Variety (June 1924)

P-y^-,.- '"^jTr""'"' ^.j"-. ■■^■" ''•^HfTT^T 'ff' >•■ .^^^ •■•^•.^•^» •.*• VARIETY PICTURES '•:-/' T^i'wp r», T-.^f^j?;^ yii Wednesday, June 4,1884 NEW 21 DIREaORS OF E P. T. 0.1 MEET FOR FIRST TIME IN NEW YORK Statement on SOc Tax Lifting — ^Members Start Send- ing Due* Following Boston Convention—Pro- ceedings at Boston^' > Immediately after yeaterday'a iKMurJl ot directon meetlns • ■tatement wa« iffued by tbe or- ganisation which aho^ed that the new board waa definitely dedl- oated to an aegreaalve policy to wipe out the abueea which thea- tra owning producer-distributors ■were directing at the Independ- ent theatre oaner. A definite line up agfUnst Iioew Ino. and the allied Interetta of that organiza- tion waa taken. T%e atatement reads: '^ince ttia Boeton convention of the M. P. T. O. A. exhibitors have com- municated with the national ofllcea from different parta of the country by wire and other means complaining of the unfair bual- neas methods employed by Loew Inc. and allied Interests In pro- ducer-theatre extensions and along oftier llnea. "At the meeting of tbe national board of directors here today this situation was thoroughly dis- cussed and the different letters ,ajid telegrams carefully reviewed aa well aa other forms of Infor- mation regarding this situation analysed. Then'definite lines of procedure were agreed upon whloh win fully comprehend every requirement of the situa- tion. "At the proper time these plans will be communfcated to diatriet leaders of theatre ownera in all parts of the United States and Canada ao that a complete un- derstanding of the same will be rea<^ed by an theatre ownerr who will cooperate in carrying the same Into effect. "Theatre ownera everywhere may rest assured that no time will be lost In moving to correct the abuses complained of and that this Una o*:^ procedure will be conducted In a legal, syatem- atic and thorough manner." SOBEL'S LOST COAT World'a Worst Daily Though Printed Story Six Mentha Old The first meeting since the Bos- ton convention of the new 21 direc- tora of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America was held yesterday (Tuesday) in the na- tional headquarters of the organl- aaition. A full attendance of the l>ocurd waa on hand. Matters that were taken up was a further discus- sion of the financing plan of the organization, aa well as the issu- ance of a statement on the lifting of the burden of admission tax up to SO cents by the signing of the new Internal Revenue bill by Presi- dent Coolldge. A committee from the Boston Allied Printers Trade Council celled on the directors following an action ta!cen by the Boston Print Trades Unions for a nationwide campaign for all printing furnished by pro- ducers to exhibitors be done in union shops of the country. This move Is a follow up on the part of the Boston unions to a resolution denvanding a Congressional investi- gation into the fight that prevented the passing of censorship in Massa- chusetts on the part of the Hays organization. Since the closing of the conven- tion of exhibitors In Boston a num- ber of the members have already started sending the dues for their Individual theatres. This response seems to show that there is a gen- eral feeling among the exhibitors for the need of national organiza- tion of an active militant nature. The Boston meeting did show one thing and that waa that the mem- , I>er8hlp of the organization which tts leaders state represents 8,000 of the theatres of the country were Jn perfect harmony. The matters were taken up In a business like matter and the convention., moved along from the first day like greased lightning. First Day. On the first day retiring President Sydney S. Cohen Intimated in his mesaage that a new plan of organi- zation was to be presented to the delegates and that they would be aaked to approve of changes in the •ooatltution which would take the •leetlon ot the executive officers away from the delegate* on the floor and empower 21 directors, whom they were to chose, to select their leaders for them. The board of directors furthermore waa to be given the reina of government for the organization and have the direc- tion of all of the vital mattera They were to select a <^alrman for their own board, and then proceed with the election of a president, four regional vlce-presldent^c a treasurer and recm^lng secretary. This to a great extent takes politics out of the national organization and in the event of any fights arising they would be