Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2140 Motion Picture N ( Richard White Gen'l Sales Mgr. for Fox Fox FILM CORPORATION announces the appointment of Richard A. White to the post of general-sales-manager with charge of distribution business and branches throughout the United States. This appointment, which became effective October 6th, is another step in the progress made by Mr. White since he first entered the employ of the Fox organization in June, 1919. At that time White joined the contract department at the Fox homeoffice. From this beginning his rise has been rapid. He spent part of the summer of 1919 in the Washington branch and acquitted himself so well that he was recalled to the home office and made manager of the contract department in October, 1919, which position he has held ever since. During the years he has been in the employ of Fox Film Corporation, Mr. White has made a number of trips throughout the United States territory and has met exhibitors in many parts of the country. He comes to his new post of general-sales-manager with a host of good wishers predicting his success. In the near future, Mr. White expects to make more extended trips throughout the territory with a view to personally meeting, in the interest of Fox Film Corporation, exhibitors in sections which he has not hitherto visited. Coincident with the advancement of Mr. White, Fox Film Corporation announces the promotion to head of contract department of Mr. Jack Sichelman, who has been first assistant-head of that department for the past two years. Mr. Sichelman has been with Fox Film Corporation since September, 1918, at which time he started as deposit clerk in the home office. Subsequently he held other positions of greater importance in connection with contract department, and finally, became the first assistant to Mr. White, whom he succeeds in taking control of the department Big Baltimore House Opens to Public October 8 th The Boulevard Theatre of Baltimore made its bow to the public at a special performance to an invited audience on Saturday, October 8. The 1500 guests of Alfred G. Buck, president of American Theatres Company, owners, declared themselves delighted with the new picture theatre. The seating capacity of 1500 is located almost entirely on the main floor. E. G. Blanke, Baltimore architect, designed the theatre. "A Man's Home," starring Harry Morey, was the feature exhibited at the opening. As a specialty there was "Moongold," followed by "My Barefoot Boy." Robert Paul lula is director of the symphony orchestra; Roy C. Frazee, organist ; and Victor Carlson Hargrave, pianist. • Willis and Kidder Leave for the West Coast After a two week sojourn in the East, Richard Willis, General-manager of the Charles Ray Productions, and Albert A. Kidder, Jr., assistant general-manager, left for Los Angeles this week. The visitors declared that their discussions with film men and theatre owners in New York City and neighboring sections had inspired them with the belief that a growing spirit of optimism predominated in the East. ■ Eugene 0*Brien to Be Guest at Opening of Buffalo House Eugene O'Brien, Selznick star, is to be among the principal guests of honor at the opening of Loew's new State Theatre in Bufifalo, N. Y., Monday, October 17. Mr. O'Brien and other popular favorites of the stage and screen are to accompany Marcus Loew and others from New York City by special car to attend the opening. Ricltard White Wire Briefs from Coast JESS ROBBINS and C. H. Wellington, newspaper writer and cartoonist, together with local business men, have formed the Jess Robbins Productions to make five-reel comedy-dramas, first is adapted from Earl Derr Biggers' story, " John H«nry and the Restless Sex." This company has leased space in Deverish's Fine Arts Studio. The Florence theatre, which has a seating capacity of eight hundred, and was built at the cost of a quarter of a million, has been closed. Edward Alexander has been appointed as the Western representative of the Orbra Kennedy releasing organization. He will arrange with independent producers for several short and feature subjects. Marshall Neilan has begun production work on " Penrod," which will star Wesley Barry. Neilan has engaged Frank O'Connor, the former Lasky director, to collaborate with him. The cast requires thirty-five principals, who are now being selected at the Holljrwood studio. The new Loew's State in Los Angeles will be opened Thcmksgiving week. The Grenada theatre, a palatial downtown house of San Francisco, will be opened the week of December 5th. Robert Yost, the Fox studio publicity director, has been appointed manager of the Fox Exchange in Los Angeles. Moore Starts Libel Actii Against N, Y. Paper Owen Moore recently instituted action in libel for $100,000 against Xews Syndicate Co., Inc., publisher the Daily News, of New York ' Arthur Butler Graham of No. 25 1 P'orty-third street is named as atto for the plaintiff. The libelous matter complained { alleged to have been published in Daily A'ews on or about October ist had to do with the filing of a suit $600 by a Miss Benrimo who c'" that Mr. Moore had failed to pay her amount for rental of an apartment at 6 West P"ifty-sixth street. A pur couplet built upon the similarity in s between the actor's name, Owen M and the words " owing more " is also plained of as being maliciously and damaging. Fewer Companies In porate in N, Y. For some unknown reason there decided slump last week in the nu" companies which incorporated in York state to engage in the motion pi business, there being but one-half c in comparison to the twenty or t which characterized some of the we the past. Companies incorporat' week were : Weiss Green Street Arcade, Benjamin Groberg, Ray M. Be Buel C. Haff , Brooklyn ; American Alliance, Sioo,ooo, A. E. Rousseau, Donahue, C. A. Conlon, New York Patuwa Pictures, Inc., $2C,ooo. I Park, F. W. Tuttle, Fred Weller Glendale ; Patria Theatrical Corpor $250,000, Martin Ratkai, Ernest Hn. Alexander Kremer, New York Orbis Pictures, $150,000, Philip, jamin and Rose Wicksel, New Second National Pictures Corpor $10,000, Joseph Nemerov, New Daniel Barnes, Bernard I Brooklyn. Exchanges Face Buildi Violation Charges A sensation was sprung in W in Manitoba, when the city preferred : than 39 charges against the manag( local moving picture exchanges for a l violation of the city building by-la October 5. This action was taken 1 municipality in the face of arrange by practically all local exchange mai r to take possession of the upper flo( the Great West Saddlen.' Building in to meet the requirements of the 1 i which had been passed by City Coun fireproof premises for the storag' a handling of films. The matter has been hanging fire ^ number of months because of the ir of the exchange managers to secure ^ able building at once.