Variety (February 1919)

IBB^BHHH ...'.. ".'■-; ■.'■ ' ■-■.'.:v; moving m^imWwMmBl * iJ Vf' iffiM -....*). • t ..■...;-.;'■-.-—. —j 73 HEAVY FILM THEFTS SUGGEST ORGANIZED GANG OF THIEVES ■ t ■ ■ Philadelphia Arrest Results in Discovery of Sections of High Standard Features -Which Were Originally Stolen. Rochester, N. Y., Declares War on Film Pirates { and Name Film Vigilance Committee. * ■ .. * ' ". FILM HOUSES SOLD. .-.. ft ■ e \ ■ ■:■. ':'■/- •Jr. I - • '. • ■.'••, ' "'." A charge of receiving stolen films which was preferred against George EL Brandenburg, a select councilman of the 15th ward of Philadelphia and president of the Economy Film Ex- change, was dimissed by Magistrate MacCleary in Philadelphia Feb. 13. From statements made by the various New York film men who were wit- nesses at the trial, there is no doubt in the minds of the big New York producers that there is today an or- ganized gang at work stealing films and selling them to points outside New York. Representatives of several concerns identified film which had never been sold from their offices and which in many cases they knew to'have been stolen. These thefts date back as far as July last year and are as recent as three weeks ago. The films, "Neptune's Daughter," "The Man: from Funeral Ridge" and practically the entire serial "The Red Ace" were among those identified by the .New York film men and which they testified were never 'sold. Selectman Brandenburg said he bought the film as "scrap" and from these "scraps" he built up to the pic- ture which he leased from his office or sold and every purchase he made was in good faith. Sales of stolen film have been made in Baltimore and the trail carried the clues to almost every big city. • The arrest of Brandenburg followed the recent arrest of two men who had about $50,000 worth of stolen film stored away in the basement of an up- town apartment house and was the start of the present # investigation. From information received the chase went to Philadelphia "and Baltimore. Film magnates are at a loss to protect themselves against such thefts, which are carried out with cunning and dar- ing, and several methods are employed. Either a friend of the thieves is in the exchange and marks the cases so that they will be recognized on the wagons, or. the film cases are stolen from the wagons irrespective of their contents. Again, it is thought that so/ne are stolen from the vaults. Detection in the case of old film is not easy, since the cases in storage are not often opened and examined. L. T. Rogers, sales manager of the Famous Players, was one of those who identified portions of film of "Snow White," a Marguerite Clarke feature; and beyond saying that film had been stolen from his firm he would not dis- cuss the matter. The prosecutors who went to Phila- delphia and identified their films were the Ivan Film Co., Rialto de Luxe Pro- ductions, Universal Film Co., Famous Players, Vitagraph and Fox. VIGILANCE AGAINST THEFT. Rochester, N. Y. t Feb. 19. War has been declared on film piracy by prominent representatives of the industry in this and adjoining states, _and a committee has been appointed =: tth.banl down the black. Bag,of those who have prospered in the illicit trade. Drastic action is promised to _ those who are found to be engaged in the business of trafficking in stolen film, and the theatre manager who books a stolen show is going to have a lot' to explain to the public. ' ; Erwin J. W. Huber, of this city, is at the head of, the movement. He has for a long time been quietly engaged in:. gathering data and investigating alleged conditions. He had a secret session at the Statler Hotel in Buffalo with a number of exchange managers, theatre men and others vitally interested in the industry. Instances were cited of stolen films being shown in various' theatres, of -houses and managers that- made it a practice to "bicycle" a pic- ture for all it was.worth, and of other things that had been brought to light in the investigation. A vigilance committee was named,' empowered with the authority to con- tinue the investigation and to report back to the full meeting at an early date. At this next meeting it is hoped to present a detailed report on each individual case of piracy, bicycling and other dishonest practices in the film and theatre business. Each report will be made secretly, like sealed indict- ments by a grand jury. After each report is made it will be decided what punishment is to be meted out. In some cases the punishment will take the form of letting the law take its course. In other instances, how- ever, it is felt that this would hardly, be severe enough to suit the case, and other methods will be resorted to. Publicity will play an important part and in many cases the facts will be published and the public asked not to patronize a theatre with a stolen show. Exchanges will refuse to do business v ith dishonest managers. Charged With Embezzling $35,000 Film. Los Angeles, Feb. 19. Charles Hochberg has been arrested on charge of embezzling a comedy film valued at $35,000 from the Fox Films. The film was first discovered