The Film Daily (1925)

THE • Thursday, December 3, 1921 '^ Contract Ready Soon {Continued from Page 1) yesterday. One article referred to the question of dues. The article signed by Seider said, in part: "We find a controversy as to whether direct membership or state units is the proper plan of organiza*^ion. "Duplication of dues and duplication of organization work has not worked out. The old system of quotas through state units has also failed. "We are generally advised to find a new plan to solve this problem, and it is generally expected that we will do so. "Direct membership is necessary because it brings into the fold many theater owners in states which are not organized, and makes immediately possible for these theater owners the protection and benefits of organization. The constitution provides for this. "This instrument goes further. It provides for state organizations — their functioning and their standing in the national organization. The state organizations are necessary for the protection of theater owners locally and in matters of local legislation. They are necessary as a contact point for the national organization. They are the bulwark of the arbitration system. "State organizations which are functioning properly should collect one set of dues for National and State, and should permit direct national dues on a per capita basis (not quota) together with the name of the member, to the national organization. "The combination of the two holds out for us a feasible and workable plan of organization. It should be acceptable to all, since it will overcome the objections of state organizations to the direct membership plan as now operated. "We plead for harmony and an opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility of this plan. "We pray that distrust, Jealousy and politics shall give place to a business administration, confidence and understanding. In this work for a common cause, for the protection of our investments — we should and must have the cooperation of all forces." Start Work on "Sea Horses" Hollvwood — Filming of "Sea Horses" has been started by Allan Dwan. Feature parts are played bv Florence Vidor, George Bancroft. William Powell and Allan Simpson. Criterion to Close (Continued from Page 1) revue to play the Rivoli will be a unit which opened at the new Metropolitan, Boston. This will run concurrently with "A Kiss for Cinderella" during Christmas week. Eddie Elkins and his orchestra will open an indefinite engagement at the Rivoli and at the same time. Ben Bernie, who has been a feature at both the Rivoli and Rialto in recent weeks, and who held a forty weeks' contract with Famous, will shortly terminate his engagement by mutual agreement. Theater Conventions (Continued from Page 1) Theaters with the aims and purposes of the organization. The various problems of theater operation will be discussed, along with plans for the immediate future. The conventions will be attended by all the district and theater managers and directors of publicity in the respective territories. The party will consist of Sam Dembow, Jr., head of the buying and booking department; Harry Marx and J. E. Mansfield, of the department of theater management; A. M. Botsford, director of advertising and publicity, and Nathaniel W. Finston, director of music. Publix Incorporated Albany — The Publix Theaters Corp. was formed yesterday, listing 1,000 shares of common stock, no par value. The incorporators are Sam Katz, Harold B. Franklin and Felix E. Kahn. Ralph A. Kohn was the attorney. Book "Ukelele Ike" Famous has booked Cliff Edwards ("Ukelele Ike") over its circuit. He opens in St. Louis. Loaned to Century Los Angeles — Matty Kemp, who has a five year contract with Universal has been loaned to Century for a series in which he will play male lead. His first will be opposite Wanda Wiley. New Gibson Vehicle Hollywood — "The Chip of the Flying U" will be Hoot Gibson's next for Universal, Arthur Rosson directing. Odebolt House Changes Hands Odebolt, la. — As a result of his wife's illness, H. H. Cone has sold his interest in the Princess. Case In Review (Continued from Page 1) dispose of their theatrical holdings, it is very likely the case will be carried to the courts, as was the history of the Eastman Kodak case. In that case the lower courts decided in favor of the company, holding that the Commission was without authority to order the disposal of physical property, and the Commission appealed to the Supreme Court, where a review is now pending. Ability, the Factor (Continued from Page 1) articles have been illuminating, but have not quite rung true. "Fundamentally, the people of the world are largely alike, they see — they hear — and they articulate, and it is only in the latter that they largely differ one from the other. All people are born primitive; different degress of civilization and education then take them in hand and create the finished product. "Motion pictures speak a language known to all people, interpretation is only a matter of sub-titles, and the people of all civilized countries respond with varying degress to drama, to comedy, and to farce. "Underlying the above thought is the theory that all people respond to the emotions, be they primitive or cultured, and that this emotional response is only a matter of degree. "There has been no 'invasion' of Europe by the American motion picture producer, rather it has been an exodus of the home made product. Just so long as the one can create a product that is better than the other, and just so long as that product can be sold in keeping with the means of the people, just so long will that product have a ready market. "Contingents, trade barriers, high protective duties, unusual and stringent regulations, be they heaped one on top of the other until they mount higher than the Tower of Babel, will never solve the problem. "America's product has not the vogue in Europe because of the great brotherly love that one nation has for another. America's product is not being universally shown in Europe because the exhibitor loves America more, and his own country less; but he has learned by discernment that his people crave that which America makes, and being a good shop-keeper, and desirous of catering to the wants of his people, with profit to himself, he hires what thev require. "Europe's problem of making mo tion pictures is not that of mon subsidies or contingents. The histc of the motion picture industry tea« es that money is not by far 1 greatest necessity for the creation motion pictures; the many millic that have been lost in the indusi prove this. "What European productions m are: artists that run from a Nor. Talmadge to a Norma Shearer; rectors from a Griffith to a Vidt producers like Louis Mayer or J. eph Schenck, and field marshals w the ability of a Marcus Loew, Add Zukor, or a Nicholas Schenck! "When Europe can match money with the brains and ability a kind that is mentioned above, th and then only will the invasion European pictures in their ho markets begin. Tariflf regulatic contingents, and restrictions n: prove annoying, and will have il effect of keeping out product tl stars, Sophie Glutz in 'The Firema Daughter,' directed by some ( scure individual, whose prodi teems with mediocrity, but no c( tingents, tariff regulations or si sidies, will ever effect: 'He Who G Slapped,' 'The Gold Rush,' or p tures that have a reason for th existence! "All of the regulations that i now in force, and are contempla' in the future have only one reacti* the ultimate consumer must p^ Obviously the more costly a coun' makes it to operate therein, ' greater the tariff that must be pasi on." Custom Service Ass'n Ball DeC/ The annual entertainment and ception of the New York branch the National Customs Service Asi will be held Dec. 8, at the Comn dore. Woman's League Bazaar Dec. 10 The Professional Woman's Leaj will hold its annual bazaar Dec. 10 at the McAlpin. First and Foremost among motion picture regional trade papers Greater Amusements The largest circulation in its field of any trade paper Eleventh Birthday Edition out December Reserve your space NOW Offices LUMBER EXCHANGE MINNEAPOLIS iuj