The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Holljwood, Calif. THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1927 Page Three Costly Blunders Being Made By Motion Picture “Brains” There is a rumor to the effect that Joseph Schenck will place many of the contract workers at United Artists on half salary, not only persons whose salaries are sky high, but also those unfortunates who are receiving a small wage. Mr. Schenck has been touted as being the “brains of the industry.” It might be interesting to check up on some of the mistakes made by the “brains of the industry,” so that it is understandable why motion picture producers are placed in the position of squawkers. If the alleged brains committed business errors like those that will be mentioned, we should overlook those that are made by the lesser fry. After months and months of search for a story for John Barrymore, one was decided upon. Actors and actresses were engaged, put under contract to start work on a certain date. The players, sometime later, were informed that the story was not quite ready, and they were asked to give an extension of time on their contracts. The problem was settled by giving the players half salary up to a certain date. Why were the actors and actresses engaged and given a time to commence work, if the continuity was not satisfactory? Why should the players have to sacrifice half of their salary because of the stupidity of the producer? Estelle Taylor has been under contract to United Artists for several months and has not worked in a picture. Miss Taylor’s salary is said to be $1,250 a week. Up to the present, Schenck has probably paid Miss Taylor a sum of $40,00 or $50,000. A young vaudeville dancer, Rosita, was signed by United Artists. It is said that Rosita was under contract to the Orpheum circuit and had a number of weeks to go before her time expired. Report goes, that the contract was bought, with the result that Rosita spent weeks around the studio with nothing but time on her hands. A week ago she played the Orpheum Theatre in vaudeville, but is still waiting for her film debut. How any one who understands the motion picture could speculate on the Duncan sisters as film prospects is incompre hensible. Although these sisters are charming and entertaining on the stage, the very qualities which make them popular in musical comedy, would act as a deterrent on the screen. Yet Mr. Schenck produced a picture with these comedians and appeared surprised that it did not prove a financial bang. Last December, the writer made the prediction that there is not a director in the entire industry who could make celluloid material out of the Duncan Sisters. These are a few examples of the inefficient moves that are constantly being made by the “brains” of the fourth largest industry in the United States. ANABEL LANE. JUNE MATHIS The passing of June Mathis will be deeply mourned by the entire film colony, particularly those who had been fortunate enough to come into personal contact with her. June Mathis’ compassion for those in trouble, her ever-ready willingness to lend a hand to the downheartened, to give assistance and encouragement to struggling youth, are memories that will live long in the history of the silent drama. Her death is a distinct loss to the film colony, for it is to such fine and noble personalities as June Mathis that Hollywood must look to defend and uphold the prestige and dignity of the motion picture fraternity. DUPONT-EASTMAN WAR LOOMS The Dupont interests are preparing to give battle on a huge scale to the Eastman forces, according to information that comes to the Film Mercury from reliable sources. The Dupont company has been moved to activity since the series of revelations have been printed in the Mercury concerning Eastman’s gigantic plans of expansion, which include not only major control of the raw stock and laboratory business in this country, but also throughout the world if possible. The Dupont interests had already laid out definite plans in regards to its affairs in the motion picture industry, but with the publication of the startling facts brought to light by the Film Mercury, Dupont is now doubling its activities and within a short time some surprising things are going to happen. The Duponts have resources of hundreds of millions of dollars. They operate in several of the country’s biggest industries and could buy and sell Eastman many times over. Until recently, they have not given strict attention to their film interests, playing a conservative game rather than an agressive one. With the revelations concerning Eastman activities brought to their attention, it is said that the Duponts now feel they must take definite steps to protect their interests, and a mighty campaign in the film industry is being put under way. Here is the possible line of expansion to be made by Dupont, as seen by the Film Mercury: Dupont will become the controlling force in the PatheP.D.C. organization. This will give them an outlet for a quantity of film, not only in regard to print work, but in connection with production. The DeMille-Metropolitan studios are now using Dupont stock exclusively, according to information unearthed by the Film Mercury. These studios formerly used other stock, but recently the shift was made to Dupont entirely. The next move will be in the establishment of laboratories, and inside reports indicate that Dupont has already started plans along this line. It is not likely that Dupont’s chief line of attack will be through laboratories, however, but through a much more more powerful means — the control of film producing and distributing organizations. Dupont already has tremendous plans along this line, which the Film Mercury hopes to be able to relate in detail in the near future. LOUNGE SUITS i TRY EVENING CLOTHES 2511 WILSHIRE BLVD. at CARCNDCLET GOLF SUITS RIDING BREECHES