Variety (July 1923)

PICTURES Thursday, July 19, 1923 AaORS IN BRITISH PIOURES MAY FORM PUYERS' UNION ArtitU' Organizations Not Helping—Empire'* Buti- nest With Film During Heat Changes Opinions of London Legit Managers ^ London, July t. The prevailing and ever-growing BDfalrness with which the average artlat In this country la treated by aoma producara and the majority of aganta la likely to lead to the formation of a Kinema Players' Union which haa for its object the protaoUon of the players, the killing of Um "craft" existing, and the bet- terment of the fftatus of all con- nected with the trade, Jh^ From time to time^ has been ho^ed that either the A. A. or the v. A. F. would espouse the cause of the klnema artlat aa a body. The V. A. Fn which was the most likely, did a good deal in the causa, then for aome reason or other the project aeemed to drop. The auccesa of "Enemiea of Women*' at the Empire, combined with the coming of the heat wave, haa led other theatrical managers to look upo the film with a good deal less of the old-time conserva- Uve dislike for celluloid players than they have hitherto shown. Drury Lane once 8howe:d a picture In a half-hearted apologetic way. Covent Garden made much of them, ao have the Oxford, Pavllian and Alhambra, but the other houses have up to now fought shy. Today almost any manager in London is open to let his house for the once despised "side-show." any- thing will do providing the house la kept warm until the cooler and theatrically brighter days of the autumn come. One house haa even taken to advertising Itself at a "rea- aonable rental." GRAUMAN ADMITS IT Confirma Story of 8ala to Zukor and Lasky Los Angeles, July IS. Sid Grauman has issued a at&te- ment in effect confirming the atory printed exclusively some weeks ago in Variety (denied at the time) that Grauman la to dispose of his theatre interests here to Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky. Grauman admitted yesterday that he had given an option to Zukor and Laaky on his interest In the Metropolitan here. The option Is believed to be for six months and Grauman Is to receive ?cmethlng like |8eo.OO« for bis share in the hlg film house. ' ,. ' Zukor and Lasky. It la believed, are trying to complete an arrange- ment whereby they will b« able to dispose of the office building which has been built In conjunction with the theatre and retain only the playhouse Itxelf. Grauman will probably devote himselNto building a chain of the- atres In the amaller towns sur- rounding Los Angeles and align himself with the Weat Coast The- atres Corp., the officers of which are already his partners In the Hollywood theatre. The Famous Players, together with Grauman, also hold the lease on the Million Dollar Theatre here, which Ackerman & Harris consid- ered, but'Anally declined, not liking its location. FOX TRADE SHOWINGS BEFORE SALES DRIVE Eight Features Ready for Viewing by September and 6 More by November 1 AMERICAN FILM HITiN BERLIN SHOVED INTO SHALL HOUSES lu the aales rush expected In the picture distributing field within the next few months, the William Fox,, organization la going to try to get the jump on the other selling or- ganizations Insofar aa their special productiona are concerned. They have Just Issued a confi- dential letter to •xhlbitors setting forth that they are not going to ask the exhibitors of the country to buy their apecl^a on a *a>lind" bai^s, hut want the exhibitors to view the picture before buying or booking. To this end a special schedule of datea Is attached to the letter which advisea the exhibitors when they may see the Pox special In the pro- jection rooms of their local ex- changes . Five pictures are to be shown to the exhibitors thla month, three during August between the let and 16th of the month and thrve addi- tional between the latter date and September IS. Bight pictures are to be ready for ahowing on Sep- tember If and atz additional on No- vember 1. ''REVIEW CHANGES HANDS Former Exhibitor Prgan Bought By George C. Williama The Granger Anglo-French con- cern will shortly show another of theee pictures. This will be a film ▼eraion of Anatole France's novel "Cralnquebllle." 