Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 1, 1923 460 Hodkinson Urges Percentage, Decries Advanced Admissions INCREASED prices of admission for motion pictures, advocated in some sections of the industry as a means of combatting the waste that has been characteristic of production, are not warranted under existing conditions, in the opinion of W. W. Hodkinson, president of the W. W. Hodkinson Corporation and a pioneer film man. Mr. Hodkinson said : “I believe that any move intended to generally increase the admission prices of picture theatres at the present time, to offset the alleged waste in the industry, will result in failure. Pictures are having difficulty enough maintaining attendances at the present admission scale and it is my belief that increased quality in production is necessary in order to maintain even the present prices. “As I discussed in a recent Colliers’ article, there are four basic movements that must be made: “First, the classification of pictures in theatres, and the movement to increase prices in certain houses on big pictures is in that direction. “Second, a percentage basis of dealing between producer and exhibitor, whereby they are both concerned in what the product grosses from the public rather than engaged in the present efforts to ‘sandbag’ each Andrew j. callaghan, president of Monogram Pictures Corporation, has telegrams from a Minnesota exhibitor and a North Carolina exhibitor stating that “the representative of your concern has failed to return or even to advise us concerning our contracts made with him, and we desire definite confirmation at once.” Mr. Callaghan immediately got in touch with a leading detective agency and advised them of the facts, because Monogram sells to State Rights buyers only and at the present time has no road representative other than George H. Wiley. Evidently several impostors are taking advantage of the situation and Mr. Callaghan issues this warning that no one is authorized to take contracts for Monogram except himself, THE Film Laboratories Credit Association, born at a dinner conference of laboratory executives and representatives at the Hotel Astor, Thursday, November 15, is described as a permanent contribution to the “safe and sane” drive now under way in the picture industry. It is the avowed purpose of the organization to check waste and put a curb on “wildcat” producers, to the resultant benefit lengths which cause the public to sit through five reels of padding in which the producer has an investment of $100,000, to see an idea expounded that could have been better aone in fifteen minutes with an investment of $10,000. “Fourth, that some system of refereeing between the two factions, production and exhibition of the business, must be set up; w'hether it is a mere arbitration between producer and exhibitor; whether it is a big figure from outside the industry with integrity enough to equitably serve both factions and not be dominated by either, or whether it is a practical business organization functioning between the producer and exhibitor, is immaterial. The referee principle must be established. Relative to percentage booking, it is undoubtedly true that only by the producer and exhibitor agreeing on the principle of percentage booking can future progress be made. It is interesting to see nearly all producing and distributing factions uniting on this principle, as well as the editorial minds. “We are still a long ways from our goal, however, while the exhibitor so generally rebels against the acceptance of the percentage principle. However, he is not to be blamed nowadays. When we get some formulas worked out that are equitable to both producer and exhibitor then we can expect co-operation on the part of the exhibitor and real progress can be made.” Mr. Wiley or Mr. North of the home office. “All Monogram pictures, inclusive of the Fred Thomson series of Westerns, are sold on the State Rights basis only,” said Mr. Callaghan, “and each buyer will equip, his representative with proper credentials, showing he is authorized to accept contracts and deposits on Monogram Pictures in his respective territory. We will go the limit in ferreting out these imposters and seeing that they are given the full extent of the law in the event of their apprehension. For the safety of all concerned, it is my earnest desire that every State Right buyer on whom these representatives call ask to be shown credentials before commencing any negotiations whatsoever. “The buyers of the different State Rights will be announced as these rights are sold, and in this manner exhibitors will know who are the authorized representatives of the concerns in their respective territory and be guided accordingly.” of the legitimate picture makers and distributors. At the initial meeting, which was attended by virtually every important commercial laboratory interest, the name of the new body was selected and plans made for completing its organization by election of officers and adoption of a code of practice at a second gathering in the Astor Thursday, November 22. The association will begin functioning December 1. The Film Laboratories Credit Association is the result of a spontaneous movement on Beware of Impostor! David Bernstein, treasurer of Loew-Metro, issues the following warning : “Someone posing as a representative of Metro Pictures Corporation has been circulating drafts drawn on the Harriman National Bank of New York, bearing the name of ‘A. Bernstein, Comptroller,’ and has apparently succeeded in obtaining the cash for these worthless drafts. Metro Pictures Corporation never issues drafts in payment of any obligations.” Grainger on Way East James R. Grainer, general manager of sales for Goldwyn Cosmopolitan, is now en route home from his three weeks’ trip to the Goldwyn Studios at Culver City, Cal. New Exchange at Butte The new Hodkinson Exchange on North Montana street, Butte, Montana, is now open for business, under the management of H. L. Burnham, formerly branch manager at Spokane. Joins Hodkinson Mack D. Weinberger is now associated with the home office of the W. W. Hodxinson Corporation, where he will handle special work on the following Producers’ Security Pictures : “The Mark of the Beast,” "Dollar Devils,” “Bulldog Drummond,” “The Kingdom Within” and “The Lion’s Mouse.” Shipman on Trip Ernest Shipman has left New York for a three weeks tour of the southeastern states. No explanation of the trip was forthcoming at the Shipman offices but it is assumed that it pertains to his recent announcement that he intends to produce in the South. the part of the laboratory men to protect themselves against unscrupulous promoters and distributors who order prints shipped C. O. D. and then refuse to accept them. Through these and other practices the laboratories suffer big losses annually, in addition to having their vaults jammed with many worthless negatives left as security for prints. Charles B. Hoy, credit expert and founder of the F. I. L. M. clubs throughout the country, with Frederick H. Elliott, formerly executive secretary of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, were requested to make a survey of the laboratory business and they reported to the meeting that their investigation revealed the imperative need of a credit rating system. Mr. Hoy outlined a plan whereby protection could be accorded the laboratories without interfering with the business policies of the individual companies, and a resolution was unanimously adopted favoring organization along the lines he suggested. The association plan has, it is said, the indorsement of practically every important laboratory in the country, and at the outset will have a membership of about thirty concerns. The laboratories participating in the initial meeting, through official representation or telegraphic indorsement, were: H. J. Stryckmans, Claremont ; L. J. Sans, Craftsman ; Harry Goetz, Erbegraph ; Tom Evans, Evans Film Manufacturing Co.: J. Coenen and R. De Roberts. Filmcraft of Los Angeles ; William D. V. Kelly and William T. Crispinell, Kelly Color : Mark M. Dintenfass, National; W. K. Hedwig, Rex Hedwig; William S. Gill, representing W. R. Rothacker, Rothacker Film Manufacturing Co. of Chicago and Rothacker-AIlers, Los Angeles : H. J. Yates, Republic ; John A. Kent and Abe Heller, Reelab; Edward Horn and Harry Glickman, Tremont; H. R. A. Tucker, Urban. other. “Third, the abolishment of arbitrary Callaghan of Monogram Warns Exhibitors Against Impostors Credit Association Formed to Curb Irregularities in Industry