Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2142 Motion Picture N Plaintiffs Side of Three Musketeers** Controversy William Alexander of the Alexander Film Corporation gives his version of the "Three Musketeers" controversy. In reply to recently published statements of Thomas H. Ince, Mr. Alexander declares that after inspecting the cost sheets of the Triangle Company he finds the cost of the Ince picturization of "The Three Musketeers" to have been $45,000 in 1916 and that for the same picture made today the cost sheets would show^ $250,000. Mr. Alexander further declares that Triangle picture was scheduled for release before Mr. Fairbanks thought of making this subject. The records show, says Mr. Alexander, that "The Three Musketeers" was scheduled for release the week of September 13th, 1921, and it was released according to schedule. An offer of the negative to United Artists "at a very low price" was made, according to ]\Ir. Alexander's statement, but the oi¥er was refused. "We hold copyright for 518 scenes of the Three Musketeers, continues Mr. Alexander. "The title of the Three Musketeers does not enter into the suit. We are suing to protect our copyright on several scenes that Mr. Fairbanks used which were taken from our version of The Three Musketeers." Heads Pathe Sales Dept. Big Savings Can Be Made by Express Shipments Film companies can effect a big saving by using express service instead of parcel post for shipments in excess of eight pounds between New York and Chicago. This interesting information is conveyed in a bulletin to members of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry from Chairman P. H. Stilson of its Transportation Committee. Chairman Stilson says that few shippers realize the variance in charges between express and parcel post rates. For the benefit of film companies he has collaborated with the General Manager's office of the American Railway Express Company in making out a schedule showing the express and postal rates between New York and Chicago and the saving to be effected in a choice of carriers. A Record Week^s Business Is Done in Albany, N, Y, At the conclusion of the biggest business ever done in the showing of two pictures in Albany, N. Y., it was announced that over 30,000 persons had witnessed " Way Down East," which ran for a straight week at the Strand, while nearly as many saw " The Affairs of Anatol," playing for a straight week at the Leland, four blocks away. Never has the Capitol City witnessed such crowds as flocked to these two pictures. The two features, aside from a news reel, constituted the program. • E. A. Eschmau EA. ESCHMANN has been appointed general-sales-manager of the Pa* the organization. Mr. Eschmann was formerly Pathe's branch-manager in Chicago, later feature sales-manager, and more recently assistant-director of exchanges. The new Pathe sales chief entered the film industry in the employ of the World Film Corporation. While with World Film he served as assistant to the president and general-manager. After four years' association with World Film, he was engaged by Pathe as its branch-manager in Chicago. His success at the Chicago post was responsible for his call to the home-office and appointment as feature sales-manager. Last March he was made assistant-director of exchanges, which position he has held until his promotion to the general-sales-managership. In and Out of Town Sid Grauman — the one and only Sid — is in our midst this week. Seen around the Astor now and then but busy most of the time with plans for his newest Los Angeles palace. W. D. Russell, of Chicago, has arrived in town with a picture. Our Chicago man, L. H. Mason, writes, "Russell is a square-jawed, clean-cut, on the level type and you'll like him. He has a good bet in this picture 'Shadows of Conscience,' too." B. D. Bickerstaff is about due on the Great White Way according to advices from the .coast. He brings "Pals of the West," which the F. B. Warren Corporation will release. Dispute Over Option \ Lease Interests Com Because of the principles invi Connecticut motion picture interest closely following a Putnam case sche for hearing before the Supreme Co^ the state at Hartford this month, outstanding legal question to be sett as to whether a lease of a Putnam tl taken by Jacob Alpert of that plac David Novogrod of Stonington fror zaire Peloquin of Putnam carried h tion in favor of the former. When . and Novogrod leased the theatre ff as a motion picture house on Sep 1919, they thought that the terms < lease carried a right of option for an tional three years' lease. The language of the written lease which the question arises is as fo " It is agreed that at the end of the p term of this lease said Peloquin is to buy from said Alpert a further le said theatre for the term of three ye an annual rental of $2,000, plus ai crease in taxes and insurance ov( present rate, which said Peloquin n compelled to pay." Superior Court Judge Webb, ' whom the case has come, held th option as to the extending of the lea a further term was very clearly with quin, and he ruled against the cla Alpert and Novogrod, who are now ing the case to the Supreme Court. Chas, Stark Joins Natit Advertising Compan Charles F. Stark, who for the pj years has been commercial manag the Essanay Film Manufacturing pany, has resigned to accept a posii the sales department of the T Cusack Company, the nationally out-door advertising company. Previous to !Mr. Stark's com with the film industry he was enga advertising work, and his experie the film industr}' which coven branches, places him in an excellen tion to advise motion picture pro and distributors as to the best meth handling their advertising problenr Selznick's View of Series for the Capit As a result of excellence of the of the world's series ball games ol by Selznick News cameramen, th< ■ nick views of games between the \ and Giants were selected by San Rothapfel. director of productioi presentation, for showings at the ^ New York. The splendid views secured by > cameramen were the result of fc on the part of E. V. Burling, editoi • Selznick News, and the enterpri-e cameramen. The views included r. the thrilling plays and side-lightgame as well as close-ups of the r ■ gathered to witness the events.