Variety (March 1921)

s^s^s^ PICTURES Friday, March 18, 1921 ANGLO-AMERICAN UNITY INCORPORATED League to Put British Propa- ganda in News Reels. Ths Anglo - American Unity League hag filed papers of incor- poration at Albany through its at- torney, Frederick Goldsmith. The papers filed state the object of the league is to "advocate, stimulate and promote friendly relations be- tween the United States of America and the British Empire; to asso- ciate together those who may be- lieve in a more friendly relation be- tween the U. S. A. and British Empire, regardless of race, creed or nationality; and by means of printed articles and appeals pub- lished in the public press and other- wise and by means of motion pic- tures and by means of public meet- ings and an appeal to the public opinion to further said purposes of this corporation." The first physical move of the league will be the release weekly of a 200-foot film, somewhat along the lines of the Literary Digest's "Top- ics of the Day." This film is to quote short articles of American and English newspaper editorial comment. It will be released by Pathe as a rider on the regular news weekly. The Anglo - American Unity League dates from the visit here of Lord Northcliffe, the London newspaper notable, and the Amer- ican tour of W. O. Faulkner, chief of the Northcliffe editors. The pic- ture division of the league includes representation of most of the American picture producers and also a number of exporters and picture newspaper workers. Directors of the picture division are: J. D. Williams, First Na- tional Exhibitors League; Richard A. Rowland, Metro; Lewis J. Selz- nlck; W. G. Smith, treasurer of Paths; Austin Keough, legal de- partment Famous Players-Lasky; Thomas O. Wiley, N. A. M. P. I.; W. K. Ziegfeld, exporter; A. N. Mahaut, exporter; Edward L. Klein, exporter, and Arthur Level, chair- man of the executive committee of the league, also the following trade newspaper people: Arthur James, W. A. Johnston, Louella O. Par- sons, James Beecroft, Joseph Dan- nenberg. It is understood the picture inter- ests are particularly interested in the league as a counter to the op- position in England against Amer- ican films, following the heavy cap- italization of British film compa- nies within the last few years. TRIANGLE SUIT DEFENDANTS ANSWER WITH COUNTERCLAIMS Winik and Simmon* Deny Charges—Four Defend- ants Act Independently in Meeting Issue—$250,- 000 in One Claim—Aitkens Defer Reply. Two of the four principal defen- dants in the 13,000,000 group of law suits begun by Triangle, made answer this week. Hyman Winik, president of the Western Import Co., Inc., and Joseph Simmonds, both named in certain loan transactions, filed their replies, making counter- claims, aggregating about $300,000. The Aitkons, Harry E. and Roy E., have until March 19 to file their answer, having taken a 20-day ex- tension of time. The action of the two other defendants in proceeding on their own instead of Joining with the Aitkens may mean much or nothing. They have retained as counsel Coleman, Stern & Ellen- wood, of 90 Wall street, while an- other firm represents the Aitkens in the litigation. Each of the co-defendants has the right to lay out his own line of action without criticism or preju- dice, or they may join the issue and co-operate in the defense. Proceed- ing by Individual counsel does not indicate one way or the other what the relations will be when the case comes to trial. The effect of the new step in the tangled suit is that Triangle is re- quired to file an answer to the counterclaims within twenty days, after which two of the cases may be "noticed for trial." Whether the issue can be heard before the sum- mer recess is a question. It seems more likely that it will not come up before the autumn term. Three suits are involved in the new development. Winik and Sim- mons, separately, make reply to the allegations contained in the suit for an accounting against the two Ait- kens, Winik, Simons, Western Im- port Co., Inc., Reserve Film Corp., and Western Import Co., Ltd., their pleadings including all but the Ait- kens. The four defendants enter a general denial of all allegations ex- cepting that the Reserve Film Corp admits that it entered an agreement with Triangle under which Triangle sold all the capital stock of the Western Import Co., Ltd., to Re- serve Film Corporation for $250,000. Apparently this relates to the three- cornered transaction by which, ac- cording to the