Motion Picture News (Dec 1920-Feb 1921)

528 I Motion Picture News It's Now or Never, Says Eckels A COMMUNICATION nothing short of an emphatic wariiing to State Right exchange men has just been issued by Eddy Eckels, general manager of the Independent Films Association. Mr. Eckels' warning cautions the independent dealers against mistakes and missteps during the coming year, which he says will be the biggest year the independent market has ever known. " This is the year that the independents are going to do either one of two things," says Mr. Eckels. " They will either build themselves an everlasting monument or else dig their own grave. " It is the year of the State Right men's biggest opportunity," he continued. " If they watch their step the open market will be so everlastingly established in another twelve months that nothing can shake it. " There are four main things I would warn the independent exchanges about, and the first of these is to strengthen themselves financially. They've got to play ball or quit — one of the two. The choice is theirs. But I'll say one thing definitely — it's going to take a bankroll to play the game the way it's got to be played in the next twelve months. " It's going to take a bankroll to buy the sort of stuff the theatres will be wanting in greater and greater volume of bookings — and I'll touch on this subject again presently. It's going to take a 1 92 1 to Decide Fate of State Right Exchanges bankroll to buy the quantity of film they'll have to have — because the pace is going to increase in swiftness. " And it's going to take a bankroll so big that all drafts and C. O. D.'s may be met fully and promptly —because the money that goes into that channel is the money that will keep the lifeblood flowing into the veins of the producers who are just beginning to specialize on the independent market and turn out the kind of pictures that will make money for the State Right exchanges. " That's why I shout at the top of my lungs at this time for the State Right exchanges that expect to keep pace with the unprecedented progress which 1921 will bring forth to strengthen themselves financially and then still further strengthen themselves. " Another thing I'll warn the independents is that they must play clean ball now. This year is going to be a test in more ways than one — and one of them is dependability. The sharpshooters and the shysters will either play straight clean ball or get themselves eternally kicked out of the industry. Tricky dealings will not be tolerated — there has been too much trickiness in the program field. Show the exhibitors that you are square shooters and they'll meet you fifty-fifty. Put yourself in the sharpshooter class and prepare for a quick exit. " Make all adjustments with record-breaking speed — and show up the program exchanges by contrast. Ship your films infallibly — and ship them in good condition. Keep your contracts — verbal or written — to the letter. Do not misrepresent. Do not gouge— quote rental prices that fit conditions— and nobody knows those conditions better than you, in each city, village and hamlet in your territory. Be fair and square. Play clean ball ! " I warned against misrepresentation. Here's another warning that I want to make as rigid as I can put into words : Don't buy junk ! " Let 1921 sound the death knell of this kind of stuff. Buy on the basis of quality and merit. Quit thinking of yourselves as the Cheap Johns of the industry. Go out and buy good pictures — you'll find them in demand. Moreover, you'll find them this year easier to get than ever before, because the producers are centering a good deal of attention on the independent market, and they'll continue it just as long as the independent market justifies their doing so. " Remember this : You don't have to take somebody else's leavings this year unless you deliberately choose to do so. " The selective privilege is yours. Exercise it ! " Watch your step and you've got the enemy licked and yourselves established with your feet on a rock." Kremer Flays the Pessimists VICTOR KREMER, president of the Victor Kremer Film Features, in a recent statement, takes vigorous exception to the article published in one of the New York dailies in which a general pessimistic outlook for the industry, was given. The article in question dealt with the calamitous conditions allegedly prevailing at present in the motion picture industry. Picturing Los Angeles as a desert filled with an army of some 50,000 idle persons whose sole means of livelihood had been in connection with the camera world the article went on in its gloom filled style to prophesy almost the elimination of the third industry of the country and that men and women who had heretofore earned their living in this highly profitable line of endeavor must henceforth seek other avenues of income for their daily bread. " That the article was inspired seems peradventure of any doubt," said Mr. Kremer, "but the motive back of the same is enigmatical. The general impression that I have gained is that strong Wall Street influences, for reasons that may be divined were responsible for the same. "The rumor that a new powerful company, assuming trust proportions, was about to enter the field and that as a logical result the present ' Big Fellows ' might suffer may have been the cause, or again for purposes of creating a bear market, worse than it has been to Newspaper Article is Answered by Independent Man date in film stocks, may have been the reason for the article's publication, but be it as it may it remains that in the propaganda to create panic the author has overstepped himself through his extravagance of prophesy and his carelessness in the use of figures. " To start with the wildest imagination would never permit of the idea that there were 50,000 persons engaged in the motion picture industry in Los Angeles. " It would seem extravagant to say that one-third that number were actually employed there. Again, the picture drawn of sheriff sales of studios, auctioneer signs and cobwebbed windows and rusty hinged doors is an exaggeration that amuses more than it creates depression or has a tendency to strike fear. " From all reports from the Coast the studios are filled daily, cameras are clicking on locations in and about the city and generally conditions are about as normal as one would expect at this time of year. " Within the coming month I will start the first of the series of eight Western pictures with Texas Guinan as the star and other independent producers have informed me of their plans which are that they also contemplate producing very shortly. On the whole I can see no reason for alarm, but rather I am of the belief that the year 1921 will prove a most profitable one in the motion picture business. "As I have said in a previous interview all that remains for conditions to improve is that the independent producer, exchange and exhibitor get together and have a better understanding and the few small clouds on our horizon will be dispelled and the sun will shine for us as in the past, despite the loud wails of the calamity howlers." Irving Lesser, brother of Sol Lesser, arrived in New York on last Sunday. Mr. Lesser, who may be listed under the heading of " producer " will make his stay as brief as possible as the activities of his Western Picture Exploitation demand his presence on the Coast. He stated that he could not as yet divulge the motive for his Eastern visit, but that he will make several important announcements before returning to the Coast. Mr. Lesser is making his headquarters with Harry D. Wilson at the Capitol theatre building, and is residing at present at the Astor Hotel. Arrow Film Appoints Two New Salesmen W. E. Shellenberger, president of the Arrow Film Corporation, announced the appointment of two additional special representatives to the sales force of the Arrow organization. In accordance with the recently announced policy of expansion of the Arrow Film Corporation an increase in the sales force became necessary and appointment of Thomas A. Curran and C. M. White was the first step preparatory to handling the greatly increased output of the Arrow during the coming year. Both Mr. White and Mr. Curran are experienced film men who are said to be well fitted for the work they will have to do in their new positions. Mr. White was for a number of years connected with Gaumont and has had a great deal of practical motion picture experience. Mr. Curran acquired most of his motion picture experience in Australia, of which country he is a native. While there he had a thorough training in theatrical and motion picture matters. Both Mr. White and Mr. Curran will spend some time in the New York offices of the Arrow familiarizing themselves with the business details of the organization before going to their respective territories. It has not yet been announced where they will be stationed but it is expected they will be allotted their respective territories in the very near future. Truth Productions Complete Educational Word has just come from the offices of Truth Productions at 230 West 39th street, that the final scenes have been shot on their latest educational production which is titled " The Porcelain Lamp." As the feature now stands, it is in five reels and depicts the evolution of travel from the days when the only known means of locomotion were man's own two legs, down thru the ages. Mr. Levey, president of the Harry Levey Service Corporation, under whose direct supervision all Truth Productions are made, announces that this picture is in accord with his idea to product only " Features with a Purpose." It is an education in itself. Jack Hoxsie, who is starring in four special features to be released by Arrow Film Corp.