The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jan-Feb 1923)

4 | THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. February 24, 1923. By the Way: A Weekly Causerie on Trade Topics. Fight for Vice-Presidency. et ee oe y Y the time these lines appear in print most of the ballot papers will have been returned to headquarters in connection with the viee-presidency of the C.H.A. The fight, which has been conducted in an admirable spirit by each participant, looks like resulting in a majority for Mr. J. H. Dovener. Liverpool will certainly go solid for him, whilst the Newcastle Branch will also give their utmost support for his election. The London Branch of the C.E.A., who also nominated Mr. Dovener, is a somewhat doubtful entity, as’ since Mr. F. E..Adamg has come forward as a candidate there are a large number of exhibitors in this. branch who will undoubtedly poll their votes for his return. From all tne information I have it would appear that Mr. Dovener is fairly certain to be returned by a narrow majority, but as I have previously remarked, it is quite on the cards that Mr. F. E. Adams will get in on a split vote. The chances of Mr. T. Herbert-Kaye do not appear tv be particularly rosy, and with three good men to choose from it is difficult for members of the C.E.A. to make up their minds. However, I hope that everyone will at least record their vote, and vote for the best man. The C.E.A. is in need of a strong vice-president, and it should not be left for the President to shoulder every _ burden. He should have a man working with him whos can take some of the responsibilities off his shoulders Therefore, it is important at this juncture in the history of the Association. that there should be a president and vice-president who can safely steer the ship through troubled waters. Chances of Dovener. N Mr. A. J. Gale there will be at the head of affairs a man. of indomitable will, who can safely be relivd upon to carefully guide the Association on its best course, and if Mr. J. H. Dovener is returned he wiil have as an aide-de-camp a.shrewd and solid man of business who can be trusted not to let the Association down and who will at all times be ready to do his share in putting forward their claims in a businesslike manner. It is a pity that there are three contestants for the vicepresidency, as each and every one is worthy of support. but I think it will be universally agreed that Devener is essentially the safer man. ; Two Important Resignations. ELDOM has there been a week in which rumour was so circulated as during the past few days. In the case of two of the principals concerned, rumour has not proved a lying jade. The news that we exclusively gave to the trade last. week, that Mr. Walter Wanger had severed his connection with the Regent, Brighton, and Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, was followed immediately by the announcement that Mr. Leonard Denham, the well-known Leeds showman, had also severed his connection with the Majestic, Leeds. I understand in both cases the resignation was purely as a result of difference of policy, neither of these two eminent showmen agreeing with the decision of their boards of directors. .In the case of Mr. Wanger, I understand, a law suit is pending, so nothing further can be said on the subject, as the issue is almost certain to be fought out in the law courts. With Mr. Denham’s retirement the future of the Majestic will, undoubtedly, be watehed with increased interest. There is no doubt that under his direction this fine kinema has had a phenomenal success, and it will beof equal interest to see what Mr. Denham turns his hand to in-the near future. He has, of course, a predominating interest in that exceedingly well managed concern, The Lounge, Headingley, but I anticipate hearing very early that he has taken on some other proposition in the show business. Rumour of Collapse. UMOUR has also been very busy concerning the R position of Associated First National Pictures in America, and all kinds of statements have been circulated to the effect that this company had collapsed. When I looked in to see Mr. Ralph J. Pugh, their managing director in this country, the other day, he gave an emphatic denial to all the idle talk that was in circulation. Mr. Pugh had himself heard many of the rumours, which he described as the purest imagination, so there the matter rests. Schenck’s Activities. ae R. JOSEPH M. SCHENCK appears to have been M yemarkably busy during the past few days, for : I see that he has bought a 20 per cent. interest in West Coast Theatres of America, and also acquired a controlling interest in United Studios at Hollywood. Schenck is. also reported to have approached Rudolph Valentino to co-star with Norma Talmadge in ‘‘ Romeo and Juliet,’’ and it can easily be imagined what a great picture this would make. At the moment of writing, nothing definitely appears to have been settled. Here, _again, another rumour is prevalent to the effect that the future Talmadge films will be marketed by Sir William Jury, but nothing could be ascertained at Sir William’s offices, neither does Mr. Pugh know of any such arrangement. Pitcairn Back at New Gallery... .° ROVINCIAL CINEMATOGRAPH THEATRES are ‘to be congratulated upon the reappointment of Mr. A. Pitcairn as manager of the New Gallery Kinema in Regent Street.. Mr. Pitcairn was associated with this theatre from its inception, and under his management the theatre enjoyed a very prosperous eareer, and I: have no doubt whatever that now this shrewd and popular manager has been re-engaged the New Gallery will again be in the forefront of West End picture houses. Mr. Pitcaim was always exceedingly popular, is a fine judge of a picture, and certainly knows how to run a West End picture house. His many friends inthe trade will not only welcome him back again, but wish him the greatest success in his new svhere of activity. German Pictures. =. SEE that Mr. Andrews, of Walsall, has been expressing himself at some length on the question of the showing of German pictures, protesting that in his district there would be considerable opposition from the public if they are even shown. I think this gentleman takes himself a little too seriously, and I.really would like to know what authority he has for supposing that the inhabitants of Walsall. would act any different from Manchester, Brighton, and, indeed, every other section