The Moving picture world (January 1926-February 1926)

MOVING PICTURE WORLD 3 Hays Says Free Casting Bureau Is Great Plan Recognizes Only Most Competent Players "A great thing tor good actors and of no earthly use to bad actors," is the way Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America. described the Free Casting Bureau which has just been o)>ened in Hollywood by the Motion Picture Producers of California, Inc. Mr. Hays returned yesterday from a trip to L.os Angeles on business, which included the formal opening of the casting bureau. "This bureau Is operated by the producing organizations and eliminates commissions as high as 10 per cent, that all extra people were forced to pay in the past to agencies," said Mr. Hays. "This means that if a producing company uses a thousand extras on one particular day and pays them ten dollars each, the extras each get ten dollars, instead of nine, and the thousand dollar commission goes to the workers, not to the agents. "The Free Casting Bureau recognizes only competent extra people and makes every effort to see that they they get enough work so that they may live comfortable. This plan eliminates the "extra" who was not a real part of the motion picture industry. The California state officials and the .\ctors Equity .Association hav^' cooperated fully. "This Free Casting Bureau is only one of the many fine things that the California producers are doing to improve conditions on the coast." Californians Fete Max Graf Son Mateo, Cat., January 24. A state of feverish anticipation prevailed in San Mateo, Cal., and the adjoining township of Burlingame, awaiting the much heralded reopening of the magnificent Peninsula Studios. On January 20 the first scene was sTiot for the initial Max Graf production fon Altamont Pictures Corporation and the news spread like wildfire throughout the Peninsula district. The picturesque studio and grounds is the local community's pride and joy, and combined with the popularity of Max Graf, the event took on the aspect of a civic holiday. Under the direction of Jay Howe, the cast, including Billy Bletcher, Bessie True, Mark Hamilton, Tex Young, Al Calvez and "Outlaw Cassidy," participated in the first scene of "Westward Bo," the first comedy of the Max Graf western comedy series. Civic officials, leading cit'izens and a San Francisco delegation headed the well wishers. Contract Situation Considered By M. P. T. 0. A. Administrators Hays Tax Clause Condemned, and Contract Committee Urged to Insist on Other Changes THE Admini-^trative Committee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America met at National Headquarters, 745 Seventh Avenue, New York City, in a two-day session that started on the morning of January 26th and closed on the evening of January 27th. Those present included: A. Julian Brylawski and Fulton Brylawski, Washington, D. C. ; Sydney S. Cohen and Joseph M. Seider, New York; Jake Wells, Virginia: Harry Davis and M. J. O'Toole, Pennsylvania; Jack Harwood, Ohio and Tommy Goldberg, Maryland. The Committee devoted five hours to the contract situation. This body instructed the Committee on Contract and Arbitration to obtain a reduction in the numlier of days for whicli the distributor has to accept a contract because of the rapid facilities afforded by the air mail. The Administrative unit also condemned the tax clause as offered by Mr. Hays, because of its form and language. The Contract Committee was further instructed to insist upon a change in the percentage clause which would provide for a definite amount being paid by tlie exhibitor in the event the exhibitor does not ''lift'' a percentage picture. The provision now provides f6r the determining of the amount '.>y averaging the daily gross receipts during a period of thirty operating days, plus the sta*ed sum provided to be paid by the exhibitor. The Contract Committee's stand for a provision for a specific amount to reimburse the theatre owner in the event a distributor does not deliver a percentage picture, was also approved. The contract submitted to the industry by the national organization a few months ago, and now offered by the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce of New York to the Hays organization, was discussed. It was the unanimous opinion that the changes in this contract requested by the T. O. C. C. would nullify the spirit of the contract and be not in line witli the thought of its author. The Administrative Committee authorized President R. F. Woodhull to appoint committees for the National Convention in Los Angeles, in June. The social end of