missing when it was learned; accidentally, that the box supposed to have contained it and which was made ready for ship- ment to New York held only gravel. Investigation led to Kochberg's ar- rest. He denies the charge and is now out on $2,500 bail. Canadian Rights Sold. The United has closed a deal for the Canadian rights to all of its re- leases. The name of the buyer is not known. The price said to be paid is $-1,200 a picture for the rights with prints extra. Graphic Sell* Three Abroad. The Inter-Ocean has purchased the foreign rights to three Graphic pro- ductions, "Ashes of Love," "When Men Betray" and "The Echo of Youth." Lasky and Hart. Jesse L. Lasky left early this week for a six weeks' trip to the Coast. He could not be located to verify a re- port he had made a proposition to Max Hart, his former associate in vaude- ville productions, to once more join him in business in connection with the Famous Players-La sky. ..Hart has.visited Lasky.several times of late, which may have given rise to the rumor. ' Asked about it Mr. Hart said his visits were purely friendly, but there are those who believe otherwise. Philadelphia, Feb. 19. Two local theatres changed hands this week. W. Friehofer sold' one property at 59th and Market streets to D. Baylinson. It is subject to a mortgage of $70,000. J. S. Evans has purchased from W. F. Booger a theatre building' in North Philadelphia for a nominal/ consideration, subject to a mortgage of $84,600. ' ( The transferring, of houses is \ still going along. During the week there were reported an unusual number of pending deals. >,-* In two days the following sales of theatres in Brooklyn alone were re- corded: Electra, Broadway, to the Maryland Amusement Co.; Cedar, on Jamaica avenue, purchased by S. Edle- man three weeks ago, resold to M. N. Chrystmas for $9,000; C. Miller sold the Hendricks at Hendricks and Pit- kin avenues; Tip Top at Wilson ave- nue brought $7,500, while the Chester at Pitkin avenue, a 600-seat house, brought $10,250 late Tuesday. TRIANGLE RELEASING SPECIALS. Arrangements have been made' for the general releasing of Triangle "specials," which has Taylor Holmes heading the list, March 16, in a Western comedy, "It's a Bear." The second Holmes special will be on April 13, the subject being "A Regular Fellow." Another Holmes special, "Taxi," is now being made by Holmes and Direc- tor Windom. It is a screen adaptation of the George Agnew Chamberlin story, running in the Cosmopolitan. Among the principal feminine players are Lillian Hall and Irene Tarns. The Triangle is getting ready to re- lease some Olive Thomas specials, made before she entered into new arrangements. These are entitled "Toton," "Prudence on Broadway," "Love's Prisoner" and "The Follies Girl." "Mayor Filbert,'' • with a Triangle cast, will be released May 20. Last Stone Released March 9. The final feature of the series of three starring Fred Stone is to be re- leased by the Famous Players-Lasky on March 9. It is entitled "Johnny Get Your Gun." N. Y. Select's Record Week. The New York exchange of the Se- lect hung up a record in sales last week when it turn in over $23,000 in rentals. It was the biggest week in the his- tory of the office, which has been un- der the charge of Henry Seigle since it was opened. * PH1LLYS CENSORING CHAIRMAN. Philadelphia, Feb. 19. It was expected Governor Sprowl would announce his appointment of a new .chairman of the State Board of Motion Picture Censors this week, but' it was held up until later in the week. It is an accepted fact that Harry L. Knapp, the veteran dramatic editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer is to be the new chairman. JUST RUMORS. - That Theda Bars/, will eventually land with Famous Players-Lasky. That.the films are going to get Elsie Jan is again. That Mrs. Vernon Castle is again going into pictures. She returned from the other side recently, ana may ; first go into vaudeville. That the Lee Children will pass to another management after the expira- tion of their present contract with FOX; ■ -. " ■''■ That Irene Bordini may be a F-?-; Lasky star. „' Pettijohn Will Lead. Charles C. Pettijohn.has returned to Indianapolis from Broadway where he will again lead the film forces in their effort to obtain "judicious picture.' legislation out that way* . . " k t ' The exhibitors of Indiana are well organized and are putting up a real fight to obtain the proper recognition on the Sunday closing law. DeMille Film Titled. The story written by Edgar Selwyn for a big Cecil DeMille production, an- nounced some weeks ago, has been titled "For Better. For Worse/' ani work on it is well under way at the Lasky Hollywood studio. William C. DeMille; made the scen- ario and Alvyn Wyckoff is* the photog- rapher. . Elliott Dexter and Gloria Swan son have been selected for the leading roles. IRVING BROOKS "FUNT" HOUDINI SERIAL Direction, BURTON KINO JACK CUNNINGHAM Staff Writer Robert Branson Stadias, Los Angeles Hecent Baltaiea far Berrlieala, Qlanm and Kwrtgma '%$m COMIAIQ TO THE STRAND FEB* 23RD ■Si FOUR THEATRICAL (MB NOW PRESENTING HIM THROUGHOUT THE 11$, i ... V ■« < W.