Variety (October 1922)

1^-' •Friday, October 18, 1922 »P*-' ■■:,fi=W,?V/i-v=^.- vriuiUKca \;'t»?y!9H5'''v ;SS^: H ll 'ANTI-CENSORiNG CAMPAIGN UNDER HEADWAY IN BOSTON i.f, i>> Griflith*8 Special Premiere Livens Up City—Business Off About 25 Per Cent. Last Week—Rumors of "Bat" Infringement Ii^volve<| in "Exciting Night" STRONG FILM SAVES FLOPPING HOUSE f. ■ , Boston, Oct. 10. I The opening of Griffith's "One Exciting Night," for what was ac- ^ tually the metropolitan release of «*thls pi::ture, wa« the big noisu for ^-the town this week. The showing was preceded by plenty of nplush , and novelty advertising, and the first string ci;^tlc8 wer« eased Into the first showing after a dinner tendered to them and some of the Ijnembers of the cast. Tremont Temple has been taken by the (JVifflih people for the show- t Ing. Thi.<? house at the beginning i^ of the season wna in the control of d> the Fox people, but the program of > showing broke down after a couple ♦ of weeks and it was allowed to trail ♦ along with travel pictures until ♦ Crlfllth took it for his exploitation '' tvork. It is claimed, however, that Pox retains his hold on the house . and that the Griffith people are ex- ' pected to stay about three weeks . and then Fox will put into operation , his original plans for first showings. ' there. The present occupants claim they can have the house as long as they want it and that the business done by the latest release Is the only checkup on the stay. Rumors were flying about town before the picture was shown that "The Bat" people would seek to prevent it being shown, because it was an infringement on their show; playing the Wilbur. Whatever the plans were toward this end they did not materialize, although an air of expectancy prevailed up to the last minute. Another matter of interest in the picture game during the week was the very noticeable activity against the censorship bill which is to be voted upon in this State in less than a month. Hearst's Boston paper carried Several stories during past week flaying the idea of a picture censor and pointing out the danger to the public from this source. The attack took the form of comment from prominent local men and women and editorials that appeared In prominent positions. While the opening gun of this campaign attracted attention, it is claimed there are several salvos being held back for the finish that will produce ccnsations, and the anti-censorship crowd at the Co- pley-Plaza, including Jack Connelly and Charles Pettijohn, is said to have the situation lined up so com- pletely that they believe the bill will be buried by a two-for-one vote. Clrcularizatlon of the entire* State, coupled with newspaper comment and advertising, Is being carried out with appeals being made to Italians and other foreign elements through their papers and by the handbill method. Will Hays was in town this "Week, supposedly on the relief mis- sion, and he had a chance to look the situation over on this end. In an unofficial way. Business around town was off about 25 per cent, last week due to the weather Preak at the first of the week. It was impossible to get the people into the, picture houses in the face of high 'temperature at such a season of the year, and grosses descended as a result. At the end of the week business started piling up again ad it was generally reported that Saturday was an exceptionally big day. The recovery came too late, however, to wipe out the losses of the first of the week. The Globe is using Houdlni's pic- ture for another week, being a.«'8ured of a good break by the bu.siness the picture registered on the opening V|eek. "Manslaughter," which played the State two weeks ago and was then jumped into the Orpheum for a week is being shown this week at one of the Gordon houses, traveling along the same linea as "Blood and Sand." Griffith and his brother. Albert L. Grey, who were on the ground, acted as though they expected an injunction. Griffith told several of the newspapermen, with a request that it not be printed, that he had road the script of the picture to the ■ producers and authors of "THe Bat." and that they had stated that there was no Infringement. J. J. Rosenthal stated that there would be no Injunction and that the pic- ture was no more "The B.it" than WHS •The Cat and the Canary" or any other mystery play. It looked here as thouRh the whole tjiing might be a frame for a mu- l»«al publicity jjtunt in the e\ent that there was an injunction. Kstimatf^s for last week: Loew'« State. Capacity 4.000; ''cale. 25-50. "The Old Honiohtead' did about $11,000. $2,000 under pro- vioua week. Heat and not picture CONVENTIONS HELP Detroit Lively with Visitors Last . Week J)etroit, Oct. 10. Several national conventions, each bringing over 3,000 delegates and their wvies, helped to stimu- late business at the downtown first- run picture houses la.st week. It was warm the fore part and it rained the last two days. Business seemed to improv.e with the rainy weather. * l The mo.st popular picture of