Variety (March 1909)

VARIETY 13 FOREIGN FILM COMBINATION OFFERS M UCH IMPRO VED TERMS Agrees to Extend the Time in Which Leased Films May Be Returned from Four to Six Months. (Special Cable to Variety.) Paris, March 3. The opposition of the rental exchange men to the harsh terms of the newly organized association of European film manufacturers has born fruit. It was announced yesterday that the leasing term for new reels had been extended two months. The original requirements were that all films must be returned to the maker without refund upon the expira- tion of four months. The new leasing period is six months, the same as the terms of the Patents Co. Although the convention is now a month past there are still a considerable number of renters who are holding out from signing the required agreement, and the indications that some will continue to play shy until the last moment even if they do not refuse to sign the agreement altogether. CONVENTION LEAVES HUDDLE. Paris, Feb. 22. Although it was agreed at the recent conference that the moving picture film manufacturers would combine and there- upon voted that the price should be 1.25 fr. ]>er metre (roughly 24 cents per yard), certain firms have not yet bound them- selves to this decision by signing the con- tract. On Feb. 5 a week was to be ac- corded to those firms that had to consult their boards of directors (or any other reason for delay) which was later ex- tended to a fortnight, but there are still eome who have not given this final signa- ture, and it is probable that a few never will. The new arrangement was to commence March 1, but in view of the hesitation shown it has now been decided to post- pone the date to the middle of March— and there is nothing to show that it will not be again indefinitely put off. The renters are far from pleased at the action of the congress, and open rebellion wns shown when it was generally known that the films will still be returnable at the end of four months, without any re- fund whatever beyond a discount of two per cent, for cash payments. A meeting was held Feb. 15 to air the grievances. It was decided then to wait in order to see whether all the manufac- turers represented at the congress will ultimately adhere to the vote by giving their signature. According to the intentions of the manufacturers they will practically only rent their films, and the people who de- cline to return the pictures will be sued as having broken a commercial contract, and moreover will not be supplied with any further films. This way of doing business can evidently be enforced if all the manufacturers combine by giving their signature. Some of the smaller con- cerns feel that they will be the dupes of their bigger brothers. The Kinematograph Manufacturers' As- sociation has announced the change in London; that it is the intention to lease films only, to be* returnable at the end of sixteen weeks, and to discontinue in future selling goods outright. Opposition to this arrangement is likewise expected on the part of English exhibitors. The renters, at the meeting Feb. 15, de- cided to compile a list of bad payers, to whom they sub-let films. MANHATTAN LEASE SUNNING OUT. The lease of the Manhattan Theatre, New York, expires on May 1. William J. Gane, the manager, is not positive of a renewal. The Hudson Tunnels have the property, and may require it for a station. Mr. Gane has operated the house for the past two years under a sixty-day-notioe* of-vacation clause in the rental agree- ment. The Gimbels, of Philadelphia, are in liti- gation over the corner adjoining the Man- hattan for a large department store site, and the ultimate outcome of this may af- fect Mr. Gane's tenancy. He expects to become a monthly tenant upon the ex- piration of the present lease. The Manhattan is one of the first and most successful theatres in this country to play moving pictures. Mr. Gane has always been in the van of progressiveness in the entertainment. Besides one of the biggest money makers in the picture business as an ex- hibitor, the Manhattan about leads in the list of well-conducted theatres of this class. It is said the house has netted its pro- moters as a picture place over $140,000 since commencing with the film policy. Plans afoot may place another location in New York at Mr. Gane's disposal with- in a short time. INAUGURATION SCENES TAKEN. According to agreement moving pictures of the inauguration ceremonies in Wash- ington on Thursday should be delivered to the large exhibitors in New York to-day (Saturday). William J. Gane will be the first to exhibit them at his Manhattan Theatre. Later in the day the vaudeville houses may show them. EXHIBIT IN ST. LOUIS. St. Louis, March 4. The independent film exhibitors have organized in St. Louis, and Tuesday morn- ing at the Gem Theatre, Will G. Baker, of the Warwick Trading Company, and Charles Roberts, of Roberts & Raleigh, Paris, presented samples of the twenty- one independent foreign manufacturers, the American output of which is con- trolled by the International Projecting and Producing Company. Many picture show proprietors and managers attended. The Jackson Amusement Co., Louisville. Ky., incorporated for $20,000 to operate moving picture theatres. The incorpo- rators are Albert Lennhardt, Clarence Mc- Donald and Harry A. Franz. SWANSON WITH INDEPENDENTS. Chicago, March 4. On or about March 12, William H. Swanson & Co. will be officially declared out of the Blograph-Edison