hurting exhibitors are voiced iu New York. Reports from. Minneapolis declare that free shows are permitted to flourish in the) Southern portion of Minnesota, despite assurances from distributors that they would put an end to the situation. "Greatef Amusements" states the practice is "striking a body blow to small town exhibitors of the state,". Distributors know through the naational headquarters of the F. I. L. M. Boards! of Trade whether or not exhibitors are protesting against free shows. They point out that in the thousands of cases that arc handled through arbitration boards, there has developed only one lav/ suit and that in Minneapolis. They assert that the boards have been extremely careful and successful in arranging bookings that fall out of the regular 'theatrical field. The problems attendant upon supplying summer exhibitors with pictures and in accommodating business that is considered outside, the pale of recognized exhibition have received :a good deal of attention from important distributors. Their attitude may be called one of tolerance and broad-mindedness. They feel that there is something to be said on both sides of the question. For example, it may not be known that in the State of Utah the Mormon Church controls more communities housing theaters than there are individual theaters. That class of business must be served and the exhibitor safeguarded at the same time. In Michigan and New England States, summer exhibitors are strong. (Continued on Page 2) Fewer Plays Bought Only 15 Out of 125 Purchased for Pictures Last Season by Producers A steady decline is noted in the number of Broadway stage plays purchased for pictures. Three seasons ago 157 new plays were produced, out of which thirty-three were made into pictures. Two seasons ago there were 124 plays put on and of that number, twenty-six were sold for film production. The past season saw 125 plays and out of that number, only fifteen were disposed of for the screen. These interesting figures have been prepared by Robert G. Lisman, who has made a speciality of reviewing New York stage productions with an ej'e to their film values, His compilation does not include musical shows, revivals, plays from pictures or books that were sold for pictures previous to production, Lisman thinks prices asked for picture rights to successful pla3's are still very exorbitant, but that purchase figures have dropped considerably. He says the high-water mark for the past season for any one play was $60,000 as against $100,000 for last year, and $115,000 the season before that. He says that due to the preposterous figures asked by some Broadway producers, five or six of this season's plays suitable for pictures are still unsold and may remain so. Allied Growing More Exhibitor Units to Join It — Next Meeting in Kansas City Reports from the Middle West in dicate that more exhibitor units may shortly join the Allied States Organization. As noted, Iowa seems to be in sympathy and when the Allied group holds its meeting soon at Kansas City, action of some sort may develop. Possible new applicants include Iowa, Western Missouri and Kansas and Chicago. The Kansas City meet ing will take place along about the middle of August. Pictures for Stanley's Globe (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Philadelphia — When the Globe, reopens Labor Day, a straight picture policy will prevail. The Stanley Co., has decided to confine vaudeville in the central section of the city to the Earle. The Globe will run along the same lines as the Stanton. "The Covered Wagon" will be the opening feature. 3 Day Convention for Penn. (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Philadelphia — The convention of the M. P. T. O., of East. Penn., So. N. J. and Delaware, originally scheduled for Aug. 18-19 at Atlantic City, will be extended another day. Elvcy Starts on His First (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Hollywood — Maurice Elvcy, English director, has started work on his first for Fox, titled "My Husband's Wives," written by Barbara La Marr. Shirley Masbh will be starred. Hays Ultimatum on Advertising; Says Industry Has Trust to Fill Tells Coast Producers and "Wampas" Salacious and Untruthful Angles Must be Dropped — Determined to Thoroughly Purify Production of Unnecessary Sex Material (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Will H. Hays laid down the law at an importan< jomt meeting of members of his coast organization and the "Wampas" on Friday night. From the manner in which he spoke abottt purity in production and absokite elimination of salaciousnes.s and untruths in advertising, he left little doubt in the minds q{ those who heard him of his strong determination to see this program become a reality. Practically one htindred per cent attendance of the "Wampas" turned out as a result of a "must attend" notice sent to each one. Hays pointed out the accomplishments of the past two years by the producers and then told what he wanted to occur in the next three. Talking about salacious books, he asserted that type of story cant ,. ~i/' would not become prevalent in pictures. He stated that force and life will not be eliminated from production but filth will. Just how members of the Hays office intend making outside producers adhere to this standard may be problematical, but the coast members declare they do not propose to allow anyone upset the new set of standards as outlined by Hays. When violations do occur, they intend closing down the avenues of distribution and exhibition. "The industry," says Hays, "will go ahead along the lines laid out, and those not in accord will be crushed in the march of progress." Hays said he felt one of the mistakes of the past year was the fail(Continued on Page 3) Grauman May Build Considering Theaters in Paris and London — Off to Look Conditions Over Sid Grauman sailed on Saturday aboard the Leviathan for a three to four months' stay in Europe. Grauman may build two theaters abroad: one in London and the other in Paris. He has in mind something that will prove unique to the public in those important cities and if matters shape themselves properly, he fully intends going ahead with the projects. Madison Censor Plan Dropped (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Madison, Wis. — Following a talk by Henry Staab, secretary of the Wisconsin M. P. T. O. a number of women's clubs who had banded together to insist on local censorship decided to delay action, pending future developments. "U" Film Reopens L. A. Forum (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — The Forum has reopened with "Butterfly" which will remain there for at least four weeks. Universal invited all the local celebrities and Clarence Brown, the director entertained one hundred at dinner. Ruggles With Warners (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — The Warners have signed Wesley Ruggles to direct "The Age of Innocence." Hearst After "Peter"? Marion Davies Would Like to Do It, If Famous Can't Get Suitable Player The latest concerning the final disposition of "Peter Pan" deals with a desire of William Randolph Hearst to secure the rights for Marion Davies who is said to have expressed a wish to play in it. It is not believed that Famous will part with the Barrie classic however. The report still persists that Mary Pickford will appear in it, although Miss Pickford denies it.