Variety (April 1920)

Ml^W^"^^ "^^^-^Vf: *V^'/'' .T^?^/C'^ ^iMii^W&^ff^'^^W^'^i^^^ MOVING PICTURES PEPENDENTS PUCE BAN ON £XHI6IT(»tJ^(N)im PICTURES film Showmen Meet in Chioigo and Adopt Resolu- ; Uon Condemning Producers Wh6 Also Operate W^. as Exhibitors—First Natu>nal Believed to Be Behind Independent Movement 5S Chicago, April 28. l; Beventjr-flve picture exhibitors ■■^presenting independent exhibit- lots' locals throughout the United ji States, asBembled at the Congress liriBotel Monday to fire the opening iTgufl in their war against the pro- ''■ dttcera who "are over night buying ^-"^' theatres through which they ^?wtf. control both the exhibiting and ["/.prtduclng Rnd of the moving plo- Kture business." fe The convention called by Wlllard n^, Patterson of Atlanta, Oa, presl- ~^^t of the Southeastern Theatre iltanagers' AssQplatlon, is a joint fleonference of the Exhibitors' De- . 7tenB« Ije&gue and the First Na- L.tlonal Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc. An organization will be perfected to Vaght the big producers. A- Mr. Patterson, in his opening ad- ^Tjress, said: "If these producers tlftt control of the theatres the pub- lie will have to look at -whatever films the producers feel like giving them, -whereas as independent ex- hibitors vre can choose best films and give the public what it will i-Hke." ■--■'-.. : ;:To make a concrete national or- v^uizatlon out of this meeting, a constitution and bjr-IaWs committee of seven was appointed, headed by Wlllard C. Patterson, and I'cters of Texas, Slossman of Michigan, Mor- ris A. Choyinski of Chicago. M. J'. Ifanheimer of Brooklyn, Can Cbambferlain of Wisconsin ; and Hector Pasmezoglu of St. Louis as members. Later Mr. Smith, coun-; sel for the Schanberger interests of Baltimore, was assigned to act as advisor to the constitution commit- tee. The committee convened in their assigned quarters, with orders to report back on the following .nornlng. -^■ ?'-A motion was made to adopt a 'rfnolution for the independent ex- hibitors to line up with the inde- ^wndent producers, and in that way .perfect their fighting unit to over- come their opposing exhibitor pro- ducer. This resplutlon received the attention of a senate. Many flowery orations were made pro and con to the question on. the floor. William Brandt of New York played a big factor in the question discussed. No . results were ac- complished, the question being laid over until the following morning ..The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday morning, when the con- stitution committee will have a re- port ready to present for discussion l>efore the members of the organ- l«atlon, carrying various means of protection for the Independent ex- hibitor. < Among the exhibitors attending tta convention are:' Sam Burman. New York City; Mike Stelfeld, Philadelphia, Pa.; James Dunleavy, Akron, Ohio; J. J. Rubens, Aurora, «l-; Lew Goldberg Chicago, and Nat Atkinson, Chicago. -The Independent Managers' Meeting was adjourned for good at 6 o'clock Tuesday. Nothing was accomplished outside of a perma- nent committee being organized jwmposed of V, c. Patterson, D. B. Whltehurst, P. W. Kress, Carl Krttler, L. T. Lester, Dan Cham- Mrtaln, L. Pasmozuglu, M. A. ChoynskI, P. Frank Reimbrush, H. C. Fothing, John Manheimer, M. van Prague and L. Peters. ^Thla committee will meet in New rork within 30 days prior to the Bomlng Cleveland convention of the ^dependent Exhibitors of America, rhe meeting was held at the Con- SW8S Hotel at 3 o'clock today, ^wis J. Selznlck addressed the In- dependents and said "He was not !ontemplating entering the cxhibl-. ■ors field and does not intend to m or build any theatres, but was "icKing to the producing field." A notion was then made that the In- wpendonts all combine to refrain fora buyftig any productions from ^*;^''"'hltor producers and passed. The First National meeting here .«.l. behind closed doors and oining was given out. J. D. Wil- ams, of the First National, ad- iressed the Independent exhibitors fZ ^^^' "We of the First Na- "onarExhlbltors- Circuit are not In ne theatre building game. Wc have a few franchises left for sale In certain towns that have not as yet been taken up and we want everyone Impressed that we are not contemplating entering the exhibi- tors' field. Wo are producers and will remain producers to the la..t. •It Is the concensus of opinion that the First National Is behind the whole exhibitors' movement as all press matter ^nd advertising for exhibitors comes from First Natlorail offices. FISCHER FEATURES QUIT PRODUCTION Stewart and Several Olhdrs Retire From Firm. The A, H. Fischer Features, Inc., have suspended production at the "Thanhouser