The Film Daily (1918)

7^BRADSTREET of FILMDOM DAIkYi Authority Vol. V, No. 136 Monday, September 23, 1918 Price 5 Cents CHAPLIN POLICY IS EXPLAINED First National Exhibitors' Circuit Officials Issue Statement Giving Reason For Infrequency of Releases First National Exhibitors' Circuit officials have issued a statement giving the reason for the infrequency of the Chaplin releases. The statement reads in part: "Under the terms of his contract with the First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Mr. Chaplin is to make a total of eight comedies. No definite dates of delivery for each subject are specified. This contract became operative last year. Figured on the basis of ordinary comedy production, for two or three-reel subjects, the eight productions could have been made and delivered in four months, averaging two weeks of studio work for each. "When Mr. Chaplin signed his contract with The First National Exhibitors' Circuit, he had just started the construction work on his new studio. This structure he had especially designed for comedy work, and in it he had provided for every improvement and facility which would contribute to the quality of Chaplin productions. Many of his ideas for mechanical and technical equipment are innovations. "The suggestion was made to Mr. Chaplin that he rent another studio, pending the completion of his own, and begin work at once on the initial comedy for the First National. This he declined to do, with the explanation that he knew the facilities of his studio would contribute to a much higher quality in his first production than he could get by making it elsewhere. As a consequence he did not begin 'A Dog's Life' until late in February, and this was despite the fact that the continuity for it was prepared in rough draft early in January. "This was a forerunner of the policy which has marked his work since then. Quantity and speed have been sacrificed to quality, with an attendant monetary loss to Chaplin." Exporters to Meet The Film Exporters of America will meet in the Astor tomorrow at 12.30 in the Yacht Room. This will be the first meeting since early August and the first to be presided over by the new officers who were elected some time back. "Sporting Life" Sold Famous Players Lasky Purchases Maurice Tourneur Feature The Famous Players-Lasky Company has closed a contract with J. E. Brulatour whereby it secures the rights for the United States and Canada to the Maurice Tourneur feature, "Sporting Life." The picture will not be generally released by the Paramount-Artcraft, on whose program it will be listed as a special, until some time in November. Adolph Zukor stated, after the purchase, that the Famous Players-Lasky Company is in the market for any big production which comes up to the necessary standard. The sale of "Sporting Life" will in no way effect the future activities of Maurice Tourneur who directed the picture. He will continue in the future to direct independent productions of the super-feature calibre. In addition to the purchase of the rights to the picture for the United States and Canada, the Famous Players-Lasky Company has also secured the picture for the United Kingdom, including England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The film will be distributed in those countries by the Famous Players-Lasky London branch. The price paid for the foreign rights is said to be $45,000. Move For Sunday Shows EVANSTON, ILL.— Alderma:; T. R. Roberts of the Evanston city courcil, has submitted an amendment to the city code which provides for the operation of moving picture theatres on Sunday. Evanston has for years prided itself on being a particularly religious and "closed tight" town, not even the drug stores and newsstands being open on the Sabbath and the new move is looked upon with considerable interest. Several of the leading theatre managers are enlisting prominent citizens in support of the measure. The matter will come up at the council meet'ng to be held October 1. Concerns Incorporated Federal Photo-Plays Has Capital Stock of $50,000 ALBANY.— The Federal PhotoPlays, Inc., of Manhattan, has been incorporated with Secretary of State Hugo. The corporation has a capital stock of $50,000 and has been formed for the purpose of manufacturing and producing motion picture, and photoplay films of every description, also to deal in motion picture machines and apparatus. The incorporators are Hannah L. Geller, Raymond Reubens and Thomas Kearney, 149 Broadway, New York City. The Mocar Motion Picture Corporation of Manhattan was also chartered by the State last week. It proposes to generally deal in motion picture films of all kinds and to maintain theatres for the exhibition of screen productions. The company is capitalized at $25,000 and the following are named as the principal stockholders: Myron Sulzberger, Edna Egan, Isidor Enselman, and Clare Goldberg, all of New York City. The Graphoscope Development Company, incorporated under the lawS of the State of Delaware, has been authorized by the Secretary of State to engage in the business of producing motion picture films in New York State. The concern will be represented by Raymond G.' Coughlan of 50 East 42d Street, New York City. Hornsby in New York O. A. Hornsby, president of the Caribbean Film Company of Havana, Cuba, is in New York. Besides being president of the Caribbean, which handles Paramount and Artcraft pictures in the West Indies exclusively, Mr. Hornsby is vice-president of the Trust Company of Cuba. Made Brooklyn Representative William H. Hollander, formerly president of the Brooklyn Exhibitors' League, now first vice-president and formerly manager of the old Post Office theatre, has accepted a new position as Brooklyn representative for the American Film Company, which is releasing through the Pathe exchanges.