Variety (July 1923)

PICTURES Thondajr* 1^ li^ lili tONDOirS COUNCIL CENSORS utie ON SAMUELSON^ IHARRIED LOVF 'WRECKAGE'' ON TOUR Mrs. R«id Personally Appsaring ^, With It ''Should a Doctor Tell " May Also Strike Snag— Benstead't ''HinU on Riding"—Other English Film Notes.;'. ':'^i'-'"^- ■':■;■;•'■•;.,;;•'■ ', London, Jul/ 2. After a good deal of delay the XiOndon County Council haa at last Stepped in and put a stop to the Samuelson picture "Married I<ove," tm £&r as the title is concerned. It ^BM originally banned by the Trade's Censor and the exhibitors got over It by calling it "Maisie's Marriage" In very small type. "& story founded on Doctor Maxy Stopes famous book 'Marled Love'" in very big type. This is novr barred and the pic- ture must stand or fall on its merits as a picture. Being an ordinary example of melodrama with little or no re- semblance to the book whose notoriety p. ompted the producers to make the feature, it has little chance. The same firm has another such .... thing In hand with the title "Should headed by Crandall In the conduct- CRAISDALL'S BIG INSURANCE Washington. July 11. Harry M. Crandall, owner of the Crandall chain of picture theatres here, broke all records for insurance policies last week when his life was Insured by .he Bankers IJfe Company of New Yoric city for $600,000. The policy is larger by several thouHand d3llars than any- thing previously wrlit3n in tlie Dis- trict of Columbia, with the flrat yearly premium amounting to $18,- 200. The theatres owned and operated by Mr. Crandall are to bear the burden of the annual premium, the policy being known as the 70-iyear life plan, and the theatre corpora- tions of which Mr. Crandall is the head are the beneflciarles, and tl\e sum is to cover all inheritance taxes and to carry on the business in the case of Mr, Chandall's death. Eight separate corporations are Mrs. Wallace Reid (Dorothy Dar- enport) starts a road tour of ptr- sonal appearances with the film, "Human Wreckage," at the Adams. Detroit. July 15. Mrs. Reid has been appearing with the film at .the Lyric, New York. Her tour will include about ten weeks, a week at each stand. The picture In most instances will remain at the different houses for a run. but Mrs. Reid's engagement will be for a single week. m. doctor Tell?" This Is founded on the protests of medical witnesses •gainst revealing the secrets of the consulting room. Whatever action the authorities may take in this is a matter of conjecture but it is more certain several woll-kaown players who unfortunately played in ^Married Love" will probably re- fuse to carry out their contracts. ing of the theatre'chain. Geoff ey Benstead. an ex-officer of Hussars who has since the war gone tfk for film production. Is making a series of educational one reelers on riding. The tlUe ia "Hints on Rid- ing^ and he is supported by Maude Wulff, a well-known Continental equestrienne. Edgar D. Moray, Sydney Paxton, Bob Vallls and a crowd of well-known people. The ofncial story concerning the rise and fall of the Rivoli White- Cha4)cl had several errors ^n it. .Walter Wanger informs Variety he did not open the Rivoli nor did he run It for a year. He took it over on the first of May, 1922. encum- bered with £7,000 worth of picture bookings most of the features being abaolutely bad from a showman's point of view. He only took the theatre over to help his personal friends who begged him -o take over the hjuse at once. He ar- rajigod a three year contract and was allowed £15,000 in cash to establish the kinema. At the end of eight months he had so built up the business that the directorate received a 21 years rental offer and bought up his contract. During .Wanger'a regime at the Rivoli he booked Sophi ) Tucker. Kid Lewis and many other big priced people as extra attratcion.s. The boom In "travel* picture con- tinues. The latest is "Wild Life in Madogisrar," which the Qaumont people are showing privately next week. Astra-National has completed •*The Woman Who Obeyed." pro- duced by Sidney Morgan, the cast Includinf? Valia. Hilda Bayley, Stew- art Roma and Gerald Ames. An- other of their pictures is the film version of William J. Locke's "The Beloved Vagabond." which is being produced by Carlyle Blackwell, who also plays the title role. The sup- porting cast includes Owen Rough- wood. Hubert Carter. Phyllis Tit- muss. Mrs. Hubert Willis and Madge fituart. FABSOTTS' TBOUBLES '''-■" Los Angeles, July 11. James Gibbons Parrott, film come- dian, filed a cross-complaint in court charging his wife with cruelty, while Mrs. Parrott In her cotaiplalnt declared that her husband struck her with his fists and knocked her unconscious. Mrs. Parrott. who Is a former screen actress. Is suing for separate maintenance. She claims that the comedian is earning |25,000 per year, but Parrott stated that, while he was working he was making |200 per week and was not receiving any compensation while not making pic- tures. The couple separated April 29. last They have been married two years. ■ ---'•-•■;.'