Motion Picture News (Mar - Apr 1926)

1078 Motion Picture News Consolidated Independent Distribution is Rumored; Columbia Denies Combine AN unconfirmed rumor gained circulation this week to the effect that several independent organizations were to merge the distribution of their production into one chain of exchanges. Companies mentioned in the reports from the Coast were Chadwick, Banner and Columbia, with others hinted at. Jack Cohn, treasurer of Columbia, promptly and specifically denied that that company would enter into any such merger. "Columbia is able to stand alone on the merits of its own productions," he stated. "No mergers for us." The New York offices of other companies mentioned were without information on the subject, and it appeared that the plan, if authentic, was confined to negotiations on the West Coast at the present time. It was admitted, however, that such a move was not altogether unlikely, and was more or less "in the air." Test K. C. Arbitration Board By-Laws of Organization Said to Conflict With the Laws of the State of Missouri THERE appears to be a much rattled skeleton in the proverbial closet of the Joint Board of Arbitration at Kansas City. In fact the entire foundation and by-laws upon which the board is based may be swept aside as the result of a test case now in progress. Should the by-laws of the board and the state laws of Missouri conflict, and there appears to be little doubt of it, what would the effect on joint boards of other cities be, as well as past decisions handed down by the Kansas City board? That is a much debated question along Kansas City's film row today. Several days ago, W. O. Burkey, manager of the Admiral theatre, Kansas City suburban house, had an arbitration case pending against him, the plaintiff being Pari unt. Incidentally Mr. Burkey had a $15,000 damage suit pending against Moe Levy, Fox branch manager and a member oi the board. Burkey challenged the right of Levj iu sil I'll the board in hearing his case, contending Levj could not do so without being prejudiced. Burkey also chal lenged the right of Joe Levy, Warner Bros., branch manager and a member of the board, on the grounds thai the latter was preju i llrnl. Both of the board members refused to porarily refrain from sitting on the ■I during the case. As a result Burkey employed an attorne3 and the case was taken to the Jackson County Court of Appeals. It was contended h> Burkey's counsel thai the arbitration board was illegal in that its by-laws conflicted with state laws pertaining to the right of the defensi challenge jurors or persons who sil in a ease to be arbitrated. The arbitration board's by laws provide for uo challenges. . the ca taken to the courl oi appeal the term of Mete Levy on the In has expired, but Joe Levj reman II is understood thai the Haw in the board's bj laws was discovered everal dai and that the discovery was responsible for the provision for challenges, which was included in the new proposed uniform contract, or standard exhibition contract. It probably will be a week or inure before a definite decision is reached in the BurkeyI 'a rann unit case, which will set a precedent in the Kansas City territory, at least. Creditors Storm Hearing of Bankrupt An array of creditors bent upon a thorough investigation that would "get at the bottom of things" fired an avalanche of questions at the one representative of Enterprise Distributing Corporation, bankrupt, who showed up at the call of Judge Harry Dodd, referee, on Thursday, February 18, for the "purpose of examining bankrupt, allowing claims, selecting Trustee," et cetera The usual quiet formality that characterizes such an examination did not prevail at this hearing. Six attorneys, representing creditors in Atlanta and New York, had gone far enough into the case prior to the hearing to feel that the occasion called for i igid investigation. The most significant evidence brought out al the hearing — and the evidence was developed from testimony of .John W. Quillian vice president of the bankrupt companj miller oath is that the stockholders of Enterprise Distributing Corporation, Jenkins Securities Corporation and Enterprise Film Corporation are practically identical. Sunday Closing Breaks Out in Colorado The Sunday closing question has again broken out in two Colorado cities. The question will play an important part in the coming April election in Arvada, Colo. Because of an existing "blue law" on the statute books of the state and an objection on the part of certain citizens of Arvada against Sunday shows the exhibitor R. A. Pruess has closed the theatre. In Golden, Colo., the city council recently 'led that an existing city ordinance passed in 1879 which prohibited amusements on Sunday did not apply to a motion picture theatre so M. W. MeFarland re-opened his theatre on Sunday. Now a citizen lias filed a charge against MeFarland because of operating on Sunday. The action of the Districl Attorney under the state law will be awaited with interest as there is no doubt but that a majority of the citizens of Golden desire Sunday shows. John F. Sheridan, Film Pioneer Passes Away Deputy Sheriff John F. Sheridan, 58, a pioneer in providing adequate facilities and promoting popular priced motion picture nouses at Manchester. Conn., did at his home there this week, following a period of ill health. For a number of years police chief and a selectman, be had largely devoted himseli during rei enl years to duties as depul \ h. 'i iff and proprietor of the I lotel Sheridan. Ill identification \\ ith the motion picture industry in former years was largely in the providing of modern housing facilities, lea\ ing actual direction of the houses to a man ager. His widow and two sons survive. Seattle, Portland Owners Discuss Joining Several Seattle showmen and also several exhibitors of the Washington territory _ in general visited Portland last week, during the discussion of whether the exhibitors of the two Northwest states should unite in an all-Northwest body. Frank Edwards of the Winter Garden, H. W. Bruen of the Arabian and William Hartford were the Seattle members in the party, and other Washington exhibitors who made the trip were L. A. Drinkwine of Tacoma, president of the M. P. T. 0. W.; Xed Edris of Tacoma ; Frank Graham of Centralia; and F. W. Graham of Shelton. Michigan Exhibitors Hold Quarterly Meeting The Quarterly Get-together Convention of the M. P. T.O. of Michigan, which was held last week at the Wolverine Hotel, brought approximately 200 exhibitors from all parts of Michigan. Speakers were H. M. Ri'chey, general manager of the M. P. T. O. of Michigan: Dave I'allryman, secretary of Film Board of Trade; Judge Murphy of Detroit, and Edgar Guest. America's own poet. Entertainment was also provided, and everyone had a fine time. Wilkes Barre Amusement Company Chartered A charter was granted February 21, to the Fernbrook Park Amusement Company, of Wilkes-Baxre, permitting il to operate and sell "all manner of amusement devices." It is capitalized at $5,000, of which $500 is paid in and the par value of shares is slop. Oscar Boughner is treasurer. The incorporators are Mr. Boughner, and Gerwin W. Adair, oi Vh'ginia Terrace, and Hugh J. McKane, Wilkes-BaiTe. Clara Beranger Adapting Hobart Production Clara Beranger is adapting "Three Nights o\ Don Juan," for Henry Hobart productions to be released by Associated First National. It is a translation from the Hun