The Film Mercury (1926-27)

WVE RITAS THE FILM Cents News , Reviews , Opinions P INC IT MERCVRY Published Every Friday Cents Vol. 3. No. 24. Sixteen Pages. Hollywood, California FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1926 Mercury Publishing Co, Hollywood, Calif. F. P.-L PLANS RADICAL CHANGES NEW FIRST NATIONAL SHAKE-UP ILiilllliiilililiiiiliiiiiliiilliiiiiililiil i Tamar ] f Lane TiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinitT ABOUT DIRECTORS Directors attempt to emulate Von Stroheim and Griffith by shooting great quantities of footage — but unfortunately all directors are not Von Stroheims and Griffiths. Some attempts have been made of late to shout the praise of the director as being the most important item in the making of a picture. In some cases, of course, this is true; but it is the e-xception and not the rule. The average director has very little idea of what his finished product is going to look like. Some like to flatter themselves into the idea that they know. Others admit that they don’t know. This is the case with m,ost directors, only they won’t admit it. Take the directors who have a definite, clear idea of just what they are going to put into their picture and how they are going to do it — and who actually find that they have achieved their aim upon the conclusion of the picture — and you will have a scant handful of directors. The average megaphone wielder depends a great deal on the film cutter, and the ability to edit and smooth out the rough spots in direction and continuity after the shooting is done. (Continued on Page 2.) Levee t o Take Full Charge , Claim Several shifts in the personnel and executive management of First National’s production forces will take place as soon as the company moves to its new studio near Lankershim, according to gossip. It is expected that in a few months Mike Levee will be in full charge of all production. Levee is said to be very thick with Richard Rowland, and it is understood that these two have certain well laid plans which they are hoping to put into effect. It is understood that Allison, right hand man to Levee, may later take C. P. Butler’s place as business manager. John McCormick will be in charge of only the Colleen Moore unit, according to report. The new F. N. studio is being rushed to completion and the production force will start to move within a few weeks. New York units are expected to arrive later in the summer. Zukor Plans to Slash Salaries Adolph Zukor’s latest scheme is a campaign to cut down on high salaries, according to inside dope. Paramount will handle more outside product this year than ever before in their history. They will also “farm” out their players to other producers, and with the expiration of many contract players and directors will let them go too, it is said. This was predicted several months ago. Future Paramount directors will be engaged by the picture. The players as well, except for those now in stock which are to be loaned out at a profit. Last week saw Betty Bronson, Mary Brian and others “farmed” out. The day of the big salaried stars and directors is gone, never to return, according to some insiders. Mark that down in your note book. Wilson to Succeed Pat Powers , Report Frank Wilson, head of the Motion Picture Capital Corporation, which is affiliated with Cinema Finance Co., of Los Angeles, and whq makes a business of financing motion picture propositions is said to have taken Pat Powers place with Associated Exhibitors, into which Pathe is understood hav.e bought a controlling interest. Wilson’s organization ha. s loaned upwards of $500,000 to producers of Associated pictures; Pathe is said to have loaned nearly as much in the past year. Producers with Associated contracts could not secure finances locally heretofore but it seems as if they will from now on. Wilson’s organization is a power in P. D. C. They also loan money to other big organizations. Motley Flint and various other bankers are affiliated with the company, according to report. Wilson recently negotiated the purchase of a chain of Oregon theatres for P. D. C. and it is not unlikely that he will do the same sort of buying for Pathe, who are going into the feature field with gusto, as reported sometime ago in the Film Mercury. The Associated Studios, controlled by Powers, will play no part in the transaction, it is said, though it is known Pathe are seeking a permanent coast (Continued on Page 2.) To The Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America DURING THE CONVENTION TO BE HELD AT LOS ANGELES JUNE 1 TO 5, THE FILM MERCURY WILL HAVE OFFICES IN THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL IN ADDITION TO OUR REGULAR OFFICES IN THE TAFT BUILDING, HOLLYWOOD. YOU ARE ALL CORDIALLY INVITED TO MAKE THESE OFFICES YOUR HEADQUARTERS DURING YOUR STAY. DROP IN, AND MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME. TAMAR LANE, Editor. An Actor Writes on Casting Conditions