The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

894 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 30, 1922 Lichtman, Back from Coast, Tells i « of Progress in Production Plans Al Lichtman, president of the Al Lichtman Corporation, distributors of Preferred Pictures, returned last Monday from a three weeks' trip to Los Angeles, where he has been in conference with B. P. Schulberg, head of the producing organization. As a result of his visit in the W est Lichtman had some interesting things to say about plans governing the distributing company's future program and the general expansion of production activities. Lichtman states that 1923 will find Preferred Pictures a power to be reckoned with m the production field. The first news in his Christmas message to his franchise-holders was the announcement of Schulberg's signing Gaston Glass for a period of three years to appear as leading man in forthcoming stories to be filmed by him. The signing of Glass marks Schulberg's second acquisition to his permanent stock company of well-known players. The announcement of a long-term agreement with Kenneth Harlan was made some weeks ago. While in conference with Sehul aunouncement of policy from his office berg, Lichtman formulated arrangements for eight new pictures. The line-up will keep Directors Gasnier and Forman bUsy for months to come. The productions include "Mothers-in-Law," "The Broken Wing," "The Parasite," "Frivolity," "The Aristocrat," "The Satin Woman," "My Lady's Lips" and "A Mansion of Aching Hearts." Lichtman made the prediction that the next four releases of the Lichtman Corporation — namely, "The Hero," "Are You a Failure?" "Poor Men's Wives" and "The Girl Who Came Back" — will establish a new high level in the business, and will place Preferred Pictures up front among producing companies. "I am willing to stake my reputation as a picture man." said Al Lichtman, "on the box-office value o£ these four. They will, I am certain, surpass even 'Rich Men's Wives,' which exhibitors have found one of the most satisfactory releases of the past year from the point of view of the box office. Each of them has been made with the box office in mind. Shortly after my arrival at the studio I viewed "The Hero' and 'Are You a Failure?' in the projection room, and issued the statement without reservation that they are. beyond question of a doubt, the best pictures which have come from us thus far. Were it possible to turn out pictures with more sure-fire box-office touches I would say that Schulberg has achieved this in Gasnier's production of 'I'oor Men's Wives,' a companion piece to 'Rich Men's Wives,' which has been produced along the same elaborate lines. Forman is making 'The Girl Who Came Back,' which is unquestionably the most ambitious thing he has undertaken for us. Both of these pictures I saw in the making, and am willing to endorse them personally." Lichtman furthermore expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which exhibitors throughout the country have accepted his proposition. This is evidenced, he says, by the manner In which theatre owners have insisted upon block bookings in many instances, even by which each picture was to be sold on its individual merits. "The records set by 'Rich Men's Wives,' " he says, "have made history for picture houses everywhere. While in Los Angeles Sam Katz told me that the picture had done so well at the Chicago Theatre. Chicago, that he was willing to pay me more than the rental originally agreed upon. The Kinema in Los Angeles made a profit of $3.2(K) on a week's run of 'Shadows.' In Cleveland and Detroit the picture has established new records also. These are facts that bespeak more than any extravagant statements I could possibly make regarding the Preferred output." Schulberg is constantly adding new names of well-known picture people to the ranks of those helping to make a reputation for his company. It has been announced that Olga Printziau will prepare the script for Gasnier on "Mothers In Law." which follows "Poor Men's Wives" on bis schedule. Olga Printziau is among the foremost screen writers. She was connected with William De Mllle for a number of years during her affiliations with Famous Players. Lichtman brought up the point that future Preferred Pictures will be cast with the finest players available. He added that Glass had been awarded a contract for his excellent work In "The Hero" and "The Girl Who Came Back." Detroit Leech Are in Action DETROIT— (Special)— Much indignation has been felt by local reputable film folks at the tactics utilized by a certain exchange in this city. Jess Fishman, manager of the local Al Lichtman Exchange, this week made public a postal card on which a Detroit exchange advises exhibitors to the following effect; " 'Shadows' is playing the Broadway-Strand, Detroit. You can book 'The Shadows' at your own terms from us." Receipt