Variety (June 1915)

16 MOVING PICTURES FILM DISCRIMINATION CHARGE ENTERED AGAINST EXCHANGES Picture Exhibitors in Matt Meeting File Unanimous Protett That Feature Exchanges Are Giving Them the Wortt of It—Yearly Film Utert Voice Opinion to New York League. Though no official action was taken by the exhibitors of New York at their mass meeting in the Candler theatre the morning of June 3 under the aus- pices of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of the United States and Can- ada, it was openly charged by many picture men present that they are being discriminated against in the matter of features and prices by the exchanges. The exhibitors who operate straight picture shows all the year round show no hesitancy in declaring that whenever a vaudeville house cuts out its acts for the summer and offers features, that these theatres are enabled to obtain any big film they desire by paying five dol- lars or so more than the regular ex- hibitor, who may have to book in an in- ferior feature, in opposition. The theatres giving two or three days' bookings get the call on the year- ly exhibitors, so 'tis alleged in the com- plaints tendered the executive members of the League. These protests will re- sult in a call for a special meeting by President Lee Ochs of New York Lo- cal No. 1 of the League, at which time the local exhibitors will map out a line of procedure to eliminate the alleged discrimination by the exchanges. Eighteen new members from Brook- lyn, Long Island and Manhattan were added to the regular list. A report was heard from the league attorney, which outlined efforts that will be made in the fall to take up legislation for better con- ditions. The exhibitors will bend every energy towards the repeal of the pres- ent children's law in effect prohibiting the boys and girls from entering the picture houses without proper guar- dianship. The League is also going to try and have the New York City aldermen to pass a standee bill permitting so many standees in the picture houses as out- lined in the late Mayor Gaynor's opin- ion regarding such a condition. The meeting was presided over by President Ochs. TEST CASE DECISION. London, June 1. An important decision has been handed down in the case of Bransby Williams against the Moss Empires, Ltd. The suit was practically a test and if it had been successful would have resulted in a Rreat many others of a similar character. Almost immediately after the out- break of the war, in August of last year, the music hall proprietors and the Variety Artists' Federation entered into a rn-operative agreement. Wil- liams was not a member of the Federa- tion and sued to recover the difference in salary he received under the co-op- erative plan and his contracted amount. For the week of Sept. 21, at Man- chester, Moss Empires added Jack Johnson to the bill, and Williams wrote to the Moss people claiming the class of people he would draw would not blend with the sort that Johnson might attract and that in placing the pugilist upon the same program he (Williams) was having his earnings jeopardized through the better class people declin- ing to attend. In the original suit, judgment was given for Williams, but the defendants appealed, and judgment has now been entered for the Moss Circuit. This crushes the hopes of all the others who have been awaiting the outcome of the Williams versus Moss litigation. SAVOIA CO.'S OFFER. The Savoia Co. of Italy would appear to be a most progressive picture maker, from a report that it has advised its New York representative, George L. Forgotson (who is in charge of the Savoia Co. of America at 145 West 45th street) that it will produce at any time he submits to it, an American scenario with American picture players, in Italy, importing the Americans to that coun- try for the purpose. Mr. Forgotson has not yet availed himself of his foreign firm's offer, be- lieving, he says, the parent Savoia has delivered to him feature films made abroad for exhibition here that will rank with any features on this side. Among the multiple reeleis now held by Forgotson are "The Flying Clue," "Margot," "The Heart of India," "The Fatal Domino," "The Mirror of Lite" and "The Four-Leaved Clover." The Savoia of Italy has informed the New York office it will furnish it with one feature weekly for a service, if that number is required. Mr. Forgotson is completing his arrangements for dis- tribution and circulation of the Savoia product. MYSTERIOUSLY ASSAULTED. Lloyd Lonergan, the chief of the scenario department of the Than- houser, is at present in a hospital in New York recovering from injuries he received just outside of the Hippo- drome about ten days ago. It was in the evening and Mr. Loner- gan was set upon by several persons. At first the motive was thought to have been robbery, but his wallet, which was taken from him was received at the studio by mail with the contents in- tact. CHANGE IN U OFFICE. Before Carl Laemmle went west this week he made a change in his personal office staff. George E. Kann, who has been Mr. Laemmle's private secretary, has been made Secretary of the Uni- versal Company, and I. Shepperwitz, of the World Film, was engaged to act