The Moving picture world (April 1920-May 1920)

May 8, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 819 York and Dallas Why Theatres Are Bought Zukor Points to New as Examples IN a personal interview with a representative of Moving Picture World on April 30, shortly after his return from Chicago, Adolph Zukor, president of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, reiterated his previous declarations that the "excitement" about the alleged acquisition of theatres by producers with the intention of creating a monopoly is founded on a misunderstanding of the situation deliberately created by certain people. "I know that the producers have no desire to take the theatres away from the exhibitors," Mr. Zukor said emphatically. "Our acquisition of theatres in certain localities is only m order to protect curselves. Take New York City for an instance. In order to obtain sufficient representation for the productions of Famous Players-Lasky Corporation in this city we have been obliged to acquire the Criterion Theatre at an enormous expense. That action was absolutely necessary because other theatres are tied up to other interests. "The taking over of the Criterion will be a boon to exhibitors. It furnishes a try-out for our best productions and makes their worth known from coast to coast. The Famous Players-Lasky Corporation is thinking of the exhibitors' welfare all the time; its desire to help the exhibitors is a primary reason why the Criterion was acquired." Texas Exhibitors Unduly Alarmed. "Texas exhibitors are excited at the possibility that you are seeking a theatre monopoly in that state ; would you care to say that you are interested only in Dallas?" Mr. Zukor was asked. "That is an example of what I was saying," Mr. Zukor replied. "We want representation in Dallas; we are not trying to monopolize the state." "Whitman Bennett told the convention that the oldtimers (meaning the producers) have put themselves in the hands of men stronger than they are," suggested the interviewer. Mr. Zukor answered that the statement is incorrect, that the fear of a monopoly by anybody in the industry is founded on a misunderstanding of the situation. "Has Paramount taken over the fiftyfour Black theatres in the East?" "Paramount has not; Paramount has had a booking arrangement with them for a long time," said Mr. Zukor. "There is nothing to the story. Famous Players is acquiring theatres only here it needs representation. It is merely protecting its own business interests." Mr. Zukor explained that while he had been in Chicago, he had not had the opportunity to hear details of the conventions and knew little about what transpired. He went to Chicago to attend a wedding and not to talk business, he said, and he only met one or two theatre men while in the city. United Picture Theatres Corporation Has Receiver INVOLUNTARY proceedings in bankruptcy have been instituted in the United States District Court against the United Picture Productions Corporation and the United Picture Theatres of America, and Harry Zalkin is in charge of _ the aflFairj of both corporations as receiver. The appointment of Mr. Zalkin as receiver of the United companies was made by Judge Mayer upon the application of creditor.s and did not meet with any op position from the film companies which have become involved in financial difficulties necessitating the indulgence of the crfciitors and c('-.jperatii>n on ihe part rf all interests concerned to work out an adjustment. Liabilities Approximate $375,000. The liabilities of the United Picture Theatres of America, which is engaged chiefly in the distribution of motion pictures under contracts with approximately 2,000 exhibitors, amount to at least $375,000, while the assets are estimated roughly at $300,000, dependent, of course, upon the fulfillment of the contracts with the exhibitors and the amount derived from these contracts. In view of this situation Judge Mayer WE never dreamt there were so many styles of hosiery on the beauty market, but the ankle contest at the Eastern Studios Ball of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, held at the Commodore, Wednesday evening, April 28, proved that every little ankle had a hosiery all its own. Which delightful bit of fact not only puzzled the judges but baffled the spectators by whose applause the judges regulated their awards. So much so that it took deliberate consideration and elimination to make the final decision. Beautiful "Footage." A curtain shielded the contestants — with the exception of the ankles, of courss — and when one young lady stepped to the footlights with some paper specie of the