The Moving picture world (January 1920-February 1920)

February 7, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 865 Salesmen Hold Convention in Chicago phenomenal growth and development of the designing department in that and other advertising work. The exploitation department representatives held a separate meeting at which their work was outlined in careful detail by John C Flinn. A. C. Dillenbeck of Hanff-Metzger, Inc., advertising, discussed the national advertising campaign and the part it plays in the general exploitation of the productions. Wednesday's Sessions. The sales organization and the advertising and exploitation departments held a joint session and considered a wide range of subjects. During the day an open forum was held at which the exploitation representatives from various sections explained the manner in which they had carried out their plans for the benefit of exhibitors. It was shown that a special effort had been made by the exploitation forces to aid the small exhibitor to get the maximum of revenue from the pictures shown. This work has been highly successful throughout th.-. country. During the day the plans for the growth and extension of activities of the exploitation department were discussed in detail, and it was decided that no more pictures will be handled than can be given thorough and comprehensive exploitation. The dates on the calendar will no longer regulate releases. The only regulation, will be their own pulling power. Will Feature Accessories. The attention of the convention was given to the matter of marketing accessories in such a way that they will bring increased revenue to the exhibitor. The proper use of accessories is of vital importance to the box office and the exhibitor will be educated to the intelligent use of these money makers. The delegates attended the Winter Garden show in the Consumers Building, in the evening, and the leading men of the convention were made the butts of the jests of the performers. They then went to the Chicago office of the organization, where they were the guests of Special Representative J. W. Allen and Branch Manager Fred Creswell. They viiwed the first pre-release of "On with the Dance" and a special production showing the ramifications of the department of foreign distribution of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. A light supper was also served, after which the exchange was inspected thoroughly. Thursday's Sessions. The only item of Thursday's business given out was the speech of H. D. H. Connick, chairman of the finance committee of Famous Players-Lasky, which was delivered during the afternoon session. The speech follows: "No business that I know of has the opportunity today that the motion picture business has. You have got the greatest company; you distribute the greatest pictures and you have an organization that is ten times bigger than any other, and bigger than all the others put together. "Your company's financial condition is as fine as that of any other big corpora Connick Declares Industry Has Had Only Average Share of Diseases of Childhood iiiiiiiiiilPiiitiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii titiiiiiiiiiiHiiiriiiiiiiii iiiiMiiiiiMmiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiii tion in any line. At the rate you are growing now I would not be surprised to see the corporation grow to three times its present size and power within the next few years. Proportion of Marg;in Inadequate^ "All you have got to do is to watch your step and push your pictures. The only big criticism that I would make is that you operate on too small a margin. You do not get the same proportion of margin that the man gets who makes any one of a large number of other products. "You are in a good substantial, solid industry. It is just as firm a business as any other industry. This business has no more of the diseases of childhood than any other big business has had. "You have net begun to scratch the surface of your possibilities. There is the foreign field; there is the wonderful future for the feature production and all the other fields of which you now have a little knowledge. New fields will develop as the industry grows, which will give you even greater opportunities for expansion than you have known. "No need to v/orry about the combination of other interests. The same thing occurred when United States Steel was organized. There were plenty of imitators; but none of them got very far. United States Steel is all right because its foundation was secure and sensible. So is Famous Players-Lasky Corporation." Friday's Sessions. Adolph Zukcr, president, and Jesse Lasky, vice president in charge of pro-duction, were present at the morning session. Mr. Lichtman again was in the chair. President Zukor's speech on the occasion was not given out to the press; but it is said that he aroused enthusiasm among the delegates by his reference to the loyal and steadfast service which they h^ve rendered and to his confidence in their purpose to develop and grow with the organization in the future. Plays and Stories Under Contract. Vice President Lasky held the close attention of the delegates .as he outlined a program of production which will insure to the exhibitor the choicest material available in book stories and the drama. He announced that arrangements had been completed with a number of successful writers and with theatre organizations, by which the organization will receive the benefit of their entire output. He mentioned in this regard the works of J. M. Barrie, secured through the Frohman interests; George Broadhurst's, through the same channel, and also the works of John Williams, Oliver Morosco's productions and oth ers of like merit. Famous Players-Lasky has the first call on all of these for their works, Mr. Lasky declared. Speaking of directors, Mr. Lasky said that the services of the "big five" are assured for a number of years. These include Cecil B. DeMille, George Fitzmaurice, William DeMille, George Melford and William D. Taylor. This list does not include Hugh Ford, whose work in London can well be classed with that of the others. The "big five" will probably make twenty special productions in the year. Great Stock Company Announced. Mr. Lasky said that the production department has also developed the idea of a great stock company, which will enable the producers to put on their productions with an all star cast. Mr. Lasky stated that plays already contracted for, or which are now in work, include "Peter Ibbetson," "The Sea Wolf," "The Roundup," with Roscoe Arbuckle as the Sheriff; "The Sorrows of Satan" (by Marie Corelli), "Held by the Enemy," "The Prince Chap," "The Fighting Chance," Victor Hugo's "Toilers of the Sea," in which some wonderful spectacular effects, including the battle with the sea monster, will be filmed; "The Savage," "The Man Who Killed," "The Heart of Maryland," "Civilian Clothes," "The Crimson Alibi," "Sacred and Profane Love," in which Elsie Ferguson is to star on the speaking stage and in which she will star in the picture production; "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," which John Barrymore has just completed for Famous Players; "Declasse," "Conrad in Quest of His Youth," "For the Defense," "The Charm School" and "The Great Day." "We will also have the works of Max Marcin and Salisbury Field to draw upon," Mr. Lasky said. Mr. Lasky promised that the art titles of motion pictures produced by his department will be made most distinctive by the employment of artists of unques The Strong Man John Barrymore in his great role in Famous Players' "The Copperhead."