The Film Daily (1924)

SAfi brAdstreet 6 A FILHDOM ^recocmizei Authority Vol. XXX No. 49 Wednesday, November 26, 1924 Price 5 Cents HGURINGp By DANNY That Michigan letter. Relative to the question: are producing units "getting out of touch." With what the public wants. Leads to many interesting thoughts. One of which is this : How much respect does the production department give. To what the sales department — and exhibitors want? Dost hear the echoing hollow? Thou dost not. And, kid, thou never will. For, in the language of the song classics: there ain't gonna be no more.. i 1 Producers — large ones particularly— are rarely disposed. To take into consultation. The wishes of the sales force. Yet the sales force is in closer ' touch. With Mr. Exhibitor. Than any other branch of the business. Famous, however, in Syd Kent. Has a sales director. Who seems to watch the box office. And tries at least. To work co-operatively. He wrote "Manhandled" for Swanson. You know what business it did. Understand he is working on another. And constantly urges bis men. To let him know. The pulse of the public. As reflected at the box office. But on the other hand. Listening to the call of the box office. Would often bar the making. Of certain types of pictures. Which pave the way. And lead on. To the better pictures. At least that is what some producers say. Perhaps the whole business would be benefited. If producers would remember Kipling's famous lines. From one of his poems. "// you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue. "Or walk with Kings — nor lose the common touch. * * * "Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it. * * *" No Paper Tomorrow Tomorrow being Thanksgiving Day and a legal holiday, there will be no issue of THE FILM DAILY, published. Rush For Play Dates Associated Exhibitors Acts to Secure Funds for Employees and Producers of Defunct Selznick The Associated Exhibitors sales force is under orders to obtain play dates on Selznick product wherever possible, in order to help producers and former Selznick employees recoup some of the losses entailed by them when the company went bankrupt. John S. Woody yesterday explained the relations between Associated and the Selznick pictures. He said: "The position of Associated Kxhibitors with relation to the pictures heretofore distributed by Selznick and which were taken over in the recent transfer is two-fold. With respect to contracts which had been taken prior to Sunday, Nov. 16, we are the agents of the receiver, being specifically so designated by an order of court. With respect to contracts of a subsequent date, we are the agents of the producers. "In behalf of the receiver, it will be our duty to give service on existing contracts and to collect rentals therefor. In behalf of the producers, il will Lo our duty to continue the selling of the SelznTck product, (Continued on Page 7) Beban Film Through Associated "The Greatest Love of All," starring George Beban, will be distributed through Associated Exhibitors following the road shows in each teritory. New York, New England, Pennsylvania and Illinois are now open for release. Beban is in Columbus, O., this week, on a schedule that will take him to the Coast. "Arabella" Here A print of "Arabella, a Story of a Horse," is here. The picture was produced in Germany with Mae Marsh heading the cast of human players. Sam Rachmann is handling the picture here. He can be reached at Export and Import. Six Lloyd Reissues Associated Exhibitors Preparing "Popular Demand Series" — "Now or Never" First Six Harold Lloyd comedies, originally distributed through Associated Exhibitors and Pathe will be released by Associated one in three months, beginning Jan. 4. The group will be known as the "Popular Demand Scries" and will consist of "Now or Never" (three reels) ; "Among Those Present" ("three reels): "I Do" (two reels): "Never Weaken," (three reels); "A Sailor-Made Man" (five reels) and "Grandma's Boy" (six reels). Each will be slightly re-edited and new advertising matter and accesories issued for each. Lloyd has one more picture to deliver to Pathe. It is well on toward completion. $1,000,000 House for Milwaukee? (Sterin! to THE FILM DAILY) Milwaukee — Reports in circulation link Sherman Brown, of the Davidson up with the erection of a new $1,000,000 theater and hotel building on 6th St., between Wells and Grand Ave. Brown's lease on the Davidson expires in about a j^ear. The Davidson has been the only local house showing road shows. Neibuhr Busy in London (Sfccial to THE FILM DAILY) London — Walter Neibuhr, former president of the American Cinema Corp. of New York is now engaged in production in Europe. He is making "The City of Temptation" and plans to shoot exteriors in Constantinople. Julanne Johnston, who appeared in "The Thief of Bagdad" will have the leading role. Price Forms Parthenon Pictures (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Albany — Oscar A. Price has formed Parthenon Pictures Corp., here, listing 100 shares of common stock, no par value. Parthenon Pictures will state right a number of productions which Oscar Price has acquired. 16 From Schulberg B. P. -Schulberg will make 16 pictures this year. The local office is moving into larger quarters at 1650 Broadway and on the coast additional studio facilities have been secured. The original program involved nine pictures. Warner in Real Estate Unit (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Albany— W. D. W. Realty Co. of Hempstead, formed vesterday with a capital of $30,000 lists Harry M. Warner among the incornorators. The others are T. H. Dauch and C: W. Walker. Moses on Special Mission Vivian Moses, director of nublirity and advertising for Fox. sails Saturday to launch a special advertisinc rnmnaign in England on the 19241925 product. 1st Nat'l Buys Beaumont Story Gerald Beaumont, author, has sold "The Makiner of O'Mallev," to First National. Milton Sills will appear in it following "The Interpreter's House." Two More From Stahl John M. Stahl has two more pictures to make for First National release. Famous Profits Drop Nine Months' Earnings $2,921,842, or $199,458 Under Last Year's The consolidated financial statement of Famous Players and subsidiaries entirely owned was made public yesterday. It shows net operating profits for the third quarter ending Sept. 27, 1924 of $1,571,040.62. Profits for the nine months of 1924 ending Sept. 27 were $2,921,842.13. After deducting all charges, allowing for Federal, income and other taxes, and for dividends on the preferred, this figure indicates earnings of $10.33 per share on the common outstanding, while the three months' total shows earnings of $6.01 per share on the common, outstanding. However, as compared with the nine months ending Sept. 29, 1923, the current statement indicates that there has been a drop in net profits of $199,458, since the 1923 total was $3,121,300. De Mille to Do Corelli Story (Special to THE FILM DAILY) London — In an interview published in "The Cinema," S. R. Kent declares Cecil B. DeMille will produce "The Sorrows of Satan." It was reported some weeks ago that this Corelli story would be D. W. Griffith's first for Paramount. Won't Move La sky Plant (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Los Angeles — Charles Eyton denies that the Lasky plant will be moved to Culver City. It was said that Jesse L. Lasky had been negotiating for a tract on Washington Blvd. near the Metro studio. Erie Waging Fi^ht Only City in Pennsylvania to Keep Open Sunday — Reform Element Active (Special to THE FILM DAILY) Eric, Pa. — While the rest of the State has been observing the blue laws in regard to Sunday shows, this city has kept its motion picture houses open on the Sabbath and until recently escaped prosecution. However, 12 managers have been arrested and fined $4 and costs and they intend to go to the highest court with their case. Sunday shows in Erie are being bitterly fought by Rev. H. C. Shaw, pastor of a local Methodist church and President of the Law Enforcement League. He has stated he plans to make a finish fight.