of a state nature for the selection of the dlreotor that waa to represent a state organiza- tion on the board. No more than two directors could be elected from any one state. Second Day. The second day was given over to the submiasion of Hie changea in llie constitution which were pre- sented by A. Jullar Brylawakl and which were adopted by the dele- gatea without a dissenting vote and the final day of the convention brought the election Coi)vantien'a Close. Thursday afternoon In the big ballroom of the Copley-Plaza hotel In Boston the concluding aoenes of the fifth annual convention of tbe M. P. T. O. A. were enacted. The ofllcial work In regard to the ■election of the committee of 21 who form the board of directors as well aa the officers of the organiza- tion was all done in the headquar- ters of the organization on the sixth floor and not by the convention, with the result that everyone waa happy when it waa over. Wednesday 2< names for the board had been placed in nomina- tion. These names all appeared on a mimeographed l>allot which was on the convention floor before the opening of the final aesaion. At that time It became known that the last five names of the list were not in the running. They had wHh- drawn. That left but 21 names and it waa only necesaarj- for the record- ing secretary to cast a single ballot, which made it official that the 21 were the directors. They are A. A. Elliott, Hudson, N. T.; M. E. Commerford. Scran- ton, Pa.; Harry Davis, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Martin O. Smith, Toledo, O.; John A. Schwalm, Hamilton, O.; Fred Seegert, Milwaukee, Wis.; Joseph W. Walsh, Hartford, Conn.; Louis M. Sagal, New Haven, Conn.; C. A. Lick. Fort Smith, Ark.; A. Julian Brylawski, Washington, D C; R. F. Woodhull, Dover. N. J.; Oleen Harper, Los Angelea, Cil.; J. H. Whitehurst, Baltimore, Md.; Ernest Horstman, Boston, Mass.; I. W. Rodgers, CarruthersvlUe, Mo.; E. M. Pay, Providence, R. I.; W. W. Watts, Springfield, III.; Sydney S. Cohen, New York, N. T.; Hector M. Pazmezoglu, St. L«uis, Mo.; Fred Dolle, Louisville, Ky., and E. P. White, Livingston, Mont. The board, immediately after Its election, went into session and elected R. F. Woodhull chairman and then elected the following of- ficers for the organization: Presi- dent, M. J. O'Toole; vice-presi- dents, Eli Whitney Collins, Joseph Mogler, Dennis A. Harris and J. C. Brady; treasurer, Louis M. Sagal; recording secretary, George P. Aarons. It appears the real head of the organization is to be R. P. Wood- hull, chairman of the Board of Di- rectors. While Mike O'Toole car- ries the title of president, he will be on the Job simply to enforce the Instructions of the board. In the selection of the vice-presidents the name of J. C. Brady was placed on the list to give tbe M. P. T. O. of Canada representation. After tha sliding through of the election, A Julian Brylawski of Washington made a speech of thanks to Sidney S. Cohen for his untiring efforts In behalf of the or- ganization for the past five years and presented him with an en- (Contlnued on page 17) That lost overcoat story in which Bernard Sobel figured at the Hotel Hermitage, exclusively reported in the world's worst daily, seema to have aged a little in the way It should have been covered. Sobel lost a coat and was rec- onapenaed, but ha lost his six months ago, which should make the "Times Square Daily" prouder than ever of its vaunted reputation as being "the worst." . It appears Sobel's reimburse- ment atory muat have gone the round!), for the story should have been for Maro tiachman, of the Metro staff, and he swears his coat vamoosed while he waa eating at the H. H. Meanwhile, Barney Sobel claims that since the story of the theft of his occurred he has amassed $846 and four overcoats. He la now thinking seriously of holding a rum- mage sale as nobody will stand for the "lost overcoat" gag now the summer is officially here. Ben Reiss is now known as the original "lost" compensating guy who plana to take a course in over- coat listing so that he oan tell whether a missing ooat la worth $90 or 90 cents. BULL-FIGHT PICTURES Two-Reeler Will Show on Broad- way The Penser Productions, Inc., con- trolling the rights to a number of big fight films, has taken over the Spanish bull-fight "two-reelers." made in Madrid, which are reported to have caused such a sensation. The film is an actual presentation of a bull-fight with Rafel Gomez and Juan Belmonte, toreadors. The Spanish Red Cross used the film