'which will be shown here under the title of "Old Bull of Paris." a title which does not aeem too attractive these days. The leading part will be played by Maur- ice de Ferandy of the Corned ie Francaise. KIRDWOOD DIVORCE Screen Star's Wife Secures Decree in Reno—No Co-respondent Named The Samuelson company is wroth not only with L. C. C. action In stppping the use of the alluring title "Married Love" for a very ordinary drama purported to be written by» ••Dr. Mary Stopes. the autAorcFS of 'Married-Love'," but also for stop- ping the use of the words in very large type, while the new title. "Maisie's Marriage," was very small. but the company Is more than wroth with the leading trade paper which called attention to the ramp. Against the editor and publishers of the latter writs have leen IsHued for libel, the organ also having called Kllention to the con»p{»ny'M proposed production of another fea- ture on the same lines, "Should a Doctor Tell?" Reno, Nev,, July 18. Mrs. James Kirkwood, wife of the stage and screen star, secured a de- cree 'Ct divorce here today. No mention of jk eo-respondent was made. Frlenda of Kirkwood predict that he will shortly marry a former juvenile favorite protege of Gua Ed- wards, who baa since become a screen star. The "Exhibitors' Trade Review." started In 1116 by Lee Ochs, Lou Blumenthal and Charles Harln^, as the organ of the national exhibitor association, M. P. Exhibitors of America, of which Ochs was presi- dent, waa sold Monday to George C. /Williama, 339 West tSth street, publisher of -Building Age" and other publications. The paper waa operated by Its founders until, a little over three years ago when A. B. Swetland. owner of a group of publications, under the trade name of Class Jour- nal Co.. at 299 West* 89th street. took It over. It waa understood at that time that Swetland paid Blum- enthal and Haring (Ochs had re- tired aa a participating member of the firm), 860,000 for the. property. What the eonslderatlon for the liale to Williams waa dAd not become public \ The staff was reorganized several months ago when L. W. Boynton re- tired aa editor and publisher and Oscar Cooper left the desk of man- aging editor. While UFA Big Theatres Play Reissues—Griffith's "Orphans" First of Three Over There—Alfred L Werker From U. S. Does Extraordinary Directing f:1 !*■ »■:..« F. ft R. OPPOSISH Competition from Seventh Street Purchase in Minneapolis Minneapolis, July 18., One of the most Important the- atrical transactions of recent years was announced here when the Sev- enth Street theatre, an Orpheum circuit house, became the property of Joseph Friedman. St. Paul exhib- itor, and Uifi Clinton-Meyers Inter- e«t« of Duluth. The deal is said to hav* involved 8760,000. It wa« reported In Variety last weeSa Wltb this ajinouncement persons prominent In theatrical circles pre- dicted some opposition to the Fln- kelsteln * Ruben Interests, which control mosrt of the picture theatres in the Twin Cities. The Seventh Street theatre, for 19 years an Orpheum circuit vaude- ville theatre, became a Junior Or- pheum house In the fall of 1922. when the Orpheum bill was trans- ferred to the Hennepin theatre. It Is said that the new owners will drop vaudeville and convert the theatre Into an exclusive picture house. 3 LONDON* FILM NOTES London, July 8. That veteran among films. "From Manger to Cross," is impervious to the march of time and is perslpt- ently being revived Romewhere In London or In the provinces. At the moment it Is the "star" attraction of the Handel Festival at the Cry.s- tal I'alace. It is preceded by a lec- ture by Stephen Graham. DENVER'S GROSS TAX 1 p. C. Proposed to City Council— 2e. Seat Tax Now in Force Denver. July 18. A recommendation for the assess- ment of 1 per cent, tax on the gross receipts of Denver picture theatres was made to the Denver City Council by the city auditor. George D. Begole. Another tax of 1 per cent, gross on sales by picture film distributors also was suggested by the auditor. Under the current system a straight ta:a of 2 cents per seat Is collected by the city. Begole sug- gests that this be dropped, and the two forms of taxes he recommiends be adopted In its place. The 2 cents per seat tax Is coflected on an an- nual basis. The total picture theatre seating capacity of Denver approxim^es 25,000. By C. HOOPER TRASK r * i " Berlin, July «. As American film which has had a big success Is "Where the Tramps Bum Low," with Sessue Hayaka^ All the criticisms have been exc< lent but the film la played In oi the smallest neighborhood hou^^ which Is extraordinary when it ki realised almost all the big Ufa ttajj^ atres are only drawing half-fllWQ houses with four and five-year-old reissues. "The Slim Prlnceie," with Mabel Norman, haa been doing nicely at the Primus Palaat. That horrltate atrocity. 