Variety (November 1921)

Friday, November 18, 1921 PICTURES 45 COBB SAYS CENSORSHIP MEETS WITH BIG PRODUCERS'FAVOR ~ Declares State Policy Eliminates the Irresponsible— Only One Appeal to Courts—Bar 3 Out of 1,000 —Points to Board's Leniency i j— Senator George Cobb, head of the J State Motion Picture Commission, this week said to a Variety repre- sentative : "I believe the majority of the pic- ture producers favor State censor- ship for the reason that the better producers are anxious to keep the screen clean, feeling that in no other way can they succeed. That is illus- trated every day with* the higher grade of producers such as D. Vf. Griffith; Charles Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and others. They are di- rectly benefited, as so-called censor- ship eliminates the Irresponsible producrs who find themselves swamped and put on the sensational pictures in a vain effort, to retrieve their losses. "Of course, the producers started out with a feeling that consorship is an irritant, but now most of the producers are co-operating with the THEATRE OWNERS CALL SECTIONAL GATHERINGS South and New England to Hold Conventions in Autumn Important sectional conventions have been called by the Theatre Owners of America for late Novem- ber and early December. The first will bring together the members of North and South Carolina, Virginia. Tennessee, Georgia and Florida, who will meet at Charlotte, N. C, Nov. 29 to Dec. 2. Headquarters will be at the City Auditorium. A moving picture exposition will be held In connection with the con- vention at which accessory makers, producers and others will be repre- . ... „ „ Rented. President Sidney S. Cohen, Mae Murray and her dheetor-hus-«f| f the national organization, and TIFFANY SUED Globe Co. Alleges It Enticed Away Mae Murray and Leonard Charging that the Tiffany Pro- ductions, Inc., "wrongfully induced" --a PARIS FILM NOTES Paris, Nov. 5. I Armand Bernard, the actor, fol-. lowing his success as Planchet in "Les Trols Mousquetaires," has de- cided to quit the stage and give his time to film acting. band, Robert Z. Leonard, to breach their contract with the Globe- Pro- ductions, Inc., the latter brought a $60,000 damage suit this week against the Tiffany Co. In the New York Supreme Court, alleging, among other things, the defendant organization, Senator "Jimmy" Walker, of New York, the organization's counsel, will attend. Important trade mat- ters affecting the southern district will come before the convention, it is declared at the Theatre Owners' national 'headquarters. On the heels of the southern pow- The exhibitors consider tho rent- ers and producers aro offering too many private shows, known here as "specials," to which people uncon- nected with the Industry are invited, thereby spoiling the novelty of now films. Following "The Three Mousque- taires," Pathe Consortium Is pro- ceeding to film Alexander Dumas' "Twenty Years After." Leon Mathot holding the role of d'Artagnan at the ago of 40, replacing Alme Simon Gerard, too young for the role in this sequel. wrongfully removed the negative of wow will come a" convention of the Andre Nox will play and superin- tend the work on Tourjanski's "Le Prelude de Chopin," being produced by the Ermolieff Co. their "Peacock Alley" production, starring Miss Murray and directed by Leonard. Henry L. Gates, general manager of the Globe, sets forth that he is _ r .