The Film Daily (1921)

DAILY Tuesday, January 25, 1921 inglish Impressions Ejest W. Fredman Talks of His Recent American Visit— Says Some Things Plainly (Special to WID'S DAILY) ondon— Ernest W. Fredman of Film Renter and M. P. News, in special year-end issue of his pubtion tells of the impressions he ied 'of the American film business le he was in the states. -e says in part: Millions of dollars are lavished n pictures, many hundred thouds of them in gross waste, but all expended in the one great envor to put before the pleasureng public of America the greatest ertainment in the world. They make their mistakes in lerica, many of them on a grand le but at least it can be said that y profit by them. Foreign marUs are to them a very desirable ass' but catered for in a business-like vy . : ■Before the American manufacturUsends products to any foreign marwhether to England, Scandinavia 2'japan, each copy is carefully gone &r and made suitable for the marI it is intended for. Nothing is left ft chance. h'The average American is out to Jminate the world in film producjtfn and, believe me, he is doing it. 'Iisiness is the keynote, and real busies men are at the head of the iipvement. ["Enormous programs were in :iurse of production when I landed ■ New York, and a visit to some of lie studios is a veritable eye-opener. Uie American producer is fortunate '{ having 18,000 theaters to cater for this enables him to get his cost of toduction back with a good profit, ixlusive for foreign markets. At i e same time he never forgets that I ere is another market for his wares. I "The exhibitor has always had to i U more for his film hire than in l-oportion does the average show i an over here. The one thing that Jitounds the American exhibitor is |hy his English confrere should book b his programs 18 months ahead. To im it is the most crass foolishness id utterly inexplicable. "It all comes down to this: In .merica they are real showmen. here is absolutely no argument bout it. They know their business, nd are not merely the medium for Fears ! ! ! The boys were gathering at the "schule" the other evening to scatter figures on the newest film millions over Nick's clean linen when "Buck" Taylor arrived out of breath. Accosting Joe Lee he remarked: "Gee, Joe, I've nailed a 'pippin.' It's a fillum called 'Ireland in Revolt.' The only thing I fear to keep me from making a fortune is that the trouble in Ireland will come to an end." "Well, if that's all to keep you from making money, you're going to be richer than Zukor," replied Lee, and they went on writing new figures on the tablecloth. throwing pictures on the screen. Supremacy in the film markets is assured to America is my profound opinion. There is no one to compare with them. They have made the motion picture industry what it is today— a live business in which millions of dollars are invested. "They have proved to the financier its possibilities, and money can be obtained in Wall Street to any amount for film production. Even today, when there is a world shortage of wealth, the American producer has comparatively little difficulty in obtaining what he wants. "Over here the situation has been handled wrongly. It has got into the hands of men without vision, consequently finance has been difficult, and always will be difficult, to obtain. "The film industry in America has had its vicissitudes in the past and even now signs are not wanting that it is passing through perilous times, but to think that England will ever be a rival is farcical. "America stands alone and triumphant. She has gained her position by recognizing the kinema's wonderful possibilities. Whilst we have been groping in the dark she has continuously forged ahead and today is reaping the reward of her wonderful foresight. If ever we are _ to get_ anywhere near a competitive basis we shall have to study the lines upon which America gained her present position. Believe me, it is well worth while and the sooner we do so the better!" Riesenfeld Speaks Today Hugo Riesenfeld, managing director of the Rivoli, Rialto and Criterion will be the principal speaker at the morning session of the conference of musical directors of the picture theaters of America at the Astor today. Riesenfeld will discuss the value of good music in theaters. In the afternoon the delegates will be guests of Riesenfeld, first at the Rialto, where they will see the performance and later in his private projection room where he will explain his method of putting pictures to music. Other addresses in the morning will be delivered by C. M. Tremaine, A. F. Adams, Leonard Liebling, Joseph Weber, Edward L. Hyman, Albert Parker and Marshall Bartholomew. In the afternoon there will be a round table discussion of producers led by Oscar A. Price, J. R. Bray, E. W. Hammons, J. I. Schnitzer and J. B. Kelly. Tomorrow's session will consist of another series of talks and a round table discussion led by exhibitors, one led by music publishers and a third by makers of musical devices. An exhibition of musical interpretation will be given at the Brooklyn Strand. That Reichenbach Man (Special to WID'S DAILY) Boston — Harry Reichenbach came up from New York to arrange ^for the opening of "Outside the Law" at the I'ark. Harry managed to get a street car, had it all painted up with grotesque figures and sent the affair over every car line in Greater Boston. He combined his advertising of the picture with an appeal to put over the Hoover Relief Fund. "Outside the Law" has been booked over the U. B. O. circuit of theaters. New Rivoli Record Cecil B. DeMille's "Forbidden Fruit" broke all records at the Rivoli on Sunday by just $584, shattering the figures for both the Rivoli and Rialto. The attendance was greater than those which saw the three previous record breakers at the Rivoli, "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," "Male and Female" and "The Testing Block." Galeton Block Sold Galeton, Pa.— Mr. and Mrs. J. Albert Nordquist have purchased the Main St. theater block from John L. White. The lease does not expire until some time next year, when the new owners will take possession. Denial from Wanger Walter Wanger, production manager for Famous Players, took exception to a story headed "No More Specials" which appeared in yesterday's issue. Mr. Wanger stated that there will be more specials by John Robertson and Charles Maigne, who, he said, have been temporarily switched to the direction of Realart stars. Wanger stated, however, that that condition would be a temporary one, only. The words ATTENTION) STATE RIGHT BUYERS We still have some territory open on high class one and five reel subjects. PACIFIC FILM COMPANY NATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS Phone 61104 730 So. Olive St. Los Angeles, Cal. T. E. Hancock John J. Hayes Beban Gets Great Reception Nashville — George Beban received a great reception when he was here on Friday. He was taken to the state house, introduced to the legislature and made a few remarks regarding censorship and the production of better pictures. Then he was given a luncheon and a dinner. Paul Gray is with him. Mack Leaves Selznick; In Town W. A. V. Mack has left the Selznick organization. He was Washington manager and before that was in Philadelphia and Los Angelesfor the same company. He is now in New York. "EASTMAN" and "KODAK" are stenciled in the film margin so that all Eastman Film may be instantly identified. EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY ROCHESTER, N. Y.