Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1224 First National Week ( Continued from preceding page ) was no calm and sunny sea upon which they had embarked. But, in spite of the flood of propaganda let loose against them by the producer-distributor group the response of exhibitors and independent producers alike from the beginning was definite and enthusiastic. “ The history of First National naturally falls into two divisions — that of the First National Exhibitors’ Circuit, Inc., and that of Associated First National Pictures, Inc. How rapidly and soundly the First National took root in the minds of exhibitors and producers who had been the victims of the producer-distributors regime may be seen from the fact that at the end of two years, First National was distributing the output of such signal favorites as Charles Chaplin, Norma and Constance Talmadge, Mary Pickford and Anita Stewart, in addition to a number of single productions of producers who were quick to grasp the opportunities offered them by the new situation created by First National. Before another year had passed the productions of Charles Ray, Marshall Neilan, Katherine MacDonald and D. W. Griffith had been added to the list. Then the now celebrated contract with Charlie Chaplin was signed and announced to the trade. “ It was from that moment that all doubts that still lingered as to the success of First National were once and for all removed. “ The franchise idea had demonstrated its validity when applied to a score of exhibitors. Months were spent in working out a sound and consistent plan for building a huge national co-operative organization, with every exhibitor participating as a franchise holder like every other one. The final realization came at the franchise holders' meeting held in Atlantic City in January, 1920. Exhibitor distribution became a full-grown reality. “ The final answer to those who had constituted themselves a wrecking crew for the purpose of destroying First National, if such a thing was possible, was given at Chicago in October, 1921. Last year, because of a practically universal business depression was one of readjustment and unrest and this was the period selected for a final onslaught on First National franchise holders by our enemies, who believed that if they could introduce discord, distrust and dissension into the ranks, the organization would go to pieces. “ How completely they had miscalculated the temper and attitude of the franchise holders was made clear during the session of the National Get Together in Chicago. The duly elected and accredited delegates of the 3,500 franchise holders of Associated First National Pictures flatly denied the rights of any outside element in the industry to meddle in the affairs of their organization, and proceeded to discuss and settle their own problems in a businesslike and constructive manner that astonished those in the industry who had made up their minds that motion picture exhibitors were incapable of holding a convention that was not either a joy party or a free-for-all fight. “ First National Week, 1922, is more than a booking drive. It is more than a sales scheme. It is exhibitor recognition of the fact that independence has been possible and profitable in the motion picture industry for the producer and the exhibitor who wants to be independent. It is a tribute to the success of the ‘ fair play and a square deal for all ’ policy upon which First National is and always has been founded. It is a celebration by the independent exhibitors and producers of America of the victory they have won, through cooperation. for the freedom of their screens and the freedom of their studios.” Cumberland Trade Board to Censure Pictures Franklin A. Ankeney, secretary of the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, announces the addition of a local censorship department in connection with the various activities of the Chamber of Commerce. Under this arrangement all stage plays and motion pictures will be reviewed by the Chamber of Commerce. This is a new step and is followed locally by considerable interest. f Motion Picture N e w i Grad well Associated with Wid Gunning, Inc. WID GUNNING announces that he has arranged with Ricord Gradwell to become associated with him in the distribution corporation WID GUNNING, INC., as Managing Director. Several weeks ago Mr. Gunning made the first announcement of his direct booking profit-sharing plan of co-operation between producer and exhibitor and he will now give practically all of his personal time to production for the benefit of his exhibitor partners. He plans to leave on a trip through the country within a week, stopping on the Coast long enough to arrange certain production activities. Ricord Gradwell was at one time VicePresident and General Manager of the Oliver Typewriter Company. He took charge of the World Film on behalf of powerful banking interests some years ago and proved there that successful business methods outside this industry could be properly and intelligently applied in the film business. Mr. Gradwell will continue as president of the Producers Security Corporation, which special service organization he created after completing his work at World Film. Nathan Vidaver has been elected General Counsel for the corporation. There will be no changes in the personnel of the Wid Gunning organization, it is announced. Important plans both for the distributing organization Wid Gunning, Inc., and for Wid Gunning, personally, as a producer, are understood to be back of this move and further news is promised in the coming weeks. Upholds Injunction Against Showing of Bandit Film Judge Joseph B. Lindsley, of the Superior Court in Spokane, Wash., handed down a decision recently on questionable pictures, which is winning much favorable comment from Northwest newspapers. Judge Lindsley denied the petition of E. Clark Walker, manager of the Pantages Theatre, to enjoin the city commissioners here from preventing the appearance of Mrs. Roy Gardner, wife of the mail bandit, who has pictures showing the antics of her husband. After watching a pre-showing of the picture, the city commissioners ordered the act and the pictures with it withdrawn. An injunction was sought by the theater manager. The court witnessed a private exhibition at the theatre. In his ruling, Judge Lindsley said: “ The exploitation of the pretended good character of a notorious criminal with pictures intended to reproduce him in motion in some connection with his crime is an offense to the moral sentiment of all decent, clean-thinking people, is corruptive to the morals of the young and immature and is satisfying only to morbid minds. “ It is neither artistic, entertaining, amusing nor instructive, and I know of no law conferring a right to cater publicly to such curious and morbid minds.” To Build $500 ,0 00 Studio Near San Diego , Cal. With A. H. Sawyer as president anc general manager, the S. L. Studios at Sar Diego, Cal., have acquired a large tract of land at Grossmont, near this city, where a ten-unit community moving picture studio will be constructed at a costl of approximately $500,000, it is an-p nounced. The plans have been drawn \'<e and it is expected work will be started on the plant very soon. The project is saidn. to be backed by Eastern capital. The " main building plan has been copied from Z Woolsey Hall, one of the most beautiful -<z buildings in the Yale group in Newp Haven, Conn. There will be four large 4 stages, each 90 x 200 feet. One of the * features of the plant will be a miniature e1 Venice, with canals and bridges, and the c Venetian buildings in replica, according S' to advance announcements. Mr. Sawyer * plans to install a modern laboratory' and ? printing plant capable of developing and 2 printing 300,000 feet of film a day. On > the grounds will be erected reproductions of streets in Paris, New York, London, " New England and other sections, it is stated, and it is planned to rent these out a to producing companies who may desire the special sets in their pictures. Carl Laemmle on Annual Trip to Universal City Carl Laemmle, president of the Uni1 versal Film Manufacturing Company, departed on the Twentieth Century on Friday for his annual visit to the Universal City studios in California. He will stop en route at the exchange in Chicago. No special significance is to be attached to Mr. Laemmle’s visit at this particular time. It is his invariable custom to spend three or four months of each year at the studios, and this is the time which he has usually chosen. He is accompanied by his daughter, Miss Rosabelle, Mrs. Maurice Fleckles, Miss Estelle Cohn — a friend of Miss Laemmle — by Julius Stem, Zion Myers and Harry Zehner. Start Campaign to Refill Churches Sunday Evenings Claiming that their congregations on Sunday nights have dwindled to a very few, and that the theatres are attracting crowded houses, ministers in Watertown and northern New York are about to inaugurate a campaign to win back the members of their flocks. On February 26, the pastors of seventy, or more churches affiliated with the Jefferson County Ministerial Union, will preach the first of a series of sermons on the observance of the Sabbath. The union will not seek the introduction of any city ordinances in its campaign, but has planned its program of sermons after much deliberation on the part of members of its executive committee.