The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

November 28, 1925 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 321 Board Qives Showman Right to New Swanson for One Cancelled Film Men Speculating Walker^s Successor at State Capitol THE State Capitol at Albany, with knowledge of important picture measures that will be introduced in the New York State Legislature in January, is already speculating as to the successor of James J. Walker in the State Senate, minority leader the past year and long champion of the industry. There is some talk that Senator Bernard Downing of New York City may become minority leader in the Upper House, while others declare that the long friendship between Mr. Downing and Mr. Walker will result in the latter offering Senator Downing a handsome berth in New York City politics when he becomes mayor. It was Jimmy Walker's ofifice on the third floor of the Capitol that was always headquarters for the exhibitor and the producer whenever they came to Albany. In years past it was Senator Walker who worked with Sydney S. Cohen, Charles L. O'Reilly, Samuel Berman and others in devising the means that brought about the defeat year after year of censorship, and many other obnoxious bills. When the censorship measure finally did pass, it was only after one of the greatest fights in Senator Walker's career and at a time when he was leading the minority forces. ^^Silent Mariner** (Continued from page 313) behind them, these men are inspired with the high enthusiasm for this feature that fills the entire organization. James R. Grainger, General Sales Manager of Fox Film Corporation, announced the plan and scope of the campaign prior to his departure last week for Los Angeles, by boat via New Orleans, when he stated that for two months every department in Fox Films has been extended to its utmost, working day and night to give showmen everything possible in the way of selling "The Ancient Mariner" to the public. Bookings Heavy "The Fox branch managers are being deluged with bookings," Mr. Grainger said, "and although this is a situation that calls for the highest kind of organization, all exhibitors who wish to date in the picture will be able to do so. The number of prints has been increased, so that we can take care of everybody. "It seldom happens that any organization concentrates all qf its energy on a production as Fox Films have in this instance. We have got the goods. We believe that every theatre owner and every patron will want to see 'The Ancient Mariner.' And we are reaching out for a public that seldom, if ever, sees pictures. "We've shot the whole works and we are confident of the results." Eye Unsell prepared the scenario for Director Henry Otto and his production associate, Chester Bennett. The cast includes Leslie Fenton, Clara Bow, Earle Williams, Nigel DeBrulier, Paul Panzer, Gladys Brockwell and Vivian Oakland. Everything about the picture, down to the minutest detail, is in thorough keeping with all that has been claimed for it in the way of a magnificently lavish production. THE Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New Jersey scored this week one of their greatest victories in the court of arbitration when the Philadelphia Film Board of Trade on Tuesday decided for them in a test on exhibitor contractural rights regarding the Famous Players-Lasky picture "Conquered." The Philadelphia board's ruling establishes a precedent upon which exhibitors can obtain the release and delivery to them of the next Swanson picture produced or released by Famous Players-Lasky without paying an increased price, according to the M. P. T. O. A. The decision establishes that it was not the picture "Conquered" which induced the exhibiter in this test case, I. M. Hirschblond, of the Tracco Theatre, Toms River, N. J., to buy the Paramount output. On the contrary, it specifically relates that it was the magnitude of the star, Gloria Swanson, which was chiefly instrumental in getting Hirschblond's signature to the contract. The decision thus substantiates the contention of Joseph M. Seider, business manager of the M. P. T. O. A., who vigorously prosecuted the action after procuring and making a thorough study of the evidence. Lender the terms of the Philadelphia board's verdict, Famous Players-Lasky must delive^ the next picture which Miss Swanson makes for that company. This does not mean any picture which the star has already made and wliich has not been generally released, hut any feature which may be made with Miss Swanson in the starring role in lieu of "Conquered," production plans for which were recently abandoned and the release from delivery sought by Famous Players. Mr. Seider could not personally attend the hearing because of an urgent meeting of the administrative committee of the M. P. T. O. A., attended by men who had traveled great distances. He assigned his personal representative, Leon Rosenblatt, and Norman Samuelson, counsel for the M. P. T. O., New Jersey, to appear before the Philadelphia board. Commenting upon the decision, Mr. Seider declared : "The entire procedure and the verdict is the greatest emulation of the principle of arbitration when fairly conducted. It will be recalled that the Philadelphia Film Board of Trade offered to us the right to select our own exhibitor arbitrators. Because of this offer we were convinced of the sincerity of the Philadelphia board, and instead presented the case before their usual board. This vouches for the fairness of the verdict, and as business manager of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, it is my hope that this will settle the matter for the country and that Famous Players will release the next Gloria Swanson picture that they produce, or release, to contract holders of the picture 'Conquered' at the present contract price, and further, that they will release all those present contract holders who so desire it, from the playing of the picture 'Conquered' if produced with another star." St. Louis Second-Run Chain Organized hy Wm. Qoldman FORMATION of a new company to operate a chain of second-run motion picture houses has been announced by William Goldman, owner of the Kings, Queens and Rivoli theatres of St. Louis, Mo. At the same time Goldman made public the closing of leases on Freund Brothers' Woodland and Kingsland theatres on Gravois avenue and a large airdome adjoining the Woodland. These leases become effective on November 2\. Goldman also stated that he will spend approximately $50,000 for a l,S0O-seat airdome next to the Kingsland Theatre, that he has asquired a lot on Hodiamont avenue just south of Easton avenue on which he will erect a 2,000-seat theatre and he also contemplates the immediate construction of a l,50()-seat house on Union boulevard near St. Louis. He purchased the latter site many months ago. As was revealed earlier in the year, Goldman has secured a lease on the Union Theatre property at Union boulevard and Easton avenue which becomes effective in 1927. He also lists a half interest in the Congress Theatre on Olive street as among his assets. He is now negotiating for several other houses in St. Louis and vicinity, and stated that he plans to build in neighborhood centers in which he cannot purchase a desirable house. The name of his new corporation and its capitalization has not been decided. Goldman stated that his acquisition of second-run houses will not disturb his first-run booking arrangements with Skouras Brothers. As is known, a large national producerdistributor is negotiating with St. Louis financial interests with a view of securing a suitable first-run outlet for his pictures in St. Louis. This deal is said to involve the acquisition or erection of some twenty-five to thirty-fiive theatres in St. Louis and vicinity. During the past week the St. Louis Amusement Company closed a deal whereby the Ozark Theatre of Webster Groves, Mo., will secure pictures through the KoplarSkouras chain. Previously the St. Louis Amusement Company had added eight leading neighborhood and suburban theatres to its string. The Embassy Amusement Company, which now controls six leading houses and contemplates the erection of two others, has negotiations underway which will add two or three more houses to its holdings within the next few weeks.. These mergers of exhibition interests in the Mound City indicates that the day of the strictly independent house locally is passing. For many years St. Louis has been known as a chain-booking city, but this phase of picturcdom was not so marked heretofore as now. A survey of the local theatres reveals that a few operating companies control all of the desirable houses. Loew's State, the Delmonte and Wellston are the only large theatres here that are not now held by some chain.