Variety (March 1921)

Friday, March 25, 1021 MOTION PICTURE DEPARTMENT—PAGES 42 TO 47 PICTURES 47 R Y. GOVERNOR FAVORS CENSORSHIP OF FILMS Would Eliminate Objectionable | Pictures Entirely. ( PANTHEON'S CHOICE OF SCHAAP MAY MEAN BIG FOREIGN DEAL KU KLUX BACK OF NEW WHEELER PICTURE I. Governor,. WJteJV fit. NSW»„YprV, ,Ip fc*an interview this week declared himself in favor of a picture censor id expressed the opinion that ob- jtionable films should not be ed- but should be eliminated en- Irely. "I have not read the bill (Lusk- Jlayton measure), and, so far as personal opinion goes," he said. "I have not got beyond the point of feeling that there is a crying need for some method by which ot nox- ious motion pictures may be elim- inated. "I would not create a board" to separate the good from the bad and -out out portions of a film. I vould have them eliminate the production of the whole picture if parts of it were objectionable. "The whole problem lies in the . fact that the picture producing busineess is too highly commer- cialized and the producers believe that the more sex appeal .. *ere is the more successful the film will be. They are wrong in this, as has been demonstrated time after time in the theatre. The plays that run the longest are the wholesome plays. It is not true that to make money it is necessary to pander to the grosser side ol human nature. "The element of sex is used in a vicious way in motion pictures. It makes a vicious app.al to young people. The sex element passes over the heads of the younger children, so that they are not harmed by it—but [the horror pictures, the blood-and- thunder serials, are Just as bad. They have an evil effect on both young and old." RAVER TELLS OF 'CABIRIA.' Correct! Figures Printed on Gross Taken In. Former Railroad Executive and Allen Corporation's European Buyer Brings in Heavy WalL Street Interest—Credited with Scheme for Interchange of Stars and Remaking German Pictures Here and Ours There. ♦■ J The election of P. Hendrik Schaap, downtown financier, as treasurer of Pantheon Pictures this week is regarded by Broadway wiscmen as a move to tap German picture reserves in a way that will yield big returns in money Ger- many has made any numb«*r of pic- tures that only need "dressing up" for this market, and Mr. Schaap, who has been as far removed from amusements as possible, has studied the opportunities in the interchange of pictures and found them worth while. . Schaap was director of foreign marketing for the Allen Corpor- ation, and formerly an executive of ihe Kansa»*City & Southern Rail- road. By birth a Hollander, he was the first American civilian to enter Ger- many after the armistice. He^went there in his capacity of expert for the Allen Corporation. While there he got his idea of the world possi- bilities inherent in the picture game. Along Broadway Schaap is cred- ited with having something to do "Stars 'W9tf '40' woSd »4a«*Wip*fct*'*sWI export duties on completed films. Uncompleted films would be ex- changed and then American scenes for the American market, ar.d German scenes for the German made in each country by stars who have crossed the ocean for the pur- pose. A saving would here be effected, due to cheaper costs in Germany, where the large effects could bo filmed and Bent over. Details are lacking, but Wall Street money seems to be back of the movement. The success of "Passion" and the well-known popularity of American pictured in Germany are said to have pointed the way for the in- vestment. Work on Par.theon's first picture starts Monday at Port Henry, with Charles Miller directing and L. E. Taylor turning the crank. Joseph Stirling is superintending technical effects. Anetha Getwell will star. I with the scheme to send American stars to Germany and bring German I supported by Vincent Coleman. FILMING CLARA HAMON. Acquitted Girl Reported Consider- ing $1,000 Weekly. New York, March 21. Editor Variety:—In your last issue George Loane Tucker offers sta- tistics covering the earnings of im- portant motion pictures, among them d'Annunzio's "Cabiria," which was Introduced here In 1913. There should be no objection to publica- tion of these figures, as compari- sons are interesting, but the sta- tistician should