Variety (July 1924)

*• Wednesday, July 2, IW* y-T'-^y n*:^!^ :^v5T5v??^f^R?!'?*'*ii^'^'"'''''^'S ■' j'i,r--i-- pidtukES .V,;^ VARIETY 21 prehistorh; jungles and anshals mechanically worked in studio 1st National's "Lost World/* Under Earl Hudson's Direction, Convinces Richard Rowland—Secrecy Maintained About 10-ReeIer Now Making Econ- omy Saver in Money and Time 1^8 Angeles, July 1. First National la ready to allp over a fast and big one In "The Lost World," directed by Harry Hoyt, and about the production of which much secrecy Is maintained. At the same time comes to light the WHl reason why First National doe4^ot think California essential for the production of pictures. The story of "The Lost World" is prehistoric It ta being entirely screened on a set which has been erected on the United Studios grounds. A miniature forest and Jungle of the period have been erected which covers an acre of ground: There one sees mounUins. lake% ravines, etc., all in miniature 'and giving a realistic perspective. All sorts of mechanical contrivances give the setting realism with fans working on the water to make the wav*8 of the two-foct-ln-deptlv,lake ripple. Animals of the prehistoric period are used pleijtifully in this picture and they are all of the mechanical variety. Among them are the dinosaur and the arma- dillo rhinoceros. During the making, going on for the past month, not once has it been necessary to work off of the set. Through lighting facilities and mechanical devices the technical staff and spenic department were able' to provide athmosphere and enviroianent for each scene. Whea Richard A. Bowland was here recently he was taken over this location, had all of the contrivances explained, also that a great deal of money was b^ng sayed in the pro- duction In this wiay, instead of dragging the company to shoot special scenes probably hundreds of miles away from the studio. Rowland for some time :wlth the Idea of moving production activities east, saw what Barl Hudson, the prodtietlon manager, had been able to accomplish an^ his nlnd was made up to take the producing or- ganization east. It Is claimed that with studio lacllitles developed to the extent that they have been, cUmatlo and Weather conditions mean nothing, and that In the future producers in the east will be able to transplant their exterior locale right to their Mudio grounds, aavintr an abun- dance of money on their output. It u expected that another six to eight weeks will be used In the mak- ing ot^ the picture, probably la 10 ^els. Those playing the principal roles •re Bessie Love, Wallace Beery, Liewis Stone and Bull Montana. One evening a mob scene was taken on the set and 1,125 extras were used. It is said several other big scenes are yet to be taken »nd ^eali from 600 to 1,000 extras per ■cene. For the mob scene which was taken 2S cameramen were em- Ployedr RUSSELL, BANKRUPT WANT "CHARLEY'S AUNT" Distributing Concerns Battling for Christie's I2SO.0OO Comedy Dlstrtbutlon rlghU to Charles Christie's screen version of the popular old stago farce, "Charley's A.unt," now in production, are being ■ought by several big releasing companies. The rivah-y between STTst National and Metro-Goldwyn w keen. Pathe also is figuring and the Produrers Distributing Corp., now releasing Christie's features, »l8o l|,.ln the race. Theiscreen rights to the picture were wjd for 180,000 to Harry Row- "on of the Ideal Films, Ltd.. Lon- don, and Christie closed a deal with «owson to miilic the picture. Al «-hrist»t, l)rothpr of Charles, Is di- recting, is said the .screen version will cost mori. than $250,000, but those caicti.nting the gross louk for $600,- ""O and up. , The piiiy In siocit comhiand.s $7.10 oyalty. it Is undpr.stoo'i;), and its popularity has nover wan^S^N^ Creditors' Petition Against Illinois Corporation Los Angeles, July 1. With the filing of a creditors' pe- tition Russell Productions, Inc., a Hollywood p'cture concern, Incor- porated under the laws of Illinois and capitalised at $500,000, was de- clared . bankrupt in the United States District Court. ^he petitipnlng creditors were William B. Ogden, attorney, with a claim of $1,903.55 for services ren- dered; Oeorge Larkin, an actor, with a claim of $200, and