Moving Picture World (Nov-Dec 1926)

4 MOVING PICTURE WORLD Advances Amity A great step toward the establishment of greater FraneoAmeriean amity through the medium of the motion picture was taken in Paris at a banquet in honor of Arthur LocWi head of the foreign department of MetroGold wyn-Mayer, who is shown above, when plans were discussed for the co-operation of M.-G.-M. in the general release throughout the United States of the dramatic film, “Napoleon.” This picture is now being produced by the Societe Generale de Films, one of the most inlluential photoplay organisations in France. It is being directed by Abel Gance. Order Money Returned Sustaining the contentions made by representatives of the M. P. T. O. A. and the M. P. T O. of Connecticut that where the story and other vital elements were changed, the exhibitor was not bound by the contract, the Connecticut Joint Board of Arbitration has reversed its previous findings on the case of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer against M. Tomasino, a New Haven theatre owner, and declared that 75 previously collected should be returned to him. M.-G.-M. Signs Davies Marion Davies has signed a long-term contract with MetrcGoldwyn-Mayer for a series. New Loew V.-P. Colonel Edward A. Schiller, general representative for Loew's, lnc„ and for years actively participating in the operation and growth of the Loew Circuit and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation, has been elected vice-president to succeed the late Joseph L. Rhinoek. With the addition of Colonel Schiller, vicepresidents are Nicholas M, Schenck, David and Arthur Loew. The directorate board includes David Bernstein, William Hamlin Childs, William C. Durant. Marcus Loew, Arthur M. Loew, David L. Loew, Daniel E. Pomeroy, Nicholas M. Schenck, Charles M. Schwab, Lee Shubert and David Warfield. Columbia Combining Interests; Merge Production, Distribution Coast to Coast Exchange System Now Well Under Way — Macgowan on Tour Columbia Pictures Corporation is about to consummate an important merger of its producing and distributing centers. With the Columbia-owned and controlled Pittsburgh and Detroit distribution branches as the nucleus, a coast-to-coast exchange system is well under way. The latest move has been taking over Independent Films, Inc., of Canada, former distributors of Columbia and other independent production in the Dominion. The Columbia Corporation of Canada now handles this distribution. The Canadian deal was supervised by Claude Macgowan of the Columbia home office, and with Macgowan now on an extended tour of some of the other exchange centers in the United States, it is believed that this plan of union will be followed in connection with various other franchise holders throughout the country. Joe Brandt, president of Columbia, would not admit, however, that this is Macgo wan’ssole purpose on his trip. Upon the return of Jack Cohn, treasurer, from a long stay on the West Coast, he made announcements that also give definite shape and confirmation to Columbia’s expansion plans for production. Julius Bernheim, former general manager of Universal City and recently head of the Universal Theatre Enterprises, has been installed as studio business manager. Harry Caulfield, another veteran, has been appointed a unit manager. Miss Lillian Greenberg was appointed casting director. The technical and mechanical forces and equipment were enlarged and the scenario staff, under Dorothy Howell, added to. Incorporations Without any apparent reason, the number of companies incorporating in the motion picture business in New York Slate last week, dropped to three and established a new low record for the year. The following shows the companies and the incorporators, the capitalization of one company being specified, while the remaining two companies incorporated with stock at no par value. Movietone Corporation of America, Inc., Percy Heiliger, Ridgewood, N. J. ; George Blake, Brooklyn; W. B. F. Rogers, Jamaica; Resnicke and Fleige, Inc., $10,000, Harry Resnicke, Max Fleigle, Herman Hoffman, Brooklyn; L. H. Pictures, Inc., Melvin Robbins, Charles A. Springstead. Austine E. Kilkenny, New York City. Weiss in Paris Max Weiss, president of Artclass Pictures Corporation, is on the last leg of a transcontinental trip in behalf of the short subject program released by his organization. Following a tour of the Continent, he is now in Paris and has cabled Louis Weiss of the New York office that he will sail for New York next week, following a meeting with Sir William Jury, of Jury-Metro-Goldwyn, Ltd., who is distributing four series of Artclass comedies in the United Kingdom. Unique Testimonial Is Paid to Laemmle As a tribute to their chief, Carl Laemmle, and as an expression of their joy over his recovery and safe return to America, the Universal sales force is now putting over a novel “welcome home’’ party. It is a Laemmle Surprise Celebration, taking the form of a concentrated sales and date drive. It is being carried through entirely by the salesmen, sales executives and other workers in the various Universal exchanges in the United States and Canada. It was not tipped off to Laemmle, to Lou B. Metzger, general sales manager, or to the Universal home office until this week, when it came as a complete surprise. H. M. Herbel, Pittsburgh manager, started the ball rolling. Ask Dismissal Application was made in the New York Supreme Court by Nathan Burkan, on behalf of the B. P. Schulberg Productions, Inc., for an order dismissing an action brought against the Schulberg concern by the Export & Import Film Co., Inc., for an injunction to prevent Schulberg from assigning any rights to certain pictures acquired by them under an alleged agreement with Export & Import, pending trial of the suit in which Export & Import seeks to recover from Schulberg $100,000 damages for an alleged breach of contract Exodus Starts Soon Following the completion of shooting on "Not Herbert,’’ Ray Rockett’s current production for First National, the eastern studio will lock its door and a general exodus of First National players will start for the Coast. Burbank, where First National has just completed its $2,000,000 studios, will be the home of First , National producing units for the future. F. P. Signs Adams Samuel Hopkins Adams, one of the most noted American authors of contemporary literature, has arrived in Hollywood under contract with Paramount to write original screen stories. Smith in New Haven William G. Smith has been appointed manager of the Tiffany exchange at New' Haven, succeeding Jerry Lewis. Mr. Smith assumed charge on October 25. Our Stock Market By Ervin L. Hall The quotation used in this summary are compiled daily by Nevcburger, Henderson & Loeb, 100 Broadway, New York City, exclusively for The World. The film stocks followed the general market during the past week with the majority showing little activity, a few gains being reported, and no losses to mention. The market, as a whole, is a decidedly professional affair. Trading has fallen off. good news has had little or no effect, and the market is in the stage of waiting to see which way to go. The political situation is undoubtedly exercising a considerable influence. Eastman Kodak showed some signs of activity, although the amount traded in during the week was small, touching 120%. It closed the week slightly off from the high point, but a little above last week’s closing. As expected, the directors of Loew, Inc., declared an extra dividend at their meeting this week of $1.00 a share, in addition to the regular quarterly dividend of 50c. Trading in the stock during the week was quite active, with a turnover of 39,900 shares. This stock has been maintaining its price on the exchange for the past several weeks, evidently in anticipation of the extra disbursement. Stanley Company of America picked up some of its losses of last week, coming back to a price of between 83 and 84. Warner Brothers, as usual, was the center of activity, but showed no particular spurt, either up or down, as has been the case during the past two weeks. Closing prices were only slightly above last week. It is rumored that a dividend will be declared on the St. Louis Amusement Co. ”B’’ stock before the end of the year. The "B’’ stock of this company is held by Skouras Brothers. Last Minute Flashes It is reported that Eli Whitney Collins, president of the M. P. T. O. A., has transferred his theatre holdings in Jonesboro, Ark., to Universal, creating an interesting problem for the exhibitor organization if confirmed. • • • Officials of Famous Players Lasky and Educational are reputed to be holding “ conversations” regarding an amalgamation that will give Paramount its needed short subjects. • * * Pathe and P. D. C. have not yet ended negotiations. A. S. C. Looks East The American Society of Cinematographers is looking toward the formation and establishment of an active division in the East.