The Moving picture world (January 1924-February 1924)

January 5, 1924 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 31 Loew Visits Los Angeles to View Coming Metro Pictures MARCUS LOEW, president of Metro Pictures Corporation, reached Los Angeles for his annual visit to the Metro studios on the coast and his other extensive theatrical interests in Southern California. He remained on the coast only long enough to speed back to the East in time to spend Christmas with his family. One of the purposes of Mr. Loew's annual visit to the Coast was to view the forthcoming Metro productions that have been or are being completed at this time. Thus among the Metro 1923-1924 productions that Mr. Loew has viewed are "The Man Life Passed By," which Victor Schertzinger recently completed; Fred Niblo's new production, "Thy Name is Woman" ; Reginald Barker's latest production, "Women Who Wait"; "The Fool's Awakening," which Harold Shaw is now completing as a Metro version of William J. Locke's novel, "The Tale of Triona;" "The Good Bad Girl," Viola Dana's latest Metro starring picture; "Happiness," starring Laurette Taylor in J. Hartley Manners' great stage play in which she was famous for many years, and several other productions that have been projected. Mr. Loew has also been in conferences with Metro stars and the Metro executive force in charge of production. Among these were Mae Murray, Buster Keaton, Jack Coogan, Sr., and Directors Fred Niblo, Reginald Barker, Harold Shaw, Oscar Apfel, Victor Schertzinger, Robert Z. Leonard and King Vidor. Mr. Loew was accompanied on his trip west by J. Robert Rubin, secretary of Metro Pictures Corporation and its attorney. Tax Repeal Is Keynote of North Carolina Convention COLONEL HENRY B. VARNER, elected president of the North Carolina M. P. T. O. last June as successor to Percy W. Wells, held his first convention at the Robert E. Lee Hotel, WinstonSalem, North Carolina, on Wednesday, December 19. This was the regular semi-annual meeting of the state exhibitor organization. It is said that this was one of the most largely constructive meetings of the North Carolina theatre owners in the history of the organization. "Jimmie" Estridge of Gastonia also officiated as secretary and treasurer and gave the first accounting of his stewardship since his election last summer. North Carolina put itself squarely behind the movement for the abolishment of the admission and seating taxes and appointed a committee headed by Colonel Varner, with Attorney A. F. Sams and one other member to be chosen by Mr. Varner. They will go to Washington at the expense of the state organization to offer their services Run Is Extended "Why Worry" will continue at the Roosevelt, Chicago, throughout New Year's Week. The extension of this comedy's engagement at the big Chicago theatre by Balaban and Katz is indicative of the favor with which this production has met in the Windy City during the past three weeks. The extended run of "Why Worry" at the Roosevelt follows the presentation of this new feature comedy, starring Harold Lloyd, Pathe's master comedian, at theatres in prominent key-cities throughout the country. in behalf of the industry in putting over a repeal measure. Colonel Varner is already a member of the committee of six appointed by Will H. Hays, and has attended several conferences, the details of which he divulged to the convention delegates. The convention passed a resolution commending Will H. Hays for his efforts in behalf of all branches of the industry. Official report was made of the settlement, effected in Charlotte a month ago, with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for all theatres in the state. The convention approved the action of the board of directors and ordered the secretary to finally and formally confirm and effect settlement with the society upon the basis agreed upon, effective as of December 1, to continue for one year with option of renewal for on eyear at the discretion of the theatre owners. The matter of reciprocal insurance for theatres was gone into thoroughly by the insurance committee. The convention went on record in favor of the plan as operated by the Theatre Inter-Insurance Exchange. Another matter taken up was the inauguration of a membership campaign by which the state will be zoned and one exhibitor in each zone will be entrusted with the task of bringing into the organization each nonmember in his vicinity. Secretary Estridge will be in charge of this drive. Theatre owners may become members and pay their annual dues either by the projection of a slide on their screen or by remitting fifty dollars. It was voted to hold next summer's annual convention at Morehead City, North Carolina. Ginsberg Back in N. Y. Henry Ginsberg, newly appointed head of Preferred Pictures' selling staff, following the resignation of Al Lichtman, has returned to New York after visiting the exchanges of Preferred Pictures. INDEPENDENT EXCHANGES FRANKLYN FARNUM IN Is the First of a Series of EIGHT "Somewhat Different" WESTERNS Now Being Produced by INDEPENDENT PICTURES CORP. for the Independent Market The following exchanges were wise in securing this series: Greiver Productions for Northern Illinois and Indiana. Kerman Films, Inc., for Greater New York and Northern New Jersey. Eltabran Film Co. for Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. R. D. Lewis Film Co., for Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Progress Pictures, Inc., for Delaware, Maryland, District of Columbia and Virginia. Columbia Film Service, Inc., for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Liberty Films, Inc., for Iowa and Nebraska. Capital Film Exchange for Eastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. Progress Pictures Co. for Ohio and Kentucky, Write— Wire— Call INDEPENDENT PICTURES CORP. JESSE J. GOLDBURG, President 1540 Broadway New York City Phone: Bryant 6884