Variety (March 1921)

H ' PICTURES HV w^^m hs^h v.l. Friday. March 4, 1921 WASHINGTON CENSOR PLAN DEAD FOR TIME Issue Lapses with Change of Administration Washington, March 9. The attempt to put ihe showing of film in Washington under a strict censorship committee, with the ex- pense of that committee to he paid by the motion picture theatres, seems to have died a natural death with the many other things that "died" at noon on March 4. Miss Mabel Boardman and Mr. Hendricks, two Commissioners ap- pointed by Mr. Wilson, were never confirmed by the Senate. The terms of these two officials expired the day Mr. Harding took the oath of of- fice. The Board took no action on the proposal and it is stated on competent authority that no fur- ther, hearings will be granted on the censorship plea. . It is stated from official sources that President Harding will not name the two new Commissioners for at least three weeks. A peculiar situation is thus presented:—By law the district government cannot function without at least two Com- missioners. Engineer Commissioner KuU only remain, and there is, as a result, no functioning government here. BROADWAY'S NEWEST THEATRE -58THSTS. BLOCK FRONT, FILM RISK FIGURES One Firm of Brokers Hae Placed $10,000,000. DEESSEfc^-LEWIS—GARDNER. Ltouise Dresser, Wihard Lewis and Jack Gardner have formed a corpo- ration to produce two-reel comedies on the coast, to be released through Educational. Miss Dresser and T^ewis are to be starred in the pictures. Gardner will supervise and handle the business end. They leave this week and will immediately begin work at the War- ner Studio in Los Angeles. Arthur W. Stebbins, junior partner of Reuben Samuels, Inc., insurance brokers, has some interesting fig- ures to give on the growth of the film end of his business. In the early days of the moving picture . industry insurance com- panies regarded a plant for manu- facturing films or a motion picture studio as an impossible risk. The Samuels concern today alone handles approximately $S,000.*00 of fire insurance tfe*' one motion picture corporation and Insured about $10,- 000,000 worth of negatives. Some 10 years ago Adolph Zukor applied for $3,000 worth of insurance on a film. After much rushing about Stebbins succeeded in placing it, six different companies taking 1500 apiece of the risk. At that time the fire rate on laboratories was $7.50 per $100," while toda/ it aver- ages 1 per cent. SYM0NDS TO AID MISS FAIRFAX Los Angeles, March 9. Henry Symonds, who co-directed "Go Get It" with Marshall Neilan, has been engaged to cc-direct with Marion Fairfax In a series of- pro- ductions to be made at the Holly- wood studios.' Miss Fairfax is the author as well as the director of her features. John Jasper of the Holly- wood studios is financing the pro- ductions. Dr. John A. Harris* in Re- ceipt of Several Of vert for Theatre Portion—12 Story Office Building Also—Site Covers Entire Block, Running Back to 8th Ave.—Famous Play- ers' Bid. PRODUCING -STAR DUST." Hobart Henley started work Tues- day en the production of "Star Dust," a Fanny Hurst story, adapted for the screeen by Anthony Paul Kelly. The Interior scenes will be "shot" at the Peerless studio in Fort Lee. Strand's Straight Rental. . "Moe" Mark, president of the Strand, denies the published state- ment the Doufilas Fairbanks picture playing the house this week is booked on a precentage arrange- ment He says the booking is a straight rental arrangement, with no interest in the box office takings. Ground was broken Wednesday for the 12-story office building and theatre to be erected by Dr. John A. Harriss on Broadway, from 67th to 58th street, and running through to 8 th avenue. The theatre will seat 2,240, ac- cording to its plans. Dr. Harriss, who is the Deputy Police Commis- sion in Charge of Traffic, is reported in receipt of several offers for the theatre portion. The principal bid to date is said to have come from Famous Players. It offered Dr. Har- riss 40 per cent, of the profit with a guarantee of $165,000 annually. Neither that rtor any of the other offers has been yet accepted by the owner. The buildings are expected to be ready for occupancy by Oct 1 next. Dr. Harriss