know something definite about his figures before Jotting them down so freely. Concerning "Cabiria," which I re- tired from the screen, after slightly more than two years' run—contem- plating a revival—there has been no statement made concerning its rev- enue, and I am amazed at Tucker's boldness in offering what he intends to be considered an official audit of my books, particularly as his guess is so far from being correct. "Cabiria" played theatres on the K. & E. circuit on sharing terms, excepting the Knickerbocker. New York; Illinois, Chicago; Gaiety. •Frisco; Globe, New York, and • Nixon. Atlantic City, these being rented outright. Fifteen companies were so employed. The company's share from these engagements amounted to J463.560.50. ( Twenty prints of the film then played the larger picture and vaude- ville theatres, either sharing or flat $1,000 a week and an additional 10 per cent, of the gross. The addi- tional company gross, up to the time all prints were retired and de- stroyed, reached $165,700, or a total of $629,260.50. The actual gross from admissions was, of course, much higher. The profits were proportionately smaller than those of subsequent k-.liaWHiw for Uuv reason .thr.t. VQg - biria' bore the expense of educat- ing the public to pay as much as $2 to sec a moving picture, and this was not a simple undertaking, even with a production of such magni- tude. Besides, "Cabiria" opened the eyes of American producers to the possibilities of expensively made pictures and thereby made it pos- sible for Mr. Tucker and other di- rectors to secure ample financial barking for the many recent suc- Desplte the resolutions of the Photo Playwrights League of Amer- ica, at Los Angeles, against the proposition to present Clara Smith Hamon on the screen as damaging to the picture industry, reports come from Ardmore, Okla., where the young woman was acquitted of the murder of Jake Hamon. that she is considering several offers from picture concerns. It is claimed that one of the offers is for $1,000 a week for 50 weeks. That the film path may not be a smooth one for the girl is indicated by one of the attorneys representing Mrs. Georgia Hamon, widow of the slain man, who stated that steps would be taken to prevent any pic- tures tending to bring disgrace upon the latter's family from being shown, at least in Oklahoma. FOX SHAKE-UP DUE WITH SHEEHAN OFF ! KEITH EXCHANGE RENAMED Booking 100 AITKENS ANSWER IN. Brothers Make General Denial Triangle Charges. of The answer of Harry and Roy Aitken in the $3,000,000 suit foi an accounting us officers and directors of Triangle Film was filed late last week, being in substanc*. a general denial of all the allegations - .ade in the earlier pleadings. The entire reply cove.-s only a sheet and a half of legal size paper and enters a perfunctory denial, paragraph by paragraph, except for admitting certain obvious items, such as being directors and the fact that a loan was made to the ~%'ew York Motion Picture Corp. by Pat- rick Loftus and renewed by one Bru. The next move in the litigalion will be Triangle's reply to the counter claims set up by Hyman Winik and Joseph Simmonds in con- nection with certair loans and other matters specified In the orig- inal complaint. This answer is due around April 1 and, if there are no postponements, the issue will then be joined, although it is not expect- ed the various suits grouped around the accounting will have action un- til autumn. General Mgr. Goes to Europe Leaving Robbins "List." A big shake-up in the Fox Film Corporation, especially in the pub- licity and advertising departments, is looked for now that Winfleld R. Sheehan, vice-president and general manager, has sailed for Europe. Sheehan, according to employees, left his usual "list" behind him with Hermann Robbins, sales manager, in charge of executions. Charles McClintock, it has been said will shortly assume charge of exploitation. Of the publicity department, Viv- ian Moses, with Leslie Jordan as his assistant, ha* been head. This department, excepting only Wells Hawks, is in Sheehan's charge. Hawks is on William Fox's per- sonal staff and does special work for the head of the firm. Sheehan's position with the com- pany is unique in that