of the card immediately started a storm of protest in exhibitor and exchange circles, all taking exceptions to such tactics. Phil (Jleichman of the Broadway-Strand condemned the exchange. "The Shadows" Is a picture made several years ago, starring Muriel Ostriche. J. Charles Davis, who Is now assistant to President W. E. Shallenbcrger of Arrow, directed the production. The Motion Picture Theatre O vners of Michigan have taken the above matter under advisement, and Business Manager H. M. Richey this week issued a statement warning theatre owners, adding the comment: "In fact, the two pictures are so dissimilar that 'The Shadows' is not even nearly enough like 'Shadows' to be a shadow of the feature that is being aistributed by Standard." Favorite Film Company has just announced the release of a series of twelve two-reel comedies and comedydrama subjects during the coming year. These are being made by a concern working in co-operation with the Woman's Home Journal, it is said. Tom Leonard's New Exchange ST. LOUIS — (Special) — Progress Pictures Corporation is the name of a new exchange organized by Tom Leonard of Pioneer Pictures Company of 3-135 Olive street. Leonard is president and general manager. The exchange will specialize in the handling of Arrow pictures, and alread.v has acquired territorial rights to the following: "Streets of New York," "Ten Xights in a Barroom," "Night Life in Hollywood," "Chain Lightning." "The Lone Horseman." "The Star Reporter," "Jacqueline," "The Innocent Cheat." "Western .Tustlce." "Blue Fox" serial, six new William Fairhanks Westerns and twelve Eddie Lyons comedies. The formation of the Theatre Owners' Distributing Corporation in Ch»cago did not come as a surprise to local Independents, who had lieen expecting such a move for some time. There Is a direct-exhibitor distributing exchange in this city and it Is meeting with fairly good success. Sam Werner is exploiting "Your Best Friend." the Warner picture which he bought last season. Sam held up release of this film until this season because of the Issuance last sp.Tson of the Paramount picture, "The Good Provider." starring Dore Davidson, who Is co-starred with Vera Gordon in "Your Best Friend." Everything taken Into consideration, the new season thus far has been fairly good for Independents, nlthouirh practically all the exhibitor demand has been" for the higher class productions. ever, this week word was given out that the exchange will double its floor space in the Film Building by taking over the former offices of the Nelson Productions. Inc.. on the sixth floor. This will give Standard a floor space of a.iidO square feet. Al Lichtman Exchange here Is now showing the third Preferred picture to exhibitors, A print of "Thorni and Orange Blossoms" was received several weeks ago. , Carl Souin, manager of Warner's jl Exchange, having spent Thanksgiving Day with his family In New York, u jilanniiig to spend Christmas in similar style also in the metropolis. W. B, Hurlbut of Favorite Film Company has completed his 11(23 lineup of productions and will announce , his uc<iuisition immediately after the j New Year, according to a statement | 111 g;ivi' out til the press this week. Standard Will Expand Operations DETROIT — (Speiiall— Business in 1!)22 was particularly t'ood for Stand ard Film Service Exchange here. The latter part of the year more than offset the slump experienced during the latter portion of 1922-23. when business was away below normal. How "Malcolm Strauss' p Salome" Popular The independent market has re . sponded with the greatest intere»t j 1\ to the announcement by Georgeji H. Wiley, Inc., that "Malcolnali Strauss' Salome," has been se-| cured for release in the State right field. The judgment of Mr. Strauss and his associates ii^ thus recognizing the growing xmMk » portance of the independent fieldV ' has been amply justified by th« number and variety of the inquiries received from every part of the country. Bobby North, oi Apollo Exchange, Inc., who ha* secured the exhibition rights for the production for the Greater New York and Northern New Jersey territory, announces that he is planning an "ad" drive. Unusual Dates Are Closed Due to the unusual business done by "Rich Men's Wives" at the Lafayette Square theatre, in Buffalo, the Grand and North Film Exchange, holders of the Al Lichtman franchise in Northern New York has placed the picture in the folowing theatres there: j . The Elmwood, Victoria, Cri-ll ll terion. Central Park, Capitol,'! Maxine, Rivoli, Plaza, Ellen Terry, Allendale, Circle, Jubilee. Columbia, New Ariel, Frontier, Emblem, Lovejoy, Broadway, Park, Little Hippodrome, Mar-^ lowe and Oriole. Here are three scenes from clever and bold exploitation stunts *ucce»sfully worked by Warner Brothers' »taff in conjunction with appearance of Wesley Barry in "Heroes of the Streets" at Stran d Theatre, New York, this week.