■• ■'""-, Pincut Managing Loev/s, L. A. Los Angeles, July 11. Charles Pincus is scheduled to succeed Jack Stebbins as manager of Loew's State in this city. Stelj,-'^ bins assumed the management of Loew's only a few weeks ago. PIONEER FILM SCHEDULES The Pioneer Film Corp., which was thrown into bankruptcy about a year ago. has filed its schedules showing liabilities toUling |240.- 48295 and assets of |10g,4SS.6S. The latter consists of 119.491.86 due on open accounts and 188,941.79 in stock in trade. 1.; Among the large creditors are enumerated A. E. Lefcourt. a for- mer official of the company. |1S0,- 000; Comnverclal Trust Ca, $22.- 866; Craftsmen Laboratories. I7.34S; Otis Lithographing Co., |10.680; l*ali8xides Film Laboratories. |19.- 077, and various film companies, lithograph concerns, printing, trade papers and othert.; v: y ; BABBEE'S LOOP OPENS S^PT. 1 Chicago, July 11. The new Monroe theatre, now Fox's, formerly Bar bee's Loop the- atre, will reopen Sept. 1, according to announcements in front of the house. The opening attraction will be "If*Winter Comes." Others an- nounced are "Six Cylinder Love," "The Governor's Lady." "Thla Free- dom," "Around the Town, with Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean"; "The Shepherd King" and "St. EUmo." POLA BECOVEBED Pola Negri, who was severely in- jured and bruised several weeks ago while working under the direction of Herbert Brenon in the produc- tion of "The Spanish Dancer." has .fully recovered and is again on the lot wotking in the picture. KING MAEDie "BOHOLO" "Romolo,"' an aged story by George Eliot, never previously done Into pictures, has been selected as his next production by Henry King. It will be an Inspiration featora RACE FOR FALL FLYING START EUMINATING SUMMER DUUNESS Goldwyn Putting August Releases Ahead Into July to ''Beat the Gate" in August Sales Race—Both List 11 Releases Up to November >- The new Walter West picture, •beautiful Kitty." is. as usual with this firm, a racing story. Violet Hopson. West's stock leading lady, la the "star," and is supported by James Knight, Bob Vallis, Arthur ". iWalcott and Pollie Emery, Frank H. Crane starts making •TPons of Money" July 2. The exte- riors will be made at the Manor House, Siough. the homo of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania; the Interiors will be made in the AUIance "£1,000,000" sluclloa at St. Margar<jts-on-Thames. Al Hall, who recently assisted Henry Kolkor in making the Ideal version of Baron- ess Orczy's novel, "I Will Repay," la Crane's a.sSlHtJint. The cast In- cludes Flora lo Breton, Mary Rrough. Roy Hyford, Douplas Munro. Donald Searle, Willie Wardo and I>«.slio Henson. Tom Webster, the "Daily Mail" cartoonist, who was greatly feted im America a couple of years Ago. is rcsDonsibIc for the script. Two July bookings by Goldwyn- Cosmopolitan are taken by trade insiders as the first move toward changing the film business' fiscal year from September to September to January to January and elimi- nating in the couree of time th^ summer period of dullness in re- leasing schedules. The bookings are "The Spoilers." which started July 2 at the Roose- velt, Chicago, and the announce- ment of "Three Wise Fools" for the Capitol, July 22. The film sooflon has always been figrured from September to Septem- ber and distribution executives have always planned to get away in the early fall to a flying start so that exhibitor opinion would be Im- pressed with early promise for the year. This September showing has always been e«teemed a valuable factor in the later sales campaign, and all the producer-distributors have put all their energies into get- ting off for the new year on the right foot. As the situation lines up at this time Famous IMayera-Paramount and Ooldwyn-Cosmopolitan have «che(<uled 11 p.rtviros for Atigu'st, September and October. Counting tho start of the new Hc.iHon as ol Aug. 19 week, the first quarter's output would be^ Kpreaif out over about 11 weOlcs,'o* It'the AiWi^f one production a week. y .