Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1923)

604 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 15, 1923 A Production Possibilities in South Stir Ernest Shipman The purpose of Ernest Shipmans present tour of the Southeastern states, which zoos zeilcd zoith mystery at the time he left Nczv York about a zoeek ago. has been definitely explained bv this letter received from him. It follozos : ' Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 3. LAST week was one of kaleidoscopic action for my moving picture camera eye. At Washington, D. C, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., cut through the official red tape so * effectively that, within a few hours, the acceptance of our request for Governmental co-operation in connection with the making of our first Long Island picture, “The Romance of the Coast Guard Patrol,” was on the records over the signature of Rear Admiral W. E. Reynolds, Commander of the United States Coast Guard. This action insures a moving picture which should be a credit to the industry and a lasting monument to the Decision Affects All Interstate Trade Omaha, Neb. — The United States Supreme Court decision which upheld the contention of Attorney Dana Van Dusen of Omaha in the case of Charles G. Binderup, against the Pathe Exchange, the Omaha Film Board of Trade, and other exchanges, will affect every big industry in the nation doing an interstate business according to Attorney Van Dusen. The Supreme Court held that dealing with a branch house within a state is interstate traffic, if the home company of which that branch is a part is outside the state. This was the bone of contention. Binderup, owner of a string of more than thirty theatres in Nebraska, sued the various exchanges and the Omaha Film Board of Trade for $700,000 damages charging that they had violated the Sherman Anti-trust law in re-fusing to ship him films as per his order. The exchanges charged that he had violated his contract in showing films in more than one theatre, and further held that they were not subject to the Sherman Antitrust law in that Binderup who lived in Nebraska, had dealt with a Nebraska branch, after the films had come to rest in the state. splendid traditions of the U. S. Coast Guard. At Richmond, Va., I had the honor of meeting Governor E. Lee Trinkle, Mayor George Ainslee, W. T. Dabney, manager and Charles INI. Montgomery, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. Words cannot express the solidity of purpose, the clearness of vision and the exalted ambition which animates the leaders of state and community interests in this part of the country. I found here considerable discussion of the Drinkwater stage version of the life of Robert E. Lee, and a growing sentiment for a moving picture which would do greater justice to events of his period. This may result in a picture creation for Virginia which will include Lee and the other foremost figures of his day. Charleston, S. C., teeming with material for no end of motion picture possibilities, has a wealth of messages for the public of the world. Here I found actual preparations for my coming, fully scheduled and arranged for by Dr. R. S. McElwee, in charge of the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Port Development. and Meigs B. Russell, energetic manager of the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor-elect Tom Stoney, whose ancestry dates’ back for 300 years in Carolina patriotism, was most enthusiastic in tendering the co-operation of the city in the making of one or more big feature pictures. Locations for a studio have been offered with a view to establishing definitely our fourth industry in this cradle of Southern civilization-. Here, in Charleston, as in Richmond, a superficial survey of the untouched and untold film possibilities overwhelms me, and to hurry through seems nothing short of a sacrilege. The business-like air and generally progressive attitude I have found in Jacksonville was just as I had expected from the splendid letters I had received from the Chamber of Commerce. On my arrival I found nearly 1,000 photographs of almost every kind of scenery and background, together with types of people, location addresses and other invaluable information. This file ma’ es it possible for a producer in his headquarters at Jacksonville to select his locations without leaving his office. This is my first experience with such practical efficiency outside of the regular film producing organizations, and it has “sold” me on Florida. The two days of research work here have already proven that I am making no mistake in committing my associates to Florida for future film activities. After a trip south, I will return here to complete such arrangements as are necessary for the establishment of this fourth industry in this part of the country. The Paramount exchange here is one of the most efficient I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Because of the excellent results it is obtaining with the co-operation of the energetic mayor of Jacksonville, I am going to distribute all my new features in Florida from Jacksonville. Pathe Denies Rumor A statement this week from the Pathe home office emphatically refutes the rumor that its branch-office in Spokane is about to be closed. Martha Mansfield Dies of Burns Martha Mansfield, popular actress of the Fox Corporation died in San Antonio, Texas, November 30, as the result of bums received while she was playing the leading part in the Fox production, “The Warrens of Virginia.” Miss Mansfield had just finished her acting for the day, and had stepped into an automobile, when the costume of the time of the Civil War she was wearing, suddenly burst into flames. It is thought the flames originated from the match of a careless cigarette smoker. Several actors rushed to Miss Mansfield’s assistance. She was hurried to a hospital where she died 24 hours later. Miss Mansfield was bom 23 years ago in Mansfield, Ohio, but was reared in New York where her mother now lives. Miss Mansfield gained prominence in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” in which John Barrymore starred. She appeared with Eugene O’Brien in “The Perfect Lover,” and recently was seen in “Potash and Perlmutter.” Bob Dexter Resigns Versatile First National Official Will Write Fiction Bob Dexter, advertising and publicity director for Associated First National Pictures, Inc. has resigned, effective December 29th, in order to devote all his time to fiction writing. Dexter enjoys the distinction of being one of thfe youngest and at the same time one of the most successful advertising men in the motion picture business. His career started in Australia, where after several years’ experience as a reporter and cartoonist he became assistant to C. L. Yearsley, in charge of the advertising and exploitation for J. D. Williams’ enterprises. When Yearsley' came to America, Dexter was appointed his successor, although he had just passed his twenty-first birthday. A few years later Bob followed his former chief to New York and joined the advertising department of First National. His exceptional aptitude for the work resulted in rapid advancement and last June, when \earsley left for a three months’ vacation, Dexter took over the entire direction of the department. In September he was formally’ appointed director of advertising and publicity. But along with motion picture work, particularly’ during the first year of his stay' in America. Dexter found time to write considerable fiction, which was so well received that he was offered a contract by one of the largest publishing combines in the country. Recently this offer was renewed and accepted at an even more attractive figure. Dexter will leave First National with a fine record of accomplishment behind him and with the best wishes of all his associates. No man in the organization has more friends.