Variety (September 1922)

Friday, September 29, 1022 PICTURES —x: 43 T 0. C. C. WEEKLY MEET HAS INTERNAL CLASH FILM FEATURE RACE (Continued from page 1) they fear what the effect of the opening of "Knighthood" will have j i !— as „♦;.,« diAMAAiAfi on "Robin Hood" when It comes Underlying Motive Suspected mto New York. a 8 yet no New in Proposed Brooklyn Ex- hibitors' Body • Another clash between those among tho New York exhibitors who are more or less friendly disposed toward Sydney S. Cohen and those responsible for the breaking away with the entire organized body of New York State exhibitors from the national organization, which is Cohen-controlled, came to light at the weekly meeting of the Theatre Owners* Chamber of Commerce. Following the discussion held in regard to biblical Alms at the Hotel Astor Tuesday, there was almost a pitched battle in the closed session for members only of the T. O. C. C. During the last few weeks there has been in the process of forma- tion a Brooklyn organization of ex- hibitors in which those most active were known supporters of the Cohen regime in the national organiza- tion. One of these was mentioned as the Cohen candidate to head the Chamber of Commerce at the last election of that organization, but he was forced to withdraw because of the advance uncovering of the plan "TWIST" PLACED At Strand, New York—First NatTe Distribution York house has been definitely set, but the Apollo has been spoken of, with negotiations also on with Wil- liam Fox for the Lyric. The disas- trous showing that pictures have made in the legitimate houses on 42d street tiius far this season has the United Artists trying for a Broadway house with a hope that it might be able to get into the Astor if a deal can be effected with Metro which has the house under leaso for the time being. The Hearst people, meantime, are trying to shape up a campaign in Chicago and Boston, making in- quiry for house in the latter city. The United seemingly at this time is directing its full strength on Chi- cago as the first point of attack out- side of New York, with the feeling that that city would about even it up if they should manage to beat "Knighthood" into that point. "Robin Hood" is to have the Cofran Grand opera house as its theatre in Chicago. Just what house will be available for the "Knighthood" picture Is a question. After the showing that the pro- duction has made at the box office at the Criterion, it is quite possible to place him in nomination. One of I tnat either the Shuberts or A. L. the staunchest workers for the elec- , Erlanger will be more than willing tlon of a subsequently nominated Cohen candidate is at the head of the new Brooklyn exhibitor body. The organization was formed os- tensibly for the purpose of combat- ing the operator situation In the Brooklyn borough, but underlying there is believed to be a move on foot where this organization, if suf- ficient strength can be "developed, is to bring about an open rupture in the T. O. C. C. At Tuesday's meet- ing the principal worker for the Brooklyn organization asked that the T. O. C. C. countenance the new organization, and promise it moral and financial support. At the meeting it was decided a commltteo of five be appointed to go into the matter of the Brooklyn organization. In the interests of those exhibitors in the Brooklyn territory not members of the T. O. C. C, because they are unable to afford the annual dues of $100, the organization voted to assist them financially as well as morally in the fight with the operators that seems to bo brewing over there. O'Reilly was appointed chairman of the committee, to insure the impossi- bility of any moves that might be in the Interests, of the Cohen fac- tion getting past in the meetings. N. 7. EXHIBITORS ELECT Buffalo, Sept. 27. At a meeting held late last week at the Majestic Theatre the New York State Motion Picture Theatre Owners' Association elected the fol- lowing officers: President, George E. Williams; Vice-president, James Wallingford; secretary, Bruce Fowler; treasurer, Al Beckerlch; members of the ad- visory board, Barney Vowlnkle, George Keating, Charles Higgins, Jules Michaels, Henry Carr, George Haney, Frank Nowak. Griffith in Hays' Group D. W. Griffith has finally joined the Hays organization, or at least signified his intention of doing so by making application to join this Week. He was named as one of the original incorporators of the Pro- ducers' and Distributors' Associa- tion, but at the formation of the organization came the row between William Fox and Griffith over "Or- phans of the Storm," with the re- sult the latter failed to go along with the Hays*outflt as it pro- gressed. to open up time for the production in the bigger cities at this time. The other big towns in which the battle is to be waged are San Fran- cisco, Los Angeles. Philadelphia, St Louis, CleveU^d, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. Wednesday it was settled tho Fairbanks picture would come into the Lyric, New York, opening there Oct. 30, for an indefinite run. The Shuberts -made an arrangement with Wtlliam Fox whereby he will permit them to swing him and his future film attractions which were to have played the Lyric, into the Astor. Seemingly Fairbanks Insisted on the Lyric through sentimental rea- sons. It was at that house that*he first scored a hit in "Fantana" and there that he presented "The Three Musketeers." In addition, the house is singularly appropriate for the showing of "Robin Hood," for the theatre was originally built from royalties that the operetta "Robin Hood" earned for its composer, Reginald de Koven. The first sale that was consum- mated for "Robin Hood* was with Sid Grauman for his Hollywood theatre in Hollywood. Grauman is guaranteeing $30,000 for an in- definite run of the production there. The United Artists in New York is* said to be considering dealing with the independents among the exhibitors for booking following the Lyric engagement instead of book- ing through the two big circuits, Loew and the Keith-Proctor-Moss combination. On previous Fair- banks and Plckford pictures the in- dependent exhibitors protested over the playing of them with