__. well known as an author ol novels board and our work is progressing I and a publicity and advertising ex- fa/orably. Up to date there has been but one appeal to the courts— and that one is more or less of a test case which involves an inter- esting question. We condemned the p: stars as a whole because we could not see where any eliminations would benefit it. While admitting our Jtand to be correct, appellants deny our right to condemn a pic- ture as a whole. "Out of nearly 1,000 pictures ex- amined by our board, only three have been condemned. We find the majority of the picture features are all right, and every effort is being made by the board to avoid making eliminations. It is the old story of th - good having to suffer for the few evil ones. We are exercising ex- ceptional leniency, as many of the : pictures now submitted to us were made before tin board went into existence. "Personally, I do not approve of eliminations where a doubt exists, and we try to keep away from im- posing our individual standards and personal likes. , The only point at issue with us is whether the law Is \ violated. "I believe there will be minor changes in the enactment, princi- pally as to what constitutes an 'edu- cational' pic^uro to determine ex- emption from payment of the licens- ing fee. At present we are ruling that all 'industrials' must pay until toe law is amended to cover that I classification." Asked if he favored Federal cen- sorship. Senator Cobb went on to [■ay: "Even if there wore Federal cen- sershlp, the Individual States would reserve unto themselves the right to pass upon pictures. I favor a uni- form standard of censorship, and ' have been in correspondence with the various State boards lsklng them to meet for tho purpose of dis- cussing the question. "William J. Bryan recently made 'a statement before a public school board that a half hour talk to chil- dren. Illustrated by motion pictures, " Would tea oh them more than could be gleaned by the~ old-fashioned book learning. The head of the school board before which he spoke coincided with Mra Bryan, and in this I heartily concur." pert; that last April 18 he con- tracted with Miss Murray and Mr. Leonard for a series of four pic- tures for a consideration of $200,000, plus a 15 per cent, gross interest; that he paid them $12,500 on ac- count and organized the Glob© Pro- ductions, inc.; that he promoted the capitalization of the $200,000 com- pany, securing Herber E. Cronen- weth and his brother, John Croncn- weth, as financial backers, the for- mer subscribing $30,000 immediate- ly, and that on March 23 last he ar- ranged with the Associated Exhib- itors for a releasing channel simul- taneous with a $10,000 publicity tie- up with an advertising unit. The complaint continues Mr. Gates purchased Oulda Bergere's "Pea- cock Alley" story for the first pro- duction, and that soon thereafter the Tiffany enticed the star and di- rector awry from the Globe's em- ploy, charging that the Cronen- weths and George Perry, the ma- jority stockholders, * ere responsi- ble for the organic ton of the new corporation in oruer to deprive Henry L. Gates of the benefits of his position,as general manager. FILMIZE "FOLLIES" SONG Fenny Brice's Hit Number to Be Made Into Feature Universal is going to fllmize the Shapiro-Bernstein "Second Hand Rose" number, which is Fannie Brice's hit In the "Follies." Grant Clark and Jiramie Hanley wrote the song as a sequel to "Rose of Wash- ington Square," which was written by the same authors the previous year for Miss Brice's use. Gladys Walton is to be starred in the screen Version of the song, and work will be started on the produc- tion within the next week on tho coast. NEEDED TWO FOR "BIRTH" The manager of the liroadway and Auditorium theatres at Wins- ton-Salem. N. C. booked 'The Hirth of a Nation" for his liroadway the- atre for Nov. 7-8. The crowds came so fas! he had to open tho Audito- rium, directly opposite, rushing the film over to tho Auditorium reel by reel as it wa" run off in the I'.road- way. • Keith Books "Conflict" "The Con'l': l." the F. j>ir;ur< n<»;\ at th«> Central, has been book*d «»ver tho K«illi :ip'l .A (>■•< !i :!i^'--- :i-«iiiiif CRESCENT HAY REOPEN Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 16. TJie Crescent, closed last week when rent was not forthcoming, may r open, but whether with pictures or some other policy has not been deeided upon; nor it is ki own who the next manager will be. The Cahills. owners of the the- atre, and oiii-o operating it with pop vaudeville, may step in. O'lurs negotiating. N «-\v York It i which wilt in ■;■ i r !l • ' net in • •,<< h ln-ii.