Moving Picture World (Aug 1920)

August 28, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1207 Pioneer President Outlines His Views on Conditions and Tells Future Plans ATTRIBUTING the growth of the Pioneer Film Corporation to its policy of co-operating with the exhibitor to the fullest extent and taking cognizance of the part the exhibitor plays in the development of the motion picture industry, A. E. Lefcourt, president of Pioneer, has outlined his views on conditions and told of the plans of Pioneer for the new season. In Mr. Lefcourt’s opinion the coming season from all indications will be the biggest in the history of the industry. “This is but a natural condition,” said Mr. Lefcourt. “The exhibitors are realizing more every day that only the legitimate operations of those that are part of the industry can spell success for them as well as for others. The day is near at hand when the exhibitor will awaken to a full realization of his rights as a business man.” Three Outstanding Features. Mr. Lefcourt says that the growth of Pioneer and the development of its twentythree exchanges throughout the United States and Canada has come about through three outstanding features: By the distribution and handling of pictures of quality, pictures of sterling worth, pictures with appeal to the majority; as a result of the service given by Pioneer to its clientele, which is made up of exhibitors, large and small, and which service represents the ■conscientious efforts of experts of their particular line; by the fact that Pioneer and its general staff of specialists must give approval to a picture before Pioneer makes any move to offer it and distribute it to the exhibitors throughout the country, assuring the exhibitor of the maximum in value and eliminating all risk in connection with the booking of a Pioneer picture. Operates Along Different Lines. “You see,” continued Mr. Lefcourt, “that Pioneer operates along somewhat different lines than those of other concerns. We believe that there is room for improvement in the motion picture industry, but this improvement can only come about if all forces grasp the necessity of doing business along business-like lines. “We have made some big plans for the next season. Our exchanges now cover practically every part of the United States and Canada. Our pictures are bigger than ever before. They represent the work of the most successful directors in the field. The artists are known wherever the cinema is known and the plays are big things. Consequently we feel confident that Pioneer is on the eve of the most successful period since its inception.” Newly Organized Hodkinson Department Assures Small Showmen of Good Films OF especial interest to the exhibitors of the small towns is the news which comes from the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation to the effect that there has been recently organized a new branch of the sales department that is to be known as the small town department. In order to efficiently handle the work of this department it has been necessary to more than double the existing sales force. It is a regrettable state of affairs that in the past, due either to prohibitive rentals or to the condition of the film when it reached its last run stages, the smaller cities and towns throughout the United States have been unable to enjoy a really big production. It is this condition which the new Hodkinson department was created to cure. First of all, there will be a staff of experts whose duty will be to keep prints of the different subjects in perfect condition. This will be done in the most painstaking manner and no thought will be given to expense. Prints will be inspected at frequent intervals and replacement footage will be inserted wherever necessary. Oil spots will be removed, broken sprocket holes will be cut out and everything done to keep the film in perfect condition so that when it comes to the small town theatre it will be quite on a par, in every respect, with the film which was shown in the first run houses. . As has been stated, the sales depart DEAD MEN TELL NO T A L E S ment has been more than doubled and an intensive drive is even now under way. It is expected that this idea will fill a longfelt want, and that it is meeting with the approval of the exhibitors is best evidenced by the fact that thousands of new bookings have been reported in the past few months from every corner in the United States. Convalescent Soldiers See Revier Film Jungle Serial TIE humdrum life of the convalescent soldiers at Arrowhead, Hot Springs, Cal., Uncle Sam’s newest and most modern hospital for service men suffering from wounds and gas poisoning received in the World War, was somewhat enlivened when “The Son of Tarzan” serial producing unit of the National Film Corporation of America arrived to make several important jungle scenes for the screen version of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ book of the same name. Many of the soldier patients were excellent French conversationalists and Director Harry J. Revier, who is of French parentage, invited the fighters able to walk to witness the filming of a dramatic sequence in the fifth episode. The soldiers were evidently pleased for Director Revier was waited upon by a delegation when he was about to leave the Springs and presented him with a handsome cane, carved by one of their number. Levey Buys Studios The Harry Levey Service Corporation of New York has bought outright the Bacon-Backer studios at 230 West Thirtyeighth street, and the ground on which it stands, which it was announced two weeks ago that Mr. Levey had merely leased. The change in Mr. Levey’s plans and the de cision to own this property comes as a result of his belief that with property that actually belongs to the company, he can make the most effective and extensive alterations for the purpose of producing the best in the way of industrial-educational motion pictures in which the company specializes. Believes Location An Asset. Added to this is the fact that the new $4,000,000 post office, the deal for which was put through by A. E. Lefcourt, president of the Pioneer Film Company, is to be directly opposite the Levey company’s studios, increasing production and shipping facilities to a great extent. Truth Productions, as the Levey pictures are called, are distributed through Pioneer. nmimimiiimmiimiiiMiimiimmiimmimiim iimiiiiiMiiiiMiimiiUM LARRY SEMON in The Stage Hand He wasn’t superstitious — didn’t believe in signs — so. without the ouija board to guide him, how was he to know that right beside him, as he calmly puffed his Flor de Ropo, was a ton of powder just dying to go off and go up? But it proved a blessing to Larry It gave him prominence, sent him through a few slight carriers like a stone wall, an iron door and other things, and landed him right on the stage as the central attraction of a beauty ballet.