Lafe Wil- liams, a carpenter, who said $150 was due him for services. The company declares It is solvent "ARAB" AT CAPITOL JULY 13 Despite rumors to the effect that Metro-Goldwyn were planning to road show the latest Rex Ingram production "The Arab" It was learned that the picture has been booked Into the Capitol, New York, July 13. The picture is to be played under the usual schedule of remaining for a second week providing It hits a certain m«urk In receipts by Wednes- day night of the first week. F. L L. U. AWABD The Arbltr Board of the F. I. L. M. Club of New York has given a decision In favor of George Cohen, an exhibitor of Poughkeepsle, who was made the defendant in an action by which Famous Players sought.to collect |2'*,000 for pictures which Cohen was alleged to have con- tracted for. The t>oard decided Cohen did not have to play the pictures or pay the amount asked for by the Paramount exchange. MABTIN BTAH BELIEVED Los Angeles, July 1. At the request of the District Attorney, Judge Archbald dismissed the charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor girl against Martin Ryan, picture director. He had been accused of having kept a servant girl out until "late and unusual hours" on the night of May 11. H. 0. ABNOUNCEMENT Announcement has Just been made by the Metro-Goldwyn Corp. ofllces which sets to rest rumors as to the advertising and publicity departments. Official designations now have J. B. D. Meador, director of pub- licity; Howard Dietz, head of ad- vertising, and Sddle Bonns, chief of the exploitation bureau. EIBEWOODS WAITINa Los Angeles, July 1. Llla Lee (Mrs. James Kirkwood) will not return to the screen until November. It is stated that the KIrkwoods hope to welcome a newcomer Into the family some time in August Wants Own Name Legally tioa Angeles, July 1. Ruth Stonehourfe, divorced four years ago, has asked the court for permission to drop her wedded name (Roach) and cling to own. "WAGON" AT BIALTO AUG. 24 "The Covered Wagon" Is booked for the Rialto, New York, Auk. 24. It then goes to the Rlvoll. Present arrangements do not Indicate prices will be advanced. MERIIITT SIBBALD LOSES WIFE Los AnKcIes, July 1. Sdma E. Sibtold has been grant- ed a divorce from Alerrltt Sibbald, studio "still" pholoKrapher, on grounils of dcKerlion. TliP decree was given by JudKO Summerllcid. FOX'S $3J50 AND HOOO WEEKLY LYRIC RENT 42nd Street House Ttaken for 20 Weeks with Option of 10 More The lease William Fox has se- cured from Andrew Cobe on the Lyric, New York, opening about Labor Day with "The Fool," runs for 20 weeks. It carries an option for 10 more weeks. Fox will pay $3,750 weekly tor the first 10 weeks and $4,000 a week for the next 10, with the optional term also at $4,000 weekly. Meanwhile Mr. Cobe has received several p^posltions to let the house for a picture attraction over the summer. He will shortly decide upon one. VISUAL INSTRUCTION TsaeherV Convention in Washing- ton Strong Advocate for It Washington, July 1. Visual education is expected to get a greater impetus behind it than ever before following the close of the teachers' convention now in session In Washington. All phases of the subject as an aid to class- room Instruction Is being discussed by the department of visual educa- tion Of the National Education As- sociation. The first meeting with this topic as the only one discussed was held today (Tuesday) in the auditorium of the Department of Interior build- ing. Thursday afternoon has also been allotted for further discussion of the subject Addresses today were made by educators from practically every section of the country, each laud- ing the benefits derived from the use of pictures as a means of in- struction in the public schools. FRANKLIN SAILING First Arranged Tax Benefit for Fa- mous' Publio Harold B. Franklin, director gen- eral of the Famous Players theatres, sails Saturday on the "Olympic" for Europe. He will be abroad for about six weelcs. While iB London he will super- vise the flnlshiiur detail for the new Famous Players theatre there and later will visit Paris and Berlin. Mr. Franklin was scheduled to sail about two weeks ago but the repeal of the admission tax caused him to remain over and lay out the plan to give