combination. He has joined the ranks of the Inde- pendents. INDEPENDENT FILM RELEASE DATES. Maurice Boom, who owns several mov- ing picture theatres in New York and has a number of other theatrical enterprises, is the silent partner in the firm of Harstn & Co., the eastern representatives of the International Projecting and Producing Co., the J. J. Murdock company in Chi- cago, opposing the Edison-Biograph Asso- ciation of Manufacturers. It is understood that Mr. Boom brought a considerable amount of capital into the New York branch concern. The Independents declared this week that there were about 200,000 feet of positive film in transit from London to New York, and that it would probably be released from the New York customs house in time to be released for exhibition by Monday next. There is a possibility that the clearance of the material may be held up and the release day set back forty-eight hours, but it is reasonably probable that it will be available for use by March 10. Representatives of the International have stated that there were no active negotiations in progress looking to a mu- tual arrangement of the International and the Columbia Phonograph Co., which also propose to market positive films, but ad- mitted that there was every probability there would ultimately be some sort of agreement between the two. ACCUSED OF ARSON. New Orleans, March 4. Yesterday the Empire Theatre, a picture house on Canal Street, was completely de- stroyed by fire! C. A. McAllister, the pro- prietor, was arrested on the charge of hav- ing started the blaze. Leo Largman has leased the property at 1602 Wash Street, St. Louis, and will erect a $10,000 moving picture theatre. A new moving picture theatre is being built at 1572 W. 12th Street, Chicago, costing $5,000. "Stirring Days in Old Virginia." Chicago. A war picture from the Selig plant. The story is supposed to be laid in Virginia during March and April in 18(ir>. and is historically correct. The chief interest centers pliout the Civil War with its prim realities and incidents. (.Jrant and Lee are the moving spirits. Captain Warren, an- other important figure, is trusted with se- cret missions. The Unionists, under Gen- eral Logan, are encamped on tin; Warren plantation. Mrs. Warren, the young wife of the captain, and a few slaves, are also on the premises. The scenes then shift to other historic locales, and several other personages are introduced in army rai- ment, while thrilling pictures of the Civil strife are reproduce in vivid reality. It is one of the most thrilling and instruc- tive subjects revealed in moving pictures. The characters are well presented and ap- pealing. Frank \Yicnbvr<i. "With Taft in Panama." Manhattan. The Selig Polyscope Co. produoed a timely subject for this Presidential In- auguration week by presenting views of what President Taft saw while on hi» visit to Panama. If Mr. Taft saw no more workmen than the picture shows, our newly installed Chief Executive must have been greatly surprised, if not shocked. That is an astonishing feature of the film. Where one anticipates seeing hordes of natives and others at work on the Canal* a dredge or two, a work train with a few lazy men aboard, and a mass of turned up ground come in sight only. As a general proposition, however, giving one an out- line of the progress made on the Isthmus "With Taft in Panama" is very instruc- tive and illustrative. The camera remains with the President until his return to and reception at New Orleans. It is a subject that a wise school teacher would advise her scholars to see. Sine. "The Musician's Love Story." Chicago. The daughter of wealthy parents awaits the arrival of her music instructor, a hand- some young man. She is in love with him, and is found in his embrace when her father enters the room. The irate parent orders the musician from his house. Tb4 daughter marries him. One year later shows her, a mother, in the attic of her home with her musician husband. Her father has advertised for her. She sees it, and decides to go home, and, with the baby, is about to start when her husband enters. He vainly beseeches her to remain. The next scene is eighteen years later. The musician is impoverished and pawns his violin. On his way home he rescues a woman from footpads. He gives her his card, and while doing so lets the pawn ticket fall. The girl wants to redeem the article in appreciation. She takes the vio- lin to the home of the musician. He no- tices a ring on her finger, the wedding ring her mother wore, and recognizes her as his daughter. The final picture shows father, mother and daughter reunited. It is a well drawn subject and its motographic work is splendid. (Essany Co.) Frank Wic«berg. D. II. Rudd will open a vaudeville and moving picture theatre at Little Rock, Ark., the coming spring. A new moving picture theatre to cost $15,000 will be built at Dallas, Tex., by the Empire Theatre Co. Clias. Huntsberry will run a moving pic- ture theatre at Brookings, S. D., the first and only in that town. Kelley and Catlin, formerly of the Williams and Walker show, play Atlantio City this week following on M. W. Tay- lor's time, opening in Philadelphia. They were booked through Sig Wachter, who represents Mr. Taylor in New York. J. H. Aloz, manager of Bennett's Mon- treal, has been in the city gathering his musical stock comedy company for the theatre during the summer. C. W. Ben- nett, the circuit's head, reached New York Tuesdav.