Triangle complaint, the Aitkens juggled the Import Co., Lid., of England. The- txa*{« of Wlnlfc'd counter r claim of $250,000 is the allegation that Triangle failed to carry out an agreement with Western Import, Inc., to deliver the picture "Mickey." Winik recites that the agreement called for the delivery of all nega- tives, totalling 120,000 feet, and a print and only 20,000 feet was de- livered. The Import Co. assigned the claim to Winik, according to the pleadings. In the same answer Winik makes specific denial of the Triangle allegations concerning a bonus of $25,000 for a loan to the New York Picture Co., and denies that the officers and directors of the Western Import, Inc., voted as ordered by the defendants Aitken brothers. Simmonds files a similar denial of the allegations concerning the N. Y. M. P. Corp. loan and sets up a counterclaim for $35,752, reciting that Feb. 11, 1919, he organized the Tower Film Co. and agreed with plaintiff (Triangle) to buy, lease, etc., certain prints, 156 in number, or $37,000. The plaintiff, Simmons, recites, delivered only 56 prints but failed to deliver the other 100. It was agreed, the answer avers, that in place of the idO prints, the Tower Co. would accept 8 reels of other well known features, but these were t never delivered. DAVENPORT, I A., HOUSES ENTER 10-YEAR POOL New Capitol Booking to A. H« Blank, First National Davenport, la., March 16. Announcement has just been made that the four main picture houses of Davenport have been joined in a teh-yeaf agreement to pool receipts at a ratio not given out Under the new arrangement the big new Capitol passes tr» t^ booking management of A. H. Blank Of Des Moines, and will be grouped with his three Davenport houses, the Garden, Casino and Family, leaving the different local staffs as they are for the present. Blank is president of the com- pany operating seven houses in Des Moines, two in Omaha, one In Cedar Rapids, la., two In Mason City, one in Sioux City, one in Clinton, la., one in Marshalltown, la., one in Waterloo, la., one in Iowa City, one in Columbus* Neb., | and one in Lincoln, Neb. He Is a member of the executive board and board of directors of the First Na- tional Exhibitors, and has the First National exchanges at Omaha, Des Moines and Kansas City. The new merger will be known as the Asso- ciated Theatres Co. Announcement Is also made by Chas. Kindt, the owner of the local legitimate theatres in Davenport, Rock Island and Moline for a term agreement, by which Augustus Pitou becomes associated with him in handling the affairs of these theatres. COAST FILM NOTES By FRED SCHADER. Los Angeles, March 12. Arthur Hdeson, who had lately been grinding on a Gasiner produc- tion for Robinson-Cole, has once again thrown his lot with Harry Garson, and w'!l be behind the lense for the next Clara Kimball Young production. Edeson incidentally has just purchased some Laurel Canyon acreage from Mary Carlisle, and in addition to building a house is 3 erect an experimental development laboratory there. by the U. with Polo at the head of the casts. M. P. D. A. BALL RIVALRY. New York Lodge Hopes to Make L. A. Event Look Puny. Underlying publicity and prepara- tions for the annual ball of the M. P. D. A. at the Hotel Astor, April 2, is a slice of internal poli- tics In picture social circles. Each year the Los Angeles and New York lodges of the directors' association gives these affairs and, up to date, the L. A. contingent seems to have had an edge on the easterners. The result is the latter have this year put a limit of 700 on the guests, the idea being to select the creme do la creme of the screen and put the brand of "exclusiveness" on their party. Box reservations are by D. W. Griffith, William Farnum, J. Gor- don Edwards, Pearl White, J. Searle Dawley, Nicholas Power, Dorothy and Lillian Gish, Charles Brabin, Owen Moore, George B. Seitz, Bob Vignola, Tom Terriss, Charley Gib- lyn, O. L. Sarpent, Richard Stanton, Pat Powers, Sidney Olcott. Rosemary Theby has been placed under contract by Philip Cohen, the attorney, for a series of productions in which she is to star. Arthur Edmund Carewe, who, In addition to his picture work is ap- pearing in the production of "Monna Vanna" at the Egan Little theatre for special matinees, refused to per- mit his name to be programed be- cause he was not co-starred with Olga Gray Zacsek. H. H. Van Loan has sold ' McGill Gets His Man" to David Hartford, who Is to produce it with Lewis Stone as