secured the site with the purpose of placing a theatre on it as well as- an office building, quietly, with naught leaking out un- til this week of the project Dr. Harriss is also the promoter of "The Ship," a new and novel restaurant he is erecting upon his own land on 6th avenue that will open to the public in about two months. "The Ship" will be on the avenue, in the 50's, with a nautical atmosphere, ex- tending from a gang-plank entrance to the entire establishment MILDRED HARRIS CHOSEN Selected by De Mills for Next All- Star Cast Mildred Harris has been selected by Cecil B. De Mllle as a member of the all-star cast which he la gathering for his next big produc- tion. Her selection closely follows that of Dorothy Dalton. De Mille has said nothing of his next special, except that he will start work on jt in about three weeks. ''Laurels and the Lady," a story by Leonard Merrick, is. be- lieved to be the vehicle he has chosen to follow "Peter Pan," just completed. \ Agnes Ayre8, who leaped into fame In "Forbidden Fruit," has been picked as leading woman for Wal- lace Reid in his next feature. 0UTJDA BERG ERE, DIRECTOR. Ouida Bergere, heretofore known to the film Industry as a writer of stories fbr the screen, is to become a director. She will direct an all- star feature, "Sweethear s and Wives," which is her own screen adaptation. In private life. Miss Bergere is the wife of George Fitzmaurice. She is at present making the picture adaptation of "Peter Ibbetson." which he will direct for Famous Players. MEKGHAN GETS $500 FOR ACTORS'FUND Picture Star Travels to Ohio to Earn Donation. ■*■>» Tom Melghan, Paramount star* left New York Wednesday for Youngstown, O., to earn 1600 for the Actors' Fund of America by appearing la a theatre there. IncU dentally, he obtained an equal sum for a Youngstown orphan asylum. Melghan, who arrived in New York last Saturday from the coast, was to have started work this week at the F. P. Long Island studios on "The Conquest of Canaan," a Booth Tarklngton story to be du rected by William NeilL C. W. Deiber wired him an offer of $1,000 if he would appear at the Liberty, Youngstown, Thursday night. Melghan accepted, stipulating the money be divided between the Actors' Fund and the orphans. He H due back in New York to- day (Friday), and will start work on his new picture Monday. Meighan's next after this will be "Cappy Ricks." SEEING WEDDING IN FILM Elinor Glyn Cables for Picture of Wedding. BENNETT'S CONTRACT. Richard Bennett's coptract with Paramount to direct for that com- I *pariy on the coast carries a clause giving him authority to operate without molestation. It is under- stood hia salary is a large one. Ben- nett refused the post of general stage director for George M. Cohan •ata salary of $1,000 a week, according to reports minor Glyn, unable to attend the wedding of her daughter in London this week, cabled to have the cere-" mony filmed and* sent to her to Hollywood, w.here she is working on the filming of her first original story for Paramount. . . . Mra^Glyh's daughter. Juliet, will marry air R^'§ Williams. M. P. "WITHOUT LlMlT" AT CAPITOL. The Sawyer-Lubin feature. "With- out Limit/' a George D. Baker pro- duction, will be shown at the Capi- tol, week of ;March 20. •• "The &Mt Hotlonal Trad* Paper Publiihed" MICHIGAN FILM REVIEW / 419 Free Press Bid*. w* DETROfr\ MICH. V*j« rlnr J»e per cent. ef the E»1iU>lto/t? £«•<! fro* eeeer to eover t>y all of them. • * - - - • * Everyone If you are the owner of a picture theatre it will interest you to know that one of the most appealing picture productions of all time is now available for your screen. If yours is the local "legitimate" house, you will jump at the chance to book an attraction which certainly exceeds in "pulling power" any show that is touring the country today. If you are a patron of the theatreXhere's a word for you: Wait until the livest showman in yoiif town advertises "East Lynne" and then—try to get in 1 For it's a picture in a million—a masterly piece of dramatic co/istruction, gorgeously mounted, that will add new lustre to a name that miliums know and-love. -.. A "Ready-Made" Audience Awaits .."EAST LYNNE" • H0DKINS0N •