The Moving picture world (February 1920)

February 26, 1921 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 1071 First National of Southern California Now All Organized; 80 Per Cent. Sold THE news that more than 80 per cent of the sub-franchise for Southern California and Arizona has been sold, was officially conveyed to the assembled sub-franchise holders at their February meeting by Sol Lesser, franchise holder for that territory of Associated First National Pictures, Inc. The meeting was opened with a luncheon, at which Mr. Lesser presided. In turn he introduced Albert A. Kaufman, producer of Allen Holubar's "Man-Woman-Marriage"; Louis B. Mayer, producer of the Anita Stewart and John M. Stahl productions; Pete Smith, Marshall Neilan's representative, and B. P. Fineman, vice-president of the Katherine MacDonald Pictures Corporation. The exhibitors listened to the testimony of the producers to the treatment of their productions by Associated First National exhibitors. The salient points advanced were that the producer and the exhibitors are partners; the producer is absolutely dependent upon the exhibitor for success; the motion picture industry can never retrograde so long as an organization of the type of Associated First National, with the door always open to artistic independent effort, is in existence. Albert A. Kaufman congratulated the exhibitors upon the prospects for 1921 guaranteed by such productions as the "Big Five." He told the progress being made on the Sidney Franklin productions. In conclusion, he said: "If First National franchise holders continue the way they have started, I hope always to be able to produce independently for them." Louis B. Mayer said: "It was just about two years ago that I was tendered a dinner by the Exhibitors' League of Connecticut, when they reviewed 'Virtuous Wives,' my first offering to the circuit. I told those exhibitors that First National would succeed, and I am happy to be able to say, 'I told you so.' And there's a reason — First National is fundamentally right. The gates are wide open for everybody who believes he can produce the cream and has the money to back his judgment. If he makes good he can continue — if he doesn't, he's out. "We are both trying hard," said Mayer, producer and exhibitor, "to give the best that is in us. We both must live. Frankly, 1 wish that I had stuck to my theatres, because there is more money in :t; but I didn't — I'm a producer, and if it wasn't for , .First National I wouldn't be producing." B. P. Fineman said that he, like Mr. Mayer, wasn't making much money, but that he was having a lot of fun. "Five years ago," said Mr. Fineman, "the idea of First National was conceived. Wise ones said that the exhibitors would not stick together long enough to give the idea a test. They were wrong. The fact that you have secured such pictures as the 'Big Five' (and two years ago that I was tendered a dinner proves that the proposition is right and that you are going to make a lot of money." Pete Smith extended Mr. Neilan's regrets on not being able to be present. "Mr. Neilan is trying to make good pictures," he said. "Previous speakers have press agented his former efforts, and, with pardonable pride, may "I also remind you of what Neilan has accomplished. We believe that we have a wonderful picture in 'Bob Hampton of Placer,' for Mr. Neilan has devoted more time, energy and money to it than any other picture he has ever made." Mr. Lesser read telegrams of good will from Anita Stewart, Marshall Neilan and Katherine MacDonald. He then announced that to F. L. Titus fell the honor of being the first exhibitor to sign a franchise during the convention. Titus owns the Fairyland Theatre, Los Angeles. On Tuesday evening, February 1, a special showing of "The Kid" was held for the visiting exhibitors at the Kinema Theatre. Charles Spencer Chaplin was present to greet the exhibitors and received their hearty congratulations for his artistic triumph. On Wednesday afternoon a showing of "Passion" was held at the Royal Theatre. After the latter showing, Walter F. Jensen, of Pasadena, remarked: "The thought of getting such pictures for my house makes me dizzy with joy." At a special business meeting the following officers for the newly-formed Associated First National Pictures, Inc., of Southern California, were elected: Michael Gore, Los Angeles, president; Sol Lesser, Los Angeles, vice-president; David Bershon, Los Angeles, secretary, and Walter Jensen, Pasadena, treasurer. Directors were elected as follows: J. E. Richards, Strand Theatre, Phoenix, Ariz.; J. G. Knapp, Strand and Temple Theatres, San Bernardino; Walter F. Jensen, Jensen Theatre, Pasadena; John Young, Hollywood Theatres, Inc., Pasadena; Sol L. Lesser, West Coast Theatres Company, Los Angeles, and M. Gore, Kinema Theatre, Los Angeles. An advisory board was named as follows: M. Barnes, Barnes Theatre, Fillmore; A. E. Johnson, Coliseum Theatre, Santa Barbara; J. F. Bezdecheck, Capitol Theatre, Calexico; J. L. Lazarus, Royal Theatre, Los Angeles; J. S. Lustig, Starland Theatre, Los Angeles; J. Mathe, Alvarado Theatre, Los Angeles, and Glenn Harper, Palace Theatre, Los Angeles. "Give Public the Best, " Says Illinois Showmen "Give the public the best ' features, the best comedies, the best news weeklies and the best music you can afford. Advertise in the newspapers and have adequate help in the house to care for the comfort of your patrons." "Bill" Watts, or W. W. Watts, if you prefer the name he uses in signing checks, gave that as the recipe for success in motion picture exhibiting on the occasion of the opening of his third theatre in Springfield, Mass. It is the Princess Theatre, claimed by many to be the finest in Springfield, although others claim the Gaity is still the leading theatre in the city. The proprietors aren't worried, for they are the same, both houses being the property of "Bill" Watts. His third house is the Vaudette, erected on site of the old Lyric. Mr. Watts started as an exhibitor in Springfield, with a theatre now destroyed which he called the Vaudette. It was in the days of plank seats and sawdust floors. When he went after a franchise in Associated First National Pictures, Inc., residents of Springfield felt that they would find out whether he regarded the Gaity or the Princess as being the best of his theatres. The answer was not forthcoming, for Mr. Watts succeeded in having the franchise blanketed over both houses, so both run First National productions. "Bill's" a director of Associated First National Pictures of Illinois. Joins Realart Staff Percy Heath, dramatic critic, author and scenarist, has joined Realart's West Coast scenario staff, according to a telegram received at the home office of Realart Pictures Corporation. He has been signed by Elmer Harris, supervising director at the Hollywood studios, to write scenarios for Wanda Hawley and Bebe Daniels. Can You Qualify for Screen Authorship? A national educational institution to train photoplaywrights by correspondence during spare time at home has been established in Los Angeles to meet the needs of the motion picture industry. This institution is directed by experienced writers and sponsored by Cecil B. DeMille, Thos. H. Ince and other prominent producers. The field for photoplaywrights is lucrative and applicants drawn from every walk of life respond to the call. Only persons naturally endowed with the gift of creative imagination and dramatic insight, however, can hope for success in this profession, and applicants must be selected accordingly. All applicants, therefore, are requested to apply by mail to Frederick Palmer, Director of Education, for the Palmer Home-Test Questionnaire to determine their fitness to undertake this course of vocational training. This questionnaire, scientifically compiled by Professor Malcolm Shaw MacLean, A.M., formerly a Northwestern University instructor of English composition, in collaboration with H. H. Van Loan, noted photoplay author-producer, is the first test of its kind ever adopted by an educational institution. The purpose of this questionnaire is to help applicants determine the degree of creative imagination possessed by them and consequently their eligibility to enroll in this curriculum. If successful in making this home test, the Palmer Plan of Instruction in Photoplay Writing is available to you. Address all inquiries to Director of Education Palmer Photoplay Corporation, 7012 r. W. Hellmao Building Los Angeles, Cat