-c |•..i \ • • 1 P'l-jod <>f '< he o;'l;.il',( ric rit •ev ■: -I-?.!' I -!•'( hi Kahn to Goldwyn denize K:iha. who has been with ihe l.'niversiil for a number of years, is to leave that ori;ani/.:it ion Jan. 1 and beonnip allllialcd with <!o!dwyn. kahn started as s< >'i '-t.n y to Carl I.aemmle. and later ic^-ame man- amr of the export dixisiun of I". . I u>l \s h.i' «'.■ |Vici : y lie is- in ; he ' hihl '■.". ii .'''Mill' ' ■: : !, i :r.- « Hle ' .on i , ■. < " BIRD NOT RESIGNED 111! in a The Vcrncns Harve M?s. r.ohhy \ - -•---.. .. a D.-.iojhtcr ; ''hrislie 1 Hrth i. «.'. 1111» (1 \- i, i (. 11. u 1:' ii i m < "■..! ' ;'• iijn '. !i- i i) [ i 11 ■ hi'; V i ) ■ iii : I ■ 'U I I i III- ■!• I < I -..' i \ l.-e; Al;^'.' • < Nov. IC. ; A. I '.i <1 !.a -•• not resigned i-Vi i> i in, ; i»r hi s lie any <c il.i.n-.' >. .Mi'. 1 *i I'll say. .\l , I '.' ■■! I '■'.',' d a i offer New England section, with exhibit- ors from Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut on hand. This will take place In Boston Dec. C and 7, with headquarters at the Copley-Plaza, and Mr. Cohen and Senator Walker present. The Louisiana State body met In New Orleans Monday and Tuesday of this week. E. T. Peters, of Texas, represented the national body. BUILT IN 48 DAYS Fort Worth House Opens in Record Time Fort Worth, Texas, Nov. 16. The new Rialto theatre here opened last Sunday with the Selz- nick production, "A Man's Home," as the Initial feature. The house is under the management of J. S. Phil- lips, former Pathe branch manager and more lately at the head of a string of Independent exchanges In Jhla territory. He has been in the picture distributing field for If years. The building of the Rialto was a record feat, the structure having been completed in 48 actual working days. It Is one of the prettiest houses in this section of the country. FILM REVIVAL, TOO Remake "Easiest Way" Due to Stage Return Lewis J. Selsnlck is to re film "The Easiest Way" to which he controls the film rights. Selsnlck originally made the picture with Clara Kim- ball Toung In the role that was played in the stage production by Frances Starr. The Belasco revival of the stage production is responsible for the decision of the picture producer to remake the film version. FAN AGENTS FIGHT (Continued from page «) consented to do, and release them from responsibility for any mistaken judgment on the part of Hodgklns. The agents, none of whom total a very big revenue annually, are looking on this order with great alarm. All of the agents accepted the proposition originally, but now they seem to feel the entire con- missions they receive in a year would be eaten up were they com- pelled to make good two or three contracts which have been cancelled. One agent remarked: "It is a good way for Pantages to get out of the play or pay contract which he Is now Isruing. aa the original con- tract has not been changed to cover this point." <8ince Charles Hodgklns became personal representative for Alexan- der Pantages in the east and took particular Interest in the booking of acts out of the Chicago office, lo- cal agents are said to be on the bor- der of rebelling and refusing to do business with the office under the terms which- Hodgklns Imposes on them. # Several agents during the past week were barred from the booking privilege in that office, due to the fact that they refused to abide by an order which was Issued, directing them to assume the responsibility of all contracts they make over the Pantages circuit In case their acts may be cancelled for some cause or other. The release not only makes It mandatory for the agents to square off the acts as far as liability on the