the public the benefit of the tax lift as far as the houses of the Famous are concerned. PARAMOUNT'S DIRECTOR Secrecy Surrounds Recent Signinir— GrifRth or Ingram Possibilities The Famous Players-Lasky Corp. offices are making a deep secret of the name of a "big" dh-ector re- cently signed to direct for Para- mount Pending the formal announcement of the name, which was written on the dotted line two weeks ago, a lot of guessing is being done. The name of D. W. Griffith has been mentioned and also that of Rex Ingrram. Ingram completed "The Arab" for Metro-Goldwyn release and Is awaiting the return of Mrs. In- gram (Alice Terry) from California, after which they plan to go abroad. Writer for Pastime Sells Story for $5,000 The Warner Brothers have pur- chased the picture rights to "The Narrow Street," a novel which has been dramatized. The book is by Kdwin Bateman Morris, an architect In the TT. S. Treasury at Washington, who writes as a pastime. The price paid W.T3 $5,000. Moiris has written several novels, thoiJi;!) "The Narrow Street" is tho iii.st to be jiiotiirized. 10% Dropped Off N. Y. Payrolls in May Albany, N. Y., July 1. According to reports re- ceived by the State Labor De- partment payrolls in the man- ufacturing industries In New York State in the month of May were nearly 10 per cent. less than tbey had been two months before and a little more than 10 percent, below those of May a year ago. It is estimated that the weekly payroll v<f workers In March in. the manufacturing Industries amounted to about $37,600,000, while in May this figure had been reduced to about $34,000,000. The average weekly pay of factory employes In this State in May was $27.54. This rep- resents a drop of 62 cents from the average in March. The decline since March has been more severe In Syracuse than In any of the other larger cities of the State, which '.ns amounted to a drop of 17 per cent, in factory payrolls in two months and to 12 per cent., as compared with May, 1923. The situation In New York city averages with the entire State. Its total Is about 10 per cent. less than for March or May of a year ago. HUGH MACINTOSH IS BACK OF WDIIAMS Wealthy Australian Reported Financing Picture Ven- tures of American London, June-28. It's pretty reliably reported John D. Williams is having his picture ventures financially backed by Hugh Macintosh, the Australian. Hugh Macintosh is now in Lon- don, promoting Snowy Thompson, an Australian Rodeo rider, whom Macintosh Is offering to back against any rider in the world. Macintosh passed through New' York two months ago on bis way to England. He Is one of the wealthiest men In Australia and that country's leading sportsmen. For- merly Macintosh operated theatri- cals in the Antipodes, but disposed of his theatrical interests soms years ago and sines then has greatly Increased his fortune: THE WM. DUFCAHB EZFEOTAHT l/os Angsiss, Jnl7 1. Mra WUHam Dunoan, knowa pro- fessionally as Edith Johnson, screen actress, lias retlrsd frmn wo^k In her husband's company at Universal City to awaH ths arrival «( tfas stork. She was leading woman in her husband's serials. SH mE "CLEAN-UF' (Continued from page 1) for Its releasing program of 1924- 25. Sixteen titles are reported to have come under the official ban of the czar of the films. There was an attempt to main- tain the utmost secrecy in regard to the meeting that was held and the action taken. There was a no- tice sent out to all of the members of the organlkatiod which stated that the Famous Players-Lasky Cor- poration executives had been most amenable to the suggestions re- garding certain titles of produc- tions scheduled and that the titles would be changed. A list of the titles was also In- cluded in the notice, but they were issued In confidence and, in addi- tion. It was noted by viewing sev- otal of the lists that they were "keyed" so that If the information should have leaked from any source it would have been possible to trace the outlet. Original 40 The original 40 titles for the 1924- 25 program were "Manhandled," with Gloria Swanson; "The Wan- derer of the Wasteland" (in color); "Changing Husbands," with Lea- trice Joy; Valentino, in "Monsieur Beaucaire"; "Unguarded Women," with -Rebe Daniels and