The Moving picture world (May 1922)

178 MOVING PICTURE WORLD May 13. 1922 In the Independent^Field Independent Pictures Boom Abroad Prompts American Firms to Plan Foreign Agencies There is a big demand in Europe for independent pictures, according to reports coming to New York from the other side. Much and important significance is placed to the announcements made recently by Warner Brothers, Arrow Film Corporation, Equity Pictures Corporation and others that they are in the field to purchase European rights to all pictures, as well as representing independent producers abroad. There is a persistent and well-founded rumor in New York now to the effect that both Warners and Equity will establish branch offices in leading cities in Europe. According to cable advises from Paris, the Soclete Francals des Films Paramount will distribute "Serratl," which Louis Mercanton will make in France. Canadian Exhibitors Exchanges, Ltd., D( Montreal, will handle the distribution of all pictures on which the AngloCanadian Picture Plays, Ltd., has secured the Dominion rights. Sarah Bernhardt Is reported. In a cablegram, to be slated for a starring role in a picture to be made in France this summer. Little credit Is being given this report In New York. Arthur Zlehm has purchased from Equity Pictures Corporation the entire European rights to "Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight?," verifying an exclusive report published In Moving Picture World last week. The departure this week of Louis Baum, sales head of Equity Picture Corporation, is very significant and seems to bear out reports relative to Baum's stay abroad it will surprise few if he spends the greater part of the summer looking things over in England and on the continent. The E/juity organization has pretentious plans under way, but of these very little has been said. The Warners, too, according to the same informant, will shortly open a string of offices on the other side under the supervision of Gus Schlosinger, the head of its prosperous foreign department. Mr. Maountain, the foreign expert for Arrow, also has some very important plans under way. The independent pictures shown abroad have been literal cleanups. The Warner pictures in England have been particularly profitable and it will surprise few if the Warners invade the distribution field there. True this is the only logical course open to the Warners, for their pictures are in big demand and under the present arrangement they are getting only a small portion of the profits that could be theirs for the asking, namely the establishment of offices on the other side. Gaumont this week announced abroad the completion of a new serial, "Parisette of the Opera." This serial will bt released simultaneously in forty theatres in Paris. Prints of the picture are now in England. According to Gaumont the serial will not be released generally until 1923. Bert Levy, the vaudevilllan and artist, who sailed for London this week to flu theatrical engagements there, will make a series of travelogues for Hugo Reisenfeld. No distribution arrangements have as yet been made. J. Pearson is In London for Joe Brandt and is expected to close for the foreign rights on Eddie Polo's initial Independent serial, "Cap'n Kidd," this week. He Is reported to have deals pending. Due to the terrible tragedy resulting in the death of Sir Ross Smith and Lieut. Bennett, Pathe Freres Cinema, Ltd., of England, this week let it be known that arrangements made for the inclusion of pictures, proposed to be taken by Sir Ross and his brother. Sir Keith Smith, during their attempt to circle the world, are unavoidably cancelled. From the Showman's Angle The Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle pictures are being released and shown generally in Europe where they are playing to surprisingly big business. The business turned in on these pictures at the London kinemas is phenomenally great. "The Roundup" Is the latest Arbuckle picture being shown in England. Georges Carpentler, the light heavyweight champion of Europe, will be starred In a feature production that Stuart Blackton will make In England. This report was ofHclally given out this week and confirmed in Paris by Georges Carpentler and his manager, Francois Deschampa. THE Curse of Drink" will be State righted by Elxport & Import Film, Inc. The deal was closed last week. For several weeks Louis Baum, sales representative of Equity Pictures Corporation, dickered with the producers of that picture, as reported in this department exclusively several weeks ago. Last week, announcement was made in this department that Exjuity had acquired the picture. Mr. Baum gave out this announcement to the editor of this department. As a matter of fact, all contracts had been drawn up and Equity officials were to have signed the papers. At the eleventh hour, however, a wrangle developed over the releasing date. Equity stated that it would not release the picture until early next Fall, whereupon the producers of the picture insisted on an immediate release. This Equity refused to do, replying that it wanted to go after the picture in big fashion. Besides, its sales director, Louis Baum, was