as secretary to the head of the company. McNAUGHTON WITH LUBIN. Tom McNaughton was secured this week by the Lubin company to take the place of John C. Rice (who died suddenly last week) in the feature pic- ture with Marie Dressier. Work start- ed on it immediately. Herbert Standing on Advertising Los Angeles, June 9. "Nothing in this day of hustle and rustle is of so potent value to the actor as advertising." The speaker was Herbert Standing, the clever and versatile legitimate actor who is now in pictures in Los Angeles. Mr. Standing has been be- fore the public for more than 40 years, and he knows whereof he speaks. In all that time he never advertised himself (his managers always doing that for him) but now that he is in pictures he says the public demands to know about him. "Like the title of a recent New York success," declared Mr. Standing the other day, ""It Pays to Advertise,' The motion picture actor rapidly is coming to a realization of it He may go along for years without doing a stroke in that line, but sooner or later his mistake will make itself known to him and straightaway he will jump into the columns of a reputable newspaper or magazine. Advertising is to the actor what milk is to a baby. He must have it or fall by the wayside—a failure. "I chose VARIETY as the publication for placing my first ad because^ I know that everybody—almost—reads it It is a medium that goes every- where, and what you read there is the truth, and you can depend on that. I am a firm believer in its motto: 'If you don't advertise in VARIETY, don't advertise.' I think that expresses a world of wisdom. "If you had asked me for an ad ten, or even five, years ago, I would have laughed at you and replied: 'What—advertise — I don't need it!' But we all realize our folly some time or other. "Los Angeles is a long ways from New York, but a line' or two in the papers brings the actor in close touch with both, "Who was it said 'Honesty is the best policy?' I move to amend the phrase to read 'Advertising is the best — and only —policy.'" COAST PICTURE NEWS. ■ V ovy mica. Raymond Hitchcock says pictures have done more to ruin the saloon business than any- thing else Wallace Held has left the Mutual and la with Lasky. Pat Powers le here. Carl Laemmle la on the way. Look for something happening at Universal City. Frank Oarbuth and Charles Byton, of the Morosco-Bosworth, are in New York looking for new leads. The Mary Plckford Farewell haa been called off. Reason: Mary is not going away for awhile yet. The defunct Los Angeles Photoplayers' Club is now meeting monthly at various cafes. There ie only one chance In a hundred that the club will be reorganized. A. Cohn is doing the publicly for David Horsley's wild animal pictures. Mme. Vera Doria Is now a member of the Morosco-Bosworth staff. Slgnor de la Crus Is playing leads with Vltagraph. Harry Ham has taken Marshal Nellan's place as leading man with the Famous Players. The Features Ideal has moved from the old Sterling studio at Hollywood to the Master- piece studio. John McOowan has gone over to the Lanky. Pathe Lehrman is writing the scenario which will mark Charles Wlnnlnger's debut In pic- tures. Frank Voce, late of Weber and Fields mu- sical company. Is now playing with the L-KO. Harry Grlbbon and May Emory are "dou- bling" at the L-KO studios. Frank Relcher Is directing Blanche Sweet for the Lasky people. Marian Fairfax, author of "The Builders" and "The Talker" has arrived on the Coast. She Is on the Lasky scenario staff. Oeorge Fawcett feels quite at home in pic- tures In Los Angeles. Funny they never call Richard Stanton by his given name—It's always "Smiling Dick/' C. Gardner Sullivan Is writing a feature for Truly 8hattuck. Charlie Wltaker has joined Morocco-Boo- worth. John Oaker, on the legitimate stage In Loe Angeles a number of years, is now In pic- tures. Myrtle Stedman was soloist at Trinity Audi- torium, Los Angeles, last week. Violet Kemble-Cooper Is filling a picture con- tract on the coast Harry Edwards has been quite 111. Jane Nobak (Universal) and Frank Newberg (Blograph) were married In Santa Monica. D. C. Wllllner has placed several of the Jacob Sllvert Players (Yiddish) with the Fea- tures Ideal Film Co. Stella Gold Is in pictures on the coast If you ever get out Loe Angeles way and have a hankering; to see the movies move, call up Tom Format). He's the best (and easiest) fall guy around. Pauline Bush, honeymoon over, has returned to her dressing-room at the Universal. PRICES CUT AT A LH AM BRA. Beginning last week a 5-10c. admis- sion was adopted at Keith's Alhambra where pictures are now holding forth for the summer. The house has been running with a feature policy at a 25- cent scale. Believing regular releases at a popu- lar scale would attract business it was desided to try it out. Al. Darling, formerly -of the Colon- ial, was appointed manager uptown and he has altered the entire aspect of the theatre's front. There is a good flash outside and the entire front has been repainted white and gold. Two big arcs are in front and the lobby has been redecorated and some illumina- tions added. The first day showed • matinee that totaled $75 at the re- duced prices.