Variety (March 1921)

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46 PICTURES Friday, March 25, 1821 src PENN. LEGISLATOR TELLS THEATRES TO DEAL SQUARE Representative Colder States When Public Finds Theatres Are Acting on the Level, There Will Be No Bills Against Them—Joint Meeting in Philiy. RESTRICT FREE FILM SHOWS TO 6 A MONTH Tentative Ruling in Penna. on School Screenings LOS ANGELES FILM PLAYERS LOOK FOR INK EQUITY CASTS Philadelphia, March 23. "When the public finds the thea- tres will give a square deal there will be no more bills affecting the theatres." That statement was made by Chairman CJolder of the Ways and Means Committee of the House of Kepresentatlves at a hearing here Monday over the measures now pending at Harrlsburg, including the prohibition of raising theatre prices Saturday, providing for a 1 per cent, tax on Cue gross and for- bidding the sale of seats that can- not give a clear view of the per- formance. The meeting was attend- ed by several theatrical people. Mr. Colder said: "There have been a great number of bills in the Legislature affecting the theatre interests. This is due to the fact that the public has lit- tle confidence in the men who con- trol the theatrical enterprises in this State. •In the first place, too many per- sons have bought seats in theatres in which they could neither see nor hear, and when they protested they found they were unable to get their money back. In the second place, I am unable to see why the public should be forced to pay twice as much for seats on Saturdays and holidays as on other days. When the public finds the theatres will give a square deal there will be no more bills affecting the theatres." Thomas M. Love, manager of the Forrest, replied his theatre now al- lowed only 10 tickets to a hotel for advanced sale. •How is it, then/' asked Repre- sentative J. W. Smith, "if you go to a box office three weeks before a performance you can't get a good seat, but if you go to an agency the night of the performance you can get the best seats in the house, provided you are willing to pay for them." Mr. Love said that he knew of no such condition. CALIF. PROTECTS WORK OF SCENARIO WRITERS Senate Favors Registering Original Scripts. Ban Francisco, March 23. Favorable report was made by the Senate Judiciary Committee of Assemblyman Baker's bill designed to prevent theft of motion picture scenarios at the State Capitol last week during an executive meeting. The bill provides a plan for filing copies of scenarios, stories, lectures and sermons with the Secretary of State, such copies to be used as prima facie evidence in civil actions to recover damages. The law is de- signed to serve as a protection to scenario writers. ATTACHES FOR $52,000 John J. Glavey'a Suit Against Broadwell Attractions. WEBER-SMALLEY PRODUCTION Los Angeles, March 23. Lois Weber has returned to Los Angeles from New York and is at work on the first of two productions she expects to make this year as an independent producer. Her contract with Lasky ended with the comple- tion of 'Too Wise Wives," which the Just finished titling. Miss Weber has a releasing con- tract which calls for her to deliver two pictures annually, and her hus- band, Phillips Smalley, is also to make two productions a year for the same concern The name of the releasing organization which is to handle the Weber-Smalley produc- tions, however, is being held under ".over for the present. John J. Glavey secured an attach- ment for $52,378.58 against the Broadwell Productions, Inc., this week in his suit for breach of con- tract. Glavey, who was instrumen- tal in closing the deal whereby Broadwell secured the film rights to the "Nick Carter" detective stories, holds a two years' contract dating from March 24 last as "general pub- licity man, scenario examiner and general representative." His salary was $250 for the first 13 weeks, $275 for the next 13 and $300 per week for the balance of the contract. He claims $2,450 back salary and $18,728.58 damages for breach of the agreement. For a second cause for action, he alleges a two years' renewal option by either party and estimates his damages for that period at $300 a week to total $31,- 200. In all he is suing for $52,- 378.58. Glavy's affidavit alleges the Broadwell Productions, Inc., to be a Massachusetts corporation! capi- talized at $300,000. Harrlsburg, March 23. The State Industrial Board has Riven,-.* 1 *-, approval t? five ton f a HT. e rulings governing the exhibition of motion pictures in schools, churches, auditoriums and other public places where films are shown for educa- tional purposes, it was announced today. The board will hold a public hear- ing April 12, when approval or ob- jection may be voiced. It was by the board that the purpose of the rulings is to bring educational ex- hibitions into conformity with the existing code governing all motion pictures and to draft regulations that will meet with safety stand- ards. The rulings are:— The films exhibited shall be re- stricted to those used for educa- tional purposes. Projectors of an approved type shall be used, or a fireproof enclos- ure must be provided. Such pro- jectors shall during all times of operation be in charge of a licensed operator. The number of exhibitions given shall not exceed six per month. Admission fees shall not be charged. Application for permission to use such public places must be made to the Industrial Board and the aisles and exits shall be investigated by the Bureau of Inspection of the De- partment of Labor and Industry. The safety of such places must be 'assured in a report to the Industrial Board. Two Coast Organizations Slated to Affiliate with A* E. A.