Variety (May 1918)

MOVING PICTURES 37 WAR FILM BUREAUS CONFUSE INDUSTRY AS TO EXACT DUTY Charles I. Hart, Head of the Dhrision of Films Under Direction of Bureau of Public Information Explains Status of His Work—One-reel Official War Review Starts in June—Re-Distribution. Within the last ten days the picture industry or some of its representatives have been considerably stirred up oyer the activities of two war work bodies. One of those bodies is the Division of Films, connected with the Depart- ment of Public Information, which, it is claimed, has been misinformed as to the profits made on the various "news weeklies," and the other concerns the picture activities of the Y. M. C A. through the Community Film Corpora- tion of Boston, said to have been formed through the efforts of the Y. M. C. A. to handle pictures for the can- tonments. Charles Hart, an appointee of George Creel, is at the head of the Division of Films. This committee handles the war films of the army made by the signal corps, and proposes the disposing of the output to the four picture concerns turning out "news weeklies."' The price to the picture companies has been $1 per foot, on war negatives turned out by the Red Cross with the stamp of the Department of Public Information, to Mutual, Gaumont, Pathe and Univer- sal. It is now proposed each com- pany split the output of the Creel bureau, and the stipulation is that each company must pay for its entire allot- ment, whether exhibiter or not, and each must print their positive prints as needed. It appears that last week a proposition was made to the four com- panies to pay the bureau $5,000 weekly between them (the first suggestion was $9,000 weekly). This brought forth strenuous objec- tions from the picture people, who insisted. Facts were presented which finally led to the bureau recalling the $5,000 weekly figure, and for the pres- ent the price of $1 per foot is now con- sidered. Mutual ottered to handle the entire output of the bureau, apportion- ing it off to the other companies and return all the profits to the bureau which was to be allowed to have an ex- pert accountant go over the books. There was objection to the bureau attempting to be arbitrary, and some picture men looked on the proposition as a governmental committee going into the picture business. This is the angle seen in the Community Corpora- tion's activities. This company has been building up a large office and distribution force, and is understood to be establishing exchanges in cities near to cantonments. It is alleged that this business machine is being built with money donated to the Y. M. C. A., and objection lies in the fact that the office and exchanges can be continued after the war is over. . Picture men have no particular object in hampering any work that is for the amusement of the men in the service, but do object to the methods supposed to be in use, and they say last year the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry offered to give the Government one print free of every picture made, to he used for exhibition purposes in the canton- ments. This offer, it appears, was never acted on. The Committee on Public Informa- tion (Division of Films) will issue each week, beginning in June, a one-reel Official War Review, including official war pictures of the United States, Great Britain, France and Italy, for distribution to the public through motion picture theatres of the United States and its possessions. The Official War Review will show the latest pictures of the activities of the armies on the various fronts; the training and activities of American troops here and abroad, and the ex- tensive war preparations being made by the United States in this country. Bids for the release of the Official War Review will close at noon, June 4. As widespread distribution is the primary object of this committee, bids should state the distributing facilities of your organization. The following points must also be covered in bids: 1. Cash or percentage. 2. Advance of cost of prints. 3. Guarantee either of gross weekly business, number of bookings or num- ber of days. The committee will consider bids either for the distribution of the Offi- cial War Review by one company, or for the joint distribution of this re- lease by two or more companies in combination, it being understood that in the event that two or more com- panies submit a joint bid, the identical film will be distributed by each of the companies. Charles S. Hart, director of the Division of Films for the Committee on Public Information, isnt' quite cer- tain the four concerns at present issu- ing news weeklies are altogether guided by patriotism in their dealings with his department. They wrote let- tes to President Wilson and several cabinet officers, obviously designed for publication. Mr. Hart states that every transac- tion he enters into is public property and that anybody is entitled to know the full details. He is perfectly willing to acquaint anybody sufficiently inter- ested with the exact terms of any dis- tribution agreement and will welcome any suggestions that will tend to im- prove the conduct of his office. The Division of Films has just re- ceived the first 10,000 feet of film from the American army in France. ABRAMS BUYING MORE STOCK. Hiram Abrams, who last week pur- chased $100,000 worth of Famous Play- ers-Lasky stock from William L. Sher- ry, is reported to be buying more of this company's stock at a higher figure than that at which he secured the Sherry