The Film Daily (1924)

7Ao BRADSTREET of FILMDOM f^RECOCMIZEl Authority Vol. XXIX No. 27 Friday, August 1, 1924 Price 5 Cents Lift McKenna Duties England Lifts Tax on Imported Films— Trade There Worried (Special Cable to THE FILM DAILY) London — The McKenna duties on a number of commodities including motion pictures will be lifted today. There is som.e apprehension here over what will happen now that motion pictures can enter England without an import duty. In May, it was pointed out in THE FILM DAILY that the elimination of English import duties would not presage a flood of pictures being dumped into that market, because there are far too many there now that have difficulty in securing bookings. The opinion of exporters has not changed since then. Franklin After Berlin House (Special to THE FILM DAILY) London — It is understood that one of the matters that Harold B. Franklin will attend to while in Europe will be the signing of a lease on a Berlin theater for Famous. The company is building one here and will acquire a house in Paris. Loew To Reopen K. C. Garden? (Sptciol to THE FILM DAILY) Kansas City — Report has it that Loew will reopen his Garden theater as a run house for Metro-Goldwyn productions. The house been dark for some months. Censors Enter Third Year The M. P. Commission of New York State enters its third year of activity today. Mayer On Stand Important Witness at Los Angeles Hearing — No Trouble on First Runs (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Louis B. Mayer, was one of the important witnesses at the second aay's hearing in the Famous Players defense against Federal Trade Commission charges. The testimony hinged around the question of annexing important production figures. Mayer testified that it was he who in March, 1917 cast the deciding vote at a First National meeting that shaped the decision ot that organization to go out after big stars. Bruce Bromley for Famous endeavored to show that small production units could not compete successfully against specialists in big (Continued on Page 3) "THE BREATH OF SCANDAL"— B. P SCHULBERG PRODUCTIONS' first PREFERRED PICTURE for 1924-25. Directed by Gasnier — greater than "Rich Men's Wives." — Advt. Not Leaving Films Henry King Will Put on Play But Direct Later — Through With Inspiration? It is understood that Henry King will not direct Dorothy Gish in the two pictures scheduled on the MetroGoldwyn fall list and that the director is through with Inspiration. Eward Bowes speaking for MetroGoldwyn said the pictures were contracted for with Inspiration and that he knew nothing of the relations between King and that company. It was reported yesterday that King was abandoning work in pictures. This is not true. He intends putting on a stage play, "Young Wives and Old Husbands". When he was reached for a statement, the director refused to discuss the report concerning Inspiration but admitted his plans relative to the stage play. It is understood King it at work on other plans for future pictures. Herbert Brenon in Town Herbert Brenon is in town from the Coast for conferences on "Peter Pan." Produce Contracts Famous Players' Agreements With Mid-Western Theaters Figure in Gleichman Hearing The first day of the referee hearing between Phil Gleichman and Famous Players was spent in its entirety in the examination of contracts that the latter had made with the Olympic of Pittsburgh, and the Strand, the Walnut and the Family of Cincinnati. Robert M. Brownson, counsel for Gleichman, intends to offer these documents as evidence. Frederick H. Wood of Caravath, Henderson and de Gersdorff, attorneys for Famous, recorded his objection to this move on the ground that the contracts were irrelevant to the case at issue. The terms of the theater contracts were not revealed and will probably figure in the trial to occur later in Detroit. Adolph Zukor and E. J. Ludvigh were present at the hearing during the morning. The hearing was adjourned until this morning, at which time it is expected an analysis of the contract will disclose data on prices. Ind'p'ts Put Off Meeting The meeting of independent circuit owners scheduled for yesterday to discuss fall buying was postponed for one week. B. and K. Plan Off? Understood Detroit Project Won't Be Carried Out — Was Considered For a Time (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Detroit— Film Row here generally believes there is nothing to the report that Balaban and Katz will build a theater in Detroit. It is understood that several real estate concerns tried to interest them to build on their property. Balaban and Katz, on the other hand, lead these agents to believe they were interested but so far nothing has developed. It is believed the plan is definitely off. Those familiar with the Detroit situation here in New York are of the opinion that Balaban and Katz will not build there, although it is true that at one time the proposition was given serious consideration by them. K. C. Exhibitors To Fight (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Kansas City — Exhibitors here plan to continue the battle against the music tax. Plans are now being formulated for the campaign. The theater owners financed a special meeting, recently, to discuss the situation. At the meeting, a committee consisting of Managers Barrett, of the Colonial; Watson, of the Benton, and Finkelstein, of the Apollo, was appointed to report on the new wage scale for musicians and operators. Kirkwood or Mills as Christ? (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Studio gossip as reported in the Times mentions both James Kirkwood and Milton Sills for the role of Christ in "The Life of Christ" which First National will make. 3 For B'klyn Chain Rosenzweig and Katz Plans Additions — Two Now Being Built for Them The Rosenzweig and Katz Circuit, ' operating the City Line, Ozone Park, Sheridan and Beverly in Brooklyn plans three more Brooklyn houses. Two are actually under construction: one, at 18th and Gravesend Ave., to seat 1,800 and another at Liberty and 122nd St., to seat 2,000. The third will be built at Pitkin and Barrymore St., to seat 2,000. Rosenzweig and Katz also hold the controlling interest in the Allwon '. circuit, an East Side chain composed i of eight houses. Arrangements have i been made with Joe Hornstein of Cine Equipment Co., to furnish equip; ment for the new houses. i /^