the week was "The Storm," which con- cluded its second week at one house and could easily have remained a third week. "Burning Sand.s" took second honors. "Kindred of the Dust" received excellent patronage at the. Capitol. Last week's estimates: Adams: "The Storm." Two weeks' engagement of Universal special successful and profitable. Seemed to be drawing better la.st part of second week than during similar period first week Removed to make room for "Manslaughter," indefinite tun. "The Storm" did about $22,000 in the two weeks. Madison: ''Burning Sands." Did not set any new attendance records, but did satisfactory business. Broadway-Strand: Second week of "The Man Who Played God." Business fair. Beautiful, artistic production; receiving splendid no- tices, but not a box office attraction unless heavily exploited, "Broad- way Rose" follows for run. Fox-Washington: "Orphans of the Storm." First time at popular prices. Business good. "Manslaughter" jn Fourth Week at Imperial, Frisco^ r Life Saver ST. LOUIS MERGER Skouras Bros. Now Have Missouri •■\ ,, Theatre • ' St. Louis, Oct. 10. The Missouri and Grand Central have been merged under direction of Skouras Brothers. They are the largest picture houses in St. Louis and their merger will make a.total of 18 theatres under control of the brothers. The net profits from these houses will be shared with the Fa- mous Players Corporation. It Is un- derstood that if negotiations now under way are completed there will be a change in the Missouri staff. The booking plans will also be changed. The Missouri has shown only * Paramount pictures. Under the new plan the Paramount book- ing will be divided between the two hou.ses. The Skouras Brothers have for a long time been very anxious to secure Missouri, principally be- cause the New Grand Central is too small. Very often, when showing a ]3opular film they have been forced to turn crowds away, while the Mis- souri across the street had plenty of room. The Missouri seats 4,200. J., I. & S. SELL ANOTHER Chicago, Oct. 10. Jones, Linick & Schacfer are slowly disposing of the theatres not proving money makers for them. They have sold within the last two months three theatres. The latest is the Lyceum on 39th and Cottage Grove, with C. W, Spanuth and Henry J. Sharpe taking it over for a reported rental of $250 a month for ten years. The house will play a picture policy. blamed for drop. "The Prisoner of Zenda*' this week, with special ad- vertising. Tremont Temple. Capacity 2,000; scale, 25-50. Swung into line with fir.«?t release houses again, this time under Griffith flag with his newest picture, "One Exciting Night." Park. Capacity, 2,400; scale, 28- 40, "Nero" did not come through in the way expected and same as "Sil- ver Wings," another flivver from box office standpoint. Did $6,000, about one-half house couM do if playing to capacity. For thj.s week has "My Wild Irish Roso." Modern. Capacity, 800: .'-' .-iJo, 28*- 40. Bu.siness capacity la.vt week, "J..OV0 Is an Awful Thing" and the "YoHcmite Trail" dr.iwing conpis- tentlv. IJsing "Ilearfs Hav»n" and "My Friind the Devil" films for this wr( k. Beacon. Attraction, scalf and s*'atiijg rapacity identical with Modern. Busine.-^^s on par with other house. CHICAGO EXHIBITORS STAGE "HARD BUSINESS BATTLE San Francisco, Oct. 10. Because of the exceptional popu- larity of De Mille's "Manslaughter," now in its fourth week at the Im- perial, that theatre has been saved, temporarily at least, from slipping back into second place among the big downtown first run houses. The film is holding up well in its fourth week; although receipts dropped a little over those of the week be- fore. The most Important fact about the engagement has been the placing of the Imperial in the long- run theatres lisl» Credit is unquestionably due to the picture because other of the firwt-run houses have tried to force their runs beyond two weeks by devious methods, but have failed to make a go of it. Across. the street the Granada chalked up a good week chiefly be- cause of a special offering entitled "Opera v."^. .Tazz." This was a musi- cal concoction that caught the fancy of the public. At the California business, also was good because of the personal appearance of Walter Hiers, who delivered a humorous moiiolog. His appearance was In connection with the showing of "The Ghost Breaker." starring Wallace Reld, but in which Hiors appeared to advantage as the negro. The Strand made a mistake In booking Oscar Wilde's "A Woman ot No Importance." It is altogether too highbrow a film for Strand pat- rons. They like melodrama of the "mellow" variety, and in all proba- bility never heard of Oscar Wilde. Business at this house has not been up to expectations aa a consequence. Undoubtedly In the Granada or one of the other theatres catering to a different clientele the film based on Wilde's play would have done well. The Warfleld has a draw in a double comedy bill, the chief offer- ing being Buster Keaton in "The Frozen North." Viola Dana la "The Five Dollar Baby" is also on the program. At the TIvoll "Kindred of the Dust" was the feature that proved a fair attraction. The Frolic Is below normal. California—"The Ghost Breaker" (Paramount). (Seats 2.700; scale. 