the cir- cuits which cleaned up and left nothing for the smaller exhibitors and a general readjustment was brought about on several of the productions. With the formation of the new Associated Booking Cor- poration, which is a combination of Independent exhbiitors, there is a chance that they might get the picture before the circuit. Before leaving Los Angeles for New York, Fairbanks is said to have settled the question of his next pro- duction, which is to be a screen version of "Monsieur Beaucaire" Instead of "The Virginian," as he had planned. "Oliver Twist," the Jackie Coogan starring feature, is to play the Strand, New York, opening there on Oct. 22 for two weeks, providing the picture hits a gross of $25,000 on the first days of the opening week. The Lesser people tried to get their opening set for the^following week, with an arrangement that in tho event the second week went to a like gross, the picture would be he d over for a third week. They were figuring on getting election day on the second week, but the Strand management Insisted on the open- ing being set for the week earlier, so that tho second week would not get the advantage of the holiday. The deal which Lesser closed with the First National provides for the release of the picture in the open market through First National with the producer retaining the right to o. k. contracts and also with the proviso that no exhibitor who did not play the previously re- leased three Jackie Coogan pictures would be unable to secure "Oliver Twist" until hq did play the attrac- tions. In taking over "Oliver Twist" the First National took the world rights to the production, this being the first picture that they have taken under the new plan whereby they will release in foreign countries. An early release with a de luxe pre- B. & K/s SYNCOPATION WEEK' EASTMAN DIRECTOR QUITS Chicago, Sept. 27. When Balaban & Katz presented "Syncopation Week" at the Chicago last week they stole a march on the McVlcker's opening plans. It is understood it was tho intention of S. Barrett McCormick, McVicker's director, to use tho "Syncopation Week" stunt for tho premiere week. He successfully put over the idea at tho Allen, Cleveland, from where Jones, Linick & Schaefer brought him. Somehow, McCormlck'a plans leaked out, with the result that lial a ha n & Katk took advantage of tho advance news and beat Mc- Cormick to it. release presentation Is planned for London. Sol Lrss.-r and Abe Gore, his partner, leave for the coast to- morrow (Saturday). Gore still in- sists that he is in earnest about trying to secure legitimate attrac- tions for the West Coast Theatre, Inc., the chain which he and Lesser are jointly Interested in. It is ex- ceedingly doubtful If he will be able to negotiate a hook-up with the legitimate powers that be in New York, whereby they would be will- ing to break from their present coast affiliations and permit the picture house people to get the shows going to the coast. The new Branwell at Branwell, W. Va., opened last week. C. H. Goulding, Who Opened New Rochester House, Resigns ~^1 Rochester, N. Y., Sept. 27.* Charles H. Goulding, managing director of the new Eastman thc- atro since Its Inception, has re- signed. That statement is issued from the office of tho theatre, but no further' Information was given. There has been a rumor here for about ten days to tho effect .that Gould.ng was leaving, in trying to obtain verification at tho Kastman it was admitted that his resigna- tion had boen accepted and that Arthur Amm, his assistant, would take charge of tl. house until a new managing director was named. Goulding was named as the man- ager of the Eastman early In 1921 and for a year before coming to Rochester he devoted himself to a study of motion picture houses all over the country. He arrived here early in the summer and started tie organization of the house per- .« nnel. The theatre opened on Labor Day and less than a month after the opening he tendered his resignation. The general opinion is that the new Eastman is going to be some- thing more or less of a white ele- phant on the hands of the spon- sors, much as the Century, New York, was on the hands of the founders of that institution. Bebe Daniels James Kirkwood Anna Q.Nilsson Raymond Hatton PR11IH110 IV JCMll.LASkV 100°/( 0 OF THE Exhibitors of Michigan Read our magazine published every Tuesday. If you want to reach this clientele there is no better medium. Rates very low MICHIGAN FILM REVIEW JACOB SMITH, Publisher 415 Free Press Bldg. DETROIT, MICH. Los Angeles, Sept. 27. Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Plckford and her mother, Mrs. Charlotte Smith, as well as Mr. and Mrs. John Fairbanks, are en route to New York via the Canadian Rockies. They are due to arrive on Wednesday of next week. * New York won't know Mary, as she has donned long skirts, which reach within six inches of the ground, and Doug is hiding behind a beard btmh. The party will stop over in Chicago for a few days. Doug's "Robin Hood" is neheduled to open there at Cohan's Grand, Oc- tober 15. The Syracuse M. P. Co. has ready for release a now rom««dy drama !. iture entitled "The Jolly Fish." for r«li.isc through the Piaygoeri (Arthur S. Kane). This l* Hamil- ton Smith's second production by the Upstate company financed »•> local capital. A third is in courst of production. In 'The Jelly Fish" <;im are Wyndham Standing, now making pictures abroad: Dorothy Mackaill, and J. Harney Bhscri. An Absolute Knockout! THE CRITICS SAID: "Deserves a high place among the season's Paramount Pictures. An absorbingly in- teresting story, beautiful set- tings. Cast excellent." —N, Y. Telegraph "Poignant drama. Intense reality. Splendidly done and highly interesting." —N. Y. Mail "Strong human drama, in- vincibly stirring, unusually engrossing, dramatically dynamic." —Ar. y. Herald By Cynthia 8tockley Adaptation by 8onya Levien and J. E. Nash 8cenario by Ewart Adamion A PENRHYN 8TANLAWS PRODUCTION (This i* the 2-column ad. Matt and electro* at exchanges) I "Exciting melodrama. Bebe Daniels gives striking per- formance." —A/, y. Sun d (paramountQidure :r<*z fAMDl'SPlMFRh lASKYUUKKMAIKJ* —■ *aet»w xi*cm a*****, * —- —