Variety (July 1923)

PIC TUR E S THREE-CORNERED COMBINATION; UCHmN-WARNERS-MAYER ,..' •»> Possibility Reported From Coast in Producing and Releasing Organization—Tola! of 45 Productions for Next Season Los Angt'h'S. July 11. Al, Llchtman, head of I'lcf^rn 1 Pictures, has arrived horc and wa.*- dined Monday night at the Kxposi- tion by B. P. Schulberg. I>ichtman Is promising to spring a surpri5*e in a production and distributing with- in the next few days. 1ST NATIONAL SHAKE-UP In Sates Division—Floyd M. Brockell No Longer in Charge It has been reported around Nrw Tork for about ten days that there was a possibility of an annalgama- tlon being effected between the Lichtman-Schulberg Interests, the Warner Brothers and Louis B. Mayer, whereby the three organ- izations would combine in a produc- ing and releasing proposition. Preferred' Pictures has approxi- mately IS pictures scheduled for the coming year. In titles and impor- tance some of Its announced produc- tions take on an importance ranking approximately with those of the Warner Bros., who have 18 sched- uled for release during the coming season. Warners have been distrib- uting their production on a states right basis, while Liehtman has per- fected a system of exchanges for the distribution of the Preferred'prod- uct. A tleup between the Warners and Preferred would give the for- me^ the exchanges of the latter to do business through. The high-powered production pro- gram that the Warners ar^ follow- ing for the coming season undoubt- edly calls for greater exhibition value quotas than the states rights affiliations for the greater part that they now have can stand, and to market their pictures they would have to go out into the fleld them- selves. I.<ouls B. Mayer, at whose studios in Los Angeles Preferred has been renting space for its producing, has undoubtedly become dissatisfied with exhibition values placed on produc- tions released through FirsI National and possibly is not altogether satis- fled with the deal he has been get- ting from Metro and might welcome some sort of an arrangement where< by he would be lined up with a strong releasing organization where he would get a break. Mayer has three directors under contract—Fred Niblo, John Stahl and Reginald Barker—each turning out about four pictures annually. The Stahl productions are bting re- leased through First National, while the Niblo and Barker productions are marketed through Metro. A three-cornered lineup with these organizations comprising the com- bination would imaii that they would have a tola* of 45 produc- tions to offer the exhibitor. It is quite possible that they would be able to line up an additional seven ri«"ture.«<. whiclj would make it pos- sil'le for thrm to release one a week. Liist week licforo "leaving for the coast Al. IJohtm.in purchased the contrart under which the Comrhon,- wealth was releasing the Preferred productions. Lichtnians deal with Sam Zirler is said to have been con- cluded upon the payment of $35,000 for the unexpired term of two and a half years which the contract had to run. According to the story in the trade Llchtman is immediately to organize hia own New York ex- change. J There ha^ been a shake-up in the sales division at the home office of First National. Floyd M. Brockell who since the first of the year has had the title of Manager of Distri- bution is no longer present in that capacity, having been suceeded by R A. Esohmann who has been fea- ture sales manager for Pathe. The light way of letting Brockell down is gathered from the fact that at First National they say that he has been assigned to "special work." Brockell has long been looked on as a Sam Katz man and as such has had a number of other franchise holders ranged' against him. He came to New York originally from Chicago where he was the exchange manager. Katz, it 1^ said, was re- sponsible for him In the home office of the organization and managed through his influence to keep him there until the present time. 15^00 AT N. 0. STRAND, BEST GROSS IN MONTHS Coolest Summer There on Record—Liberty Did $3,018 in Seven Days New Orleans. July 11. l<ew Orleans Is Experiencing the cooIe«t summer in the history of the local weather bureau, which has helped render less dull a gloomy period for the picture places. The extremely pleasant days of last week served to augment grosses that leaned upward by comparison with recent ones. The parks and outdoor place* were drenched with rains that deflected amusement seekers to roofed habitats, alf. of which abetted in kind. Estimates for last week: Strand (seats 2.200; 28. 