Variety (January 1916)

24 MOVING PICTURES are the productions of Famous Players Film Co., Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Co., The Oliver Morosco Photoplay Co., and Pallas Pictures. They are the accomplishment of an or- ganization characterized by conserva- tive business methods. They are the result of a broad-gage progressive policy, which might be briefly stated as a "Program chosen by its patrons," and spoken of as THE PICTURES OF CONSISTENT QUALITY WORLD FILM RUMORS. Numerous conflicting rumors were circulated this week concerning the af- fairs of the World Film Corporation and its principal ally, the Equitable. Most of them were to the effect that Lewis J. Selznick had retired and that the Equitable had absorbed the World. At the Equitable no statement was vouchsafed, though it was said one would be* forthcoming in the immediate future. At the World, Selznick was found at his desk Wednesday afternoon signing a number of corporation checks and smiling serenely. "I can't believe Mr. Cox made the statements purporting to come from him that I would retire from this cor- poration," he said. "Further than this I do not care to talk just now, pre- ferring that all statements emanate from the banking interests." From Wall Street comes word that the World and Equitable would be amalgamated, financed by Ladenberg, Thallman & Co., with new capital put into the enterprise to the extent of $1,000,000, and that Selznick would re- main as vice-president and advisory director, but that Arthur Spiegel, presi- dent of the Equitable, would take the post of general manager of tht merg- ed concerns. Another report had it that the general management would be in the hands of Milton C. Work, who represents certain financial interests in the World. When certain papers and formalities have been gone through, an official statement will probably be sent out from Wall Street. Clara Kimball Young's contract with the World expires in August. She is at present living at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Selznick, and there are cer- tain indications that her future film activities will be directed by the man in whose house she resides. OFFERS LAND TO F1LMERS. San Francisco, Jan. 19. Now it appears that the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce—Redwood City is a few miles south of San Fran- cisco down the peninsula—is going after the tired-of-Los Angeles film manufacturers with an offer of the use of a 250-acre tract on which to build the much-talked of "Cinema City." In addition the Redwood city folks guar- antee free use of 50 acres at Pinehurst, one of the show places of northern California. SCHOOL FILMS VETOED. Chicago, Jan. 19. The proposed measure in the City Council to make it possible to show pictures in the Chicago schools receiv- ed another setback Jan. 14, when the oidinance was voted down by the Build- ings Committee. The matter will now be taken up on the floor of the City Council. John Fitzpatrick, president Chicago Federation of Labor, and Victor Oland- er, secretary of State Federation, op- posed the ordinance, declaring it was a menace to the school kids' safety. School heads favor the measure, saying the restrictions makes the operation of moving picture machines in the schools altogether safe. Olander avers the ordinance would create a practical monopoly for the Pathe Co., his belief being that only slow burning film and Pathe machines meet the requirements. NEW PICTURE HOUSE. Springfield, 111., Jan. 19. The Vaudette Amusement company of this city, which owns and operates the Gaiety and Vaudette theatre, has accepted plans for a new $10,000 mov- ing picture theatre, which will be built at Petersburg, 111., and will be known as the Rex. The theatre which was owned by the company was burned to the ground several weeks ago through a fire of mysterious origin. The house will be finished about May 1. GILMORE A BUSINESS MAN. Tampa, Fla., Jan. 19. Paul Gilmore, the actor, is in Tampa, Fla., endeavoring to interest the peo- ple in the establishment of a moving picture plant for that city. He has appeared before the Rotary Club, Board of Trade and Merchants' Assn., and has been successful in getting the endorsement of each. TWENTY YEARS IN N. O. New Orleans, Jan. 19. Herman Fichtenberg celebrated his 20th year in New Orleans Saturday with a banquet at the Rathskeller. Fichtenberg came here with exactly seven dollars in his pockets and is to- day reputed to be worth a million. He made every dollar in the picture busi- ness. Fichtenberg is said to be heavily interested in the Universal. FARRAR'S NEXT PICTURE. The next Lasky release with Geral- dine Farrar starred, is to be called "Maria Rosa."