The Moving picture world (November 1925-December 1925)

644 MOVING PICTURE WORLD December 19, 1925 Laemmle Off to Names Stars C\RL LAEMMLE, president of Universal Pictures Corporation, sailed for Europe on the Leviathan on December 5. Accompanying him were Sigmund Moos, leasing manager at Universal City, California ; Hans Winter, inventor ; Henry Henigson, business manager at Universal City, and formerly supervising manager of Universal's exchanges in Europe; J. H. Ross, Mr. Laemmle's secretary ; Carl Laemmle, Jr., Miss Rosabelle Laemmle and her friend, Miss Estelle Cohen. Laemmle is going abroad to consummate a big international deal whereby through the loan of $3,600,000 to Ufa, the greatest of the producing, releasing and exhibiting companies of Germany he secures for Universal the entree to their 600 theatres, not only for Universal pictures but for nearly 100 other American-made productions. These are to be chosen by a committee composed of Ufa and Universal officials. The productions of all of the best American manufacturers are now eligible for entry into Germany through Laemmle's deal, whereas, before, 90 per cent, of them were excluded by the German government import law known as Kontingent. Through this same arrangement, Laemmle intends to exchange not only productions with Ufa, whose biggest pictures will be released through Universal in the future, but stars and directors as well. It is quite possible that Mary Philbin, Reginald Denny, Lon Chaney, Norman Kerry, Laura LaPlante, Virginia Valli, Louise Dresser and Jean Hersholt will make individual trips to the Ufa studios, and that stars like Emil Jannings, Werner Krauss, Lya de Putti, Zenia Desni, Lil Dagovar and Conrad Zeidt will be brought to Universal City, Cal., for Universal productions. Mae Murray sailed on the Majestic the same day to discuss the terms of her own contract with Ufa, which takes on an entirely new significance since the Ufa pictures are Sign with Ufa; to Be ''Swapped" to be released by Universal in America. Miss Murray was formerly a Universal star. Laemmle has also just consummated a tremendous theatre deal in this country whereby he has turned over the Universal theatres to the Universal Chain Theatres Corporation, which is just announcing a $7,000,000 issue of 8 per cent, preferred stock. The Universal chief will be abroad for eight or ten weeks. Tracy Laughs at Locomotives M' MASTBAUM REALTY COMPANY A $10,000,000 realty corporation has been organized by Jules E. Mastbaum, chartered as the Elrae Corporation but operating in Atlantic City as the Stanley Atlantic Realty Company. The company has already bought Atlantic City real estate worth over $3,000,000. IKE TRACY, owner of the Prin = cess Theatre, Storm Lake, lau, M 1 has been confined to his bed following^ I m a smash-up when a train struck his M I automobile, demolished it and rolled § 1 him around in the gravel and cinders. 1 M His friends consider him one of the S g most fortunate men in the world to be 1 1 alive, as he actually appeared to be 1 1 under the train a part of the time. 1 M The accident occurred just before M 1 his house was to have its formal open 3 i ing at Storm Lake. Friendly exchange g I representatives took charge of the 1 g opening and put it across in good M M shape. Mr. Tracy will be in bed for § S some time nursing a broken hip and S g numerous bruises. S illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllimlllllllllllllllllllU^^^^^^^^^ Puhlix Theatres Officials Qo South for District Meetings PUBLIX THEATRES, INC., has been incorporated in Albany, N. Y. It is the name of Famous Players and Balaban & Katz theatre company. Sam Katz is president. Paramount owns all the stock but Balaban & Katz will operate the business for a share of the profits. The new company's holdings are those of Paramount and Balaban & Katz, the latter's interest in B. & K. Midwest Theatres, Inc., the Lubliner & Trinz and the Kunsky houses. A party of home office executives of Publix Theatres Corporation will leave New York this w^eek for the South to attend two district conventions of the organization. The first of these conventions will open in Dallas on Monday and will last the greater part of two days. The other wil be held in Atlanta, opening Thursday. The purpose of these conventions is to acquaint the personnel of Publix Theatres with the aims and purposes of the organization. The various problems of theatre operation will be discussed, along with plans for the immediate future. The conventions will be attended by all the district and theatre managers and directors of publicity in the respective territories. The home office party will consist of Sam Dembow, Jr., head of the Buying and Booking Department ; Harry Marx and J. E. Mansfield, of the Department of Theatre Management ; A. M. Botsford, Director of Advertising and Publicity, and Nathaniel E. Finston, Director of Music. WELCOME HOME BANQUET TO DOROTHY GISH tendered by Inspiration Pictures, Inc., December 3. Hotel St. Regis, New York. Among the speakers were Walter Camp, Jr., president of the company, and Richard Barthelmess. J. Boyce Smith, general manager, was a humorous toastmaster.