Moving Picture World (Apr-May 1918)

April 20, 1918 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 361 Guarantee Trust Not U. P. T. Depository UNDER date of March 28, The Moving Picture World received a page of copy from the offices of the United Picture Theatres, Inc., to this effect : "The money received from exhibitors by United Picture Theatres of America, Inc., for the stock memberships in that organization is now trusteed by the officers and directors in the Guarantee Trust Company of New York, with the understanding that 90 per cent, of the same is to be returned to the members in case the United Theatres enterprise does not go through. In other words, the directors do not have immediate control of this fund, which is to be used for working capital in buying pictures only in case the 2,000 booking days are secured. It is believed that the plan protects United Theatre members, in so much as in the event of non-success they stand only to lose a small percentage expended in the work of attempted organization." This statement was submitted to an officer of the Guarantee Trust Company at his office at Forty-third street and Fifth avenue, whose comment was, in substance, as follows : That the representatives of the United Picture Theaters was introduced to the bank by one of its clients and were permitted to open an account in the usual way. No arrangements were made to put the money deposited in trust with the bank and at no time had the bank the least control over the funds so deposited. If any such trust fund had been created by the United Picture Theatres it existed only in the company's offices. That the officers of the United Picture Theatres had been requested to remove their funds from the bank and that, for all practical purposes, the bank had closed the account, although the bank had granted the officers of the United Picture Theatres a few days in which to make arrangements with some other bank to handle their money and that it was still in the bank at the time of this conversation. That the reason for the bank's action in closing the account was that it had received letters from various parts of the country which convinced its officers that the officers of the United Picture Theatres were making unauthorized use of the name of the bank in promoting their enterprise. Further comment on this matter by the Moving Picture World is unnecessary at this time, but subsequent developments will receive our attention. Screen Stars in Conservation Pictures Misses Clark, Ferguson and Normand Appear in Subjects Designed to Aid Work of Food Administration. MISS CATHERINE STUART has finished the produc■ tion of a number of films staged under her supervision for the United States Food Administration, for the purpose of conserving food throughout the country, it was announced last week by Arthur S. Friend, chairman of the Motion Picture Division of the Department of Public Information for the Food Administration. These films present such stars as Marguerite Clark, Elsie Ferguson and Mabel Normand, showing how to save the various commodities most needed by the Government at this time. The pictures were produced free of cost to the Government and will be released from the Paramount-Bray studios. Miss Stuart will shortly leave New York for the West Coast, where she will co-operate with Cecil B. De Mille in preparing films showing the most famous stars of the West Coast in subjects that will carry the message of the Food Administration to the public via the exhibitors. The distribution of this film for the Food Administration is in the care of the various news weeklies, who include them in their regular programs. "Various prominent members of the industry have contributed their time, money and effort in order to do everything possible toward reaching the public in connection with the conservation of food via the screen," said Mr. Friend at his offices in the Famous Players-Lasky headquarters on Fifth avenue. "The newest films, staged under the supervision of and conceived by Miss Stuart, bring out most effectively their purpose. The appearance of these famous stars in these patriotic pictures in itself offers the exhibitor an attraction that will boost his box-office receipts in addition to offering him another opportunity to help his country in this very important work." Gilchrist Hears From Brooklyn Exhibitors New York State Senator Who Antagonizes Sunday Option Bill Gets a Hint of the Power of the Screen. WILLIAM BRANDT, of the New Albany theater, Brooklyn, got word on Saturday morning that Senator Alfred J. Gilchrist of the Tenth Senate District was interfering with the progress of the Sunday Motion Picture Option bill, at that time before the Senate Codes Committee, of which the senator was a member. It just happens that the Tenth Senate District adjoins that in which the New Albany is situated. Also it happens that Mr. Brandt, being an up-to-date exhibitor, is in touch with public sentiment and by reason of that fact knows what the people in that part of Brooklyn want when it comes to a question of Sunday motion pictures. Consequently he knew Senator Gilchrist was not representing the wishes of the majority of his constituents. Just by way of starting things Mr. Brandt went to a printer and ordered a rush job of 25,000 throwaway cards and 500 show cards 12 by 24 inches. Also he ordered thirtyone slides, being one for each theater in the Tenth Senate District. All were to be delivered in the afternoon — and they were. Also Mr. Brandt made arrangements to call on twenty-five Four-Minute men who were to speak in the Tenth District that night and explain the situation confronting the motion picture goers. No one will accuse FourMinute men of not feeling kindly toward exhibitors or of being unwilling to put in a word for their friends when they thnk it will do a bit of good. Things were humming in the Tenth Senate District on the evening of Saturday, April 6. Mr. Brandt was not to be found at the New Albany, contrary to the usual rule. It was learned afterward he was very much on the job over in the Tenth. It is reported all the thirty-one theaters in that part of the Borough of Churches were doing a smashing business, that an average of a thousand persons saw on each screen the slide that Mr. Brandt had caused to be made and that they listened to the Four Minute men. By the way, here is what was printed in proper displaiy on the throwaways, on the show cards and on the slides; "Senator Gilchrist, who represents you at Albany, refuses to vote for Sunday movies. Ask him why. Do it quick!" NAVAL HOSPITAL MEN THANK METRO. Metro Pictures Corporation is in receipt of a letter of thanks from George Lung, chief in command of the United States Naval Hospital in Brooklyn, for the feature photodramas and one-reel comedies Metro has sent to cheer the convalescent sailors. Soon after war was declared the screen company began sending its best feature productions to the "Jackies," and ever since then has continued to send them a weekly program. Elaine Sterne, a lieutenant in the Girls' National Honor Guard, which co-operates with the Red Cross, was directly responsible for Metro's advent into this work. Miss Sterne believed the hospital ofifered a field of patriotic endeavor which had been overlooked, and she hoped that Metro would contribute an occasional feature. A consultation with June Mathis, of Metro's scenario department, and President Rowland resulted in Metro's contributing all the screen romances required at the institution. CAUTION TO FILM MEN, Exchanges and theatrical men in general are hereby cautioned against the machinations of a C. Harvey Burke, who recently presented himself at the office of Leon D. Netter, of the Masterpiece Film Attractions, Cleveland, Ohio, plaintively setting forth his urgent need for work, and offering letters of recommendation testifying to his reliability, etc. Mr. Netter thereupon decided to give him a trial as salesman, and advanced him a sum of money for living expenses and railroad fare on March 25, since which time nothing has been heard from or of him. Any information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Burke will be appreciated, both as an aid to Mr. Netter and a step toward ridding the industry of so obnoxious an element.