The Film Mercury (1926-27)

Hollywood, Calif. THE FILM MERCURY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1927 Page Seven WHY INDEPENDENTS FAIL The rise and fall of the independent producer has always been the subject of much discussion during the past ten years. The independent producer fails to achieve the results he should, not because of poor pictures, but rather on account of existing conditions with which he is daily confronted. The independent producer is compelled to solicit capital from loan sharks to operate with. He is compelled to have a distributing contract with a company that is in some way or another alligned with the people from whom he borrowed his money. This distributor and loan shark usually work hand in hand, but apparently as individuals. The loan shark generally controlls the distributor due to the money owed, and what chance has the producer? Most independent producers today must be crooked in order to make a dollar, this in all due resppect to everyone and with no reflection on anyone. The producer will tell you that he does not expect to make a dollar, but in order to get something for his time must falsify his production cost sheet to make it appear as if he really expended more than he did, the producer pocketing the difference as his “profit.” A Hollywood state right producer recently made several pictures for an Eastern distributor. Waiting for months with no returns forthcoming, but plenty of hard luck letters from the distributor about no business, the producer sent an auditor to glance over the distributor’s books. As the auditor was doing his work one of the shipping clerks chanced into the room and in a loud voice asked the distributor this boss), if he wanted the several prints just sold in the South, shipped. The boss tried to silence him in sign language and facial contortions but the auditor got wise. Investigation disclosed that the distributor had openly hi-jacked the producer out of over $10,000. The auditor got the producer the ten grand. So it can be seen what a fine chance the independent has with some distributors. In the matter of playdates the independent is also whipped because ninety-five per cent of the theatres are owned by the larger producing-distributors. About the only bookings left open for independent producers, with the exception of a few days from the Loew Circuit, N. Y., are those granted to them by the M.P.T.O. of Wisconsin, Indianapolis and Ohio. This is gradually becoming nil and eventually will amount to little or nothing at all. The independent producer today has only one haven — • the foreign market — from which he usually gets fifty per cent of his cost returned. With the English, French, German and Australian quotas going into effect, stipulating that for every three American pictures exported into those countries the American producer must take one foreign j produced film in return, the eventual demise of the inde I pendent producer on the foreign market is foreseen. In other words unless he is able to reciprocate by taking his allotted quota of foreign films in return for their taking his, which he cannot do because he has no distribution channels in this country, he must retire from the field. This situation is made to order for the larger producerdistributors because they have their own exchange systems throughout the United States and can take in foreign films 1 at a nominal purchase price, and if necessary, burn them up. or if they are worthwhile distribute them over here. The independent producers only hope is to make a film unencumbered by a so-called state right release and dispose of his efforts to a big organization, if it is of sufficient merit to win consideration. Otherwise he is up against a solid wall.— H.M.S. Chilean Wins $10,000 Award A $10,000 prize has been awarded by the League for Better Pictures at New York for the novel having the best film possibilities. It has been won bv Vincent Huidobro, young Chilean poet and novelist, for his story, “Cagliostro,” based upon the life of the eighteenth century necromancer and popular mystic. The presentation was made at the office of the Conde Nast Publications. The judges were Lillian U 1 1 a 1, Benedict D’Arlon and Charles Norman. * * * Kreisler, Farrar at Roxy New York — Fritz Kreisler and Geraldine Farrar have been signed for appearance at the Roxy, it is understood. * * * Engaged by Warners David Mir has been signed by Warner Brothers for a role in “The College Widow,” which Archie Mayo will direct with Dolores Costello starring. Garrett Fort Signed With Paramount Studio Garrett Fort has been signed to write for Paramount. His first assignment is “The Glory Girl,” Esther Ralston’s next starring productoin. * * * “H oneymoon Hate ” Next For Florence Vidor “Honeymoon Hate,” adapted to the screen from the magazine story of the same name by A. E. Williamson, will be Florence Vidor’s next Paramount starring picture. The story is a society farce and will be directed by Frank Tuttle. * * * Metro Company Leaves For Military Academy William Haines and Edward Sedgwick left this week for the Uffited States Military Academy at West Point, where they will shoot scenes for Haines’ next M-G-M starring vehicle, which wall be a story of West Point. The picture will be directed by Sedgwick. f FAN PHOTOS SPECIAL ! 8x10 $25.00 Per Hundred i 5x 7 18.00 Per Hundred j THE PHOTO PALACE i 6719 Sunset GLadstone 7104 + +• SIEGELMAN’S PERFECT MAKE-UP STAGE— SCREEN— STREET The Liquid Make-Up Will Not Crack, Streak or Rub Off. Not affected by Perspiration THE MAKE-UP SHOP 6272 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD EVERYTHING IN MAKE-UP REQUISITES GLadstone 4809 Titles by DWINELLE BENTHALL and RUFUS McCOSH 228 MARKHAM BLDG. HOLLYWOOD