he holds the balance of power between Fox him- self and the Prudential Insurance crowd of Newark which has heavy holdings in the concern. A year or so ago Sheehan's share was in- creased in order that he would not be tempted away. Now Called Peerless Days The former United Film Booking Offices have been renamed the Peer- less Booking Corporation, with of- fices on the fourth floor of the Pal- A!l Propaganda Purposes Dis- claimed by Film Firm Head. The Ku Klux Klan. with head- quarters in Atlanta, according to declarations of the chief lieutenant in New York of Col. William Joseph Simmons, Imperial Wizard, Is going into picture production on a largo scale. These pictures will not bo propaganda for the Ku Klux. but will deal with patriotic subjects. Producing will be in charge of Wheeler Productions, 1520 Broad- way. This organization is headed by Clifford Slater Wheeler, whose break with William Moore Pstch after the financing of "It's Up to You" occasioned some talk recently. Wheeler is a Yale man who went through the world war as a captain in the American army. "Talk of the Ku Klux spending mflllo v* on propaganda," said Cap- tain Wheeler this week, "la bosh so far as I can learn.' A wealthy man whom I met casually some time since said he had studied the pic- ture game with the view of making money and asked what I thought of it. I told him. Later he came through with the backing for a pie* ture, the idea and atory for which we showed him among others. Our aim is to produce pictures empha- sising the value of ono flag, one language, one country, one alleg- iance—in short, Americanism—and he chose one emphasising the beauty of old-fashioned home life. If he himself is connected with the ace building. The Peerless supplies the films for the Keith, Moss and Ku Klux and can get his organlza- Proctor houses in Greater New York, New Jersey and as far up New York state as Schenectady, with a total of 100 days' booking. George Trilling and C. M. Mc- Donald are in charge. LICHTMAN SETTLED UPON A. P. Waiting to Adjust With War ren— Meeting April 10 EASTMAN'S HOUSE Reported Rochester Film Man Con- nected With Theatre Project. Los Angeles, March 23. A member of the Associated Pro- ducers ("Big Six") is authority for the statement that they have ar- rived at a definite understanding with Al Lichtnian, whereby the lat- ter is to become its general sales manager as soon as a settlement can be reached with Frederick B. Warren for a cancellation of his ex- isting contract, which expires Sep- tember 1. He added that there was every disposition to make a liberal finan- cial settlement with Warron to re- linquish his contract and quite cer- tain an amicable adjustment could be arrived at before April 10, on which date the annual meeting of I" the directors of the Associated Pro- ducers will be held, when the verbal understanding with Lichtman could be formally ratified. teases. Harry Hav<r. BIG ANIMAL PICTURE. Guy Croswell Smith. Ltd., Will re- lease next season as a $2 feature a Jj'g wild animal picture entitled 'The Heart of Africa"—the first big animal picture aince the Paul Rainey special. It vf\]\ be exploited by Joe Lee. MQR0SC0 AND "PARADISE" Reported Tully's Play to Be^Filmed — Big Offer Declined Los Angeles, March 23. It is rumored Oliver MorO»CO is arranging to make a big film pro- duction of Richard Walton Tully's "The Bird of Paradise," for release by First National. A number of large offers hav| been made for the picture rights to "The Bird of Paradise,** regarded by those in the Industry as a great prise. Two years :igo Mr. Tally refused an offer of $1.10.000 and fifty per cent, of the profits for tho rig* I Pearl White's Annual Sailing, pearl White will start her annual foreign tour May 12, leaving York on that day. v t \v Syracuse, March 23. George Eastman, of the Eastman Kodak Co., of Rochester, will In- vade the Syracuse theatrical field, according to a report 'today. Mr. Eastman, already interested finan- cially in theatrical enterprises in Rochester, is said to be the backer of interests proposing to erect a 3.000 seat picture theatre in this city. It is understood that nego- tiations for a site already have been o pene d and the property under con- sideration is, in