scheduled to go to Europe, and not return until July or later. But the producers could not see this and refused to go through with the deal. At this point, Import & Elxport, which was another of the bidders, who numbered six, renewed negotiations and agreed to the terms of the producer, relative to price, release, exploitation, etc. If true, the report that Fox will establish studios In England, France and Russia, Is very Interesting, although nothing authentic could be obtained in New York this week. The report emanated from the publicity offices of the British Fox concern and Is being generally discussed In England and places. Fox already is producing abroad. "Monte Cristo," now being shown In several big cities In this country, was made In Europe," according to Information at band. Harry Knoles was the guest of honor at a distinguished banquet given at the Royal Automobile Club of London recently to celebrate the completion of his first picture for Alliance Film Corporation. The picture Is entitled "The Bohemian Girl." Harry Relchenbach was among those who spoke. United Artists and Fox are both said to be dickering for the American rights to this production. Knoles' latest European picture, "Carnival," was distributed in America by United Artists Corporation. Considerable comment, too, has been aroused abroad — and here as well — by the interview with D. W. Griffith published recently by The London Times, In which the American producer 1b quoted as saying that he will shortly start production on a serial dealing with the history of the world. The exact facts are not at hand, although It is expected that D. W. will give out a definite statement upon bis arrival In New York next week. He Is returning with his brother and general manager of D. W. Griffiths, Inc., Albert Gray. On his arrival In England A. H. Woods, who has Pauline Frederick under contract, made the statement that that star will appear under his management In a stage play. She will later return to America and perhaps then resume picture work, but, if she does. It will be under Mr. Woods' management. Harry Hoyt, who produced and wrote "The Curse of Drink," will make four Holman Day pictures which American Releasing Corporation will in all probability, release through its own exchanges. The pictures will be produced at the Medford, Mass., studios, Holman Day living in that territory. Sol and Irving Lesser have finally reached the conclusion that New York is the logical distributing centre and for that reason they wilt redouble their activities in the metropolis. The firm established headquarters in New York some weeks ago, with Irving Lesser in charge. This week Max Ramish and Sol came to New York to perfect the organization. In all probability the publicity and expoitation department of Western Pictures Exploitation Corporation will be permanently established in New York, with Harry Wilson looking after affairs on the Coast. Export & Import Films, Inc., are to enter the independent distribution field in this country on an elaborate scale this year. They have a number of good possibilities and a humdinging two-reeler. American exhibitors will probably find relief in reports coming here from India that theatre owners there complain of sustaining heavy box office losses. No surprise will be occasioned by the announcement this week from Export & Import Film Coproratlon that It will enter the State rights domestic market on a large scale. This firm has at least six big foreign productions that will soon be released on a State rights basis. It Is also distributing "The Goddess" and "The Curse of Drink" abroad as well as In America. Italy, though Intensely patriotic, as patriotic as she is operatic, has no olJJectlon to using foreign films. Consequently, German, Austrian. French and American pictures are finding their way into that sunkissed land in large quantities. British producers, however, are looking on Jealously, for their pictures fall to make any appeal In Italy. Lester Allen, one of the most popular knockabouts in musical comedy, will shortly appear in a series of two-reel comedies that Fred Quimby will produce and State right. Lester has just recovered from illness, which forced him to cut short his work with Georgie White's "Scandals of 1921" in which he was starred. Lester should go big in comedy pictures, for he is versatile, a clever actor and one of the most fearless knockabouts in the business. Italy, however, is making rapid progress In the movie world. Italian producers and exporters have despatched many pictures to India and other British provinces where these pictures seem to catch on surprisingly well. A couple of years ago it was Chamberlain Brown who raided the burlesque ranks for talent for the Broadway producers, now it develops that same branch of the show business is being ransacked for picture interests. Lester Allen used to be starred in "The Bon Tons." Now along comes Tommy Snyder, who has been making money for Barney Gerard in "Follies of the Day." Tommy, who is better known as "Bozo," a mute clown comedian, has gone to the Coast where he will make a series of two-reel comedies that will be distributed via the independent market.