part of Pantages is concerned, but they must also sacrifice their commissions and as well reimburse the circuit for the railroad fare ex- pended to send another act to re- place the defaulting turn. governor-general of tho is'and. Ho nerds but the recommendation of a member of the nobility who is to visit the inland on a tour of inHpec- tion. The latter is none other than tho husband from whom the wife escaped in the Canadian wilds. In tho midst of a tropical storm, when the two are together in an iso- lated hut, the truth is revealed and later an annulment of the marriago as roed upon, which brings about a happy ending. Pictoii.'illy the picture hap much in Its favor, and in comparison to wmo of the features that are being mar- keted today is well worth white playing. Fr**d. COURAGE Joan Blarkmoore Naomi Child«ni Htephun Black moon 8am d« Omaae Angus Ferguson Lionel Bolmore Bruce Ferguson Adolph Menjou ••Speedy" Cheater .....Floy.l Whitlook Mclntyre Aleo B. Krancin Rtephan Blackmoora, Jr Ray Howard Rve Ham Inn Gloria Hope Oliver llamlBb Chariee Hill dalles KIDDIE CLUB TIE-UF A newspaper "tie-up" with Mary Pickford's "Little Ix>rd Fauntleroy" has been made in Chicago by Jones. Linick & Schaefer. which Is show- ing the picture at the Randolph theatre. The tie-up was made with tho Chicago Journal, which runs on its feature page a "Junior Journal" de- partment devoted to children. Ar- rangements were made that all "Junior Journal" members should see the picture in return for pub- licity space. FLAYTHDroS OF DESTINY Juli* Leneau Anita Stewart (•(•iiffrey Arnold Herbert Rawlins^ Hubert Randolph Walter McOrall V, 1 a 'p;; Orace Mora* £<w»Mln William V. Mon* Julie'* Child Klchurt* Headrlck WEIRD MAYO ANGLE Sued for divorce by Roy Mayo. Charlotte Mayo was awarded $2.">0 monthly alimony and $?.000 counsel fees. In the answering aflldavlts he stated that Mrs. Mayos desire for publicity to nave a way for a motion picture a :inpr can-or iinluci-ri her to commit th«« all* t?* <l jidnlteiy. The plaintiff, Mr. Mayo, was jrrani'-vl custody of fie child <' h.i t l«»t t <•. OMri< n. Malf-vlii 1 l;\ A. I"»i i --••■.;! . < r! ( d for .Mi s. M i vo. It is said to b< reels in length, time at the 81st week belles that. McOermott Satis ..1ar - '* M'-I >« -rniot f Miriam \>^l>if. hivi il > t iiinlcr enn: r.'i'-t a i.«: n. u . i i i i i •< •: 'ii.nl" i'l Y.1IH IK- • . I > y of Nov I" i\ < rs-l.asky. Ti Spain to work- »>m l'>. d'li'finn 111 .- 1 r K- now ,i livoad. M'-I). rnio't '■)< \.iUd<'Yill«' foi" '■!" p. having tr 'd mir ,1 i! - »< \imx that time. 1»mt \ .i \\ ; r, . >- .1 i 'i il !'••!' L'lll- to 1 h« l-'.i nifi'i •• v arr 11) ;;f) ;o a' : iri ill a pro- • "■:*, : 11! • i) > < 1 >.' M ' I > IIIU f' W Ili'Mil hs. v] . ♦rhes <1111■ - illi.il.!^ to ge; «'»'.<-• l> Ai-:i K-p'i^. 4 he lii-l , •- ■:•)•'} i i":n Vox. , eonsc "t iv bool.inij ■ i i 1 m i ••«■«■ a •«••••••••••*• d • 4 ••«••«•• • J • «' • rf • • t « « • » • k • « t i • • i ' < I i < * k • • 4 • < • » • I i I » > »■ • i' i t '. Here Is an Anita Stewart feature that has been released by First Na- tional and for some reason or other has been permitted to slip by all of the reviewing channels. The picture never saw Broalway. although it was announced by tho First Na- tional back in July. Just what rea- son there is underlying all this Is hard to say, for the picture Is far from being an undesirable one, in fact, It In even better than some of the other Stewarts shown on tho Main Stem. something tike six but the projection Street theatre this The story was by .lane Murfln and Larry Trimble, while Anthony Paul Kelly furnished the working script, and Lklwln Care we directed. The opening scenes are laid In mowbound Canada, while the final shots are supposedly neath the trop- ical plare of the Jamaica sun. Miss Stewart has a role that fits her com- pletely, and her supporting cast is all that anyone could ask for. She plays