The Film Daily (1918)

XfeBRADSTREET of FILWDOM 7/fcRKOGHIZED Authority Vol. V, No. 122 Monday, September 9, 1918 Price 5 Cents FORERUNNER OF BETTER TIMES Chicago Convention Closes With Surprising Accomplishment by Small Number of Exhibitors the CHICAGO.— Probably one of most remarkable conventions ever held came to a close with the Grand Ball at the Hotel Sherman on Friday night. Remarkable in point of attendance, as there was but a handful of exhibitors who attended, and yet big in its accomplishment. The reunion of the "split" league | is looked upon by exhibitors of the west as the beginning of better and bigger things in the industry. With two associations they realized they could get nowhere and deplored the fact that they had lost ground through a "bust up" brought about by politics and selfishness. Many of the old timers were not present perhaps feeling that little would be accomplished. Judge Tugwell was one of these, but no doubt the convention at St. Louis next year will witness a large gathering of representative exhibitors. Some look upon the new arrangement as a mistake, feeling that the exhibitors cannot get along with the producers and gain anything by being under the N. A. M. P. I. banner. However, with such men as Peter SchaeTer, Frank Rembusch, Ernest Horstmann, I. M. Mosher and a fiftypercent, representation in the National Association, the old heads of the A. E. A. feel that it will work out all right. The meetings came to a close Friday when the By-laws committee presented the laws under which the combined body will operate. Most of the exhibitors left town Thursday, but a few of the out of town members remaining for the ball. Louis Frank and Frank Rembusch, who worked incessantly for the success of the affair, feel much gratified at the outcome and have been showered with congratulations upon the success of the convention. William A. Brady, who had much to do with arranging peace terms between the factions, also stands higher than ever in the esteem of the exhibitors. Merger of Exchanges Canadian Organization Called Exhibitors' Distributing Corp. TORONTO.— Within the last week there has been a merger effected here of the Globe Securities and the Globes Films and the Super-Features, Ltd. The new combination is called the Exhibitors' Distributing Corporation, of which Arthur Cohen is president and Eli Marks treasurer. The company is making its home office at 221 Yonge street here with Charles Stevens, who originally was at the head of the Super-Features, Ltd., and Bud Lennon at the head of the sales force of the new organization. The company is going to make a determined effort to Cwifrrol the bookings of the bigger part of the 900 theatres in the Dominion. An Metro Busy in the East Viola Dana has finished "Oh, nice" at the Biograph studios in the Bronx. John Collins directed this production. Work will be started shortly on "The Gay and Festive Claverhouse," by Anne Warner and published in book form by Little, Brown and Co. This is to be a new Bushman-Bayne to follow "Little Miss Money-Bags." More Revivals Due Fairbanks to Do "Arizona" For His Next Artcraft Revivals seem to be in the air just at present. Several months ago when the first announcement was made that Cecil B. DeMille was to rephotograph "The Squaw Man," it seemed to savor of a novelty. Since then , however, a number of revivals in film form seemed to have shaped up. It was stated that Douglas Fairbanks has personally purchased the rights to picturize "Arizona," which was originally made by the All-Star Picture Corporation about five years ago. This is also true of "Paid in Full," which was made about the same time. The pictures were sold on state rights leases for a period of five years. The company has been defunct and in the hands of receivers for a number of years, and with the lapsing of the leases the rights to the pictures have reverted to the receivers who have since disposed of them. Paramount has a picture of "Paid in Full," which Pauline Frederick finished a little while back and which may be released next month. To Advertise on Billboards "Wolves of Kultur," the serial produced by the Western Photoplays, Inc., and distributed by Pathe, will be extensively posted on the billboards of the country as a part of the advertising campaign. GUARDING AGAINST FILM THEFTS Preventative Measure To Be Devised At Meeting with District Attorney Swann Today District Attorney Swann has arranged for a meeting today in the Criminal Courts Building on Lafayette Street at three o'clock with the representatives of the distributing companies to discuss the question of film thefts and preventative measures to combat them. Mr. Swann has thus followed his original intention of calling the film men together when the investigation started at the time of the arrest of W. C. Thompson for alleged theft of prints. By special invitation, Assistant District Attorney Talley, who had the 45th Street raid in direct charge, will be present at the meeting of producers on Tuesday at eleven o'clock at the N. A. M. P. I. to tell of the recommendations made and the action that was taken by the distributors at their conference with the District Attorney.