realm visible in the well-known "First National Bank," she threw more uncertainty into the contest than the recent arrival of English gold did to the exchange rate. Upon viewing which demonstration of the financial solidarity of the American woman one old gentleman was heard to murmur, "I'm glad I've got a good seat on this Stocking Exchange." Miss Camelia Penny's trim "footage" won the first prize of $20 in gold, while Miss Aleta Dore and Mrs. Caroline Moore showed the prettiest ankles for the second and third prizes of $10 and $5, respectively. Mile. Spinelle of the Ziegfeld Follies supervised the judging of the thirty contestants. This bit of originality displayed by those responsible for the program and management of the ball characterized the aflfair from start to finish, or chronologically speaking from 8.30 p. m. to 4.30 a. m. A "Different Ball." Which obliges us to use the word "different." This was a "different" ball. Well managed and well directed, it caused favorable comment on all sides. "This isn't at all like the movie balls I've attended," "This is certainly a well-handled affair," "Altogether different" were some of the comments heard as event after event fitted into each other as if made to order. A bill of Keith vaudeville artists entertained the crowd of 1,200 until 10 o'clock. Then the dancing started, interrupted now and then by more "talent." At midnight the grand march was staged, lead by Elsie Ferguson and Colonel William Weigle, representing Major-General Bullard. It looked more like the First Division marching down Fifth Avenue behind Pershing authorized Receiver Zalkin to continue the business temporarily, and it is expected that he will obtain the further permissiorl of the court to continue the business in the usual course pending the consummation of some definite plan of adjustment to be determined upon. Proceedings Instituted April 27. The bankruptcy proceedings against the producing company were instituted on April 27 by Strasbourger & Schallek representing the following creditors : Royal Ribbon & Carbon Company, on a claim of $,S,890; Zinnsniith Press, on a claim of $1,278, and the Barclay Desk Company, on a claim of $496. The proceedings against the distribt-ting company were filed on April 20 by 01cott, Bonynge, McManus & Ernst for these creditors : The Water Color Compa.iy. Inc., on a claim of $330; Elco Gelatone Publishing Corporation, on a claim of $993, and Ethel Cotter, on a claim of $.iOO. instead of the usual tangled affair lii^ed under the general misnomer of "Grand March." Beauty Contest Popular. A buffet supper was served at 12:30, followed by the aforementioned ankle contest. The contest which undoubtedly raised feminine interest to the highest pitch was the beauty contest. Fifteen beauties were picked at the conclusion of the grand march and from these, pictures of whom were taken, Daniel Frohman will select the three who will be given scieen tests by Famous Players-Lasky. The names of the three possible stars are not available as we go to press. The proceeds of the ball will go toward the establishment of a welfare fund for the benefit of the studio employes of Famous Players. The welfare association is headed by J. N. Naulty, general manager of the Eastern Studios, with Daniel Hunting, vice-president, M. Healy, treasurer, and James Hood Macfarland, secretary. Affair Well Managed. Large issues of credit go to Mr. Naulty for the capable arrangement and handling of the ball, and to his various committees who shared in the work. The program deserves particular commendation for a beautiful and business like piece of work. Among those present besides those above mentioned were Jesse L. Lasky, Arthur Friend, Thomas B. Clarke, Jr., Jules Brulatour. General Sir Charles Ferguson, Mme. Trentini, Fay Marbee, Mrs. George Fitzmaurice, Edward Small, Gypsy O'Brien, Arthur Cheney Johnson, Martha Mansfield, Marjorie Rambeau. Percy Marmont. Tom Wise, C. P. Holzderber, Faire Binney, Lillian Walker, R. R. Neill, Grace Darmond, Guyer P. Dominick. Marie Shotwell. Chamberlain Brown, H. H. Wentworth, Crauford Kent and Maurice Werthin. Offer Reward for H. E. Specker. The St. Louis Film Board of Trade offers a reward of $25 for the arrest and conviction of one H. E. Specker. who formerly operated motion picture theatres at Mattoon and Neoga, III. The organization writes that on March 4 five reels of film were shipped to Specker at Mattoon and have since that time been held by him. The reels cover the followin.'^ subjects: "Knight of the Western Land," "Threads of Fate" and "The Wrong Flat." Pretty Ankles Help Famous Players Studios Ball to Walk Off with Honors