The Billboard 1921-11-26: Vol 33 Iss 48 (1921-11-26)

NOVEMBER 26, 1921 The Bi llboard BIG STREET NEWS Grace Darmond is to support Gareth Hughes in a new picture, titled ‘‘Stay Home,”” Wanda Hawley is making personal tours to Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles, Cal The Bobby Vernons have welcomed a little stranger to their bungalow. Yes, it is a daughter, Allan Divan is about deciding to visit the Far East, and, perhaps, may make a production in India, The next picture starring Harry Carey will be titled “Man to Man.” It is a Jackson Greggory story. The late Robert Harron’s brother, John, wil! be in Metro’s next production for Viola Dana, titled “The Five-Dollar Baby.”’ George Walsh has just signed a contract with Universal. He is to start work immediately on a series of big feature productions. -——-_e “Floly Night,’’ which ig the first of a series of Biblical films, will be distributed thru the National Non-Theatrical Motion Picture, Inc. _—___ Marion Davies, who contracted pneumonia as a result of a badly neglected cold, passed the crisis on November 17, and her physicians now hold out hope for her ultimate recovery. J. J. McCarty has returned from Europe after a lengthy stay on the other side, He found things very quiet and nothing especially prosperous in the way of the pictures or screen theaters, House Peters has been engaged by Universal to appear in the oldtime stage drama, ‘‘Human Hearts,”"’ which has been adapted for the screen, King Baggott will direct the picture, which will be a Jewel feature. el On Saturday morning, November 19, the auditorlum of Wanamaker’s big store in New York City was crowded at a special showing of “Marionettes,"’ issued by the Eskay Harris Feature Film Company. ee George Randolph Chester @ short time ago resigned from the Vitagraph staff, and has row wrganized his own company. He proposes to complete two pictures a year. His new address is 516 Fifth avenue, New York City, —_-< Ivan Abramson is ready to supply the independent market with two productions. Rita Jolivet is starred in ‘“‘The Bride's Confession” and the other picture, titled ‘“‘The Fountain of Youth,”” is said to hold splendid entertainment value, ne Mare McDermott and his brilliant wife, Mariam Nesbit, are to sail for Spain to work on location In a production that is now being filmed by the Famous Players-Lasky Corp, This sterling character actor is best known for his remarkable performances in “‘When New York Sleeps” and ‘‘Footfalls,”” The good ship Aquitania brought over a number of celebrities connected with the screen world. In addition to the Adams party, there were listed the names of Sidney Garrett of the Inter-Globe Export Co,, J, C. Wainwright and John D. Tippett, all of London, ——) Ethel Clayton, the beautiful blond star, may be shaking the dust of these shores from her feet very shortly, as a contemplated jaunt thru Eurepe is about to be realized. It Js rumored that Miss Clayton's contract with Famous Players has expired and it is doubtful if it will be Tenewed. Time softens all things! Out in Los Angeles the American Legion was opposed to any German-made picture being shown In that city and placed its ultimatum on ‘“’The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,”” which was shown at Miller's Theater some months ago. Since then “Gypsy Blood’ has been presented at Tallys without trousing any undue resentment. Result—‘*The Caninet of Dr. Calfgari’’ is now being shown at Miller's and an indefinite run is expected. “Texas Jack’ Sullivan, a well-known figure of the screen, 1s working in territory adjacent to New York City. While on a tour with some of his pletures, he met with considerable sucfe and enthusiasm from movie fan admirers. In bis type of Western pictures he stands alone in this line of work. Recently he was invited by Commissioner Enright to give lessons in fast Pistol handling to the New York police school, He ts generally accepted as the quickest living pistol shot in this country, Mr. Sullivan appeared In person at many theaters showing bis pictures, ‘ Tr ~ WORLD'S LARGEST EXCLUSIVE AMUSEMENT TICKET rc uSTickEy 350 N. ASHLAND AVENUE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ROLL '@ BEST FOR TME LEAST MONTY TWENTY-SIX YEARS EXPERIENCE AT YOUR S{RVICE ; =r) FOLDED | J==mTICKETS QUICKEST DELIVERY CARNIVAL CORRECTNESS GUARANTEED JOSEPH SCHENCK TAKES OVER BRUNTON STUDIOS a Eastern Producer Heads Syndicate Purchase of Los Angeles Plant —Ten Companies Will Work in New Location Robert Brunton has disposed of his holdings, consisting of a large acreage and studio buildings in Los Angeles, or, more properly speaking, Hollywood, near Los Angeles, Cal., to an Eastern syndicate of which Joseph Schenck is the head, This transfer of the Brunton Studios, which are situated at 5341 Melrose avenue, having been established more than three years, will mean the expenditure of several million dollars each year, thus adding to the