Motion Picture News (Sep-Oct 1923)

1178 Motion Picture News FirstNationalChangesPolicyA b road Drastic New Distribution Measures Hurl Bombshell Into British Industry ASSOCIATED FIRST NATIONAL PICTURES, LTD., the British branch of the American distributing organization, announced at its second annual convention, held in England on August 10th, several changes in its distribution policy which have had the effect of a bombshell thrown into the industry in the Biitish Isles. By these changes some of the problems which have been perplexing that country for a considerable time are brought nearer solution. The change in policy was announced by Ralph J. Pugh, managing director of the British organization. It followed a series of conferences between the British leaders and Robert J. Lieber, president of First National; E. Bruce Johnson and M. P. Harwood, foreign manager and chief auditor, respectively, of that company, all of whom attended the London meeting. The most drastic change was the concession of mutual signing of contracts. This move, never before attempted in the British industry, gives to First National salesmen, or " travellers " as they are known abroad, the authority to sign contracts on behalf of the company simultaneously with the signing by the exhibitor. Hardly less important was the reduction of the prices of posters by ten per cent, a step which will have a far-reaching effect on the methods of motion picture advertising in the British Isles. Heretofore distributors, or " renters," have been in the habit of seeking a large profit from the sale of paper to exhibitors and the use of billboard advertising has been consequently limited. Both of these changes went into effect on August 20th. For several years the British exhibitors have been endeavoring to secure from renters the concession of mutual signing of contracts. In addition to acceding to this request First National has broken away from the old "standard" contract, which is in common use throughout the British Isles and has inaugurated a revised form of its own. which contains practically all that was called for by exhibitors in the " Fair Clauses " form, which has been eagerly sought after by British exhibitor organizations for some time. Kinematographj a leading British trade publication, congratulates First National upon this innovation and calls it a " step nearer to better business methods in the industry." In permitting salesmen and managers to sign for the company the British exhibitor is relieved of the fear that his contract may be refused confirmation. The reduction of the price of lithographs follows up the first step in this direction taken at the convention in London last year, when First National reduced the price of posters to cost, instead of continuing the practice still in vogue among British renters, of effecting a tremendous profit from their sale. Because of last year's reduction in prices the sale of lithographs was increased 300 per cent, and this volume production permitted a further reduction of ten per cent, which became effective on August 20th of this year. Mrs. Wallace Reid Closes Tour of Country Mrs. Wallace Reid this week has concluded her personal tour over the country in the interest of her fight against narcotics. Closing at the Orpheum theatre in Chicago where her production, " Human Wreckage," opened to unusually big business, the widow of the star will return to California where she plans to make another production. Eschmann in Chicago for Sales Conference E. A. Eschmann, general sales manager of Associated First National Pictures, Inc., left on Wednesday, August 29, for Chicago to preside over a sales conference which will be attended by all the branch managers in the Mid-West and Central West territories. The meeting was also attended by R. C. Seery, Mid-West district manager, and H. A. Bandy, of Cleveland, Central West district manager. William Farnum's latest for William Fox is " The Gun Fighter," from which these scenes were taken. Rothacker Changes Entire Power System The entire power system in the Rothacker Chicago laboratory has been changed with the view to raising the quality of Rothacker Prints eevn higher. The coat-burning boilers have been thrown out, and in their stead has been installed a system of motor-driven combustion oil burners. As it was under the old system, the coalburning boilers were " sealed " behind dustproof doors in the basement, but where there is coal in the vicinity there is bound to be an element of dust, and before starting for Europe Watterson R. Rothacker ordered the change. Marshall Has Seven Roles in Seven Weeks Tully Marshall, who during the last five weeks has worked in no less than six First National pictures, has been cast for a character role in another production to be made by that company. His latest role is in " Her Temporary Husband," a farce comedy, to be directed by John McDennott. Marshall is to be a member of a cast which includes, to date, Sidney Chaplin, Owen Moore and Sylvia Breamer. The remaining members will be chosen this week. Production begins next week. Warners Prepare to Make " Beau Brummel " Warner Brothers are preparing for the filming of the screen adaptation of the Clyde Fitch play, " Beau Brummel," in which John Barrymore will be starred. Mary Astor will play opposite the star. Irene Rich has also been cast for leading role. The filming is scheduled to commence in September. Dorothy Farnum has completed the scenario and Jack and Harry Warner are constantly in consultation with their studio staff making preparations for the elaborate settings which production calls for.