part, th^ old home of the Syracuse Free Dispensary at Warrer and E. Onondaga streets. it t'.i n-g;mi"d i/iv cmc orf the be** theatre locations in the city. With 3,000 seats, the new theatre would be the largest in the city, legitimate or otherwise. According to reports current, Charles GouWinifc manager of the Cayuga, at Auburn, X. Y., and Myron Bloom, manager of the Quirk at Fulton. X. Y., are linked with the new enterprise. A second new theatrical venture loomed up as an actuality Wednes- day. Architect James B. Randall tarted plr»n.s for the new house that the Fitzers will erect in W. Fayette street, between Clinton and Franklin streets. The Fitzers re- cently ar.n< \fd a 100x250-foot plot there ohd will start work upon the new house dming the summer. The Fitzers now control the Happy Hour and until lately operated the ];. 2 ei " Al Lichtman arrived in New York Wednesday morning. When asked to confirm the above semi-official statement he declined to say any- thing for publication. F. B. Warren was equally non- committal. WEST COAST PRODUCTIONS Metro and Vitagraph Moving West Coast from East. to I,os Angeles, March 23. Metro will confine all of its pro- ductions in the future, it is said, to the coast, discontinuing producing in the east. T. Daniel Frnwhy 1« slated to dirfct t''it ?.iuy Allison pterUftf, Vitagraph is also get for west coast productions only, report says. Alice .;••... e, Conine Griffith and Others now east are coming west. FRENCH TRADE SHOWS. Paris. March 10. A special presentation for the press was given by Gaumont in the Hippodrome (Gaumont Palace), Paris, last Saturday afternoon to show the latest releases of this firm. The program included "SeraphIn PU les Jamb'-* Nues* by J.oui:* Feull- lade, for the Belle Humour Scrl< with Bisect M star; 'I^e Roman dim Jcune Homme Pauvre'' from the popular novel of OctaVe Fetiil- let; "lie Tourb.llon*' (first Splsodt ), a serial in 13 pa,fti adopted hy Guj do Teramond. The r<•« is were u> I received By a big crowd tlon to O. K. our picture, so much the better. We welcome the in-' dorscment of patriotic and religious organizations." Sensational rumors of millions to be spent by the Ku Klux in news- paper and picture propaganda were as fully disposed of yesterday by those in a position to know. Ac- cording to the informed executives of the organization saw the advan- tages lying in their O. K. on what they considered a worth-while pic- ture. This practice of Approving or disapproving pictures is followed by many organizations. The idea of getting a hand in this way led to considering the value ot investing the organization's funds in a clean, desirable entertainment and helping make it pay by boost- ing it. It was felt the necessity of large dues would be done away with and the organization would be pro- moting its ideas about Americaniza- tion wholesale and at a marked profit Instead of a costly expense. FAMOUS LEND PEOPLE Clare Boranger Doing Tatmadge Continuity There seems to be an ambitious effort by Famous Players to "loan*' their staff writers to other concerns while the Industry is lagging. Clara Beranger has been loaned by Famous to write the continuity on "The Wonderful Thing." acquired by Joseph M. Schcnck for Norma Talmadge. "The Wonderful Thing," as a legit production, was offered last year by George Broadhurst at the Playhouse with Jeanne Eagles In tho star role. The sllenc partner then was Fam- ous Players. Herbert Brenon is directing, this making the third Tal- madge production Brenon is com- pleting under an agreement calling for four. 1,200 FRISCO HOUSE. San Francisco, March 23. Another new motion picture the- atre for the Excelsior district In the Mission has been announced. R, A. McNeil, W. G. Bailey of the New Lyceum and R. E. Balnea will be the owners. Tho house will be the second planned for the near future in tho district. It will ha *n Mis- sion street, between P.ra .1 and Persia avenues. Cost $100,000; ca- pacity 1,200. MacDonald Contract Renewed News of tho r« newal of contracf between Katharine MacDonald and First National was announced as having bc« n completed Tuesday. The star has been signed for a lories estimated to take two years :n the making, One of her director! wiii be Jerome storm. /