—Producers Talk It Over—Clash on Question Regarded As Inevitable* *• -, > »>. »•,.» WEST VA. EXHIBITORS FORM STATE ASSN. Exhibitors Meet in Charleston National Affiliation. NO ACTION ON CENSOR Both Houses at Albany Have Meas- ure—-Disposal Deferred Albany, N. Y., March 23. No action on the Clayton-Lusk bill providing for a picture censor in New York state was looked for in the Legislature this week. Senate Majority Leader Lusk in- troduced his bill, amended to con- form to the Clayton measure in the Assembly late last week, and it was referred to committee. The proposal will hang fire until public hearings have been held, and then will be reported out. The picture men have not out- lined their plans to contest the passage of the legislation, but it is anticipated that they will be well represented at the hearings. FRENCH PICTURE NOTES Charleston, W. Va.. March 23. One hundred picture theatre own- I ers of this state met in convention at the Kanawha Hotel here, repre- senting a total of about 200 theatres. Men from the National Motion Pic- ture Theatre Owners Association were present and helped to form a state organization. F. C. Smoot of Parkersburg was appointed chairman. If was resolved to form the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of West Virginia. Several thousand dollars was raised* in a few minutes to defray organization expenses. Officers elected were: P. C. Smoot of Parkersburg, presi- dent, Cecil E. Tipton, Huntington; M. A. Sybert, Moundsville; E. W. Cullen, Welch; W. C. Brown. Blue- field, vice-presidents; James A. Carrier, Charleston, secretary; 11. H. Robey, Spencer, treasurer. On account of a secretary from Charleston being elected this city will be the permanent headquarters of the state organization and offices with a full force will be opened im- mediately, it is announced. A congressional committee was appointed comprising M. A. Sybert, Moundsville; C. E. Tipton, Hunting- ton; H. D. Solomon, Clarksburg; T. L. Kearse, Charleston; P. C. Smoot, Parkersburg; G. D. Cullen* Welch. NEW AGENCY FORMED. Johnston- MacFarland, Inc., Headed by Photographer. HOUSE RAISES PRICE. Syracuse, N. Y., March 'J3. The Bobbins-Eckel, under new management this week, will raise its night picture scale five cents, commencing next Sunday. Matinee prices remain unchanged. It is one of the leading local film theatres. Auctioning "Determination.'' Washington, D. C, March 23. The announcement that the un- finished film "Determination" was (<> be r;old 4i* <uic*ioo at the .United Film Company's studio In Grant- wood, N. J., gave the many pur- chasers of the stock here a little hope that something may be real- ized on their money. This company had its headquarters in the local Muncicn Building and employed a large number of young men of good connections to sell the stock. They disposed of a large quantity of it. Paris, March 11. After some controversy, the syn- dicate of exhibitors has arranged with the French Society of Authors for a compromise royalty on songs sung In the picture houses, the tariff offered now being 2.50 francs for each artist on the program, per show, for halls with a capacity of less than 000; 4 francs for halls seating over GOO to 1,200, and 6 francs when the registered capacity Is over 1,200 persons. Thus, If a large hall has two singers on the bill, rendering three ditties each (as usual), the royalty will be 12 francs per performance, to be paid to the Society, of Authors. i Lucien Lehman, a French pro- ducer, sailed this week on the "Sa- voie" for New York. ttflllt TyiirilVfift y *a& left ffy^-AI- geria where he is to produce a new film for Gaumont. Charles P. Cochran is now resting in Spain, having passed through Paris recently where he remained a few days to see the shows. He is reported to be making rapid progress toward health and is expected back In Paris soon, on his return to London. Jack Coogan, Sr., father of little Jackie Coogan, who played the orphan child in Chaplin's "The Kid.' 1 has signed to play in pictures at the Fox Studio on the coast. Alice Ducr Miller has been added to the list of authors in Goldwyn colony on the coast. She left for Culver City last week. Kathleen Norris is slated to join the Goldwyn coast authors on her return from Bur ope In a fortnight. In a German motion picture magazh.e E. Fakobsohn publishes some amusing notes concerning the careers of film stars. Enid Jannings ran away from home and went to sea as cabin boy. then performed in traveling shows before becoming a leading personage on the stage and screen. Joe May, son of a well- to-do family la Vienna, squandered his fortune, opened a flower shop at Trieste, then became agent for a motor car manufacturer, kept race horses until 1908 and then com- menced to write scenario* Vtggo Larsen, born in Copenhagen, was formerly a schoolmaster in a village school. Asta Nielsen, daughter of a laundress, became after many vicis- situdes one of the most popular actresses in Denmark and after- ward a star of the cinema. Ernest Lubltsch started in a clothing es- tablishment. Henny Porten be- longs to a family of artists. Mia May began her career as a super in a Vienna theatre. Ossl Oswalda was a dancer in Berlin, the same as Pola Negri, who at 14 years of age was a pupil of the Dancing Acad- emy of St. Petersburg. Fern Andra made her debut as a wire walker. Erna Morena at 17 years of age was a student of the history of art, afterwards a nurse, and finally played in a music hall in Brussels, where she was discovered by Reln- hardt. Gunnar Tolnaes, son of a university professor, first studied law, then medicine, passed his ex- aminations as a doctor, to become an actor. Alfred Cheney Johnston and James Hood MacFarland, until re- cently