55, 83) — "Java Head." Featured Leatrice Joy, local girl. Burt Earle's Cali- fornia Girls orchestra, extra. Total 15,200, beet business Strand has had since last winter. Liberty (seats 1.800; 28, 55)— "Prodigal Daughters." Barely passed $3,COO, doing exactly |3,018 In seven days. Tudor (seats 800; price, 28)— Tudor achieved summer average with tri-weekly change, getting $1,428 with three program releasee. i Thursday, July 12, 1928 '^'^ HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS SALE Los Angeles, July 11. The Hollywood studios are re- ported as having been sold, the price Slid to have been $750,000, with S. M. Tompkins and John M. Nicolaus named as the purchasers. John Jasper, who built the studios about three years ago, is denying that any sale has been completed. Jasper, in addition to building the Hollywood studios, also built the Cbaplgf studios here and the Paciflc studios at San Mateo. According tfi the rumor the newly reported owners of the studios are to have C. E. Toberman. C. W. Brad^- ford and William Sistrom, who re- cently resigned as production man- ager of Cosmopolitan, as the Execu- tives to manage the plant when it is taken over. TERBT SUCCEEDINa BARKIE St. Louis, July 11. July 20 Tom Terry, for the past four years organist at the Graiid opera house, will succeed Stuart Larrie as orgnnist at the Missouri theatre. During his long stay .'■'. the vaudeville house Terry demon- strated his fine musical ability and his unquestionable talent for both classic and "trick" effects upon the organ and is certain to become very popular wrth Missouri patrons. PORTO RICO BIDDING Want Pictura Producers at San ■■ •. Juan - ,• *; Porto Ricfi is trying to secure its share of the Aim producing busi- ness. At present it is trying to pro- mote a number of producing or- ganizations in the neighborhood of New York to undertake rroduction at the studios that have been built within the last year at San Juan. A representative of the Gonzales people who originally built the stu- dio for the productions of Edward MacManus and Charles Logue, which were released by the Asso- ciated Producers, has been in New York trying to Interest those that have productions panned for the late summer and the fall and winter. The studios have been idle since- the MacManus-LoguQ comibinatlon split after malcAng three pictures. The points that are in favor of the San Juan location is that its cli- matic conditions are about the same as :hose of Los Angeles and that the island affords mlmost any sort of scenic location. Al 8t. John's WiTa Accuses Him Loa Angeles, July 11. Al St. John, comedian in Fox pictures, is the defendant in a di- vorce action. His wife charges him with cruelty and habitual Intoxica- tion. Robert Croxier Scott Suicides Los Angeles. July 11. Robert Crozler Scott, scenario writer and playwright, committed suicide In his home here by cutting his throat. Marital differences is said to have caused the deed. CANADIAN EXHIB. AFHUATIGN ' WITH STATES' NATIONAL BODY LICENSE FEE LAW At Least 800 Dominion Theatre Men to Come as Canadian Division—Same Protective Measures Sought—Toronto Convention in September BUSINESS IN K. C BAD, . BUT WEATHER'S INNOCENT Picture Houses Have No Alibi—Nice Temperature, Yet Receipts Slump—Sensational Titles Fail to Help » ; .<. ■.';,"■ *■'■'■ -^ r.- •■ > ^■■• New York City Common Show Or- dinance Signed by Mayor Mayor John F. Hylan has signed the recently passed common show ordinance, thus making it a law. In- creasing the license fees from $'JG to $150 for 600 to 1,000-seat houses and |200 for theatres seating over 1,000. The new license fees are ef- fective as of March 15 la.st. " No license renewals wer«« iRAued by tha New York Department of Licenses since that date, purposely, p^'nding the Poard of Aldermen.^ discussion of the ordinance. The new scale affects picture the- atres directly. "NVhere formerly they paid $26 a yeAr as a common show, regardless of the size of the theatre, only small theatres of under 600^ seating capacity can get away vith a fee of |50 a year, double the old rate. For the larger houses the lees are scaled higher, as mentl<M»ed. An atfili.ition of practically 800 of the 1,200 picture exhibitors of Canada with the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America has been arranged. The formal launch- ing of the Canadian division of the M. r. T. O. A. Is to take place In one of the principal Canadian cities some time during September. A representative of the Canadian ex- hibitors was an lntere>ted ob^rver of events at the national conven- tion of the M. r. T. O. A. In Chicago and the result was the present ainiiation. Several meetings have been held during the past few weeks at the national headquarters of the M. P. T. O. A. in New York between the representative of the Canadian ex- hibitors and the national offices of the American national organization. Under the present arrangements National rre.