'The Riddle of Africa,** with Mary Walcamp, has be^ showing In four evenings at the Al- hambra. » - -^ ■ Carl Gni&e, whose film "Schla-' gende Wetter'* (*The Bxplosion in the Mine") has Just been produced with success in London, is flnishinc a new film called "Die Strasse** ("The Street") which Is novel for Germany in that. It Is not divided up into acts and plays In the time between 8 o'clock at night and 8 the next morning. Eugen Klopfer has the leading role, as he did in the former film. »/ ,| "SPOILERS" HIT Denver's Beet Picture Last Week. Drew Well One of the British ploture.s to be released Immediately is the Hep- worth production, "Lily of the Val- ley." produced by Henry Edwards. This Is a picture told without sub- titles. The company includes Chris- sle White, Mary Brough, JVank Stanmore and Henry Edwards. H. T. EXCHAKOE'S CHANGES within the past week there have been several changes In the execu- tive staffs of various New York exchanges. Henry Seigel, who has been the New York exchange man- ager for Selznick, has resigned and Is BOW at the head of the Apollo Exchange, on a salary and percent- a«rs basis. Lester AdIer, who has been with Associated Exhibitors, has replaced him and Philip E. Meyer steps Into Associated as the New York Elxchange manager. Meyer was the president of the "^Motion Picture Salesmen, Inc., bur because of his elevation to the rank of manager, resigned. Albert Rcin- lleb, who was vice-president of the association, automatically succeeds him. Tbs Apollo Trading Co., which handles foreign rights on produc- tions, has purchased the intere.st of their English representative In their organization which is now oper- ated solely by L. Lawrence \Vo6ei and Bobby North. A new renting concern has efitab- li.shed itself off Wardour street In palatial ofllces. This is the "R. C. Corporation" (Robertson-Cole). The general managed in London is J. H. Mullins. The "housewarming" has been on an unprecedented scale even for London, where film mag- nates are apt to throw money away most lavishly. The function lasted two days. After "getting together" on the first day the guests saw sev- eral pictures at the American com- pany's private theatre and then ad- journed for dinner at the Picca- dilly Hotel, after which they went to the Palace to see the "Music Box." The second day had many more pictures, lunch at the Troca- dero and dinner at the Cafe Monlco. following which many people talked. The Hcpworlh company has Just made a new picture. 'The Cobweb." with Campbell Gullan in one of the leading parts. Either Chrissle White or Alma Taylor will probably turn out to be the "star," but film- making by Hcpworth is almost as secret a Job as preparing for war, his publicity department being ap- parently maintained for the pur- pose of addressing the envelopes containing his tnade show Invita- tions. Lionel D'Aragon. one of the best of Uritish film actors and a legit- imate provincial star of many years standing, has done five days work In five months. This shows the state of the Biiliwli film business. The experltnoed actor has no ch.ance against the amateur who will go 60-50 with the agent or who Is quite prepared to work for nothing. There are more "duds" working and more genuine actors unemployed today than ever in the history of the pro- Xe.'^flon. Denver, July 18. A battle between house managers and the elements most of last week resulted In honors even. In other words, the house managers attracted about as many customers to the picture theatres as the rain kept away. The net result was a fair week only. The new production of "The Spoilers" made a hit at the Col- orado (Blshop-Cass), and drew as heavily as could have been ex- pected under the circumstance.**. The picture received plenty of fa- vorable press comment The week was unusually showery for Denver. Rain fell almost every day. Local house managers never have been able to overcome the pe- culiar We.«<tern prejudico against rainy weather, from an amusement attendance standpoint. The fans simply will not brave even a sprin- kle. Last week's estimates: Rialto (Paramount). (Seats 1,050. Nights 40.) Theodore Kosloff and Eileen Percy In "Children of Jazz." Hobby Vernon In comedy, Pathe News. Big billing held up receipts. About $6,460. Princeis (Paramount). (Seats 1,250. Nights 40.) Agnes Ayers and Mahlon Hamilton, "The Heart Raider." Mermaid comedy and KInograms. Under $4,000. Colorado (HIshop-Cass.) (Seats 2,447. Nights 60.) "The Spoilers.'