Stua:us, and Charles A. Stewart, general manager of the company; Charles Logue, who was aiecretary of the corporat'on and Its principal author and direct«^r, and Harry Foppe, who handled the pub- licity and advertising, retired from the firm last week. Stewart is to devote his time to the production of "Betty Be Good," which comes into the Casino next week, and Poppe is joining the ranks of the screen writers. Logue has no definite plans as yet. He wrote and directed three features within the last couple of months. One of these is "Even as Eve," which is being released by the First National. The other two have not as yet been marketed. Stewart was formerly manager for the Rialto and Rlvoli theatres and resigned to join the Fischer or- ganization at the time that it was. making the Houdini pictures and B. A. Rolfe was one of the execu- tives, Poppe was formerly on the editorial staff of one of the trade papers and he has been connecteJ in the advertising departments for David Horsley, Yorke-Metro, Oc- tagon films and other picture pro- ducing organizations. LOEW'S PICTURES IN PICKER HOUSES Present Policy Continued— Loew Takes Possession. The present policy of pictures will be continued in the David Picker houses Marcus Loew secured last week. There are six to all. Loew takes possession "tomorrow (May 1). The complete^ list Is EIo, McKln- ley Square, Elsmere, Victory, Spooner and Bronx Oval, the latter open .air. All are in the uptown New York section. Loew has no vaudeville theatre In the Immediate vicinity of the former Picker theatres. It was stated the Loew pop vaudeville and picture policy had not been considered for any of the newly acquired houses. The Immediate cause of Picker turning over his theatres to Loew Is said to have been through his in- ability to secure the feature film wanted by him. The Loew Circuit with Its large number of "daiys" for the run of a pic.ure. Picker found, had everything in the desired flhn line pretty well tied up. Vaudeville may be the policy of the Rio if the returns from pictures do not please the Loew ofilce. The Rlo^s five blocks from Fox's Audu- bon, which plays vaudeville smd pic- tures. The present prices at the Rio will be reduced under the new man- agement, and the orchestra will be cut to 12 pieces. IN EVENING DRESS 2.000 SAVE COST OF CARPENTIER EXTRAS "•,•"■.;•': Robertson-Cole Labels Invitations "Evening Dress' and Crowd Goes to Fort Lee to See European Champion Box—^Cameras Catch Them— Will Form Part of Feature. ;i-:*r.": HAND IN HAND WITH BRITISH INTERESTS Wm. A. Brady Advocates Frank Propaganda. "UNCHASTENED WOBiM" CASE. Judge McAvoy In the Supreme Court this week denied the motion for the vacating of the order of ar- rest In the case of Guy Grosswell Smith against I. E. Chadwick. Chadwick was airested on a charge of fraud In a matter involving the sale of foreign rights of the feature film "The Unchastened Woman." Smith is trying to recover the amount of purchase price paid for the film. In his opinion Judge McAvoy stated: "The motion to vacate the order of arrest is denied. The. facts shown imperatively establish a cause for fraud. The ball Is not ex- cessive as it but equals the alleged sum fraudulently obtained. EOHN mCOBFORATION. Articles of incorporation have been granted to the Marlon H. Kolin pro- ductions. Inc., of San Francisco, to produce, pictures. The Kohn enter- prises are capitalized at $200,000 fully paid in. The officers are: Marlon H. Kohn, president; D. J. Chatkind vice-president; J. P. Let- termann. secretary, and George A. OpFcnheimcr, treasurer. The firm win make short subjects exclusive- ly In which they will star Grace Cii- nard. Polly Moran, "Smiling Bill." Jonea and "The Illiterate Digest" by Win llogers. FAIRBANKS INJUBED. Los Angeles, April 28. Etauglas Fairbanks has had liis face badly cut and will be laid ui) for a week or two. He was caught In a landslide while worl<lng on "The Mollycoddle." While looking over the ground with a view to organizing a film producing company in England in which he is Interested with JvAta Brulstour, William A. Brady made it understood that in bll new ven- ture he is out to smash the idea that there is any prejudice in this country against British product. However, he qualified the statement by saying that he did not intend to foist on America any old play pr picture and tell the American pub; lie It had to accept it because it came from "dear old Lunnon." Brady stated that ne toresees tne time coming when the British gov- ernment will take part In seeing to it that British production is of- ficially encouraged, and predicted that the entertainment value of the film may be expected to drop in the course