Motion Picture News (Jun-Aug 1920)

August 2 1, igi 20 Major Film Purchases "Movie Cliats" A contract was closed last week by the Kineto Company of America With the Major Film Corporation, 54 Broadway, Boston, Mass whereby the New England rights on Charles Urban's Movie Chats were disposed of to the Major rilm Corporation. The United Slates is now practically sold complete on this remarkable single reel release; only , a few ■ states remain to be taken care of and for all of these contracts are pending. The foreign rights have long since been contracted for. Carl H. Pierce vicepresident of Kineto went to Boston to complete the arrangements. Leave of Absence Given Rosiwell Dague , Roswell Dague, Eastern production editor of the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation, has been .granted an extended leave of absence beginning September and at that date his duties at the Eastern studios will be assumed by Tom J Gcraghty. Mr. Geraghty is now on the Coast and is expected in New York in two or three weeks. Mr. Dague has heen associated with the Scenario Department of I"amous Players-Lasky since 1916 and was appointed some two month.s ago to the position of Eastern Production editor following the resignation of Gardner Hunting. "Work in East Finished, Meighan Goes West Thomas Meighan has completed ■"The Frontier of the Stars," which lie has been making under the direction of Charles Maigne at the Famous Players-Laslo' Eastern ■studios. He left for California on Monday. Upon his arrival at Hollywood he starts work at the Xasky studio on " Easy Street," Samuel Mervin's stoi'y which first appeared in the Cosmopolitan and later was published in book form. Tom Forman will direct. 1519 Roscoe Arbuckle Starts New Paramount Film Roscoe Arbuckle has started work ■on his new production for Paramount, entitled "Brewster's Millions." Joseph Henabery is director. presented by Mayllower. On the right a view by Mayflower. Both pictures are released by S"the V£l.^ A. Walsh producton, " The Deep Purple ol the Charles Miller production, " The Law ot the Yukon," also prescni Realart New Service Company Formed W''-'"-^'^p-de:",^trga„iza Promincnt Men Head *' ' " ing Allied Independent Attractions, Inc. HAT is described to be an independent organization, capable of handling a picture literally from the author's typewriter to its exhibition upon the screen is to be realized in the formation of the Allied Independent Attractions, Inc., which is announced this week. Three men, already very prominent in the motion picture industry, have opened their offices in the Brokaw Building. Harry Leonhardt, who built the famous California theatre and "put it over" is president; Ralph Proctor, who recently resigned as assistant general manager of Associated Exhibitors, Inc., takes up the new berth as vice president and general manager; and O. E. Chaney, one of New York's most able financiers, is secretary and treasurer. According to its first announcement, the purpose of the Allied Independent Attractions. Inc., is to render a distinctive service of complete production plans, distribution counsel and exploitation salesmanship together wth providing a New York business headquarters for independent producers, conducted by men who understand all the devious channels of the motion-picture business. This proposition is augmented by a more definite statement by its vice president and general manager, Proctor, who says that the policy is to complete distribution contracts, v'sfcin l)v Mr I ,nv,M,l III, give proper attention to first-run key-city distribution, equitable approbation of exhibition contracts and complete production publicity through an advertising department headed by capable men. The purchase of stories and the handling of foreign rights together with a general policy of rendering to the independent producer a service that he could not possibly obtain through any medium other than the Allied Independent Attractions, Inc. Mr. Proctor is now engaged In the task of assembling a staff of assistants so that the organization can immediately begin its operation on a large scale. Already the Ailed Independent Attractions, Inc., has been designated as the representative of several big independent producers, announcement of which will be made as soon as the organization has been definitely completed. Harry Leonhardt. who heads this newest motion picture venture, is one of the oldest showman in America, starting back thirty years ago as stage manager for George C. Miln. Mr. Leonhardt passed through the Shakespearian period of the American stage. He saw from the inside the inauguration of the h-HiliiiKilc Cb.-u-h's Fn.Iim United Stairs ii the big [iroduclioiis uf llmsf il.ivs The Box Otlire Auracliuiis formed by William Fox clulmed him from vaudeville aflci ciglik-cn years service wilhKeitli.mil Pnn-tor, and Mr. Fox rcali/iiiK Mr, Leonhardt's efficient organ i^^ing ability, appointed him as districi manager for the territory west of Chicago. The building of ilie California theatre and its record success under Messrs. Leonhardt and Miller, are recent history. This experience further fitted Mr. Leonhardt by giving him the exhibitor's angle. Ralph Proctor, vice president and general manager of the Allied Independent Attractions, Inc., hardly needs introduction to ihe motion picture field. For a number of years, he has been a Kadi.T in ihr' distribution field. As assi^iani >.!riieral manager of the Unitc-d Artists, Mr. Proctor opened the eiilire exchange system of that organization, assembled its complete sales force, and for a year directed the complete selling agencies of the " Big Four" throughout the United States, Mr. Proctor resigned from United Artists, to become assl.stanl general manager to Fred C. Quiniby. general manager of Associated Exhibitors, Inc., following which he assisted in organizing the Allied Independent Attractions, Inc. ■ Held in Trust," a Metro Screen Classics production starring May Allison