50-75-90.) Wallace Reld, Lila Lee and Walter Hiers. Much interest manifested in Hiers* personal ap- pearance, which meant something at the box office. Got $15,000. Granada—"The Siren Call" (Para- mount). (Seats 2,940; ecale. 50-75- 90.) Dorothy Dalton. Drew the biggest gross of the week, with $16,000. Imperial—"Manslaughter" (Para- mount). (Seats 1,425; scale. 85-50- 75). Fourth Week and still doing well. Held to $9,000. 8trand—"A Woman of No Impor- tance" (Select). (Seats 1,700; scale, 40-55.) Did not appeal to the patron.s of this house, with the gross going to only $6,000 on the week. Tlvoli—"Kindred of the Dust" (First National). Seats 1,800; scale, 25-40.) Played to about $5,000. Loew's Warfield—"The $5 Baby" (Metro), with Viola Dana and Buster Keaton In "The Frozen North" < First National). (Seats 2,800; scale, 80-50-60-75). Keaton has big following here and business started out good. Business picked up considerably, with the figures showing $11,000. Frolic—"Human Hearts" (Uni- versal). (Seats 1,000; scale, 10-30.) Hou.se Peters. All thot to pieces; got under $2,000. ''Knighthood" Beats ''Robin Hood" to Premiere Showing Through Getting Roosevelt—B. & H« Have New Advertising Scheme FILM ORIENT BALL TRIP Harry Owens and Herb Hunter, film producers, will take a number of major league ball players to the Orient on a dual barnstorming and film producing trip. For picture purposes several screen personages will accompany the pill chasers, the ballplaying angle to be worked In merely as subsidiary^ to the story. Naturally it will revolve about the natloiial pastime. The story Is completed but the author's name Is kept secret, re- putea to be a national sports authority. The script will be sub- mitted to Judge Landis for ap- proval before actual "shooting" Is attempted. Judpp Landia Saturday approved tJu' 1...;; (M.ty.ra' barnstorming lour. SAM GOLDWYN ALOOF .S.iiiuj'l <:oldwyn haa moved from his LotiK l.vland placo into the St. Regis, New York, for the winter, without anyone starting the rumor, that he was planning to re-enter the picture industry. Chicago, Oct. 10. Sticky, hot weather did everything but help along the grosses at the box ofllce, with the result a drop was taken by all the attractions playing town. The thermometer registered a.g. high as 88, and only Saturday and Sui.day were any place near normal, and then it rained all day. "The Prisoner of Zenda." at the Roosevelt was dealt a most severe blow, but managed to top last week's showing. The picture Just dragged its way along, never creating a flurry. "The Prisoner'* will complete its run by playing Just two days of next week, when "When Knight- hood Was in Flower," the Cosmo- politan picture, comes In. At the Randolph the .story fol- lowed very similar lines as to the OWEN LAUDS SCREEN'S PATRIOTIC SERVICES U. .S. Senator's Testimonial to Further Educational Work Washington, D. C, Oct. 10. That the picture is one of the greatest means of education In this country and alone can battle Igno- ranee and thus avoid any possibili- tles of bolshevism or communism In this country was a statement made on the floor of the Senate shortly before that body recently adjourned, by Senator Robert L. Owen, of Oklahoma. The senator stated that the high prices of commodities had created discontent, caused the recent strikes and the general unrest. That the motion picture was doing its share through the very generous action of 20,000 theatre owners In throwing open their theatres for the showing of films having to do with voca- tional instruction. These shows are being given free of admission charge. Quoting from Senator Owen's speech, he said: "Over 60,000,000 feet of Instruc- tional films arc being distributed free to the people of the United States by one Institution In Wash- ington (Bureau of Commercial Eco- nomics) without cost to the people. They are circulating vocational In- struction reels teaching the people and the American youth liow to make every manufactured product on earth, from steam engines to cambric needles; plumbing, carpen- try, brick laying, painting, masonry, textile manufacture, gardening, rais- ing fruit, berries, bees, poultry, cat- tle', pigs and horses. '"These productive films are In a constant stream reaching every part of America, teaching the most un- enlightened citlien how to make tiis living, teaching hla lesson^ of provi- dence, of co-operation, of patriot- ism, of the rights of property and the wisdom of protecting property rights; teaching him brofheiiy good will and entertaining him by pic- tures showing every activity and amu.scment of mankind. In every human h^art there is a love of truth, of liberty, of Justice; a natu- ral desire to acquire and protect property rights; and when men can make a decent living by reasonable effort, as all can do In America, those