circulation of money in that section of California. It will also mean that all the production activities which Mr. Schenck controls will center in Los Angeles, instead of New York and other Eastern parts as heretofore, and that many stars and complete companies will be brought on to take part in the contemplated productions. Norma Talmadge, popular star and wife of Joseph Schenck, is now en route to Los Angeles, where she will continue work on her latest picture. Constance Talmadge also will be starred in some of the Schenck productions. Mr, Schenck is one of the leading independent producers, having a wide swath in the East, and his acquisition of the local property is looked upon in Hollywood as an advance in film productions there. She has been making her features there since she left the Lasky lot. Jackie Coogan is another who has worked in the Brunton studios. Other companies that have filmed their pictures on the Brunton lot include the Raoul Walsh Co. and the J. L. Frothingham Co. for ~— National. ITALIAN PRODUCTIONS FOR U. S. We are informed from reliable sources in Italy that a big spectacular picture based on the love tragedy of Dante and Beatrice and other scenes which in a spectacular manner describe the story of ‘‘Dante’s Inferno’’ has been filmed in Rome and will be brought to this country for presentation. It is rumored that the Count Montebello is the producer of the feature made in Rome, while another picture on the same subject has been constructed in Florence, Italy. CENTRAL THEATER SWITCHES According to advice from Universal Film Co. the Central Theater, New York, was subleased to the Mack Sennett Production Co. when Mabel Normand, starring in “Molly 0,’ opened on Sunday, November 20, for an indefinite run. After the engagement has expired ‘Foolish Wives’”” may be ready for its New York premiere and the theater will again revert to Universal, Pastor Protests Against Movie Pastor Protests Against Movie Ban} tures! hurting the churches. fined entertainments. in the churches. : + : At last the clergymen have come out in defense of the motion picIt remained for the Rev. Dr. Henry R. Rose, of the Church of the Redeemer, Universalist, a prominent clergyman, of Newark, N. J., « to announce his opposition to the movement of the Federation of Churches to enforce the Sunday closing laws with respect to the M. P. theaters. At a meeting which permitted Dr. Rose to lecture on this subject over 600 people were turned away, being unable to obtain admission. other things pertaining to motion pictures, Dr. Rose said: “This agitation against Sunday enjoyments is a mistake and is There is a distinct need for shows on the Sabbath if run in a clean, high-toned manner. heaval of the masses if they were not given this weekly opportunity to have their deeper life drawn out and at the same time to be given re “People go to movie pictures because they can’t get what they want The churches and the people are not apace. ple have grown away from the churches, and the churches, in not keeping up with the age, have receded from the people.” There is food for thought in the remarks of this preacher, who evidently has gotten at the root of existing conditions in his own calling as well as the troubles which beset the motion picture industry. Among There would be an up The peo Mr. Brunton, in discussing his future plans, issued the following statement: “It is impossible, at the present time, to enter into a full diseussion of the various details of the sale, but I feel warranted in saying that from the standpoint of value to Los Angeles the transaction is one of the most important of recent happenings in the motion picture business. ‘The assumption of control of the Brunton studios by this syndicate will mean the transfer of its extensive production activities from New York and the East to Southern California. “For some time past it bas been my desire to devote my energies to the actual production of pictures. But the supervision of as extensive a plant as the Brunton studios retarded my efforts in that field of the profession. With the new interests in control of the studios it will now be possible for me to continue along lines I have planned. “As soon as the deal for my interests has been completed, which I think should be some time next month, I plan to visit New York and London to arrange for producing on an extensive scale, I have under consideration a proposition to establish a big studio in the general vicinity of London for the purpose of making pictures in England and on the continent of Europe. I expect to consummate this deal during my absence. “It must not be understood, however, that this plan means my severance of relations with American production. Nothing is further from my thought or desire. One of the ideas is to arrange for picture making on such an extensive scale under my supervision as to admit of the various producing units being interchangeable between this country and abroad. “The headquarters of the company probably will be located {in London. The arrangement of this deal will require my presence abroad for several months."’ Mary Pickford {is one of the stars of the film world who has worked at the Brunton studios, CLEVER STUNT When Griffith's “Way Down East” film starteq its run at the Empire Theater in London, Eng., a@ very loquacious press man stirred up a tempest in a tea pot by stating that the great and only Griffith would play two kinds of pictures—one for the legitimate theaters and one for the cinemas. This immediately caused a howl from the provinces, as it was believed that the picture ‘“‘Way Down East’? would not be shown anywhere but at the London Empire. The dailies took up the matter an@ the controversy thus started secured reams of publicity in the London press. But after the excitement has subsided it was emphatically declareq that *“*Way Down East’? would be released to the regular picture houses after it had played engagements in the legitimate at regular theater prices in London. These same tactics were followed by “The Birth of a Nation’? film years ago, and show nothing new, only a clever method of arousing comment. FAMOUS PLAYERS-LASKY PAY DIVIDENDS At a meeting held November 14 the earnings of Famous Players-Lasky, including the earnings of the subsidiary companies which own ninety per cent or more, were made public by the directors. At the meeting the regular quarterly dividend, $2 a share on Common Stock, was declared payable on January 3 to stockholders of record December 15. The consolidated statement showed that the net operating profits were $4,186,637 for nine months, ending October 1, after deducting all charges and resources for Federal income, excess and profit tax. After allowing for a payment of dividends on Preferred Stock the foregoing earnings are at the annual rate of $$23.24 on the 206,849 shares of Common Stock outstand ing. SECTIONAL CONVENTIONS LISTED -_— Exhibitors To Gather in South and Later in New England Territory Late November and early December will bring together the exhibitors of North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. To be absolutely correct, the date of the big meeting to be held in the City Auditorium of Charlotte is November 29 to December 2. There will be a big exposition of motion pictures held in connection with the meeting at which producers and uers will be largely represented. Important matters pertaining to the interest of the exhibitors will be discussed before the convention. Following the Southern affair, New England will come to the fore by holding a Sectional Convention with theater owners coming frem Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New HampShire, Rhode Islang and Connecticut. ‘This meeting will take place at Boston on December 6 and 7. The Copley-Plaza Hotel will be the headquarters and it is expected that Sidney S. Cohen, president of the National Association of M. P. T. 0. A., and Senator James J. Walker will attend the meeting. NEW ORLEANS MEETING SUCCESSFUL November 14 and 15 the M. P. T. 0. of Louisiana and Mississippi held its conventiog at the Gruenewall Hotel. It was unanimously agreed that the old name of the association be abandoned and organized under a new title, which is the M. P. T. ©. of Louisiana and Mississippi, discarding the nome of the LouistanaMississippi Independent M. P. Theater Owners’ Association forever. Addresses were made by President A. J. Bethancourt and J. Eugene Pearce, who is a very prominent theater owner in New Orleans. Briefly summing up the most important business transacted it was agreed by all present that in order to make the organization successful it should have 100 per cent representation in the States of Louisiana and Mississippi. It was unanimously agreed that another meeting be held on December 5 and 6, when the exhibitors of Louisiana and Mississipp! will assemble at New Orleans for the purpose of passing by-laws, Tules, election of officers and an executive board and such other matters as may come up for the good of the exhibitors. FLICKERLESS LIGHT DIRECT FROM GENERATOR Steady, flickerless light is all important 4 you in the motion picture, carnival or business. The Universal 4-cylinder construction gives it —and more. The product of 22 years’ engine building experience. Tested on every continent of the globe and proved by hundreds of people fm your own profession. Specially efficient for motion picture work, either permanent or traveling. Also for circuses, carnivals and traveling ws. Write for elaborate Bulletin No. 30, UNIVERSAL MOTOR CO., Oshkosh, Wis, _Not connected with any other using the name Univer ———— ne 4-K. W. ELECTRIC PLANT foT HE MOVING PICTURE BUSINESS EARN BIG MONEY. rll Outfits sold on Easy Payments. Openings everywhere. Start NOW. MonarchTheatre SupplyCo No experience needed. Professional Machine and Complete a Dept. 700. So. Wabash CATALOG FREE TH OHICAGO, TLLe