«;ldcnt Sydney S. Cohen and other national officers w.ill be in attendanee at the Canadian gathering. Matters affecting Caha- dian legislation will be cared for entirely by the Canadian division of the M. P. T. O. A., but the Internal affairs of business relationship will be a matter for both branches of the organization to take under ad- visement and act upon. The Canadian exhibitor has troubles of a similar nature as those of the States have. They have the producer-theatre extension diffi- culty, excessive film prices and tl e usual forms of discrimination through the control of the distribu- tion in the hands of the producers operating theatres In competition wTTh the Independent exhibitors. It is believed that several hun- dred Canadian exhibitors will at- tend the divisional convention In September, at which a business manager is to be selected to handle the affairs of the Canadian dlvii«ion and the selection of headnuarteri^ for the Dominion In Toronto, Kansas City, July 11. The picture houses had no weather alibi to fall back on last week, for the temperature was of the mide- to-or<rer klnd^ which .the "freezing" systems could not Improve, but there were other things, and the week was far from good from a financial standpoint. The three first-run houses, in a row on Main street, fought it out along different lines with a First National, Paramount and a Cosmo- politan, but with the word "woman" appearing in the titles of each offer- ing, ▼!».: "Slander the Woman," "The Woman with Four Faces" and '£nemlea ,of Women." The latter feature was running on its second week at the Royal at advanced prices, which brought the gross up. in spite of the fact that the number of admi.ssions showed a slight slump. Independence Day was nice and cool, but with a morning and after- noon ball game In the "Blues' new- half million park, a 250-mile cham- pionship auto race at the specedway. fireworks displays at all of the amusem<fnt parks and thou.sands out of town on fishing and picnic trips, the indbor places had but little left— in fact, the crumbs were scattering. Continuing its policy of offering bifr names and titles, the Isis theatr*.' had the Fairbanks feature, "Hob n Hood," for its attraction. startin.T July 4. This was exactly 60 days from the last showing of the picture at Newmans Royal, and lived ap lo the promise made then that it would not be released in this city until 60 days after the downtown showing. For the engagement the Isia tilted its prices to 35 cents, which was less than half the top price charged at the Royal. Considerable publicity was stirred up the latter part of the week over the announcement of a showing of the film, "Russia Through the Shadows" at the Empress and un- der the auspices of the "Friends of Soviet Russia." The investigating committee of the American Legion, of whic*h Charles Edwards, former chief of police and an overseas vet- eran, is a member, announced they would attempt to prevent its exhibi- tion here as the legion had success- fully done in eastern cities. The committee enlisted the aid of the city censors and th6 police depart- ment, and it was stated that a spe- cial preview of the picture would^ be held Friday. Friday it was announced that the preview showing would be post- poned until Tuesday, the explana- tion being that the picture htkd been lost in transit, and that another set of reels would have to come from New York. This killed the adver- tised showing, and the members of tho legion are detcrhflned that it will not be shown here. For the current week tfie Liberty theatre is trying something new to this city in the way of a "revival week." For the first three days the Griffith classic, "Way Down East," will be shown, followed Wednesday 4j3d Thursday by the Fairbanks fea- ture, 'The Three Musketeers.' and with the Pickljord picture, "Through the Back Door," for the Friday and Saturday attraction. As a counter attraction the Newman Interests will pi:^sent a big musical novelty, "Grand Opera vs. Ja^z," using two fcig orchestras, a dozen efflertainers and grand opera artists. In addittlon to the regular film e^ilertainment. Last week's estltjiatesV Newman—"The Woman with Four Faces" (I'aramount). Seats, 1,980; nights, 60175. Betty Compson and Richard Dix. Comedy and Howe reel furnished silent part of added entertainment, with Velma Lyon Wcer, .soprano, and Robinsons Syn- copators, a negro jazz band, extra features. Feature real thriller, but reguK.rs liked it, and business held up as well as could be expected con- sidering weather and many outside opposition attractions. Gross close to 111.500. Liberty—"Slander the Woman' (First National). Capacity, 1,000; 35-50. Dorothy Phillips. "Leather Pusher" film, news reel and CSalgano, harpist, furnished the additional en- tertainment, making big bill for money. Feature's story one of those mystery thing.