Richard Dix; "The Enemy Sex," with Betty Compson; Pola Negri, in "Compromised"; "The Monte- bank"; "The Covered Wagon"; "The Man Who Fights Alone," with William Farnum; Agnes Ayres, In "Sinners in Heaven"; Thomas Meighan, in "The Alaskan"; Cecil B. De Mine's "F->et of Clay"; "Open All Night"; Gloria Swanson, in "A Woman of Fire"; "Empty Hands"; Betty Compson, In "The Female"; William De Mille's "Spring Clean- ing," with Betty Compson, Adolphe Menjou and Huntley Gordon; Bebe Daniels, In "Wild Moments"; Pola Negri, in "Forbidden Paradise"; "The Story Without a Name"; "Merton of the Movies," starring Glenn Hunter; Thomas Meighan, In "Whispering Men"; Agnes Ayres In "Worldly Goods"; Valentino, in "A Sainted Devil"; Richard Dlx, in "Headlines," to be his first starring picture; "The Crimson Alibi," with Jacqueline Logan and Antonio Moreno; "The Cafe of Fallen Angels"; Betty Compson, In "The Beautiful Adventuress"; Gloria Swanson, in "The Coast of Folly": "Argentine Love"; "North of 36"; Thomas Meighan, In "The Honor of His House"; Pola Negri, In "A Woman Scorner"; Richard Dlx, In "Manhattan"; Cecid B. D< Mille's "The Golden Red"; Agnes Ayres, In "PlaythinRS of Fire"; Hebe Dan- iels, in "Little Miss ni-iebeard," and William De Mille's "A Hroadway Butterfiy." "Peter Pun" is also in the list, but If in ."'ire to a.ssiimo thnt Haj's didn't list that title among those 18 of the 40 th.tt he w.inted changed. Hays' Displeasure It w.is known wco];s :\Kn lh.it Hays looUcd with (U.ii>li isiiic on the manner in which the averags producers were running to the sex lure title of not only a salacious strain, but were <^oupIIng with It a general tendency to utilise the un- draped flgnre in their general ad- vertising of those pictures. He is said to have voiced his dis- pleasure at one picture producer in regard to a pUy that that prodacer had purchased and was golas to present a film version of. But the producer seemingly Is going ahead making the picture, which is to be produced under the original title. On the inside, it is whispered, that Hays has come to the realisation tha: he would have to make an ex- ample of one of the biggest or- ganizations In the Industry, so that he would be able to make his man- dates stick when applied to ths smaller fry. Possibly that ac- counts for the wholesale Indictment he presented to the Famous Play- ers' people on 16 out of their 40 pictures. It may also account for the hurried trip that SIdnsy R. Kent, head of the sales division of Famous Players, made to the coast Immediately following the confer- ence that the Famous Players' ex- ecutives had with Hays regarding the titles. Titles Changed . A complets list of the titles or- dered changed could not be ob- tained, but a few are known. For Instance, "Spring Cleaning" was changed before Hays' order, and now It is going to be called "The Fast Set." Possibly Hays doesn't care for that title, for. In ttie case of Pola Negri's "Compromised" when he applied a stick and that was changed to "The Passionate Journey," he saw to it that it was again changed and permanently this time to "Lily of the Dust." Three of the others are "A Wom- an of Fire." "PUythings of Fire" and "Wild Moments." "Whisper- ing of Men" is another title changed. In addition to this there arc 10 other productions of ths list that he has placed the taboo on. Poasl- bly, "Open All Night," "The Female"-and "The Sainted Devil" as well as "The Golden Bed" might be four others objected to, likewise "The Beautiful Adventuress." "The Cafe of the Fallen Angels" Is another that might have come In for censorship, also "Forbidden Paradise," but that is a matter of conjecture at. this time. The new titles will undoul>tedly show themselves from time to time within the next month or so. There If. one other of the 40 titles that has been changed, but undoubtedly without Mr. Hays' objecting to it, "The Montebank," now called "The Sideshow of Life." During the first couple of days of this week the sweeping blow against the Famous Players' titles was the under-covcr talk among.the bigger execnfives In the Industry, who are wondering what the next step Is tli.tt Hays will take to make the [.roiliHcrs keep their product clean ill titics as well as in the text