who teach bolshevism will themselves be taught the better path by tho.se great forces to which I have so inadequately referred. There Is no danger of communism or bolshevism In America. The mov- ing pictures alone would :nake it impos.sible. We should encourage In every way possible this, the greatest agency of education ever conceivtd by n>ft n i " METRO'S ''GREAT DIVIDE" Metro has secured the screen rights to "The Great Divide ' which 1« to be directed for them by Rex Ingram, The play was originally done as a co-starring vehicle for lenry Miller and Margaret Anglln. general conditions prevalent, with weather being the heaviest setback In the drop of business of around $1,000. "Under Two Flag.s," though, is still maintaining the interest t succeeded in getting upon Its open- ing, but even this pulling power could not resist the decline. With . the announced Incoming features in close proximity of this house. It jooks a- though "Under Two Flags" will stage a good showing, as the house does not get a play from any regular attendance, but is a drop-in house. The incoming features will bring a heavy barrage of attendance in this part of the Loop and strengthen thfe Randolph intake; The Chicago got a pretty bad run with "Broadway Rose," looked for- ward to as making somewhat of a record. The weather got this one. too, with the gross hovering around 128,000. It is of rather unusual im- portance to record the practice the Chicago followed in the running of "Broadway Rose." For the first time this ho^se advertised the cur- rent attraction, the cmlng attrac- tion for the week, "Remembrance," and the attraction for the third week In advance, "The Eternal Flame." The space taken for this ad and run all week was 76 agate lines double, with th^ "Broadway Rose" picture getting one inch, "Remem- brance' one and three-quarters inches, and "The Eternal Flame" two inches. It is apparent that the purpose it this threefold ad was aimed at the business which will be drawn to the Loop by the pictures scheduled to come, and the opening of the McVIcker's theatre, which is expected to take place around the 16th of this month. This three in one ad of the Chicago, seemed to have been struck at the business which is to come to B. & K.'s Roosevelt, where "When Knighthood Was In Flower" will open Wednesday night of the week, and the week following which will bring "Robin Hood* Into the Cohan's Urand. a legit house, open- ing October 16. Then too. It is ex- pected that McVIcker's will Join the band music with its opening using Paramount's "The Old Homestead." The McVIcker's already has the town well papered with its "open- ing soon," twenty-four sheets. The anticipated grand scramble t%r par- ronage of the patron, has been looked forward too ever since Par- amount got the franchise with Jones. Linick and Schaefer at Mc- VIcker's and the Universal slipped in for a five year tenancy at the Randolph. it looks like a free for all,, but with the films presented being as strong as they, are there is a possibility that each'As strong as they are there is a possibility that each of them will make a living, even though they are fighting tooth and nail and cutting eai;h others throats. • The logitmato shows which are so num- erous in town, are listing a number of hits and the only thing which win help along the grorsej seems to be a drain on the patrmfl uf the legit shows, and It ^eems likely that there are two pictures ihst will get a play from the legit patrons. Those are "Robin Hood" at the Cohan's Grand, which will give two shows a day, and likely get first break at thi.s outside movie bus- iness, and '"When Knighthod Was In Flower" at the Roosevelt, which may get the legit patron to wait in line at th^ grand policy In force there. The other houses in which the Roosevelt may be included, have their own following, and it's some- what competitive between them and the neighborhood houses playing pictures. for the neighborhood houses have been presenting some strong drawing cards. "Broadway Rose," P'irst Natjonal, Chicago,—Seats, 4.200; fi.'ic. mats; nights, 65c. Not much exploitation done on this film, although it under- stood that there was lively biddinsr for It before B. & K. got it for this house. Was given third preference in the advertising for the week .and likely that hurt it. A few incidental attractions, with Warings Band of College Boys, being the c.'«rd. Did not climb u^ to |28,000. "Prisoner of Zenda," M^'tro," Roosevelt.—Scats, 1,275; mats., 30o.; nights, OOc; holidays, 60o, Sfcond week. Developments of week show it came in en percentage, although reported to have betn rented. "Knighthood* film ousting It next Tttr sdayt — B l ed out — t o a r t nm d a |ll,r»00 proc«. "Under Two Flags," Univers.i), Randolph. -Seats, 686; mats, Sjc; nit,'ht«, t»Or.; second week. The weather dented it a $1,000 in the in- t.ike, with the week flnishins? to $8,000. Film Is moving along nicely, r>id very well this week, even though it did drop. Looks like it will pick up next week. ^ ^JM