*?, given unusual set- ting, most of artion being in flshring lodge In the Hudson liay country. Allen Holubar responsible for,direc- tion and play entertaining, with numerous thrilling and interesting scenes. About Ifi.OOO Twelfth Street — "More to Be Pilled Than Scorned." Seats, 1.100; 30. Alice Lake and J. Frank Glen- don In the leading parts. The pic- ture is a thriller of the old school and delighted the Regulars who are keen to see th« villain "get his." Round ten of 'Fighting Blood" shown _/or good measure. Gross about $1,100. Royal—"Enemies of Women" (Cos- mopolitan). Second week. .Seati; "^ 890; 50-75. tilt over regular housa scale. Critics In second review^ continued generous to Alma Rubens, but of opinions cutting of footage would insrease value of picture. On account of wide advertising and In- teresting comment, both adverse and complimentary, business held * up to expectations. Gross arounS 16,250. "MAIN* STREET" DREW THROUGH NAME ONLY > $8,000 Top Gross in Denver Last Week—Colorado with "Enemies," $5,600 ^ T>enver, July 11. "Maifi Street" hit town la.'t week,' and the Ilialto (Paramount) did 4 regular Sinclair Lewis brand of business. Lines extending out Into the street built themselves up nightly, without exception. For thi summer season the theatre did as near caapcity as it often gets. Even the matinees showed rigns of life. The film Itself didn't appear to make such a hit. Patrons ex- pressed dissatisfaction. Nptwittii' standing, crowde coptlnucd to afy, rive. The explanation seems to<i)iii that while "Main Street" hasarousieA more popular disapproval tha» otherwise, staying away from either the novel or the plcturlzatifMV Isn't being done. "Have you ailikh 'Main Street'?" was heard on all sides. The persons who Jinswered in the negative were looked upon with suspicion. , "Enemies of Women" pulled only mildly compared with the things expected of it. Several rather hot days came along during the week, however, including a somewhat hu- mid and showery Fourth. One picture house only, Stran4» has been closed for the summer. The Strand Is a second-release Fox house, and Is closed, according to announcement, for purposes of reno- vation and redecoratlon. Last week's estimates: RIalto (Paramount). (Nights 40.) "Main Street.' Did near "summer" capacity. Nearly $8(000. Princess (Paramount). (Nights 40.) Alice Bfady In "The Snow Bride"; Mermaid comedy and kino- grams. Fair business, largely by reason of unique display out front- snow scenes, with plenty of artificial icicles. Trifle under $5,000. Colorado (Bishop-Cass). (Nights 50.) "Enemies of Women"; Fijn fro mthe Press; News reel and spe- cial orchestra and organ concern. Around |5,600. America (Bishop-Cass). (Nifhto 40.) Viola Dana and Cullen I^ndio In "Love in the Dark." Also •'Via Radio," News reel. Fables, special orchestra and organ concert. UndCX. $3,300. ,- Isis (Fox). (Nights'35.) JanO Novak In "Divorce." Special fea- ture music. Theatre specializes ar- tificial cooling system. Gross le«« than $3.C75. £'41 LOEWS MID-WESTERNS Lining Up Circuit of Picture Housot •^Opcn Early in September '1 The Loew Interests are lining up a circuit of picture houses In the middle west which will open early In September. The iiouses ^selected for pictures will include the'shubert, Pittsburgh; Garden, Kansas City, a Loew-owned house which has been leased for the past two seasons and prior to that played Loew vaudeville, and the Empress, Omaha, also at one time* Loew vaudeville house. In addition to these houses, whlcb are ready to open Labor Day, Lo«^_ Is erecting a house in St. Loul* which is at)out half complete, also* . to be devoted to pictures. | DENIG GLAD HANDING j Lyn Denig. of the First Nationsl publicity department, is making • six weeks tour of the country, rail- ing on picture editors of dailies in the Interest of First National. De- ^ nig's trip will take him as fur ^*'*Jj an Denvt-r. '^