Variety (January 1918)

-^ 48 MOVING PICTURE DEPARTMENT PAGES 41 TO 50 EXHIBITORS MUST SETTLE FOR TUES DAY, GEN ERAL BELIEF No Redress Seen for Film Delivered Under Contract for That Day. Some Concerns Offering Free Use for One Day in Future of Feature Unable to Be Shown Tuesday Means Nothing. Production Decreasing. A general tone of optimism is mani- fested in picture circles, despite the five-day closing of industries and the prospect of a series of amusementless Tuesdays. Exhibitors report a remark- able business Monday. One uptown showman said that_ his Monday busi- ness had been better than any Satur- day in the last six months. A huge holiday business was done by the Rialto, Rivoli and Strand. At these theaters crowds gathered early and the day looked like a record breaker. Business tapered down at night. "People evidently made an af- ternoon of it," said one manager, "and then went home and to bed early for the next day's work." Frederick H. Elliott, secretary of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, announced that, from all reports made to the association, unusual holiday business was exper- ienced in the Greater New York dis- trict Monday. The five-day closing curbed produc- tion activities. One or two studios used storage batteries to operate neces- sary laboratory apparatus and there was an extended drive to obtain ex- teriors. Location work has prevailed everywhere. Except for Tuesday, when a heavy snowstorm hit New York, weather conditions and light were ideal for this. The daily change exhibitors are still wondering how tliey stand on rentals, although they hope Monday business for the next ten weeks will make up for any Tuesday losses, whatever stand exchanges take. Action on rentals to theaters playing pictures for three and seven days is likewise uncertain. Ren- tal reductions are coming in this quar- ter, exhibitors declare. The larpe service concerns, Para- mount principallv. are refusing any ad- justment on Tuesday's film delivered under contract, but sav tliey will al- low exhibitors one day's use in future without charcre of the film covering the Tuesday holiday. In cases of three days or week's runs this means noth- ine to the exhibitor. Exhibitors may be satisfied with Tuesday pavment if business contin- ues to justify it. Those with outstand- ing contracts seem helpless. Tt seemed very probable about Wed- nesday many exhibitors would at least file claims for adjustment over the Tuesday matter, though the claims rested there. The exhibitors thought that through filing claims, even if no attention were given them, it would furnish the manufacturers and renters with thought whether they were not inviting bad feeling on the part of the exhibitor, though the must-pay posi- tion be taken. No action has yet been taken on the film rentals of productions supplied to the Rialto and Rivoli. This statement was made by Managing Director S. L. Rothapfel. A prominent screen producer this week estimated picture production to be 33 1/3 per cent, off at the present moment. Most of the companies have been cutting down activities in the east and a general cut has been in progress in the west for some time. "The same thing occurred in other countries at the start of their partici- pation in the war," the official said, "and this country is due for the same motion picture theater prosperity that occurred in other lands." This week Pathe announces its pro- duction of Pathe plays will be cut in half, that one Pathe play will be re- leased every two weeks instead of one every week. Universal has been making radical ruts. The axe was applied to its of- fice force in New York last week and production activities were completely eliminated at Universal City. It is stated that Universal in the future will devote its entire attentions to Bluebird features and serials. PRODUCERS LAYING OFF. All kinds of reasons are advanced for the sudden cessation of activities among some of the film producers who cater to the states rights plan, with at least three firms within the past week deciding to do no more manufacturing cf "specials" until all of the territory still open for features now on the shelves is disposed of. Herman Becker and associates will r.ot undertake any new productions until conditions improve. Harry Raver is also understood to have planned a rest until the summer anyway. M. S. Schlesinger, head of the Mayfair Film Co., has abandoned active pro- ducing for the present. Harry Rapf will not make^ny new pictures until he has learned what the new plan of "Manufacturer to Exhibitor Direct" may bring forth, although he has one star under optional contract and another available when the time comes. Yesterday a wire from H. O. Davis of the Triangle offices, New York, in- structed the Triangle plant at Culver City to close for a week commencing Jan. 24 (tomorrow) with no salaries for the lay-off period. The reason given was that the fuel order in the east had held up supplies from the Fort Lee, N. J., laboratories. SEELYE'S BOOKING PLAN. The United Picture Theatres of America filed articles of incorporation in Albany this week, with an issue of 10.000 shares, no par value given. Back of this apparently innocent little organization is a plan for co- operative bookings of films that is of tremendous import if it can ever be put through. The plan is to start releasing pictures by next September, provided 2,000 days can be signed, though the promoters of the plan expect ultimately to get 10.000 days. C. R. Seelye, formerly general man- ager for Pathe, is understood to be the prime mover in the scheme for amal- gamating the exhibitors of the coun- try. He is reported to have been at work for some time now in the mis- sionary campaign necessary for the ex- ploitation of the deal. LINDER WANTS ANOTHER CHANCE. Word comes from Europe that Max Linder, who is at present spending the winter in Switzerland, would like another try at making comedies in America. He came over last year to make 12 pictures for Essanay and quit after doing three, much to the relief of Essanay officials, who were unable to get -anything worth while from the French comedian. It is explained nobody about the Essanay works in Chicago could speak French—at least none of the directors —and hence could not operate in sym- pathy with the star. Linder's health is now much improved, and he in- tends to return here next spring. If he doesn't affix his signature to an attractive contract with an American concern he will back his own produc- ing company. "SUNDAY" AT HIGH COURT. The matter of a picture house re- maining open Sundays in New York State is to come up for final decision in the Court of Appeals next month. The decision if adverse to the the- atre may have far reaching effect, not only in pictures but in all branches of theatricals offering amusements on the Sabbath. Lower courts have passed upon the question with several conflicting de- cisions resulting. DISTRIB. AMALGAMATION "COLD." Up to the end of last week it looked more than a reasonable certainty the proposed distribution amalgamation would be closed up in the immediate future, despite the withdrawal of the First National Exhibitors' Circuit. The other interested distributing concerns were ready to make the deal without the First National, taking in one other film organization and ar- ranging for Goldwyn to release 52 fea- tures a year instead of 26 as originally planned. Papers were drawn, it was decided to name the corporation the American Booking Co.. there was to be a nom- inal capitalization, divided into five shares, one to each of the five fran- chise holders and no stock for sale. The plan was to market through a series of "central" exchanges at 80-20. It was fieured the 20 per cent, charge for distribution would leave a hand- some surplus. Mutual was to issue two editions of its "Weeklv." instead of one as at present and this, with the large volume of small stuff for low-priced houses, would have made up in quantity what gross takings some of the others might brincr in quality. Then came the Garfield closing or- ders and the entire amalgamation was forgotten. Some interested profess to believe the plan will be put through as soon as the various interests have recovered from the present shock. Others are skeptical. WOLFS' CO. PREPARING. Philadelphia. Jan. 23. The Wolfs, bankers of this city, now in films under the corporate name of the Betzwood Film Co.. are preparing to formulate an organization to com- mence active operations during March at the former Luhin studio plant at Betzwood, near here. Senator Clarence and Edwin Wolf are reported having paid $450,000 for the Luhin property. Ira M. Lowry, a son-in-law of Sicrmiinri Luhin, and who was active in the Luhin picture days, will be the general manager of the Betzwood Co. So far engaged as stars in Betzwood pictures are Louis Bennison and Tsen Mei. a Chinese actress, who has been tested for the screen. J. Allen Drum, noted for his western scenarios, will write special film stories for both these stars. Mr. Bennison will finish his coast route with "Johnny, Get Your Gun." in which he is now starring, when he will return to the Philadelphia studio. It is said a distributing arrangement has alrendy been arrived at between the Betzwood concern and a large film distributing corporation, but the name of the latter is not divulged. i Triangle Changes "Evidence" Title. Owing to a conflict of titles Triangle announces that their feature "Evi- dence" has had its name changed to "The Argument" INSURED FOR $100,000. H. O. Davis, vice-president and gen- eral manager of Triangle, has just had his life insured for $100,000, divided imong three companies.