the convention has been left in the hands of National Director Glenn Harper. Tlie handling of this promises to be equally interesting in view of the fact that the Ambassador Hotel. Los Angeles, where the tonvention will be held, is surrounded by thirtyseven acres of ground, which will lie lavishly decorated for the occasion, according to tlie present pUi ns. $20,000,000 For L. and T. Houses (Thicago, February 4. Announcement naa made ye'iterday that LubUner and Trim will spend ?20,OOO.OOO on ne« theatres, this year. "We are looking forward to the biggest year In our history," said Erail Stem, Vice-President of the firm. A suggestion that the M. P. T. O. A. organize sub-headquarters throughout the country was referred to the Business Manager. At the same time Mr. Seider was authorized to notify State Presidents that Harry SigTnond, of the Tax Free Music Bureau, has arranged a schedule indicating when he will visit their organizations and acquaint them with the value of tax free music in connection wth their campaigTi against the amendments to the copyright law. Jake Wells was named as the contact ))oint between National Headquarters and his own State organization in the campaign which Virginia exhibitors are mapping out against a proposed 10 per cent State tax. Maiyland exhibitors petitioned the National organization to intercede tor them in connection with the use for motion picture purposes of armories and such State institutes, were referred to tlie Business Manager. Mr. Seider said he will write Maryland's Governor on this subject. John P. Harris, Pioneer, Dead {Continued from rage 1) field. He was associated with tlie most important figures in the vaudeville, photoplay and legitimate stage circles. Mr. Harri.x was vice-president of the Harry Ijavis Enterprises Company, and president of the Harris .\musement Company. The body was brought to this city on Thursday, January 28. All the Harris theatres were closed until after the funeral. These houses include The Harris. Palace. Sheridan Square and William Penn, all of Pittsburgh: Strand. Youngstown. O. ; Grand Opera House. Wilmington. Del.; Famil>-. Detroit, Mich.; and Harris, M< Keesport, Pa. The funeral services, held this morning, were marked by an outpouring of mourners seldom seen in Western Pennsylvania. I^eaders in political, religious, theatrical and business circles of city. State and nation, paid tribute to one of the Steel City's leading citizens by attending St. Philip's Church. Crafton. Among the noted persons present were: Governor Gifford Pinchot, of Pennsylvania: Mayor James J. Walker of New York City, and Secretary of Labor Davis. Butterfield Rejiorts New Theatre Project Detroit, January 30. \V. S. Butterfield has announced another new theatre project, this time for Kalamazoo, Mich, Butterfield now operate^ two theatres in the Celery' <'i',.y. but the new house is to be mucli larger and more modern than either one. U will cost $500,000 and will be ready tor opening in October. , His new theatre corporj. tion is to be capitalized at $5,000,000, accoiMiing to a report Jiis week from the offices of liie .Michigan theatrp magnate in D;troit The new corporation is an amalgamation of the various ButterHeld theatres, including some dozen or more minor organizations. It is understood that as far a.« the present is concerned no i)ublic offer of the securities will be made. New Censor on Job John H. Walrath, newly apIjointed memlier of the New York State Motion Picture Commission, began his duties this week, arriving in New York City on Tuesday. Henry M. Hobart Forms Company ( C o/itiii ttcd from f'o^^c I) f:orporatiiin. $10,000, Morris and Rose Goodman. Brooklyn; Samuel .Strausberg, Brooklyn; 235 West 4Glh St. Co., Inc., $"2,000, J. H. Mayer, Frances Ascher. Samuel Gilbert. New York City; Stanhope Bimberg Productions, Inc.. $15,000. Frederick Stanhop-. Pajl Minskoff, A. J. Bimberg, New York City; FitzerKenmore, Inc., Syracuse. .t50.00u, \ritchell, Kae and Max Fitzer. Syracuse: Crystal Palace Theatre, Inc., $100,000, Charles Oishei, B. C. Colegrove, James Quider, Buffalo; High Tide Producing Corporation. $20,000; M. J. Reilly, S. T. Nicholson, K. E. Heimburger. New York; Shelter Producing Company, Inc., $600. Barr.v MacoIIum. Therese Hynes, New York City; H. C. Ford. Rutherford, N. J.; ProductionDisplay Studio, Inc., with Colby Harriman, Meyer Machlis, Horace Sragow, New York City; .Spur Amusement Corporation. Richard Hildreth. Hose Batkin. William Kessler, New York City. Universal Leases Colony Universal has leased the Colony Theatre, New York City, for the next six months.