The Motion Picture Studio (1923)

August ii, 1923 THE MOTION PICTURE STUDIO Who are the “leading firm of film producers ” who advertise in the Daily Telegraph that they “invite film aspirants to take part in immediate big production ” ? This curious adver¬ tisement says, “famous author, -wellknown producer. Position accordingto suitability.” And then comes the essential phrase, “moderate invest¬ ment secures salary and share of profits. Interview.” I should be very surprised, indeed, to find anyone of real standing in the film world associated with such a venture, -which, on the face of it, seems to be yet another inducement to screen-struck amateurs to gratify their vanity. What kind of pictures are going to' be made? Who is going to buy them or exhibit them ? And here is another, from the same issue of the Telegraph : — “FILMS. — Wanted a few ARTISTES, for small parts. No previous experience neces¬ sary. Company producing now. Write particulars.” Is it not curious that some mysterious person, or persons, prefers to seek talent, among the screen-smitten public rather than em¬ ploy it where it already exists? Both these advertisements, l fancy, call for a little investigation. The petition of the Cinema Press, Ltd., 80-82, Wardour Street, W., for the compulsory liquidation of the British Super-Films, Ltd., was men¬ tioned to1 Mr. Justice Lawrence in the Companies \\inding-up Court, on Tuesday, July 31. Mr. Spens said that the petitioner’s debt was ^140, and that they were supported by Jury’s Imperial Pictures, Ltd., who were creditors for /N 8,866. Mr. Tindal Davies, for the respondent company, asked for a fortnight’s adjournment to enable the company to gro into voluntary liquidation. Ivor Novello, now busy on the in¬ terior scenes of “Bonnie Prince Charlie ” for Captain Calvert at Gaumont s, and playing lead in Lntri Kik? ’ at the Playhouse, has added to his maniford activities by becoming a director of Atlas-Biocraft. 1 learn that plans are being made for a British picture to succeed “The Man Without Desire,” featuring Novello and Gladys Cooper. It is an apache theme by Adrian Brunei and Con¬ stance Collier, and is called “The I Rat. ” Brunei will direct. BETTY COMPSON’S FIRST BRITISH PICTURE Betty Compson and Clive Brook in a Scene from Graham Cutts’ newly completed picture “Woman to Woman” Another Fleecer of the Film Struck Where is “ Leonard Tremayne ” ? ''HE intermittent cases oi dishonesl film-promotion are a matter of growing concern tO' the Industry. No doubt the glamour which attaches to screen work in the eyes ot those who know nothing whatever about it. is mainly responsible for a somewhat larger field of operations for the trickster than is the ease in other businesses. Bui it is also remarkable to note the implicit trust with which members of the public place in plausible fleecers. Such a one is Leonard Tremayne, who last year took premises in Alladin House, Green Street, Leicester Square, and called himself the “ T. and V Film Company.” This adventurer induced a large num¬ ber of aspirants to screen fame to invest money to provide capital for the taking of a wonderful film which was to be called ‘ The Cranby Pearls.” They were promised engagements at salaries varying from is. to gj2 2s. a day. The ques¬ tion of acting talent does not appear to have been taken into consideration. The fame these would-be screen artists longed for proved very elusive. One man invested in April, 1922. Others were being induced to invest in August, but the production of the fiim was still as remote as ever. Some sort of attempt at a com¬ mencement seems to have been made, for some of the investors were called upon to attend a studio at Walthamstow as earlv as May, 1922, jbut something always supervened to prevent progress One excuse for postponement of which Tremayne made a great deal of use was that a robbery had taken place at the studio. Whether the thieves stole ‘‘ The Cranbv Pearls ” or not was not made clear, but at all events the jewels have never seen the light of the screen. \mong the things which have undoubt¬ edly vanished . are the sums invested bv Tremavne’s dupes, and Tremayne himself ha disappeared from Alladin House. A lady who borrowed ^25 and handed it over to Tremayne in Aupust, 1922, was assured that the production would be started within three weeks and that she would be given a part. When she wrote in March last asking for the return of her money her letter was returned through the dead letter department. Another invited 'Tremayne and his wife to her home, and was asked by the latter for the loan of a ^,'5 note. She lent her £\ which she could ill spare, and is still mourning the loss of that as well as her investment of £2$. A third case is that of a Canadian soldier, who was induced to part with which he had saved to make a home for his wife and settle down in England. Now he is unable -o gpt back to Canada. It is a pity that such men are able to have a run of successful swindling before thev can be exposed. The public seldom take the trouble to ascertain or verify #nv of the absurd claims they make, and in too many cases these sharks are actually regar led as membeisof an Industry which does not recognise them as being anything else other than callous and shifty im¬ posters. 5