The Film Daily (1920)

r^BRADSTREET )? FILMDOW t 7/feRKOOHIZED Authority XIV No. 32 Tuesday, November 2, 1920 Price 5 Cents Approve of Idea a:y's "Perfect Picture" Plan Comlented On at Rita Weiman Dinner—How It Will Work Out "ipse L. Lasky's plan which calls lithe co-ordination of "the entire s;irces of Famous Players-Lasky ai, directors, authors, playwrights, ang men and leading women, into idiuge stock company for the jproJon of big special pictures," as >ri briefly in yesterday's issue, was r favorably commented upon at e|Rita Weiman dinner given on ir;ay night by the Society of Ameri Dramatists and Composers. The sitials of the new plan were exi ed in a letter from Lasky read on ljlay night and will be found beJ as presented in the company's filal announcement: 'jhis plan has as its purpose the :ttion of all Paramount stars to eposition of 'super-stars' in protons of such quality that they 1 be booked for months in thea where heretofore the best picit have been booked only for :|s. "fesse L. Lasky, vice-president in ffee of production, who already installed the plan in the eastern tos, leaves today for Los Angeles jut into effect the new system, ('working of the new idea is best a plified by the way in which it i! functioned. Immediately after xecutives had made their deci Lasky called Cecil B. DeMille, tor general, who is in Los An, upon the long distance teletie. DeMille already had in conflation the production of Arthur I itzler's 'Anatol.' the result is that the cast for ■tol' will include Wallace Reid ■natol, Elliot Dexter as Anatol's M, Gloria Swanson, Bebe Dansi Wanda Hawley, Agnes Ayres, >dore Roberts and Theodore {off. Among the authors who collaborate preparing 'Anatol' ;he screen are Jeanie Macpher Avery Hopwood, Beulah Marie and Elmer Harris." p the near future," said Lasky, s probable that fans will see (Continued on Page 2) Smith Leaves Today te Smith of the Marshall Neilan lization leaves today for the He is taking his family with Her Own Company? (Special to WID'S DAILY) s Angeles — It is understood that ;uerite Fisher will form her own icing company. An honest, rugged Cape Cod boy throws away love, honor and the respect of his fellow men for the favor of a siren in "The Forbidden Thing," Allan Dwan's first Associated Producers' picture, with an all-star cast, including James Kirkwood, Helen Jerome Eddy and Marcia Manon. — Advt. New Film Contract Playwrights' and Producers' Compact Now Effective The playwrights' standard contract, recently adopted by the Producing Managers' Association and the Dramatists' Guild of the Authors' League, became effective yesterday. The contract, which was formally ratified by the playwrights last week, has particular reference to motion picture rights, and provides that a producer must give 75 performances of a play, or present it for three weeks in New York or Chicago, before he acquires an interest in the film rights. Disputes will be submitted to an arbitration board consisting of two managers, two playwrights and a fifth member to be picked by these four. James Forbes and Augustus Thomas have been selected as the playwrights' members of the board, with Montague Glass and the President of the Guild as delegates. Hoffman Out Leaves Famous Players— Future Plans Undecided, but Will Rest First Milton Hoffman, who returned from Europe on Saturday, yesterday tendered his resignation at Famous Players. Hoffman states he has had no conflict with Famous officials, but that he has been working hard this past year and simply wants to rest. He is going to the coast and will not be active until the first of January. His future plans are undecided. When asked as to the status of his five year contract with Famous Players he said: "Yes, it is true they had a contract, but they have agreed to waive it." A Big Time All of the Universal home office staff, a number of exchange managers from neighboring cities, a brass band, and five motor buses marked the return of Carl Laemmle to New York on Saturday from Europe. Abrams Back Says American Pictures of Quality Need Have No Fear of Securing Bookings in England Hiram Abrams of United Artists returned to New York on the Aquitani on Saturday. He stated that American pictures of quality need have no fear of securing bookings in England despite the block booking system in vogue there. He stated that English exhibitors were doing a tremendous business and that American pictures now being shown were from one to three years old. Dennis O'Brien is expected back on one of the boats arriving late this week. He remained over in London to complete details of the United Artists contract for foreign distribution. Carlton Back Carle E. Carlton has also returned to New York from London. He says English film conditions are very unsatisfactory. Carlton has no plans for picture making abroad. Straw Votes A straw vote taken at the Universal offices yesterday revealed the following: For President — Harding, 146; Cox, 24; Debs, 17; all others trifling. For Governor of New York StateSmith, 109; Miller, 46; all others trifling. For United States Senator — Wadsworth, 128; Walker, 45; all others trifling. It is interesting to note the comparative votes between Harding and Smith. Selznick Enterprises — Harding, 26; Cox, 4; Smith, 27; Miller, 2; Malone, 1. Metro, New York Exchange — Majority vote for Harding and Smith; no figures given. Pathe— Cox, 13; Harding, 4; Debs, 2. Famous Players' Publicity Dept. — Harding, 10; Cox, 9. WID'S DAILY-Harding 18; Cox, 12; Debs, 1; Smith, 24; Miller, 4. Regarding "The Eternal Mother" "The Eternal Mother," a Florence Reed picture formerly owned by United Picture Theaters, was never distributed by that organization, as noted in' last Saturday's issue, although United had it on its release schedule. Pioneer has taken over the picture and wishes it known that the picture has never been exhibited before.