Moving Picture World (Dec 1920)

578 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 4, 1920 A $3,417,512 Net Profit Was Reported by Paramount for Nine Months of Year THE Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, after a recent meeting of the board of directors, issued this statement: “Famous Players-Lasky Corporation (parent company only and not including the earnings of wholly or partially owned subsidiary corporations) reports net operating profits of $4,714,362.24 for the nine months ended September 25, 1920, after deducting all expenses including allowance for film exhaustion and setting up liberal reserves for contingencies. This compares with $3,427,950.94 for the first nine months of 1919, or an increase of $1,286,431.30 over the corresponding period of 1919. “After making reserves for Federal taxes (including $107,579.09 for previous years) the net profits after taxes tor the nine months were $3,417,512.54, which, after allowing for dividends on the $10,000,000 preferred stock for the period, is at the annual rate of $17.86 on the 210,252 shares of common stock outstanding in the hands of the public. Other Earnings Good “The earnings of subsidiary companies, not included in the above, and in which the parent company has an investment of over $10,000,000, are also running at a very satisfactory rate. “The regular quarterly dividend of $2 per share on the common stock of the company was declared payable January 3, 1921, to stockholders of rec ord at the close of business, December 15, 1920.” Mostly American Films Shown in Leeds, England Leeds is now one of the most important moving picture centers in England, according to a report just received at the Department of Commerce; Washington, D. C., from Consul Edward B. Cipriani, in which it is stated that the industry has made great strides forward in the past few years. Most of the leading film companies maintain local agencies in Leeds. “In proportion to its population, Leeds is said to have more picture houses than any city or town in the United Kingdom,” the report says. “The total number of these theatres amounts to more than sixty, and it is estimated that more than 75,000 people visit the pictures daily. The length of the program is generally two hours, and the films preferred are drama, good comedy, travel and current events. About eighty per cent, of the films are American made. “The Yorkshire Cinema Exchange and Club serves as a sort of agency for a number of the picture theatres, and many of the pictures are shown in the club’s private theatre to the managers of the respective theatres before they are released for the public.” W arns Exhibitors Against ' Admitting Unescorted C hildren Under Sixteen Authorities in Albany, N. Y., as well as Troy and Schenectady are warning the proprietors and managers of all motion picture theatres that children under sixteen years of age, unless accompanied by parents or guardians, must not be admitted to the houses under any condition. This action on the part of the officials follows the recent catastrophe in New York, in which several children lost their lives as a result of the stampede caused by the false alarm of fire. According to Thomas H. McDonough, commissioner of public safety, in Troy, who is behind the movement there, a number of complaints have been filed in his office by parents and others asserting that the managers of the motion picture theatres are lax in this particular section of the law. Patrolmen have been sent to all the houses during the last two or three days for the purpose of examining the exits and at the same time calling the attention of the managers to the law which excludes unaccompanied children under sixteen years of age. Christie Player on Way East Jimmie Harrison, one of the favorite players in many Christie comedies, who is appearing in several new short pictures to be released, has just left for New York, where he was called to play the leading support with Constance Talmadge in one of her new pictures. Besides being in many Christie comedies, Harrison has played leads with many famous feminine film stars, among whom is Norma Talmadge. Realart Picture Wins Praise of Exhibitor Realart’s special production, “The Soul of Youth,” directed by William D. Taylor, will please 100 per cent, of those who see it, according to W. S. McLaren, managing director of the Majestic Theatre, Jackson, Mich. In announcing the showing of the picture at his theatre, November 21, Mr. McLaren wrote: “It is with pleasure that I person ally indorse ‘The Soul of Youth’ to our patrons. I think it is the best picture that I have ever shown at the Majestic — all things considered. It has a real story; it' has. an abundance of heart interest; a wonderful cast — and best of all it has a powerful appeal to every youth of the nation, as well as to every mother and father. Need I say more than that I personally guarantee it will please 100 per cent, of those who see it.” This tribute is but one among many from exhibitors who have seen and booked the attraction. Realart has received other splendid indorsements from judges, civic organizations and clubs in cities where the picture has been shown. Canadian Cabinet Minister Routs Self-Styled “Uplifters” of Motion Pictures in Verbal Tilt YOU cannot censoi' moving pictures to suit eight-year-old children,” was the hot reply which was given to a deputation of moral uplifters by Peter Smith, provincial treasurer, at Toronto, November 17, when the social-servers protested against the showing in Ontario of several pictures which the visitors considered objectionable. Mr. Smith produced a sheaf of commendations from prominent local people, approving the pictures against which the “uplifters” railed. G. E. Armstrong, chairman of the Ontario Board of Moving Picture Censors, declared that if children should not witness the pictures, which had been passed by the Ontario hoard, then they were too young to be at the theatre at all. The Rev. Gilbert Agar, representing a social service organization, was the leader of the deputation, which withdrew after meeting with the unexpected retort by the Ontario cabinet minister. The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa, Ontario, held a meeting Wednesday, November 17, to voice complaint against the admission of children into the theatres of the Canadian capital. The claim was made that the local police were not enforcing the law. The society overlooked the important fact, however, that the Ontario statutes permit the admission of unaccompanied children to matinee performances on Saturdays and holidays when pictures, which have been approved by the Ontario censors, are screened. On such occasions, adult guardians are in attendance constantly to look after the small patrons. Manager Pomeroy, of the Strand Theatre, has made it a practice to hold a special free performance each Saturday morning for the children of various orphanages in the city. These children are accompanied hv representatives of the institutions and the shows are carried out without confusion. On each occasion, every child is presented with an ice cream cone, peanuts, apples or candy.