of a few years and the edu- cational side Become of chief im- portance lie told the British further that when they have a theatre in London like the Capitol In New York the screen would begin to take its proper place. He intimated that when Adolph Zukor. starts producing in London it will be the first great step In the production of British pic- tures. To bind the two countries together more firmly Brady fttvoro an ex- change of films that are strongly and frankly propaganda. Not sub- tle propaganda but straightforward hands-across-the-sea stuff. He ad- vocates the appointment by the British government of a man of the calibre of Lord Beaverbrook to col- laborate with a man of similar standing in the film industry in this country appointed by the U. S. Government to organize the ex- change of films. In view of the above statement Brady was asked by a representative of Variety if he was aware of the fact that England had a tremendous fund for propaganda purposes Society and finance rubbed'shoul- ders with dyed-ln-the-wool pfcture and boxing enthusiasts Monday night In the Solax studio at Fort Lee, N, J., where Georges Carpen- tler. the heavyweight champion of Europe and idol of France, com- pleted 100 feet of the $100,000 Rob- ertson-Cole film starring the world- famous pugilist. The first appearance of the Frenchman in fighting togs in America induced about 2,000 per- sons, with a scattering of women, to dress In their evening clothes, as commanded in the R-C- Invitation, and sit in aa "supers," giving the affair a striking resemblance to the National ^porting Club of London^ The R-C people put over a feat in getting almost every, one of its guests to tog out in their finest that saved it $10,000 or more for "extras." It was a sight that will live long in the memories of those who were fortunate to squeeze in the tem- porary remodeled'fight arena. Men worth thousands of dollars fought with those less fortunate to get in for a peep at the fighter. Those who came late had to stand outalde in the rain and listen to the plaudits of those inside, charing every move of ring craft executed by the sen- sational Carpentler. An liour be- fore the Frenchman was acbeduled to appear almost every seat was taken. Mrs. Carpentier, the wife of the French war hero, was an In terested spectator, ■-. ,..v ;.-.;<riEV that he was not aware of any such fund. waved, her band at her husband when he clambered .through the ropes. This was her first sight of her husband in the ring, and she said she enjoyed It as much as those who applauded his eCTorts.. Carpentler's "opponent'.' was John Barrett, the "villain" In the pic- ture. He received a big hand when. Jumping over the four rows of rop's encircling the ring. He showed a good physical makeup. When Car- pentler entered the roar was deaf- ening. He smiled as his eyes took in the great sight of "soup and fish" down In front. He must have thought of the night in London when he knocked out Joe Beckett, the Idol of England. A preliminary bouf preceded the "main event," scheduled 'o go four one-minute "rounds." The director had. made a study of boxing, for he ran oft everything In ^ood shape. There was a referv., the customary seconds and rubbers at opposite comers, and the judges dressed in their finest, near the ring. The dallies had their boxing experts seated at the ringside to chronicle every detail. It w|ls a treat, tho splendid setting—the R-C press agent must have had his salary raised on the spot. Variett's representative was so busy he had no time to get shaved, and he rushed over to the studio in hlf regulation clothes. He was escorted to the balcony, where the mllllonarles gasped in astonishment when they got a slant a't his make- up. Nobody was anxious to talk to him except the electricians, one of whom imparted the .Information in his left ear that Carpentler is a corking "artist," and that the pic- ture thus far has cost |90,00O. Dan Lyons, of the New York "Globe," strutted In with his wedding clothes, minus a pencil and copy paper. He lamped the thing rver quickly and then felt sorry he had put them on ho used it with an open glove. H« stoops over sllghily, lias a 'wonder- ful body formatloiC and powerful lege. It was fixed for Carpentier to all but get knocked out in the third round. Sure enough Barrett 'plas- tered hlra with an assortment ot:- rights and lefts to body andfoip^' and when the bell clanged Carpen- tler started to walk to his corner in a daze. He made a flying leap for the ropes on which to hold hlm-V self. Then.he walked backwards to' his chair, and the crowd j'elled tn glee. When tho lights were doused Carpentier got up and smiled heart- The punch in the fight scene