to help raise 1100,000. The titles tor the American pres- entation were written by Dlmitri Stephen and the picture will be shown on Broadway when booking arrangements are completed. Ochs'B'way House . For Independents The big picture house which L«e Ochs is building on Broad- way across from and a half block above the Capitol will be devoted to showing productions of Independents. It will have a seating capac- Ky of 1,600, and runs through from Broadway to Seventh avenue. ' It was Ochs who delivered the tirade against the Ix>ew- Qoldwyn combine at the Boston aonvention of the M. P. T. O. A. U's DENVER HOUSE? Reported Biahop-Cass' America Passes Over June 9 Denver, June t. It's reported the Blshop-Cass America Theatre will paaa to the possession of the Universal next Monday (June 9). The deal is said to have been ntade last Friday with 10 days be- fore the U. steps in. INDEFENDDirS SHEETS t nGURED AS DEAD LOSS 24 Sheets Looked On as Waste of Time and Money—Pro- ducers Cutting Down on Paper BEHT'S FIRST IN 10 YEABS Dallas, Tex., June S. Lou Remy, one of the best known film executives in the southwest, and since the inception of the Gold- wyn Pictures Corp. the manager of the company's local exchange, has resigned and will take his first vaca- tion In 10 years. Remy's experience dates back many years. Prior to the Goldwyn connection, ha operated theatres himself in various southwestern cities, and before that waa special representative of the Interstate Amusement Co. H. H. HcCOT FILES ACTION Ijos Angeles, June 3. Harvey H. McCoy, picture actor, has filed suit for divorce against Francis J. McCoy. He says he has not seen her since 10 days after their marriage two years ago at San Rafael, when the bride's father. Dr. Francis Anton, a prominent physician, sent her to Rome. NOEMA'S "FIGHT'» Norma Talmadge will soon begin work on "Fight," directed by Sid- ney Olcott from an original story by C. Gardner Sullivan. Eugene O'Brien will again play opposite. Vincent Bryan haa been added to the scenario staff. New Strand Goens Providence, June S. The new Strand In Warren, R I., has been opened by George Schwarts. Lon Vail of the Lyric, his opposi- tion, sent him a congratulatory let- tar. ICETEBS ANWESS HOOSEB New York. May SI. Editor Variety: I have read with considerable amusement the article "Pictures and India" In Variety by Mr. George Mooser. As it seems, after his short visit to Calcutta over a year ago aa the representative of the United Artists, he now assumes, apparently, a self- created cyuthorlty in making posi- tive assertions regarding the film industry in India. Mr. Mooser asserts that during his little visit to India he did not have the pleasure of hearing of me. 'Tis a pity! Mayl>e I was not then brilliant enough to come before him, or maybe I was the hard working little man behind the scenes whose exploits may not have been trumpeted enough to reach his ears, but if today Mr. Mooser cared to glance over a few of the late In- dian journals, etc., proofs which the writer carries, or if occasion pre- sented to refer to any prominent member among picture circles over there, who the writer is, he would probably be inclined to think other- wise of his unfounded statements. To deal with a little of the "in- sipid, bunk." If Mr. Mooser will read the article in the "Times" more intelligently he will find he con- tradicts himself when he says that the Madaus own 30 cinemas, instead of 300. I did not mention that Madaus own all of the 300. My statement said that out of more or less 300 cinemas and theatres throughout the country, meaning India, Burmah and Ceylon, Madau Theatres has a monopoly dver most of them. In the city of Calcutta Itself Madaus own over a dozen picture houses. There is, no dOHbt, and Mr. Mooser himself cannot deny, that "the firm who administered their business from a grocery store"—with its little band of patriotic officers—stand high up above all and rules supreme in the picture business over the east Again if Mr. Mooser would read correctly he will find that I made no claim at all that the picture "Nur-Jehan" was my "piece de re- sistance!" I said it was considered as one of our best efforts. Mr. Madau made the picture, and I can prove he wrote the scenario him- self. As for making' this without continuity, it is absurd. I person- ally with our head cameraman edit- ed this entire picture with the con- tinuity of Mr. Madau. Maybe it was not a "decorated" continuity, but it waa continuity all the same. Scansa in 2 Places