The Moving picture world (December 1920)

December 18, 1920 MOVING PICTURE WORLD Church Advertises "Free Movie Show" but Takes Up "Contributions" at Door ANNOUNCEMENT by W. A. Steffes, president of the United Theatrical Protective League, of war against alleged competition in the exhibiting field in South Daketa by churches under the guise of "free shows," and the beginning of a campaign designed at eventually opening North Dakota for Sunday shows by exhibitors, were the developments in the moving picture industry in the Northwest last week. The first complaint to reach Mr. Steffes regarding unfair competition by a church came from the manager of the Colonial Theatre, Watertown, S. D., who alleges that the Methodist church of that city scheduled a free show Thanksgiving day in opposition to him. Voluntary contributions were taken by the church at the door. Too Much Leniency "There has been too much leniency by exhibitors with infringements on their business by persons and organizations who are their avowed enemies," said Mr. Steffes. "The United Theatrical Protective League purposes to make a thorough investigation into encroachments on the field of exhibitors by outside organizations." J. C. Snyder, manager of the Grand Theatre, Williston, N. D., has evolved a plan which is meeting with much favor among North Dakota exhibitors. Mr. Snyder recently conducted a Sunday show under the auspices of the Williston board of education. Funds sufficient to guarantee the show, which was given at the Armory, were received by contributions. "The show was scheduled with no idea of making money," said Mr. Snyder. "We did it for the express purpose of giving the people of Williston an opportunity to see good pictures on Sunday — a right they are denied by the Sunday closing laws of the state." Exhibitors throughout the state are reported to be watching with interest the outcome of Mr. Snyder's experiment, with a view to taking similar action if it is successful. Plan to Develop Industry Plans for working in close harmony with the United Theatrical Protective League next year in helping develop the motion picture industry throughout the Northwest were formulated at the third annual banquet of the Minneapolis Film Board of Trade at the Dyckman hotel recently. E. S. Holmes, manager of the Minneapolis Vitagraph exchange, was elected president of the organization, succeeding A. H. Fischer. Other officers selected were: Benjamin Friedman, Friedman Film Corporation, vice-president; C. W. Stombaugh, manager of the Minneapolis Pathe exchange, secretary, and "Mickey" Cohen, manager of the Theatre Owners' Corporation, treasurer. Gloria Swanson Is Star of Elinor Glyn Feature "The Sheltered Daughter" is the tentative title of the story which Elinor Glyn has written for Paramount and which will serve as a vehicle for Gloria Swanson. Mrs. Glyn is now at the Lasky studio and will work in the closest co-operation with Director Sam Wood in the production. The photoplay is said to afford many wonderful scenes in some of the gayest spots of the European capitals, with rich coloring and situations that are distinctly forceful. An interesting announcement in connection with the production is to the effect that Monte M. Katterjohn, one of the most prolific and successful of screen writers, will prepare the scenario. W ood Now Director Sam Wood, after a long period of work as assistant director to Cecil B. DeMille, became a director in his own right and made a number of highly successful films for Paramount and Realart. The production of "The Sheltered Daughter" will probably start immediately after Cecil B. DeMille completes "The Affairs of Anatol," in which Miss Swanson has a leading part. A LARGE amount of moving picture theatre construction work is under way in San Francisco and vicinity and more is being planned. There is no slump in the amusement business there, it is said. Moving pictures are more than holding their own as a form of entertainment, and exhibitors are backing their confidence in the future by investing large sums in the construction of new theatres. The Granada Theatre should be ready for opening late in 1921. It is being erected for the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. Rapid progress is being made on preparing the site for Loew's State Theatre and a Louise's "Bank" Draws "Interest" As a prelude it is necessary to relate that Louise Fazenda, Special Pictures comedienne, recently visited San Francisco, on the first leg of a trip to all the large cities of the country. It is not quite so necessai-y, but certainly apropos, to relate that Lovely Louise is entitled to her nickname. She was strolling by the Golden Gate (and enjoying the climate) when she noticed divers admiring glances directed at her from all sides, glances that were directed downward. Now, Louise knew that her hosiery was pretty and chic, but, then, there were other girls with equally pretty hoisery all around her. It was most perplexing, this unusual attention paid her. Arriving at a bank to make a deposit, the mystery was explained when she sought for her "roll." A $100 bill, deposited in a most careless manner, had slipped down into the glaring light of day and had reached a place where it was visible at every step. Small wonder the boulevardiers stared ! 909 Marmont Hails Costume Films Percy Marmont, who created the leading male role in "Dead Men Tell No Tales," and who has appeared opposite a number of the important female stars of the screen, rises to prophesy the reappearance of the costume picture. "The Box-office bugaboo against these productions has been shattered on several occasions — most recently by Douglas Fairbanks in 'The Mark of Zorro.' The point is to give the people a story that has meat to it; then the clothes will not matter, if they are subordinated to the plot — the usual trouble with costume picture heretofore is that directors have spent too much time on the costumes and too little on the story proper." There is, in fact a consistent rumor that Marmont will create the titular role in a picturization of "Caius Gracchus," a poetic drama by Odin Gregory, laid in Rome about 120 B. C. race will be under way between this house and the Granada for the honor of opening first. Louis R. Lurie, who recently secured a twenty-year lease on the Curran Theatre, will spend $100,000 in transforming it into a moving picture house. Turner & Dahnken are proceeding with plans for the erection of a moving picture house to have a seating capacity of 5,000. This firm also is erecting an 1,800 seat house at Richmond, a suburb of San Francisco, and is preparing to start work shortly on a house at Monterey, Cal. Plans Completed Plans have been completed by A. C. H. Chamberlain, a pioneer exhibitor of Madera, Cal., for the erection of a 1,400 seat house in that city. J. C. Droge is preparing to erect a 1,200 seat moving picture theatre at ,Tracy, Cal., and has already leased the house to the managers of the Arlington Theatre, of that city. The Odd Fellows of Corning, Cal., have arranged to erect a theatre and lodge room building and have already leased the theatre portion of the structure to the Strand Theatre Circuit, represented by A. E. Cohen. Nasser Bros., pioneer exhibitors of San Francisco, are having plans prepared for a 2,000 seat house. Paramoun t Starts New Film Elsie Ferguson, Paramount star, who recently returned to her home in New York from a tour of the world has left for Los Angeles, where, at the Lasky studio, under the direction of William D. Taylor, she will immediately start the production of Arnold Bennett's "Sacred and Profane Love." Impressed With Picture Before leaving for the Coast, Miss Ferguson was given a private showing of Mr. Taylor's new production for Paramount,. "The Witching Hour," and was so impressed by the picture that she forthwith sent the following telegram to Jesse L. Lasky at Hollywood: "Wish to compliment Mr. Taylor on this splendidly directed! picture. I think the photography is perfect." It was in the stage play of "Sacred and! Profane Love" that Miss Ferguson made a decided success during its run in New York last season. Julia Crawford Ivers is writing the scenario for the Paramount screet* version. San Francisco Movie Men are Investing Large Amounts in Building Theatres