came' In the fourth and last round. Tb« dhrector gave both men plenty oC Instructions, Carpentler's manager, Francois Deschamps, InterpretW for the Frenchman. This was ths session in whicb Carpentier was to turn the tables and knock out Barrett They went througll the one-minute spell following every instruction. They squared off and did a little dhiching. All of a sudden Carpentier whipped a ter- rific right (glove open) from the floor to Barrett's chin aprawling him to the floor head first, it was a corking knockdown. Barrett struggled to hla feet at the count of four and tn a flash Carpentler struck, him again on the danger sone, this time foi^the full count. Then Bar- r;ett's manager oussed and fumed She smiled and-] on the iinttanely reault and menoe- ingly waved his .hands at Barrett. This completed the picture, except, for several doseapa of both men in ■; fighting pose. Carpentler has been "acting" for four weeks. Ha la practically- through tomorrow, .except for slight fixings. Next week he starts on bla theatrical tour chaperoned by Jack Curley. Then he Joins the Floto- ^ Sells circus, receiving $1,000 for ^ each of 12 performances. He Is sup- posed to be paid $60,000 for Us; screen work. At the end of the' third round the director asked "isn't Carpentler a great . artist." and everybody responded with a long yell of approval. John G. Adolfl was the director.^. -' Carpentler is chain lightning on his feet and he showed he could hit if let loose. He will prove a wortbf opponent for Dempsey. ■JVCs .■..■.■■-'^.•r*-i '■■ - .'•.i'i'.iS DEMPSEY-WILLARD FIGHT RUH SHOWINGS throughout the world. He replied |Jj^«^^'"j^"*'«j^°'»J^«VAnisTY reporter To Star Bebe Daniels. Bebe Daniels and Thomas Melg- han arc to be the two stars for Realart next season, In addition to the four they now have—Mary Miles Winter,. Constance BInney, Alice Brady and Wanda Hawlcy. "MAYFAIB" WOBZ. Production work on "The Mar- riages of Mayfalr" was started this week at Metro's New York studios. The cast includes Thomas W. Ross, creator of "Checkers," on the stage. OS Jim Callcnder, the BngllBh gamb- ler; Wilfred Lytell, brother of Bert Lytell, as Migel Villlers, lieutenant in tho Welsh Guards: Francis X. Conlan, as Lord Adolphus VilUcrs; Lionel Pape, as the Duke of Exmor; Henry Hallam as Anthony; Jack Crosby as Dudley; Louis Scaley as Felix; Gladys Coburn as Dorothy Gore; Thea Talbot as Bessie Bis- sett, an actress; Jennie Dlckerson ns Mrs. Bissett; £frie Conley as Sally; Florence Court as Lily de Mario. of the place watching the proceedings from a ladder. The first "round" opened with Barrett planting two rights on Car- pentler's face. There were several fast exchangcH and both men-boxed according toi the director's rulings. Carpentler was to get all the worse of the fighting. Barrett slapped him all over the place. You could sec that Carpentier was anxious ti flght, so happy was he to be In flRhtlnp togs, but he had to remem- ber it was all fun. He got another "paBtlng" In the second, after Bar- rett received 10 minutes In which to catch his breath. Carpentier, al- though he did little or nothing, im- pressed with his wonderful phy- sique. You could see that he pos- sessed a wicked right hand, even if Cetisor Board Releases for Ohio—Limited to That State. J Frank J. Hall has sold his one- third interest In the Dempsey- Wlllard fight pictures to Tex Rick* ■'. ard. Rickard owned a third in-: terest through having purchased Dempsey's and Jack Kearns' share ' In the films before the flght. Will- . ard still retains his third. Through an arrangement with v| Wlllard, Rickard will start releasing,;' the fight pictures in Ohio next Mon- day, the films having been passed by the Ohio Censor Board. Owing f] to the F^ederal law prohibiting the ■ exhibition of flght pictures outside :M of tho State in which the flght Is - filmed, the Dempsey-Wlllard scrap can not be shown In any o'.her State - than Ohio. ' The pictures were exhibited in Toledo two 4^}^ &fter the fight, in : July,' 1919, but the Ohio censors' stepped in and stopped the showing. The print shown In Toledo last July, ^ and seized by the Censor Board was ' In the .'custody of that body up to,;: two weeks ago, when Rickard sue- .' ceeded in obtaining permission to * release it for exhibition, provided '. certain eliminations were made. A print'found its way to NeW.^ York ' recently and created quite a-^^ flurry in the' dailies when shownc- secretly at a dinner held In honor, of a public official at one of the.- big hotels. ' Harry P. DIggs will have charge" of distribution for Rickard, with .. headquarters In Cleveland, ii^<^ siti-.iiii*.*^/!^; '■■=-! .:£hl.;^. •W •,•'■.»'■ /'•'"'.'- tS^.'il'«'-«;''*