« If both companies started even, ^ furious race for week stand and pre-release bueiness would result with the two sales fort\s working on even terms as to release sched- ule. The Goldwyn people, however, have sought to steal a march on their competitor by pushing two late August pictures into July, when releases are at low ebb and an im- portant picture attracts particular attention because of the reduced volume of new material coming out. The Goldwyn plan is being watched carefully by the other big companies. If it succeeds, there is every likelihood that others will fol- low suit, and the prospect Is that next year somebody else will etart the releasing schedule that now ia looked for in late August in the last week of June. Several trade au- thorities believe that this content to get away early with a fall sched- ule will eventually reorganize the whole fiscal year and force a lot of important productions into long pre-release runs during the dull summer months. The producer who attracts early summer attention with meritorious product will have a largo advantage In sales arguments for September full I weeks, and it is probable tho the struggle for this advantage will change the film supply situation during the summer. Anyway, Goldwyn seems to have started aomelhlng. BIG SHOW IN STADIUN -_H^„/fr,*.-»5-.r <■- <•'■ c; ..*.■ ■fH- MOTION PKTDRE EXPO' ^W_ ■ n.] • V' ? ;r': .-' .. ■■*■. ■'<.«■ ■• ... ■fc_ ■.»*■■(• . y \- ■ ■* Los Angeles Hbtorteal Review Boasts of Little Els^ On Grounds—S5 Cents Admission to Each—• Large Crowd at Opening f ■■ '^^■:'Wi^^'. ^^~ \% ■4t. Loa Angelea, July 11. The opening of the American Hla- torical Review and Motion Picture Exposition Monday night last week had an attendance estimated at 28,000. The grounds are a sea of flowers, which border the winding esplanades and approach tho statue of Presi- dent Monroe. The Spanish-Ameri- can architecture and low facades surrounding the gardens lend ro- mantic atmosphere. The program presented in the mammoth stadium Is the outstand- ing feature of the Exposition. The stadium has a seating capacity of over 7S,000. It is 800 feet in length and 400 feet wide. The top tier ia 60-odd feet above the floor of the stadium and stage. 98x140. Mam- moth curtains were stretched across the center of the bowl, closing off more than half of the seats in the rear of the stage. The historical pageant depicting six dramatic events in American history, staged under direction of Simile De Recat, was a memorable spectacle. First had Ramon Icarez, as Big Chief, leading a company of 50 dancers and singers, and vividly portrayed the existence in America of the Indians, with the skirmish parties and tribal ceremonies of feasting and dancing, all worthy of commendation. The second, the landing of Columbus, with Hobart Bosworth as Christopher Columbus, met with the approval of the thou- sands of spectators. The saving of the Mission was artistically re-enacted by a cast of 75. Washington Taking Command" followed, well worthy of praise. Joseph Kilgour, as George Wash- ington, and May McAvoy. as Martha Washington, with SO players, made up this spectacle. Nigel De Brulller portrayed Presi- dent Monroe, and Daniel Webster, by William Mong, in the Monroe Doctrine offering, was very impres- sive. History was dramatically repeated by George Billings as Abraham Lineoln, Charles Gilbert as Robert a Lee, Wilfred Lucas as General Grant. Harry Meyers as General Jackson, Joseph Dowling as General Sherman, and last but not least, "The Spirit of Peace," by Ora Carewe. in the "Bmancipation of the South." A supporting cast of 100 made possible the re-enactment of this event. Theodore Kosloff staged the ballet which followed the historical events. For the first time ever seen here, the poetry of motion was presented with 100. All danced on their toes. "Les Sylphides." with American talent, was quite an accomplish- ment, and KoslofTs efforts were re- warded by the unanimous applause. The second number of Kosloff's "The Motion Picture." a realistic story, visualized pictures in the making. Olga and Mischa were fea- tured. Lastly KoslofTs "Astec," the Ballet Extraordinary, with about 100 people. Both