The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

530 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 12, 1925 Joseph Schendi Honored By Producers of California giiiiiiiiiniimiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHiiin^^^^^^^ In and Out of Town HONORED by the Association of Motion Picture Producers of California, Joseph M. Schenck, a dominant figure in the cinema industry, recently was presented with a large silver plaque by leaders of the organization. The producers' action was a complete surprise to Mr. Schenck, who in reply lauded the group's outstanding part in the campaign for better pictures. Charles H. Christie, present chief of the body, made the presentation speech, pointing out lhat Mr. Schenck, three times president of the association, has played a prominent part in establishing California's supremacy in an industry that now ranks as one of the leaders in America, exceeded in magnitude perhaps only by agriculture, steel and automotive. Upon the plaque was engraved: "To Joseph M. Schenck, three times distinguished by election to the office of president of the Association of Motion Picture Producers of California, Inc., from his associates, as a token of high regard, sincere affection and keen appreciation of the association." Those who attended the presentation ceremonies were Fred Kley, Robert Fairbanks, Victor H. Clarke, B. P. Fineman, John McCormick, Abraham Lehr, William R. Fraser, Warren Stone, Raymond L. Schrock, Henry Hennigson, E. H. Allen, Lou Goodstadt, M. C. Leeve, Walter K. Tuller and Fred W. Beeson. Mr. Schenck is the producer of the pictures starring Norma and Constance Talmadge and Buster Keaton, chairman of the United Artists directorate, president of the Security Trust and Savings Bank of Holly wood, a large owner of Los Angeles and Holywood real estate and a prominent figure in the business life of Southern California. GUARD AGAINST THEATRE FIRES With the coming of colder weather the danger from fire in theatres has become greater and the Chicago Fire Department officials are enforcing more strictly the rules for the operation of buildings used for public gatherings. Last week firemen extinguished a blaze on the stairway leading to the balcony of the Great Northern Theatre on Quincy street, and fire destroyed the Deluxe Theatre at Hammond last Friday night. This house seats 900 and belongs to the Kleighe circuit, of which J. L. MacCurdy is managing director. It is not known at present whether the house will be rebuilt or not. BRITISH REJECT PLAN In a referendum British exhibitors have rejected the productinn plan which requires an initial 10 per cent, of English pictures in all shows, effective January, 1927, and an increase to 25 per cent, by 1929. The vote was 679 to 609. About half of the members voted. Now it appears that the government plan will take precedence. 20,189 PICTURE THEATRES There are 20,189 picture theatres in the United States, according to a count completed by Will H. Hays. Annual paid admissions total over $700,000,000. The weekly attendance throughout the country is estimated at 55,000,000, while New York City's average weekly figure is 4,500,000. Ralph lieivis, star of many Emory Johnson-F. B. O. sncceso^H, Is in New York for the first time In several years. He will make one picture here. Mrs. Lewis and he are staying at the Plaza. N. L. Nathanson of the FWimons Players Canadian Corporation is In New York. Esther Rnlston, actress, has left New York for Hollywood to appear in "The Blind Goddess." David A. O'SIalley, bosiness manager of C. B. C, is back from Boston. Major Alexander Gran of Ufa, Berlin, has sailed for Germany. He visited Hollywood to learn American produeingr methods. Lincoln Stednuin has returned from a hantIng trip in the Imperial Valley. Nicholas M. Schenck and J. Robert Rnbin are back from Hollytvood where they discassed the planned United Artists-MetroGoldwyn-Mayer distribution merger. Victor Heerman has gone to the West Coast. Alice Terry is in New York. Harry Sherman, Short Films Syndicate salca representative, is on a sales trip. Dorothy Gish has returned from abroad. Peter L. Shamray, production manager and laboratory superintendent of H. C. Weaver Productions of Tacoma. has ended a month's visit in New York. William R. Rash, vice-president of the same company, is on a business visit here. Vice-President John C. Fllnn of Producers Distributing Corporation has retnmed from Hollywood. Dallas Fitzgerald is here with a print of the Arrow picture, ''My Lady of Whims," which he produced and directed. BARTLETT JOINS F. B. O. R. K. Bartlett, one of the veterans of the motion picture industry, has joined F.B.O. as sales promotion director to replace Al Boasberg, who recently left for Hollywood as gag man for Buster Keaton. JOSEPH M. SCHENCK, THREE TIMES PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS OF CALIFORNIA, INC., and one of the dominant figures in the industry, is shown here receiving a silver plaque presented to him by the organization at a recent meeting in Hollywood. Charles M. Christie, now head of this group, made the presentation speech, and lauded Mr. Schenck's services in behalf of the whole industry. A reproduction of the silver plaque is shown at the right.