The Moving picture world (May 1924-June 1924)

730 MOVING PICTURE WORLD June 21, 1924 T. 0. C. C. Hears OToole National Heal Tells N. Y. Group of Power of "Home Touch" "The Home Touch," National President M. J. OToole told members of the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce, Greater New York exhibitor organization, at their meeting this week, "is the greatest means of efficiency in legislative centers." President OToole, who was accompanied to the meeting by former president Sydney S. Cohen, was given a great ovation by the exhibitors. The major portion of routine business was suspended in deference to the guests who were the chief attractions of the afternoon. "The exhibitor who lives in the congressman's neighborhood is the man who can exert the most influence when it comes to getting action from that district. The outside agencies mean very little," he declared. OToole was marked in his praise for the local organization, saying that the good it is accomplishing is reflective in similar units throughout the country. Abramson With Chadwick Max Abramson, title-writer an scenario editor, who recently was brought to New York from Hollywood for the purpose of titling and editing Ivan Abramson's latest production for Chadwick Pictures Corporation, "I Am the Man," has also been engaged to title and edit "The Painted Flapper," a Gorman production recently completed on the West Coast for the Chadwick organization. Baby Ott Signed Jackie Ott, 5 years old, has been signed for a part in "Born Rich," to be distributed by First National Pictures, Inc. Hubbell With Dempsey Edwin Hubbell, Wampas "baby startlet" of 1924, has been selected for a role with Jack Dempsey in one of the Universal productions under his ten-picture starring contract. Erie Kenton, director of the Gump comedies, is guiding the filming. Lauds "Cytherea" Joseph Hergesheimer, whose story of "Cytherea" was filmed by Samuel Goldwyn with Geocge Fitzmaurice directing under the title of "Cytherea — Goddess of Love," has written Mr. Goldwyn expressing his delight with the result. Cohn on Way West Jack Cohn of C. B. C. Film Sales Corp., and also chairman of two committees of the I. M. P. P. D. A., has left for the West Coast to remain several months. In addition to directing the membership and advertising committees he has frequently looked after the work of those committees on which Joe Brandt acted when the latter was absent from New York. Has First One Ready Al Herman has completed the first of the series of Century comedies depicting American home life in which Waunda Wiley, Centurv's new star, will be featured with Harry McCoy and Al Alt. The title is "His Friend's Wife." Western's Title Changed Second cf Series of Buddy Roosevelt's Called "Battling Buddy" The second of the series of eight western thrill-stunt dramas starring Buddy Roosevelt has been completed by Lester F. Scott, Jr., and the negative has been shipped from Los Angeles to New York to Weiss Brothers' Artclass Pictures Corporation, the distributor of the pictures. It is called "Battling Buddy" and is said to give "Rough Ridin'," the first of the series, severe competition in the way of thrills and daredevil horsemanship performed by the star, Buddy Roosevelt. The second Buddy Roosevelt was first called "A Battling Buckaroo" and so announced, but the title was changed to "Battling Buddy" when it was learned another picture was carrying the other name. Louis Weiss, Artclass executive, reports negotiations are on for several new territorial sales which it is expected will be closed this week. Max Weiss in Detroit Negotiations are on for an extended run of "After Six Days" at the Shubert Detroit Opera House, Detroit, Mich., with the deal due for consummation this week. The Shubert Detroit plays legitimate stage theatrical attractions of the first grade only as a regular policy. Max Weiss, president of Weiss Brothers' Artclass Pictures Corporation, which controls "After Six Days," is in Detroit this week in connection with the negotiations for the run of the picture in that city. Will Film "Great Divide" Reginald Barker will film "The Great Divide," adapted by Waldemar Young from the play by William Vaugh Moody, on an elaborate scale for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, according to an announcement from Irving Thalberg, assistant to Louis B. Mayer, vicepresident in charge of production. Arrangements are now being made to photograph the majority of the big scenes on location in Arizona. Four Banner Films Banner Productions, Inc., has closed a contract with Ben Verschleiser, formerly general manager of the Grand Asher studios, for four feature productions to be made on the West Coast. The first of the series, which is in production, is Evelyn Campbell's Cosmoplitan Magazine story, "Empty Hearts," under the direction of Al Santelle. Changes in Personnel Tom Bailey, formerly Paramount branch manager at Portland, Ore., has been appointed branch manager at San Francisco, succeeding O. B. Traggardh, who will shortly assume an important executive position in another department of the Paramount organization. H. Neal East, formerly salesman at Portland, has been appointed branch manager succeeding Bailey. Frey Meyers, formerly sales manager at the Washington exchange, has been appointed branch manager at Wilkes Barre, succeeding E. W. Sweigert, resigned. Exhibitors ! Don't fail to send all the Reports you can for Publication in Our "Straight From the Shoulder Department." His Trouble With Films Post Office Wants Shippers to Use Labels of Department The Post Office Department continues to experience trouble in handling film shipments, due in large part to the failure of patrons to use address labels which are properly arranged and their failure to remove the previously used postage stamps and address labels when the parcels arc remailed. The department, at the request of the moving picture industry, from time to time has issued instructions to postmasters to give the best service possible to film shipments, to handle them promptly, stamp thereon the hour of mailing, if such stamps are used at the post office, and, if not accepted by the addressee to return the parcel immediately, if a request to that effect appears thereon. In order that this service may be given, however, it is pointed out, it is essential that patrons of the mails use the labels suggested by the department. These labels are approximately four by six inches in size. In the upper left hand corner should appear the name and address of the sender together with any request for prompt return of unaccepted matter and a guarantee of return postage. In the lower left hand corner, in bold-faced type, should be printed the words "Important. Theatrical Matter" and over the address of the label, in similar type could appear the words "Motion picture films." The address label and used stamps should be removed when a parcel is remailed, but the caution label required on such shipments need not be removed so long as it is in good condition. Jackie Busy Again Jackie Coogan's new Metro-Goldwyn picture, "Little Robinson Crusoe," is in production on the West Coast under the direction of Scott Dunlap, working under the personal supervision of Jack Coogan, Sr., according to advices from Louis B. Mayer, vice-president in charge of production. "Little Robinson Crusoe" is the story written especially for Jackie by Willard Mack. The cast includes Tom Santschi, Will Walling, C. H. Wilson, Bert Sprotte, Eddie Boland and James Wong, uncle of the popular Oriental screen beauty, Anna May Wong. Warner's Foreign Deal One of the most important Warner Bros, distribution deals for territory outside of the United States was closed this week when Col. A. C. Bromhead, chairman and managing director of Gaumont, Ltd., of London, completed negotiations with th« Warner Bros, through Albert Warner, whereby the Gaumont Company will handle the forthcoming 1924-25 program of twenty bigger and better productions from the Warner Studios for the United Kingdom. Signs Beverly Bayne Beverly Bayne will return to the silent drama as the feminine lead in "Her Marriage Vow," which the Warner Brothers are making. She will appear opposite Monte Blue.