The Film Daily (1921)

Z^BftADSTREET of FILMDOM 7/cPECOCHIZED Authority VOL. XV No. 3 Wednesday, January 5, 1921 Price 5 Cents Receiver Named For Wark Producing Corp., a Griffith Subsidiary — Company Made "Intolerance" A petition in bankruptcy has been filed against the Wark Producing Corp. with headquarters at 1476 Broadway. The creditors named in the petition are the D. W. G. Corp., $10,000; Harry Wolfe, $4,000, and S. Meyer, $400. It is alleged that the liabilities of the company are $300,000 and the assets, consisting of cash and rights to films, $100,000. It is claimed that the company was formed for the purpose of producing and exploiting "Intolerance," which was personally directed by David W. Griffith, and that on or about Dec. 28, 1915, the company borrowed money from various individuals and that certificates of indebtedness were issued covering these loans to the extent of $300,000, of which it is said 55 per cent, has been paid off. The balance, $135,000, it is claimed became due on Jan. 1, 1921, and that the company is financially unable to meet its obligations. It is for this reason and because it ■ is thought the receiver will manage , the affairs of the company so as to meet its obligations that the petition was filed. The receiver named by Judge Knox is Walter N; Seligsberg of Seligsberg, Lewis and Strouse. Albert L. Grey of the Griffith offices when asked for a statement yesterday said he had no comment to make. Mr. Seligsberg, the receiver, stated that he expected to meet the full demands of the creditors and that he hoped to have matters straightened out in about ten days. Reichenbach Handling Dean Film Harry Reichenbach has been engaged by Universal to handle special exploitation for Priscilla Dean's new picture, "Outside the Law." 386,311 Paid Admissions In an advertisement in local morning papers, it was stated that 386,311 persons paid their way into to see "Over the Hill" since its Broadway run opened. ' The picture is now playing its 16th week on Broadway. Moore and Schertzinger Here Tom Moore and his director, Victor Schertzinger are in New York from the coast. It is understood that they will make a picture for Goldwyn here. Pola Negri to F.P.-L. To Receive $250,000 a Year for Three Years — Will Make Six a Year — Record for European Actress (Special to WID'S DAILY) The Hague, Holland— The Kunst Amusement reprints an article which appeared in the Berliner Zeitung, am Mittag, regarding the signing of Pola Negri by Famous Players. The article states that Pola Negri the famous star of "Passion," has a contract with Ben Blumenthal and Samuel Rachman on behalf of Famous Players for three years. The terms of the contract call for a payment of $250,000 a year to the star, or 18,750,000 marks a year, the greatest sum ever paid to an actress for; services in Germany or in Europe, The contract calls for six pictures a year, three to be made in America. The terms of the agreement provide for the free passage to and from Germany to this country of the star, who is to have her wardrobe provided and who is to receive $500 a week in addition to her salary for each week she is in America. A tremendous drama of life and love is Thomas H. Ince's second Associated Producers' production, "Lying Lips," nationally released Jan. 30. House Peters and Florence Vidor (above) are the featured members of a cast which includes Joseph Kilgour and a dozen other capable players. Mr. Ince himself directed the scores of big scenes in this production.— Adv. The "Big Five" Proves to Be Just a Very Clever Publicity Stunt for First Nat'l The "Big 5" secret is out. The "Big 5" is not a new distributing organization. Neither is it a new producing organization. It hasn't any room for directors, sales managers or office help of any kind. (Continued on Page 3) Adolphe Osso Here Adolphe Osso returned to New York from Paris yesterday on the Lorraine. This is his first visit here in some months, his business affairs having kept him in Paris. Buy Two Stories for Lytell Metro announced yesterday the purchase of two stories for Bert LytelK One is "Peace and Quiet," by Edwin Milton Royle, author of "The Squaw Man," and the other "Junk," by Kenneth Harris, which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post. Maxwell Karger will direct Lytell in both pictures. Saxe in Chicago Buys Out Harry Moir Interests — All Three Houses First Runs (Special to WID'S DAILY) Chicago — Tom Saxe of the Saxe Amusement Enterprises, Milwaukee, has bought the theatrical interests of Harry Moir here and by virtue of the deal now controls three first run picture houses here, the Rose, the Alcazar and the Boston. This is Saxe's first venture in the Chicago theatrical field. E. C. Bostick, general manager of the Saxe Amusement Enterprises who is in New York stated yesterday hat Harry Hart, now with the Saxe heaters in Milwaukee would probably be placed in charge of the Chicago houses. Bostick also stated that Saxe's interest in Chicago would in all probability end with the taking over of the Moir theaters. Due On Monday Ben Blumenthal and Samuel Rachman are due in New York on Monday from Liverpool. They are returning on the S. S. Auguste Victoria, Ziehm Back Arthur Ziehm, foreign manager fori i Goldwyn has returned from abroad ' where he spent five months in studying conditions. Ball Tonight The much discussed ball of the Theater Owners Chamber of Commerce will be held at the Astor tonight. You are going to be there,, aren't you? Moving the End of the Week The Robertson-Cole offices will be I transferred from 1600 Broadway to the new building at 48th St. and 7th Ave. where the company will occupy the 8th, 10th, 11th and 12th fffiors as ; well as the projection rooms on the roof. The remainder of the 12 story building will be leased to other com-1 panies. Miller Elected Charles F. Miller was elected director (president), of the M. P. D, A., at a meeting held last night.