The Film Daily (1918)

ZfoBftADSTREET of FILMDOM 7/feRKOCHIZED Authority Vol. V, No. 117 Wednesday, September 4, 1918 Price 5 Cents BRADY PLEADS AMALGAMATION N. A. M. P. I. Head Asks Exhibitors to Unite — Combine Scheme Is As Yet Hanging Fire CHICAGO.— Will iam A. Brady made an eloquent plea at the opening of the A. E. A. convention for amalgamation with the M. P. E. L. of A. Sam Atkinson, who presided at the meeting, seized upon a psychological moment to introduce Mr. Brady. He first read a lengthy telegram from D. W. Griffith, who voiced his fullest sympathy with the amalgamation move so that "the motion picture theatres which are today the most effective propaganda mediums in the world" may be united under one head. Clearly, this diplomatic move was intended to put the exhibitors in a receptive frame of mind. Then, Atkinson brought forward Brady, who eulogized the work of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry and asked anyone to say that that Association was not the exhibitor's friend. Three voices of protest from Maurice Choynoski, Sam Bullock and Herman Brown cited the 15-cent reel tax and the deposit system. Brady, however, explained at length that the National Association had no part in those affairs. After Brady had completed his plea for amalgamation, John Freuler delivered a short address on the N. A. M. P. I. and its work. Frank Tichener, General Film, begged t ) be excused until later in the week. The initial gathering clearly shows that little progress has been made. At the Sherman Hotel, the A. E. A. high lights were holding a luncheon and at the same time, the M. P. E. L. members were talking among themselves. Someone made a grievous error in omitting the League men at the luncheon. In the convention hall, later on, while the discussion was progressing, Pete Schaefer, Lee Ochs, John Manheimer, Sidney Cohen and the rest quietly walked out to replenish their empty stomachs. Whereupon the A. E. A. officials cried "Desertion." Late yesterday, there was some talk by Brady, Selznick and Abrams of taking the Century back to New York. Rushing War Bill Leaders Expect to Pass Revenue Measure Soon WASHINGTON.— The first draft of the new War Revenue Bill has been ratified by the Ways and Means Committee and the measure is now before the House. Chairman Kitchin said that he will try to get the bill through by September 14. Debate will open on Friday and the Senate Committee will also commence hearings on it. It is possible that the Senate will receive the bill within ten days after it passes the House. Every effort will be made to get the bill on the statute books by October 20. Record in Pittsburgh The closing of 'Hearts of the World" at the Pitt theatre, Pittsburgh, last Saturday night, following an uninterrupted run of sixteen weeks, with a total of 168 performances, establishes the longest record ever attained in the history of Pittsburgh theatricals. Davidson Called William Davidson, one of the leads in the all-star cast in "Why I Would Not Marry," a Fox production in the making, has been called to the officers' training camp at Louisville. As Mr. Davidson must report to-morrow at the camp, Director Richard Stanton is hurrying the scenes in which he appears. Hammons Goes to Capital E. W. Hammons, of the Educational Films Corporation, goes to Washington today to confer with Government officials on propaganda and war-time pictures. Educational's coal picture, almost completed, is just along the lines of the Fuel Administration wishes to emphasize in the forthcoming coal drive in the fall. Charles A. Dean, president of the Educational Distributing Corporation, has established exchanges in Kansas City and St. Louis. Signs New Contract Deitrich to Supply Sherry With Eight Doris Kenyon Features Theodore C. Deitrich of the De Luxe Pictures, Inc., and William L. Sherry have signed a new contract under which the former agrees to furnish eight features with Doris Kenyon as the star during the year beginning this month. The first of these pictures will be a screen adaptation of "Wild Honey," which appeared in the "Pictorial Review" and which will be directed by Francis J. Grandon. The first two De Luxe productions with Miss Kenyon as the star are "The Street of Seven Stars" and "The Inn of the Blue Moon," both of which were directed by John O'Brien. "Wild Honey" will be the initial production which will be made under Mr. Grandon's supervision. The production will be in six reels. Under another contract which Mr. Deitrich has signed he will make all of his future productions at the Biograph studios. The contract provides that should the Government curtail the lighting of studios or confiscate the fuel for them, the Biograph will give him the us« of the Coast studios. "Wild Honey" will be started next Monday and a number of scenes will be made on Staten Island, where an outdoor location is* being prepared. It will be a full-sized town. Later the company will go into the Adirondacks for a number of scenes. Mr. Sherry stated yesterday that in addition to the new agreement with the De Luxe Corporation he had also closed with G. M. Anderson for 42 pictures and that there was a possibility of there being an additional 12 pictures United Activities Grow Milton M. Goldsmith, treasurer and general counsel of the United Picture Theatres went to Chicago on Sunday to attend the convention. United announces the addition of four names to its field force. They are Arthur Silverman, William L. Merrill, Harry Thomas and Jack Underfeld. These men have not yet been given definite appointments, but their positions will be announced shortly.