connected with the F. P. or- ganization, have incorporated a theatrical agency and advertising bureau under the name of John- ston-MacFarland, Inc., with offices at 67-69 W. 46th street. Mr. Johnston is known for his portrait photography of legitimate and picture stars, while Mr. Mac- Farland, who was with the F. P, for six years, has been one of the strong young men in that company's eastern division, having served in the exploitation, distribution and production branches. The new firm will conduct a gen- eral agency, handling stage and screen artists, and also will act as play brokers and propagandists for people and productions. Los Angeles, March 23. The picture producers have had no intimation as yet as to what steps the Actors' Equity Association intends to take in enforcing the "closed shop" rule in regard to pic* ture casts. That there will be a clash on the question in the near future is almost certain. There is sufficient gossip among players who hold membership in the Equity at this time to indicate that there is going to be an attempt made here to compel the employment of 100 per cent. Equity casts in produc- tions. At the meeting last week of the Producers' Association it Is said the question was informally dis- cussed without any intimation as to what steps the producers would take in the event that the demand is put up to them. Within the last week the Los Angeles Actors' Association and one other local players* society decided to cast their lot with the Equity and a combination of the three may be effected within the next month. When this is accomplished the pro- ducers may hear from the combined actors' associations. The recent cuts in salaries that have been made at the various stu- dios had much to do with the sway- ing of the sentiment of the players to get together in one body. Since the majority of votes re- ceived from the association mem- bership indicate that that body is to join the Equity, the producers have- laid off of doing business with the employment agency branch of the association. The regular agencies on the outside are taking advartage of the condition and cor* rating all of the business. Late last week there were but 24 votes out- standing at the association, but those already in make certain that the organization will be absorbed by Equity on April 1. F. P'S. GERMAN MADE. "dcauarie" (Paris/ statw tbr celebrated Spanish toreador. Juan Belmonte, has signed a contract with an American producing com- pany to appear in a film Inspired by the famous song of Ollveros and Caatellvl, "El Relicarlo." STUDIO IN RICHMOND, VA. Richmond, March 23. A new picture studio built by the Richmond Interstate Pictures Corp., backed by local capital, will Le ready for operation April 15, at which time a series of two reel comedies directed by Walter Irving will be started. The Albertina Film Co. has been formed in Berlin with a capital of 3,000,000 marks and proposes to execute four films a year, with Al- bert ini in the principal role. According to statistics published In Prague the imports during 1920 of foreign films into Czecho-Slo- vakia were: Germany, 54 per cent. (61 per cent, in 1919); France, 21 per cent, (compared with 13 per cent, in 1919); America, 13 per cent, (also 13 per cent. In 1919); Italy. 4 per cent. (5 per cent, in 1919); Northern Europe. 6 per cent, (no change); national production. 3 per cent, f/hs same as the previous year). FOX STARRING JOHN WALKER Los Angeles, March 23. John Walker will be starred by Fox in specials to be made at the &09t*'#eftt r eo%5t i-tudlos. Walker scored in Fox's "Over the Hill." Memorial Services for Mastbaum. Philadelphia, March 23. Theatrical and picture people from this city and New York will attend the annual memorial exercises for Stanley V. Mastbaum, to be held at the Eaglesville Sanitarium, near Norristown, Sunday afternoon, April 3, at 2.30 o'clock. "Anne Boleyn" as "Deception* Showing at Criterion. Famous Players has secured the American and Canadian rights to "Anne Boleyn," a German ten- reeler which will be released shortly under the title of "Deception." The picture was directed by Ernest Lubitsch, who directed "Pas- sion." This is the first feature of foreign make produced by a concern out- side of the Famous Players organ!- zation to be handled by that cor- poration since*1914, and the second since F. P. has been in business, the other being "William Tell," also a German film, made by the Deutsche Bioscope. "Deception" goes into the Cri- terion for a run, when released, probably following "The Faith Healer." HAM'S JAIL CLOSE-UP. Houston, March 23. "Shorty" Jack Hamilton, former picture star, arrested here on a charge of robbery by firearms, fol- lowing a hold-up near the Turning basin, was released today and the case dropped. Hamilton said "I have learned enough about jail life (nearly a week) from the inside to make a film chuck full of realism." Fox Sends Giblyn West. Charles Giblyn left March 23 for the coast to direct in the 1'ox studios. Katharine Hillaker has been en gaged to write titles for the Cold wvn-Bray Plctogruphs. New James Opening at Columbus ColumbUt, O.. March 23. The new .lames Theatre here will • •pen Monday night) March 2S. Virginia Valli left for the coast this w«ek to play Opposite Bert L.vtell in his newt two pictures for ) Metro. Lo«v;'^*lwwrt' in Bay Rrchje The Alpine, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, th*» 1«fpst of th<» Loew houses to approach completion, is scheduled to open in about four weeks. The Alpine is located at'fiay Ridge and Fifth avenues. It will have a seat- ing capacity of 2,500, minus a bal- cony, all of the seats being on the ground floor. The policy will be straight pic- tures -