Motion Picture News (Jan - Feb 1926)

February 27, 1926 985 Compensation Bill is Again Introduced in N. Y. A bill amending the New York state workmen's compensation law, to the end that it will include within its provisions all employees in motion picture studios in New York state, who do not receive more than $25 a day or $100 a week, in wages, was introduced in the New York state Legislature, on Tuesday of this week, by Assemblyman Meyer Altei-man, of New Yoi-k city. The bill is identical in its wording with the one of a year ago, which did not get further than being assigned to a committee. Niagara Falls Theare is Damaged by Fire Projection machines, films and equipment of the Queen Theatre, Niagara Falls, Ontario, were destroyed in a fire which broke out in the projection room of the theatre ■on the night of February 11, whde the house was crowded to capacity. The patrons retired from the theatre quietly, however, and there was no panic. The loss was estimated bv Manager A. Huttelmeyer at $6,000. Greta Nissen to Play "Love Thief" in Universal has signed Greta Nissen to play the lead opposite Norman Kerry in "The Love Thief," adapted from the story by Margaret Mayo. It will be directed by John McDei-mott as one of the special productions of Universal's 1926 program. In the supporting cast will be Nigel Barrie, Borgatto. noted Italian actor; and Charles Puffv. Receivers Are Named for Vital and Davis PROCEEDINGS in involuntary bankruptcy were commenced last week by three employees of Vital Exchanges, resulting in the appointment of Matthew B. Sentner as receiver. The court order provides that the business be continued by the receiver for ten days, and it is hoped that within such period arrangements can be made to conserve the assets of the Company and to prevent the loss of the large amount of bookings already secured. This situation resulted in the commencing of a friendly proceeding in equity in which Louis H. Rowe was appointed receiver for the Davis Distributing Division, which Company is distributing its productions through Vital Exchanges. J. Charles Davis 2nd, president of the Davis Distributing Division, announces that this equity receivership is designed to protect the interests of the various distributors releasing through the Davis Company and also the creditors of that Company. Mr. Davis further states that he is perfecting plans to carry on the distribution of these productions and to secure distribution facilities throughout the entire country: not only in the territory covered by the Vital organization but in the balance of the country where exchanges of Vital had not yet been estabhshed. He desires to assure exhibitors that the entire program of the Davis Distributing Division will be released. Fox Theatre Building Plans are Rumored in Pacific Northwest and Twin Cities ALTHOUGH no definite information could be obtained at the Home Office in New York, persistent rumors were in circulation this week to the effect that the Fox Theatres Corp. would erect houses in Portland, Ore., Seattle, Tacoma and Salem, as well as Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth. This would carry Fox into the strongholds of two powerful circuits, Jensen & Von Herberg and Finkelstein & Ruben. According to reports, the Twin City houses would be of 3,500 seating capacity each, with the Duluth house somewhat smaller. Fox had no first run outlet in these cities for three years, but after filing a suit against F. & R. to force fulfillment of contract, James R. Grainger closed an arrangement for one year last fall. It is understood that the Fox policy will ultimately include the building of high class neighborhood houses to support the downtown first runs, along the lines of the Balaban & Katz Chicago plan. Meanwhile, it was announced this week that Fox would build a 3,200 seat house in Passaic, N. J., ground to be broken within four weeks. Plans have been drawn by A. Ginsberg. Passaic, with a population of 80,000, has but 7,200 seats at present, all in the hands of the Fabian interests. It was also reported that Fox had purchased the Clinton Square theatre, a neighborhood house in Newark, N. J. Contact Bureau in M.P.T.O. A. E. Thornton Kelly Appointed to Direct Activities and Will Assign Field Men B'SIXESS Manager Joseph M. Seider this week announces the establishment of a contact bureau at National Headquarters of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. Seider has appointed E. Thornton Kelly as the Director of this Bureau. Under Kelly will be a number of field men who will be subject to assignment to all parts of America in the intei'ests of the National Organization. The establishment of this Bui'eau has long been contemplated by Seider. Its development, so far as the trade is concerned, however, lias been exceedingly rapid since the public intimation of tlie need of this department was first carried in an editorial by Mr. Seider in the, February 1st issue entitled "Locarno, Why not in the Motion Picture Industry "?" A few days after the Official Bulletin had made its appearance came a terse announcement from National Headquarters that Mr. Seider had designated Mr. Kelly as his envoy to interview Western leaders in the interest of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. Mr. Kelly left New York for Chicago and a few days following his absence matters in the contract situation came to a head, necessitating the appearance in New York of many leaders. As a result of this conference and the adoption of the contract, practically all of these leaders and Mr. Seider came together. In other words, as Mr. Seider describes it, the ambition of the National Organization to include every exhibitor in the United States within its fold was materially benefited by this contract conference. Thus, the National Business Manager recalled his en\<)\ and promoted him to the leadership of the permanent Contact Bureau which the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America now boasts. Drive on Undesirables Opened Des Moines Inaugurates Movement to Stamp Out Unethical Business Tactics EXCHANGE managers in the Des Moines territory are mapping plans to eliminate all undesirables iri the various local sales forces. It is planned to take dra.stic measures against those using detrimental measures to the good of the industry. The shake-up i^romises to be far reaching so a-s to ser\'e as an object lesson to other territories where similar conditions prevail. It is said that these conditions are destroying confidence between exhibitors and distributors. It has been declared that "bottle of booze" contracts are the rule rather than the exception in tlie Iowa territory and that side agreements between salesmen and exhibitors are creating havoc in an effort to have contracts enforced. Among other things it is declared the practice is made of inserting "trick clauses" in the exhibitor's copy of contract with a different form submitted to the company. The new drive against these undesirables took definite shape at a recent get-together of salesmen as the guests of the Des Moines Film Board when several speakers discussed the subject. Vilma Banky Again With Valentino Vilma Banky, Hungarian t)oauty has again been chosen as Rudol])h "\'alentino's leading lady in "The Son of the Sheik," which goes into production soon for United Artists under the direction of George Fitzmaurice. The engagement of Miss Banky is through special arrangement witli Samuel Goldwyn, to whom she is under contract. The coming production will l)e sponsoi'ed by -Joseph M. Schenck.