The Moving picture world (July 1920)

July 17, 1920 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 333 NEWS of the INDEPENE )ENT FIELD I PRODUCTION 1 \ Bv C.S. SEWELl/ | DISTRIBUTION ] ™*"" ■ ■ ■ ^ Fine Arts Pictures Inc. Closes Contract to Distribute Twenty-six Features a Year CONTRACTS for the distribution through independent exchanges of twenty-six special feature productions a year have been closed by Fine Arts Pictures, Inc. The new producing company will start work on its first picture immediately and it will be ready for distribution by September 30. The pictures will be released one every two weeks. Widely read stories by well known authors, it is announced, will be used as vehicles for screen artists of the first magnitude. Arrangements have already been made for the screen rights on a number of popular, timely stories, and contracts are pending with high class stars. Fine Arts Pictures, Inc., also announced that arrangements have been made for the purchase of one of the largest studios in the East and five companies will work simultaneously. The pictures will be directed by men of proven ability. "It has been evident that bigger and better pictures must be put at the disposal of the independent distributor if he is to remain in the field," said Murray W. Garsson, president of Fine Arts. "A good picture now and then is not enough. The independent buyer must have good pictures continuously. To provide him with this product is the object of our endeavors. "We are not going into the producing business, but we are offering the producer a new and successful outlet for his productions. There is a big demand for real box office attractions on the independent market. That has been proved by the enthusiasm with which the comedy drama "Up in Mary's Attic" has been received. The fact that we have the right of rejection on any picture that does not come up to our standard is a guarantee for the buyer. "Our new contract calls for the first production to be ready not later than September 30 and one every two weeks for one year thereafter. The pictures are to be purchased outright, which should result in economy to the ^"Between now and September 30 we will also distribute a number of first class productions backed by a complete "direct .to the exhibitor" campaign — and this campaign will not be stopped as soon as all the territory is disposed of— and tentative plans also are under way for a national advertising and exploitation campaign and a canvass is being made to determine what medium of exploitation is found most profitable in individual territories. "Thru Eye* of Men" Sold Ludwtg Film Exchange of Minneapolis will distribute the fivepart Radin feature "Thru Eyes of Men," starring Frank Mayo, in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Dakotas. Meade and Ehrgott Make Sales Trips for Price Mr. C. A. Meade, secretary and sales manager of C. B. Price Co., Inc., has returned from a trip to Ohio, where he sold rights on Billie Rhodes in "His Pajama Girl" to E. Mandelbaum and Walter E. Lust, of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit of Cleveland. Other First National exchanges which have secured this picture for their territory are the New York and New Jersey exchanges. A. L. Ehrgott, of the sales force of the Price Company, left recently on a trip to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D. C, in connection with this picture. "Regardless of the hot weather," said Mr. Price, "the sales on this subject have been brisk. We have already sold the major portion of the United States and some foreign territory. New Company Formed to Handle Films On State Right and Foreign Market A1 MALGAMATED FILM COMPANY is the name selected for a new state rights, import and export film concern recently organized. Milton J. Schwartz is the president, and temporary quarters have been taken in the Godfrey Building at 729 Seventh avenue, New York City. Milton J. Schwartz has had several years of experience in the various branches of the state rights and foreign business, beginning as a salesman. The new company will act in both the capacity of agent for the producer, also as a state rights distributor for independent productions. The export and import department will be a separate department as soon as larger quarters can be secured. Two foreign producers have negotiated with Mr. Schwartz, and an announcement of several of their late productions for the American state rights buyers will be made shortly. Copperhead Dramas Announced Photo Products Export Company is about to market a series of new two reel dramas called the Copperhead series. Titles, releasing dates and further particulars will be announced later. Sale for Talmadge Reissue Joe Brandt announces the sale for National Film Corporation of upper New York state rights to Irving Fitzer of Syracuse, on the Norma Talmadge revival, "Captivating Mary Carstairs." Dana Goes Touring with Six Features to Screen P. B. Dana, Arrow's sales manager, is booked solid for Pullman car sleeping for at least two weeks to come. On returning from Washington he immediately made preparations for an extensive trip covering more than ten of the larger cities. He left on July 7 for Pittsburgh, and from there expected to travel West. The fact that Arrow is now distributing a number of features that have met with the approval of the exchangemen and exhibitors gives Mr. Dana a strong backing on this sales trip. Mr. Dana has with him six features he will screen for buyers. They are "Woman's Man," "Love's Protege," "Before the White Man Came," "Daughter of the Don," "The Desert Scorpion," and "The Chamber Mystery." The itinerary of his sales trip includes Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City, St. Louis and Indianapolis. Morris B. Schlank Plans to Take Time This Year to Perfect Each Production A T least two more producing units will be included in the production activities of Morris R. Schlank during the coming year, according to a statement made by Mr. Schlank, who arrived in New York last week. The producer of the Hank Mann comedies, distributed by Arrow, planned to spend at least He Waits Upon the Ladies — Gets Paid for It, Too! Hank Mann seen here in his latest two-reel Arrow comedy. Would that we were a sea gull egg sandwich distributor. a week in his headquarters at the Arrow offices. In the coming year he plans to keep three companies busy all the time. This he stated did not mean more pictures but better ones. "In fact," Mr. Schlank said, "I will decrease the number of pictures. My schedule now calls for eight more of the series of twenty-six two reel Hank Mann comedies, and when they have been finished a new schedule will be made. It will call for one Hank Mann a month and one comedy a month from each of the other companies. "There isn't any doubt but what the independent field is to play a leading role in the film industry within the coming year," he added. "I have been in close touch with the exhibitors and the public and watched the reception of the independent productions. It is gratifying to note that we of the independent field are giving the producer-distributor organizations a run for their money. •It shows for one thing that no one company can ever control the field and also proves that pictures of merit will receive their just rewards. It acts as an Incentive to do even better in the future." Boston Photoplay Buys Shorts The Boston Photoplay Company have purchased the rights from Radin Pictures on the single reel "Zip Comedies."