block. The seller is said to be a prominent film man who has lost considerable money in real estate investments in California. NEW y 1 CONVENTION GOES TO CHICAGO. According to those on the inside, there is little chance of the American Exhibitors' Association holding its 1918 convention in Boston, although recent activities by New England members indicated that such a thing was pos- sible. The convention may be held in Chicago. Sessions have been post- poned until August or around the first of September. There is talk that the Association will once more become part and par- cel of the Exhibitors' League, but there will be no amalgamation until the League's new officers are assured. Jake Wells is president of the Asso- ciation and some announcement re- garding the fall meeting in Chicago is expected shortly. There was some belief recently that the A. E. A. would hold its convention in the Hub at the same time that the League met there and that action taken whereby the Association would return to the League fold. Members of the Association will be in Boston for the Expo and what may happen there after the League elects a suc- cessor to Lee Ochs, who will not be a candidate for a third term, is all con- jecture. INJUNCTION STOPS METRO. Chicago, May 29. Judge Stough in the Circuit Court May 23 granted an injunction to the Homan Amusement Co., restraining Metro from vending "Revelation" to local theatres other than the Century, operated by the Homan Co. The firm had contracts for first run Metros, despite which, it was alleged, "Revelation" was sold to other houses. A motion^to vacate the injunction is now pending. Tsuru Acki Supports Hayakawa. Tsuru Acki will once more support her husband, Sessue Hayakawa, in the latter's new series of pictures to be released by Pathe. WILLIAM RUSSELL IN WILLIAM RUSSELL PRODUCTIONS, Inc. (Released on Mat a el Program) Patriotic -Scenic - Q xstunies J,,,, ,,„..., „.,.,„,, Greater N.Y Slide-Co. IB* TOM £veiystlun<2^ in SJides " MAJOR FUNKHOUSER OUT. . Chicago, May 29. Major M. L. C. Funkhouser, second deputy superintendent of police and film censor for the city of Chicago, was suspended Saturday from the depart- ment by Chief of Police Alcock. Two other attaches of the censor's office were included with their superior in the suspension order. The ^ firing of Funkhouser brings great joy to the men of the picture business. For his absurd censorship of pictures, Funkhouser has achieved na- tional notoriety. His name had be- come synonymous with narrow-minded, carping criticism and deletion. Recently he had the audacity to cen- sor a statue in the Art Institute, called "The Sower." F-^ause it was a nude figure, Funkhous.r demanded that it be placed where the eyes of Chicago youth could not see it. The reason for the suspension, how- ever, was not directly the agitation of the film people, although this propa- ganda had the effect of making Funk- houser one of the most unpopular men in Chicago. It was known in the city hall that theve had been a violent al- tercation between Chief Alcock and Major Funkhouser, when the latter re- fused to discharge or suspend one of the men under him, despite an order of (he chief that he do this. This was the reason ascribed for A1- cock's move. William A. Luthardt, secretary to the chief of police, was appointed temporary acting second su- perintendent promptly after the sus- pension of Funkhouser was made pub- lic. AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAM. 208 releases, comprising 156 new fea- tures and 52 re-isues culled from the greatest successes of Paramount and Artcraft for the past five years, to be known as 'The Success Series," have been finally determined to constitute the output of the Famous Players- Lasky Corporation for the fiscal year beginning Sept. 1. This and other important matters affecting the distributing plans of the concern for next year were disposed of at the district^ managers' meeting? which have been in progress through- out the week and which have just ter- minated. The »*ar series plan of distribution, inaugurated by F. P.-L. last year, will be continued, and this system will also apply to the distribution of the re- issues, which will be offered in star groups. The Paramount and Artcraft stellar force as it is practically now consti- tuted, will be presented in the 156 new features, with many additional stars, notably John Barrymore, Fred. Stone, Shirley Mason, Ernest Truex, and a new girl discovery, who is depended upon to introduce a new personality to the screen, an appropriate film name for whom Is novv being selected. The visiting district managers were Harry Asher, New England: W. E. Smith, Philadelphia and Washington; Tamos Steele. Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Detroit and Cleveland; Max Goldstine, Chicago. Minneapolis and Milwaukee; A. D. Fliniom, Kansas Citv, St. Louis. Dos Moin-s and Omaha; C. E. Tandy, Atlanta. New Orleans and Dallas: Louis Marcus. Salt Lake. Denver and Rutte ; Hermrtii Wobbcr, Pacific Coast. Tito meetings were terminated by a lunc l icon tenr!fed by Adolph Ztikor at Dclmoniro's, which was attended bv the district tr.inagers and all the of- ficials of the company. SUNDAY ILLEGAL IN OHIO. Cincinnati, May 29. The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled in effect that picture shows on Sunday arc illegal. The decision was handed down in the ease of William Stampden, of Medina County, who appealed from conviction in the lower courts for giving a show at Wadsworth on the Sabbath.