the star for the First Na- tional. Von Loan is now at work on the second for four features which he is to supply for the Hart- ford organization. It is to be en- titled "Two Men From the North." The First National publicity plans for the Van Loan series includes the exploiting of the writer in con- nection with the production along the lines of the advertising given Oliver Curwood. arrived In company with Watter- son Rothacker and William John- ston. ' House Peters has recovered from a sereve attack of grippe. Morris Kohn, president of Realart, since his arrival here has ordered alterations at the Realart studios that will permit of doubling the production facilities at the Occi- dental Boulevard studios of the company. A new 7,000 stage is to be built and the present stage is to be glassed in. Bill Wing, formerly scenario edi- tor of the Selig studios, has been engaged for the staff of the Inde- pendent Films Association. Sam Meyers is now filling the berth at the Fox comedy lot, vacated when Bert Fibelman resigned to re- turn to New York. The Doubleday Productions have started work on a new western fea- ture entitled "Blue Blazes," with Lester Cuneo and Francelia Billing- ton co-starred. Robert Kelly is directing, assisted by Frank Fan- ning. The story and continuity are Virginia Falre is to play the lead in Rudyard Kipling's "Without Benefit of Clergy," which is being made for Pathe at the Brunton studios under the direction of James Young. Randolph Lewis of the Pathe staff is here supervising the details of production according to the Instructions which he re- ceived from the author while with the latter in England. A. P. JUST THE SAME. Meeting in Los Angeles Tuesday—* Nothing Happens. Los Angeles, March 16. A meeting of the directors com- prising the Associated Producers ("Big Six") was held here Tuesday at which time it was expected the proposed contract with Al Llcht* man would be either signed or thf negotiations declared off. At its conclusion neither happen* and the matter now stands exactl] as it did a fortnight ago. At the Sennett studios the work on "Molly O," in which Mabel Nor the work of Henry McCarty and "HSS Is £ a Pf ear . •» to be started r^ir^k4. I within a few days. It was believed that the studio would be closed down for six weeks, but it was de Leo Mcehan. Viora Daniel and Josephine Hill have been placed under contract by Al Christie for a series of comedies. • . . . . • - ■■ ^- I GAIL KANE'S $2,500 CLAIM. Gail Kane has filed suit in New York against the P. & W. Pictures, Inc., for $2,500 claimed for services rendered in participating in the de- fendant's produc on, "A Good Woman." Miss Kane was to re- ceive $3,500 for her services, $1,000 being paid on the signing of the contract. Although she has per- formed her end of the covenants, Miss Kane complains she was not paid the remaining $2,500. No answer has been filed as yet. Doris Pawn, who has Just finished for Fox in the production of "Clung," has been assigned for the next Emmett Flynn picture, to be started immediately on the director's return from New York. Joh Monague, former theatrical manager and playwright, is now a member of the scenario staff at the Fox West Coast studios and is asso- ciated with Charles Emerson Cook in the work of the department. His wife and son accompanied him to the coast. Grant Carpenter, the screen writer, associated with the Norma and Constance Talmadge productions in the east for the last two years, has arrived In Los Angeles. Mr. Car- penter's book, "The Night Tide," a collection of stories of San Fran- cisco's Chinatown, has just been published in the east and pronounced by New York critics as "the best Chinese stuff written In this country in 20 years." cided to start on the Normand pro- duction after two weeks of layoff. "Buster" Keaton will be well enough to go to New York in June to marry Natalie Talmade. In the meantime he is still in the hospital waiting for a fractured leg to knit. Around New York—that Is around; the film colony—a prominent mag- nate offered to bet $1,000 that" Lichtman had been s'gned. Ths next day another film man called to take the bet and the wager wasnt consummated. The most placid individual In ths game Is F. B. Warren, who refuses to discuss the rumors of his retire- ment, or to be interviewed on ths subject, from any angle. He con- tinues to conduct the affairs of ths "Big Six" as business manager, his contract calling for him to be in sole charge until Aug. 31, next, with an interest in all releases made by the concern up to that date—his in- terest continuing for a period of three years on all pictures released up to that time. *-*■■—»■■ 'P' 1 Frank Norris' 'Moran of the Lady Letty" has been purchased by the Lasky studios from Ruth Allen. The story will be adapted as a starring vehicle for Dorothy Dalton. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Carey were married a second time In San Fran- cisco a week ago. In January, 1920, the couple were married in Oatman, Ariz. The reason for the second ceremony was that at the time of the Arizona ceremony the decree of divorce granted Carey had not be- come final in California. Mrs. Carey was Ada Golden, daughter of the la«e George Fuller Golden. CAPELLANI IN PARIS. Paris. March 9. Albert Capellani has arrived in Paris, and Leonce Parrel is ex- pected within a few days. Henry Roussell is leaving France on a visit to the Los Angeles studios. David Butler has been placed un- der contract by Irving Lesser for two years, to be starred in eight features annually. Fred W. Butler, his father, will direct. Philip Cohen arranged the contract for the star. Ed. A. Smith, until recently in charge of the Rialto and Sun the- atres, San Francisco, has been ap- pointed manager of the four First National theatres in Bakersfleld and the Sunshine theatre in Taft. Eddie Tolo, Universal, la to be starred in features. A number of seven reelers are to be turned out Hamilton Revell, the screen actor, and Cora Adams, the English ac- tress, are to be married in Italy. Miss Adams has left for that coun- try to appear in a series of films that are to be made there by an Italian company. Mr. Revell Is to follow shortly. Arthur Edmund Carewe and his wife, Irene Pavloska, are to be co-starred In a feature picture backed by capital raised in San Francisco. The productions are to be made at San Jose at the new studios that are now being built there. William Christy Cabanne, the di- rector, is being sued here by his wife for absolute divorce. Millicent Fischer is named by the wife as "the other woman." Hobart Bosworth has been signed by Maurice Tourneur for "Foolish Matrons." Lois Webber and Phillips Smalley have returned from New York, and work has been started on a new feature, the nature of which is being withheld. LEHRMAN AND EDUCATIONAL Los Angeles, March 16. The Henry Lehrman comedies ar# shortly to be part of the Educa- tional program. The agreement be- tween the First National and the Educational, whereby the latter makes use of the former's exchanges for the distribution of their pic- tures, provides that the First Na- tional cannot handle any short subjects, and that Educational must not handle any long subjects. This undoubtedly Is the reason for the discontinuance of the Lehrman contract with the First National. M is understood that E. W. Ham- monds, of Educational, on his visit here closed with Lehrman for ths distribution of hl3 comedies. The Theodore Kosloff family was reunited here last week after seven years. Mrs. Kosloff and her child arrived here from Russia via New York. They had been detained at Ellis Island, N. Y., for 11 days awaiting permission to enter the country. Tom Santschi has completed the eighth of his series of western pic- tures with the Cyrus J. Williams Co. and is now resting. The pic- tures are being released by Pathe. J. D. Williams has bren In T.o* Angeles almost a fortnight, ha\ Ing Andre Barlatier has been ap- pointed chief of photography at Universal. John Guerln will be his laboratory chief. Marc Robbins, formerly at the Metro, hag been added to the Uni- versal scenario staff. NEILL DIRECTING 'CONQUEST.' R. William Neill will have charge of the direction of Famous Players' filming of Booth Tarkington's "The Conquest of Canaan," which will be produced in the eastern studio. The picture was made a fev years ago by the Frohman Amusement Corp., with Jack BherriU ■tarred. U. REMOVES DERECT0B. Los Angeles, March 16. Jacques Jaccard, the U. director who was to have played the lead and directed the picturization of ths Peter B. Kyno story, "Renuncia- tion," was relieved of the director- ial end of the work after he had been on the Job two days and shot eight scenes. William Worthington will com' plete the direction of the picture. Maugham Leaves for Orient. ftomeiset Maugham, the Englls* author, who spent the past two months on the coast at the Law studio, sailed from ^;>n Kranclswj last week for Manila for a tour • the Orient N