The Moving picture world (June 1922)

466 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 3, 1922 Algerians Take Readily to the Motion Pictures The motion picture has spread exten- sively through Algeria and has become a very popular amusement among all classes of the population, Arab as well as Euro- pean, declares the American consul at Algiers in a special report just submitted to the Department of Commerce. The- atres and other places of recreation are not numerous at present, but the "movie" has established itself in most of the prin- cipal centers of population and, consider- ing the number of inhabitants, the wealth and the growth of Algeria, promises to make still more rapid progress as the peo- ple's chief form of diversion. There are now about 200 picture houses in the country, fifteen of which are lo- cated in Algiers, several of them compar- ing favorably with French theatres. Most of the films used are of French and Italian origin. Emotional dramas in three or four parts are much vogue, but short comics are also used in most of the programs. Film Players Will Hold Carnival for Sick Fund During the entire week of beginning June 5, the Movie Players' Carnival Com- mittee will hold a carnival at Starlight Park, New York City, the proceeds to be used in establishing a benevolent and sick fund for the Film Players' Club, Inc. Among those who have signified their intention of participating are Vera Gordon, little Miriam Batista, Peggy Rice, Fay Marbe, \'eronica, \'era Myers, together with Directors George Terwilli- ger and Ray Smallwood. The carnival, it is announced, will con- sist of a lengthy program, during the six days of fun and frolic, dance contests and exhibitions, sports, etc., including an ex- hibition of directors at work. The executive committee consists of Paul G. Walters, chairman; J. Francis O'Reilly, treasurer; Allen Calvart, secre- tary; E. Whitwell, J. F. Poole, Franklin Murray, and A. D. V. Storey, general manager. It is expected that many other stars will be added to the list as the committee has only been functioning for one week. Independent Film Assets Seized by Revenue Head Collector of Internal Revenue George Moore of the First Miss uri District has seized the assets of the Independent Film Company of Missouri to satisfy ap- proximately $500 in federal taxes on film rentals, etc. The collectors have authority to sell the physical assets if necessary to collect his taxes. This unexpected move on the part of the Government resulted in a hastily called meeting of the creditors of the ex- change in the offices of Becker & Heege, attorneys, Merchants-Laclede Building, Tuesday, May 16, to determine on steps to be taken to protect the interests of those holding accounts against the ex- change. Stockholders have considered for several weeks plans for a complete reorganization. Sues Oliver Morosco on Notes Alleged to Be Due Further addition to the legal difficul- ties of Oliver Morosco, playright and prominent motion picture producer, was disclosed recently in the County Clerks office, and at the same time in Sherifl Percy Nagle's office in the Hall of Rec- ords, when papers were filed in a suit brought in the New York Supreme Court by Anna Nichols Duffy, also known pro- fessionally as Anne Nichols, who resides at Bayside, L. I., against Morosco to re- cover $28,250. According to the complaint of Miss Nichols she purchased 100 shares of stock of the Oliver Morosco Production Com- paying paying $10,000 for same, with the distinct understanding that within a cer- tain time he would re-purchase this stock from her, which however she claims he failed to do. In the meantime however she avers she made five other advances to him for which he gave her in return his ])romissnry notes. These notes, it is al- leged, were not paid when they fell due. Exhibitor Stands Pat in Blue Sunday Fight Fist fights, heated debates and threats and counterthreats mark the present stage of the contest between the liberals and the Blue Sunday advocates at Ames, la. Meanwhile, Joseph Gerbracht, man- ager of the A. H. Blank house at Ames, is running the house on Sunday, despite a city ordinance banning Sunday pic- tures, until the case can be settled by the Iowa Supreme Court. More than 2,000 Ames residents have signed a petition to be sent Will H. Hays, urging him to use his influence to retain Sunday pictures in that city. The eyes of the state have been focused on the fight and its outcome will undoubtedly have a bearing on action to be adopted by civic authorities in other towns. Small of Macon Heads Finance Corporation Officers of the Southern Motion Pic- ture Finance Corporation and the Atlanta Studio Corporation have been elected as follows: R. B. Small, Macon, president; U. M. Dailey, Atlanta, vice-president and general manager; G. E. Furley, Atlanta, secretary and treasurer. The directors are George J. Calloway, Albany, Ga.; J. G. Inman, Albany, Ga.; Raymond D. Pauley, New York; Frederick Munroe and H. B. Troutman. Troutman and Freeman, Atlanta, will act as counsel. John H. Ford Replies in Knickerbocker Case The statute of limitations is advanced as nullifying the indictment against John H. Ford, president of the Union Iron Works, supplier of the iron work for the Knickerbocker Theatre, Washington, D. C, which collapsed on January 28. The theatre, it is set forth, was completed in 1918 and the indictment was not re- turned until April 3, 1922. Through his attorneys Mr. Ford also filed a demurrer to the indictment, assigning seventeen de- fects which make the "true bill" bad in substance and untenable, according to their view of the law. Toledo and Censorship Attention in Toledo, Ohio, is being focused on censorship of moving pic- tures by two important events of the near future. A committee of the Cleve- land Chamber of Commerce, has been deliberating on the matter for a year. The report of the committee is nearing completion, and within a month the board of directors is expected to announce its findings and recommendations, and dele- gates of organizations interested in bet- ter films from all over the state will con- vene in Cleveland from June 1 to 3, with the Cinema Club as host. Will Hays is scheduled to speak the second day. Su£S to Recover Money Alleged to Be Due Judgment has been filed in the County Clerks office, by the Republic Laborator- ies, for $6,042 against Joseph P. Lamy of Paris, France. The judgment is the result of an ac- tion brought in the New York Supreme Court, by the Laboratories Corporation, of 128 West 52d street, to recover the value of two promissory notes, which, it is charged, were allowed to go to pro- test. Employes Strike About twenty employes of the Albany Theatre, Schenectady, N. Y., went on a strike last week, when the manager re- fused to comply with a demand made by the union that a man be employed after- noons on the back stage. According to the management of the house, the union officials refused to submit the matter to arbitration. An ounce of business is worth a long ton of politics in the moving picture industry and this goes for everv branch of it.