^ Musical review as filler. Approxi- mated $7,600. America (Blshop-CaRs). (Seats 1.530. Nights 40.) Clara Kimball Young In "Cordelia." Aesop's Fa- bles and Current Events. About $3,760. fsit (Fox). (Seats 1,776. Nights 35.) "The Hero," with comedy and Fox News. Around $3,900. HTOTEB'S •'WILD LOVE" T. Hayes Hunter has completed a six pert special feature under the working title of "Wild Love." It Is a melodrama written b^ Basil King with Mary Carr at the head of an Important cast. No dis- tribution plans have been made as yet HAEIE MOSaUINI MABRYIN6 Los Angeles, July 18. Marie MosquinI, leading woman for Will Rogers In the new series he is starting. Is to marry Roy Harlow, the son of a well-known local cafe man. R. M. Eudowe will start Immedi- ate construction of a picture house at 168-764 Congress street. Fall River, Mass. The theatre will have a capacity 9i i,00« and will cost $60,000. FRENCH FILM NOTES Paris. July 12, The Universal haa given several trade shows here in rapid succes- sion and presented six chapters of npw adventures of Kid Roberts, gen- tleman of the ring, at the Gaumont Palace, which large hall was spe- cially hired Saturday afternoon tor the purpose. The qther shows of the company last week included "Qui" (Who?), drama, with Harry Carey, and "Peggy's Millions," comedy, with Baby Peggy, largely attended. Alfred L. Werker, of your side, has been ehgaged here by the Stem Film Co. to do a series of two-act comedies In the regular American style. It Is the first time an Ameri- can director has tried to do tbls sort of thing here and much interest has been aroused. According to the "BZ. am Mittag," the leading mid- day paper of Germany, the first of these comedies Is very successful, and the German actors have proved them.selves capable of adapting themselves to this sort of work without trouble. If you know what a German two-reel comedy is like you will realize what an achieve- ment this was for an American dl> rector to have accomplished. -^ Richard Oswald has been getting in the limelight again. First, be* J cause he allowed to be produced at his theatre here such a mangled version of the American photoplay "On with the Dance," with Mae Murray, that„.4he American critics protested aira Oswald had to apoloe gize publicly, shoving the responsi- bility oflT onto someone else. And secondly because he Is about to make a version of "Faust" which he calls "Margareta, the Legend of Dr. Faust." For the roles of Faust and Mephlstopheles he haj engaged ac- tors whose names we shall find out later through the courtesy of the press department. But, he tells us, a Margareta he has not yet found— an ideal Margareta! And he asks, nay rather begs, any girl who thinks •he is like the part to let him know at ohce, sending her picture. No actress, he. insists, should neglect to do this. The size of the salary will not deter him, even though this Gretchen should come to him out of America. It Is good hokum ad- vertising, but Llane Held, who played Lady Hamilton for him. also probably has a contract In her pocket for Mr. Goethe's Ingenue role The Gaumont people gave a spe- cial for the trade last Saturday afternoon at the Gaumont Palace of the new drama In five parts. "Vin- dita," by Louis Feulllade, to be also published In a local daily as a story written by Paul Cartoux. Maud Pathe, daughter of Charles Pathe, is engaged to marry Roger, son of Theophlle Path*; —:— According to Hebdo Film, Paris, Max Linder is to appear in a screen version of "Cyrano de Bergerac* by Abel Gance. . The French company of Erka Films has been reor^-anized, and after several months' silence Is again releasing. George O. Messerty is named aa the managing director, assisted by Reno Mauduit and Jacques RoulleU Several American films have been produced here lately. GriflRth's "Two Orphans" is playing now at the largest Berlin house. Ufa Palast am Zoo. The Ufa releasing organiza- tion has bought "Broken Blossoms" and "Way Down East" as well. It seems cither of the other two wo\ild have been a better local Introduc- tion for Griflflth, particularly "Broken Blossoms." It would have put the rather highbrow critics on his side. "Two Orphans" is a cos- tume film and Germany has already had in "Passion" an excellent film of the same period. The reception at the opening night. June 28, was cold, but to be sure one must wujt and st*e liow a non- trade audience will like it. PICTURE EXTRAS BURNED ^ Los Angele.o, July 18. William Poole, Joeeph Jackson and P. Llewellyn, picture extras. were seriously burned in a blast while working on a scene at l^^*" Rockett "tudios.