a little French Canadian Kirl who marries a youru? Knplish- rri.'in who Is In the woods. Later, when another woman arrives on the scen«« and declares herself lo be the wife iu the ahsenee of the husband the young wife runs away into the siorm. After n« an hln^r parties arc or'-ranizt'd they fail to lind her. In th" meantime she is in the cabin <»f a timber reclamation patrolman who f aM-- in love with her and ihI<h her to many. She consents as n meas- ure of protection to her child which 1* to be born. F've years later. In T maica. her husband has risen ii\ ihe service of the government to sufficient extent to ,be, a candidate for the post ,oi i < » . • "Courage" la based on a story by Andrew Soutar, scenario by Sada> Cowan. Albert A. Kaufman pre* sents It. and the distribution Is han- dled by First National under the management of Joseph M. Schenck. . It Is an Intensely interesting melo- drama, directed by Sidney A- Franklin, admirably produced with an excellent cast, in which Naomi Chllders, Lionel Belmoro and Sam de Qrasse stand out. The story takes its title from the sufferings of a man and wife, who go through the anguish of having the husband serve 18 years before he is released from a life imprison- ment sentence for a murder ho did not commit. The tale is laid In ^ Scotland and the atmosphere'of the locale Is carefully reproduced. Scenes In a steel mill are undoubt- edly genuine and the tale Is cumnV latively progressive. It holds Inter- est for six full ieels. Jo*o. COAST PICTURE NEWS Los Angeles, Nov. If* Grant Carpenter* the novelist and playwright, and Isabel Johnson have been added to the permanent staff of the Goldwyn scenario 'depart- ment. Mr. Carpenter Is srtaptfns; the Peter B. Ryne story, "Brothers Under Their Skins," and Miss John- son is doing the same with "Jane," by Mary Roberts Rlnehart. "The Dust Flower/* a new Basil King story, has been adapted te the screen by Charles Kenyon and will be produced under the direction of Rowland V. Lee for Goldwyn* Claude Giltlngwater, Kate Lester* Patsy Ruth Miller, Cullen Land!*. Nell Craig, Dana Todd, Rlohard Tucker. Esther Ralston, Arthur Trlmbeland and Lucille Ricksoa are In the cast of the initial production that is to be directed by Rupert H u ghee for Goldwyn. it la entitled "Remembrance," and Mr. Hughes Is also responsible for the original and the continuity. Jesse La sky has arrived from New York and will remain a month or more. Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Piok- ford have cabled friends that.they will return to Los Angeles by Janu- ary 15. Katherlne MacDonald has started her next First National ivlease at the Cosmo-Art Studios. Gloria Rwanson Is to make another Klinor CJlyn etory, "Beyond the Hocks." Jack Cunningham .adapted it to the screen. Billy Revan, ono of the Sennett comedians, has received his final naturalization papers. He was for- merly an Australian. Betty Oompson's next starring ve- hicle will be directed by William D. Taylor. At present the tltl- is '"The Noose." Wattcrson Rothaker is here in con- nection with business of his Holly- wood lai»oratorles and to complete the dctads of the deal for the Mrunton Studios in which he Is inter* .-.led. Tin- late Robert Harron's brother John Is to appear opposite Viola, Dana in Metro's 'The live Dollar liabv." Jameq Ronnie ha* been engaged for ihe le.idinK role in "Tho Dust Flow- er." a I'.nMJl King story, whi«-h is to ho made i.y Goldwyn und< v )\ '^land \'. !.'•<. m direction. Ci- il T' de ATille Is le;i\i 4 f-a- XeW Vi.rk ne\r week. He Is ^utinu. abroad ind will in'l;e ;» two rno/Mlis iimr of Ivirope. V'lli'ie Frederick has titii>-iiased "Tii" filmy ol (Memenlin . "' hy Wil- ham .1 I^)cl e. nnd it will Ik- utilized for her next Itobertson-Fole feature* r. ri;.;dn'T Sullivan is wilting an original, as yet untitled, to l»e pr«>- d\iced by Thos. Inoe, under the di- rection of Iryin, )VUia|^ , . u 1 r 1 j