The Moving picture world (November 1920)

November 20, 1920 MOVING PICTURE WORLD Famous Players Is Congratulated by Stars, Directors, Authors and Editors on Its Change in Policy FEW announcements in the industry in recent years have created such general interest and brought forth such favorable comment as last week's statement from the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation announcing the merging of its stars and other players into one big stock company and its purpose to center its future efforts in the production of pictures in which the authors, director, scenario writer and cast will share •equally, so far as possible, in the responsibility and credit. The keynote of the response from all quarters, Famous Players-Lasky officials state, is that the adoption of the new policy is the greatest forward step ever taken by a picture producing company. Directors and producers, not only of pictures but of stage plays, have come personally or have telephoned to the Fifth avenue office to offer their congratulations, and numerous letters and telegrams of approval have been received from stars, not only within the organization but some now connected with other companies, who •express their approval along with authors, magazine editors and exhibitors. Wallace Reid • Pleased One of the first to be heard from was Wallace Reid, who, according to the published statement of Jesse L. Lasky, is to have the leading role in Cecil B. DeMille's all-star production of "The Affairs of Anatol," which is to be the first to be made under the new plan. Mr. Reid wired from Los Angeles that he was delighted he was to be one of the first chosen to take part in the new production plans. Continuing, the telegram stated : "It is the greatest step forward that any producing company ever has taken, for it will give stars the very opportunities they always have sought, namely, big parts in big productions, thereby multiplying their op.portunities to better serve the public. Count on me to do everything in my power to co-operate." Dorothy Daltons Note Early Monday morning the following note was received from Dorothy Dalton : "I want to be among the first to congratulate you upon the plan outlined to me in your office yesterday. I shall welcome the opportunity to appear in better pictures. As an artist, my chief concern is to please my public, and if I can appear in a good part in company with any of my fellow stars — Elsie Ferguson, Ethel Clayton, Billie Burke, Mae Murray, Wallace Reid or Thomas Meighan — I shall welcome the opportunity. I think all thoughtful artists should be more concerned with the parts they play and the stories they help to portray than with the fact that others may share stellar honors with them. You may count on my staunchest co-operation and I am waiting eagerly for news as to the part I am to play first under the new plan." DeMille Wires from Coast From Cecil B. DeMille, director-general of the corporation, the following telegram was received : "Announcement of new production plans marks the beginning of a new and greater era in motion picture production. This plan will inevitably result in pictures incomparably superior to past production. The new system assures a director of the finest actors and actresses, while similarly insuring the stars of the highest quality of directorial ability. I am greatly honored to know that I am to be the first to produce under this new system. I believe that the cast of my forthcoming production, which includes Wallace Reid, Elliott Dexter, Gloria Swanson, Bebe Daniels, Wanda Hawley, Agnes Ayres, Dorothy Cumming, Tbeodore Roberts and Theodore Kosloff, is undoubtedly the greatest ever assembled. Cordially yours." Sir Gilbert Parker As well representing the attitude of authors toward the new plan, the following from Sir Gilbert Parker is quoted : "Permit me to say that I think your new production plans embody the quintessence of modernism in motion picture making and that never in the history of the screen has anything so revolutionary 311 or so calculated to advance the art been undertaken. I cannot overestimate the importance of this to authors who may now be positively assured of productions pf their stories which will be not only technically perfect but that will be enacted by the foremost stars of the film world." From Jeanie Macpherson, who, it is announced, will collaborate on the scenario of "Anatol," came the following telegram: "May I express my appreciation for the opportunity accorded me in connection with Mr. DeMille's initial production under new plans. Stellar direction and players will combine to give perfect interpretation of theme and characters as conceived by original writer." Press and Exhibitors Approve A responsive chord also has been struck with the editors of the leading fan magazines, James R. Quirk, publisher of Photoplay, writing that "your new policy is a definite step in advance." Other editors of fan magazines voiced similar sentiments. The utmost enthusiasm and confidence for the future from the exhibitor's standpoint is expressed by Dr. Hugo Riesenfeld, managing director of the Rivoli, Rialto and Criterion theatres, who said : "The announcement shows great foresight and keen business instinct. A great amount of courage is required to discard a system which has proven a success. To throw that system into the scrap heap and start a new venture along untrodden paths one must have great faith in his own ideal — and faith is half the victory. I wish all the so-called legitimate producers would have the courage to try the same thing." New York s Importance in Film World Shown by Ten Months Incorporations SOME idea of the important part capitalization as from $50,000 to $200,000. which New York State today occu With but few exceptions the principal pies in the motion picture world can offices of these firms are located in New be gained' from the fact that during the York City. first ten months this year a total of 270 The following figures, giving the num firms have incorporated with a total cap ber of firms entering the motion picture italization of $38,045,100. These figures business month by month, together with were obtained from the secretary of state's the amount of capitalization, tell a most office and are announced for the first interesting story : time. During the ten months, nine firms January 14 $2,607,000 incorporated for $1,000,000 each, while February 25 2,032,000 one firm represented a capitalization of March 32 4,076,000 $10,500,000. There was also one firm April 32 2,157,000 with a $2,000,000 capitalization. May 38 13,897,500 During two months the total amount June 26 2,078.600 of capitalization of firms incorporating Tulv 24 1,454,500 fell slightly below the $2,000,000 mark. August 28 1.962.000 May witnessed the greatest number of September 31 2,833,500 firms incorporating in the state for the October 20 4.947,000 motion picture business, the total being thirty-eight, and the capitalization nearly 270 $38,045,100 $14,000,000. The fewest number of firms : incorporating, fourteen, was in January Frances Conrad will be leading woman last. As a rule the months run from f°r Chester Conklin in his two-reel come ... . c dies for Special Pictures Corporation, twenty to thirty firms. f *L /. j . . uru-i c ~ <■« <-~a u..,.: William De Mule has selected Conrad While a few companies started busi Nagle and Lois wiIson t0 play the Ieading ness with a capitalization of from $500 to parts in the film version of the Barrie play, $100,000, the greater number gave their "What Every Woman Knows."