De Recat and Kos- llflt deserve praise for the costuming. Between the tableaux and the dances the Pander Duo. a couple of clowns, well equipped with outdoor slapstick props and some really clever acrobatics and knockabout stuff, drew hearty laughs and tre- mendous applause. The Flying Condones and Flying Floyds thrilled the crowd on both sides of the arena with daring trapeze work. There were also horses, but the Wild West riding of the Tom Kirnan Troupe, consisting of three men and two women, furnished the real thrills with their marvellous and daring feats, with the horses galloping at top speed. Fred Niblo as master of cere- monies introduced over 50 screen stars on the opening night, includ- ing Hope Hampton, Patsy Ruth Miller. Carmel Meyers. Bessie Love, Ora Carewe, Eleanor Boardman, Viola Dana, Madge Bellamy, Anna Q. Noilson. The male stars were Eddy Lowe, Hobart Bosworth, War- ner Baxter, Theodore Kosloff, Gas- ton Glass. Allen Forrest, Jack Holt. Bill Desmond, Conrad Nagel. And the golden-haired Ethel Shannon got in twice. A magnificent display of fireworks closed the show in the stadium. It*a a tremendous show and worth con- siderably more than 65 cents admis^ sion. It Is different, however, on the Exposition grounds, where very lit« tie is offered for the admission, also 55 cents. There are some exhibits, but aside from the Motion Picture Producers' booths, where various styles of entertainment are offered gratis, there is not enough amuse- ment to warrant the 65-cent gate. This condition probably will b« improved by giving the i^atrons a few free attractions. Bradstatter's restaurant gets a good play at meal timea. but the Jazi band plays for yery few couples on the dance floor at other times. The show in the stadium has drawn weH thus far. and as there : are practically no counter attrac- tions, the Exposition grounds are almost deserted from eight in the evening until closing time, shortly after the conclusion of the stadium show. It is the show that is drawing people to the Exposition grounds, ' which otherwise, despite its good- ! looking layout, has very little to "^ attract the public for a second visiL Joseph*, NEW TBIAL ON STOCK SALE Lawrence L. Gillespie has been granted a new trial by the Appellate Division in his suit to recover |15,00« from the American Cinema Corp. and have the sale of S.OOO ,; shares of stock in the film com* >' , pany declared void. >♦ *- .-<<,h Gillespie alleged he was falsely induced to purchase the 3,000 shares at 15 a share and 4s suing to recover his Investment. The lowec -court dismissed his complaint originally* the Appellate Division reversin|p and granting a new trial. > , ■ ; Gillespie is a downtown broker. WONT BABE OFEBATOBS ' * Kansas City. July IL The motion picture operators have ask6d the managers for 15 cents an hour Increase, which would make their scale $1.50 an hour. The managers have refused and advised the operators that they chose a very i>oor time to seek more money, when few if any houses in town were breaking even. The operators have not announced what further steps they will take. although it is predicted they will forget it NO FICTUEE MAYBE AT HAREIS Chicago. July 11. There's been considerable Inside negotiations carried on between the Sam H. Harris and the Fox film offices for the past fortnight relative to the Harris theatre housing a Fox film next month. Despite an- nouncements in the local news- papers, no contract has been s^ned. It's doubtful if the deal wiM go through. The Harris office has tentative plans t6 open the Harris theatre With "Secrets." underlining it for six weeks only. PATTEESON LEA VINO SAMUELS ' * '. * Atlanta, July 11. Wlllard C. Patterson, for years associated with SIg Samuels In the conduct of the Metropolitan theatres here, has Rendered his resignation and will discontinue his active par- ticipation in tho management of the house on July 21. He will retain his stock Interest In the theatre. Patterson Is the holder of the First National franchise in this section and is also interested in the regional picture publication which is con- ducted by his wife. BOBBY NOBTH OVEBCHABGED Bobby North contracted with the Patterson, King Corp. to. build a home for him at Great Neck. L. I, for $25,500. It cost North evenfually t53.000, which the producer claim.** is excessive and has brought suit to recover the difference of $28,500 through William Klein's ofllce.