Motion Picture News (July-Aug 1921)

August 6 , 1921 771 Variety Feature of Selznick Output for New Year Myron Selznick VARIETY will be the outstanding feature of the Selznick Pictures output for the coming year, according to the plans of Myron Selznick, vice president in charge of production, who has furnished the following outline of the general policy. "The production plans now completed for the 1921-22 releases to be made at our studios show greater variety than ever in the past. In the last two years the public has shown very clearly just what sort of pictures are wanted from each of our stars, and we can go ahead with a certainty of knowing what will prove successful. "First of all, we will concentrate every energy upon the half dozen specials, to make them the big events of the year in the entire industry. Beginning with ' A Man's Home,' we will establish a standard for strength in both story and cast that will set the pace for the entire six. The unique creation, ' Conceit,' with one of the most interesting themes ever put into a picture, will be another, while ' The Easiest Way,' the famous Belasco success, will be a brand new production with distinguished array of noted players. These, with the Galsworthy drama, 'Justice,' starring William Faversham, are sufficient to indicate our policy as to specials. "The Elaine Hammerstein series will be made up of de luxe comedy dramas, containing the highest type of romance, and portraying the typical American girl. Youth and beauty will always be the keynote of the Elaine Hammerstein productions. Sensationalism will never be permitted to mar their wholesome vitality. The pictures in which this star appears will prove in the future as in the past that it is possible to provide punch without offending the most sensitive censors. "The Conway Tearle productions will be made from dramas of a heavier type. The story of virile strength, vivid action, and all that goes to make intense dramatic power, is the ideal vehicle for Mr. Tearle's talents, as we have proved in his most successful offerings of the last year. Romance that struggles up through perils and vicissitudes brings out his strongest qualities, and will characterize his forthcoming productions. "The Eugene O'Brien series will take a somewhat lighter vein. The secret of Mr. O'Brien's appeals lies in what can best be described as comedy romance. Stories of the sort that I mean are very difficult to find, but we have a number scheduled which will show a new O'Brien to the world. The notable point about this type of picture is that while the romance or heart interest is always in the foreground, it is never sentimental and is told with a smile. "Owen Moore has struck his stride so tremendously that nothing need be said about his coming offerings except that they will be right along the same lines as his recent comedy hits. Mr. Moore now stands among the very strongest drawing cards in the business, and every picture brings him thousands upon thousands of additional admirers. "Censorship is becoming a more and more general problem, as the number of states placing restrictions upon pictures increases. This is something which need worry no one. We have had little difficulty in the past with censors and there could be no censorship more rigid than that which we have already encountered. We have proved, as I have already stated, that we can make powerful pictures which are immune from this interference. "This will give a fairly comprehensive idea of the broad scope of our plans. The quality of production that we have established will be more than maintained, and with the variety of offerings listed it should be a most attactive list to place before any exhibitor." Advance from Ranks — Selznick' s Promotion Policy A YEAR in any big business organization under perfectly normal conditions usually brings its full measure of changes. In this period of readjustment following the World War, which seems still to be continuing, changes in personnel of the various motion picture organizations have been numerous. These changes — how to make them and how to land right side up and best prepared to get away tq a flying start when new lines of business conduct are firmly established — have called for a great deal of thought on the part of executives who had this particular problem to face. Exhibitors throughout the country have watched this process of change with interest in its application to all of the companies and some of them have remarked about the rhyme and reason of the general policy which has been followed by the Selznick organization, particularly as to Select Pictures Corporation, the distributing branch of the business over which VicePresident Sam E. Morris holds the reins. There are new occupants of the manager's chair in a number of the thirty offices which Select operates throughout the country. A number of times during the past year circumstances have made it necessary for Mr. Morris to fill important gaps which have either been made or have made themselves. The thing that has excited comment on the part of those who have been keenly observant is that, while the man may be new7 to the manager's job, rarely, if ever, is he new to the bigger job, namely, looking after the Selznick organization's interests. In a general way, the new managers in the Select organization have been merely moved up from the ranks. There has been little, if any, of the customary plan of placing men in important positions merely because of their general reputation for ability. The thing that has been kept uppermost in mind has been the employee's fitness as it applies specifically to the peculiar needs of the SelznickSelect organization. "This policy which we have followed," says Mr. Morris, "is one on w-hich Mr. Selznick has operated in every business which has ever claimed his attention. He has always liked to say, 'Outgrow your job. I have a bigger one waiting for you.' On the face of it this statement might almost seem philanthropic. But Mr. Selznick has never aspired to shine as a philanthropist. His stronger inclination is to the belief that most redblooded men are better satisfied when they get merely what is coming to them and what they can win from the world under fair rules of competition. Mr. Selznick would readily confess that his conception of the thought back of this epigrammatic promise is that both the man outgrows his job and the man who hands him the better on/, profit materially in the exchange. "By following this policy in the business of keeping our exchanges, sometimes thousands of miles removed from the direct influence of the home office, in smooth running order, we feel that we scarcely ever take a step backwards in the standirig and prestige which we are constantly aiming to create among the exhibitors, our customers. We have always advocated a highly developed spirit of co-operation in each branch office. Our managers invariably depend upon their subordinates to offer real help in the problems they are being constantly asked to solve. The result is that practically every employee in any Select branch is always training for the job or jobs higher up. Another result is that there is considerably more contact between the exhibitors in the territory and even the minor branch employees than would be the case if a different plan were followed. "Admittedly, each organization operating in the motion picture industry has its own little methods which have been found best suited to the organization's needs. In a general way every distributing organization aims to distribute as many pictures as possible for the greatest possible amount of money — in the long run — and at the least possible expense. But the nature of the product, the peculiarities of the territory in which the work is being done, and a number of other things of a similar nature, bring about the little peculiarities of operation which I have in mind. A good salesman may be able to sell anything but the good salesman who has sold shoes all his life is likely to sell a lot more shoes than he will pianos. "The choice of motion picture men who have been identified with the Selznick organization for some time rather than better advertised men who have operated in the given territory for other companies or would have to be summoned from another territory has seemed to us the perfectly logical thing to do. We have our own peculiar methods of doing business and our customers and prospective customers know us by these methods. The men who have worked with us are familiar with these methods. When we elevate employees from the ranks to occupy important positions, we are merely standing by our convictions that the manner in which we have chosen to conduct our business for a number of years, is right. We're taking the chance that we are either all right or all wrong — and past successes of the Select selling force are rather convincing that we are more likely to be right than wrong." "Remorseless Love" Set for Aug. 10 Release With a number of productions completed from which to make a selection, Myron Selznick, vicepresident in charge of production, has chosen "Remorseless Love" as the next Selznick-Elaine Hammerstein release. It is scheduled for August 10th. A SEPTEMBER SUGGESTION TO EXHIBITORS DECLARE YOUR INDEPENDENCE SAY IT WITH HODKINSON PICTURES