Mr. Mooser's short though "pleas- ant" acquaintance with our firm did not, it seems, give him time to real- ize that the Madau Producing units are more than one. For Instance, while Mr. Madau made scenes in the city for this historical picture, I was with another party on loca- tion in the country. Sometimes there are two and three picturea being made at the same time, each under a different unit, and all are made with con- Unuitiea. According to Mr. Mooser—the continuity of "Princess Reba" which he wrote in two days—was the first from which a picture was to be made by the firm, but I might acquaint Mr. Mooser with the fact that my first picture made three years ago bf the company was made with a continuity. As for the Indian films, they are not of the same standard aa the American picture—no country's films are; and I am proud to say that India bows low to the Ameri- can picture — striving, learning, trying hard to improve dally, but is this spirit not more to be admired and encouraged by true patriots of the screen than to be flagrantly cut to pieces as done by Mr. Mooser. EDWIN MEYERS, ai4 Central Park. West) Producing managers, making In^. dependent pictures for some of the different releasing channels, are drawing the^ line upon the acces- sories the latter are using in tha exploitation and playing of films. They believe that time is lost and money waated on the 24-sheeta gotten out with each picture- On* producer wrote a sharp letter to tha releasing concern in the East that he would approve only of 24-8heeta that were a big "flash" and would catch the eye and that he waan't so exacting for one that was merely a "work of art" More attention is being paid to the three-sheets, with the cut-out idea preferred by the producers, who claim the exhibitors are going in strong for them as it seema easier to obtain a stand for a one« sheet or three-sheet cut-out than it is the regulation billboard locao- tions The producer also says la many localities the prices of tha stands are prohibitive and they de- feat tho desire of the exhibitors to give his picturea the billboard dis- play they merit. The art work upon some of tha posters stands for a lot of money, yet the shelves of many corpora- tions handling the paper product are filled with 24'8, 6's and S'k What play was made was ot tha infinitely small order and which showed that the majority of az- hibitors fight shy ot any 24-sheat orders. It has been the custom of some ot the releasing and distributing cor- porations to go In heavily for ac- cessories and noveltlea, but of lata the price of many haa caused them to go begging for orders. Window cards. In many eaaai, have also lacked a heavy demand. Within the past year there hava been a number of pictures released that had attractive cards made, with the demand amazingly low. One big production (his year that waa one of tha colossal flops oC the year—perhaps the worst at "worsts"—has a If' >t paper mad* and on the shelves awaiting desig- nation. The chances are that the paper will never be need, yet the printing bill had to be met on tM paper that had come through. J FUNQ^S TICKET AUCTION Boxes to Highest Biddera In Lei Anflelea Loa Angeles, June I. An auctioning of boxea for tb4 benefit of the picture t>ranch of the Actors' Fund of America at Phil- harmonic auditorium June 21, wUl take place June 10 at the BUtmore Hotel. Harold Lloyd, who ia chairman o* the committee, haa arranged te have a dinner and dance take place before the auctioneering. Art Hickman'a orchestra is 9# furnish the music for the event ALL SET FOE 'T. A P." Xk)b Angeles, June tr- Samuel Goldwyn haa set June I as the date when the initial film- ing of "Potash and Perlmutter" wlfl begin at the United Studios. George Sidney and Vera Gordon have arrived, with Alexander Carr already here. AI. Green ia to dl'< rect Louis Marangella, a former N«W York press agent, haa been engaged to do the publicity. "SHOULDEB ABMS" SUIT Los Angelas, June t. Depositions were taken here for presentation In the trial In the United States District Coiirt of New Yorit of a suit brought by Leo Loeb to collect $50,000 from Charley S. Chaplin. Loeb in his complaint charged that "Shoulder Arms," a Chaplin comedy, was a plagiarism of hi* scenario "The Rookie." PABAMGUNT HEADS SAIUNG Harold B, Franklin, director-gen- eral ot Paramount theatres, will sail for Ehirope June IS, to tour the big capitals in search of new Ideaa. B. E. Shauer, head of the foreign sales for Paramount, also will tour Europe.