Variety (July 1924)

WeAMsdi9> JuJy^M*^ ■fffflr \ . ,>»r(»iyTf-f-,VT]5i5^«-.y PICTURES M f\ ■'^J'nm^''lMrfW'W^^•'^^' VASIBTY 8S \ INSIDE STUFF ON PICTURES *^ Tl>« Moore Rlalto, WMOHngtott, Aeal wMh VnlverMt) te m«er » )«««€ . iji^yearB. It win wet Tom Moore t8*l>0M for th« full term. UnlTerea] taMkid to k«vc paid Moore }2M.e0ft.iii cm1> vhen elenlng the leaM. ^Scordi»* to tbe ftgwrea, the Hialto rent ifUl stand U. JIO.OOO annually, fliaeo tbe report te that Moore re«clVe« a "net" fisore. U. may kave to g^ on the taxee, ete» IB the sudden sbakeup of operation of Aaaociated Exhibitors, Prank C. Payne who has hla olDcea there, la not tn'any wise affected, a» P. C. la the eastern representative for Douglas MacLean. Monte Bell iJ a anueh sought after director. H« ia one of the now and recent finds and was taken ^ tow by Harry Rapf when the latter was with Warner Brothers. Bell produced two pictures for that concern that w«e wiaarda and when Bapf left to go over with Metxo-GoMwyn h« carried Bell aloner. The impression got aroond that Bell ia nnder a long time contract to HKOt. Buck is not the case. Their working agreentent expiree in Bcptem- ber with iBdlcationa Famous Players will add him to its staff at that time. Other concerns have offered Bell contracts. It is doubtful whether the release title of the lecture which Fred Niblo ia to make for Metro-Goldwyn will be "The Red Lily." It aeens as though Anatol France wrote a novel by that name some years ago anA that the story for screen purposes is not the same, but the author simply chose the title to fit his subject without ascertaining whether or not K bad been used previously. ■^ot a Cent Owing to the Banks by January 1" ia the slogan that has teen adopted by the cxecutivca of Famous Players-Laslty. To that end .every energy is being bent by the organisation beads to not only show salts advancement in the distributing end, as well as curtailment of costs in the producing division, but the houses that the corporation controls are ako to be closely watched in an effort to get every possible j>enny of reve- nue out of the theatre papperties. There ia. however, no truth to the rumor that the theatre division of the Famous Players' activities are to b« curtailed tfaroogh the medium of diapoaal of a number of houses. Famous Players is not going to Jump in haphazardly into »ew theatro propositions which would mean financing tbrough the medium of New York banks to carry the theatre propositions along, which might not be located anywhere near New York. In New York alone they have one project in waiting and tluit is the con- struction of a colossal theatre and gigantic office building on the present Potaam building site at Broadway from 43d to 44th streets that is going to require many millions to finance. In this instance they have been holding back from time to time, although the plana for going ahead on the structure have been ready for many months. They have, however, covered the facts that they did not want to go in lor this particular financing at this time by stating that the exiatent leases on the present building make it impossible for them to proceed with the building operations. But if they ever do get started on the building that they contemplate putting on the site, they will have a structure, according to the present plans, that will absolutely overshadow everyttiing else there ia in Times square at this time, inclnding the high towering Times building, the Times annex and the Bush Terminal building. Out of town, in cities where theatre propositions are being krought to FUmous Players, and they are brought in almost daily, propositions ranging anywhere from $250,000 to |2,59*,000, there ia the same story to all ef those wkro would promote the proposals and that is "Get local capital to finance the venture, and w^ will go in on it willingly," evidently expect- ing by that means to make the local banking institutions carry the load for the ventures In their particular cities so that k subsidiary corporation of Famous would be carrying the indebtedness and not the original cor- poration itself, thus enabling the parent corporation to wipe Itself clear «f Indebtedness in the time limit that the organisation has set for itself. The high cost of advertising in electric lights or brilliantly painted signs in Times square is mounting higher and higher by the week. Prices that are almost prohibitive are bein^ asked. The big space atop the Putnam building, maintained for three years by Wrigley, is now held by the Cllciuot Club ginger ale sign and costs 19,000 a month. One of the big motion picture producing companies wanted to "step out" this week, and began asking questions. An "spectacular" stuff ia graded down from the $9,000 mark, stopping at 13,000, while painted signs are quoted as fairly steady at around S1,0«0 per month. DOOLITTLE'S LETTER i^ Explains and Blames Others for Coast Ada—Laemmle Speaks for Universal W. J. Eoolittle, of the Belznick Distributing Corp., tias written a Mtcr in which he explains that the wspapcr advertising matter tli&t appeared in a Loo Angeles news- paper, in connection with the pic- twe, "Daughters of Today," was ■ot prepared by employes of 8«laBlck. Dor little is said to be holding the press agents of the Clone's Broadway, and Universal press agents, responsible for the "liOcpoJd-Loeb" stuff that was described by Joseph M. Schenck, president of the M. P. P. A, as "vile •ad vicious." IJooUttle further holds the ad- vertising manag-rs of newspapers to blame for accepting such stuff. Carl Laemmle, president of Uni- versal Pictures Corporation, which controls Clune's Broadway theatre, Los Angeles, where the Selznick picture, Daughters of Today," was 'e'ng shown when Joseph M. Schenck, president cf the Motion Picture Producers' Association, last vreek protested against the "vile and vicious" use cf the names cf Licopold *ad Loeb in newspaper advertising, nas denied that Universal employe! had anything to do with the matter. "Previous to our taking over the •ouRe nc had nothing to <lo with "8 man.igcment. No UniverHal cm- P'oye would liare to put cut vile »nd vicious advertising. My or- ders against snl.iciouH picturcH and salacious adverti«ing are too well .known." N. J. CONVENTION The New Jersey Exhibitor conven- tion held in Asbury Park resulted in the election of Joseph M.iBelder, formerschairman of the Board of Di- rectors as President. H. P. Wood- hull, former president and now chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association, de- clined to consider another term at the head of the local organisation. The other officers to support Seider during his administration are Charles C. Hildlnger, first vice- president; Peter Adams, accoud vice-president; William Kecgan, treasurer; Harry P. Nelson, secre- tary. The Board of Directors for three years are David Hennessy, K. F. Woodhull, Sidney Samnelson; for two years, Ben Shiiidier, Arthur Smith, Lrf>ui8 Rosenthal: for one year. Si Fabian, Leo Jesowiti, Mor- ris Hirschbloom. At the meeting the membership was Informed that the executives cf the state organization endorsed the $2,000 note pledged by Woodhull toward the |50,0«0 poadged to un- derwrite the National Organization. SCBEENLAND, IHC, SUED Screcnland. Inc., which publishes the picture fan periodical of that name, and the Myron Zobel Publka- tions, Inc., which controls "Screcn- land" and "Real Lite Stories," are being sued in the Supreme Court for $2,«3S.4« for services rendered by the M.-xrlin Printing Co The plaintiff alleges that under date of June 23, 1924, it learned the defendant was trying to settle with its bigger creditors at 50 cents on the dollar. BUDIHGCODE <ConiiBu«d fron page 24) passageways, foyer, lobbies or promenadea. Kvery place of public assembly hereafter erected and used as a theatro shall be of "fireproof con- Btroctlon," except tbeatreo which accommodate not more than kOO persons may bo of "non-fireproof construction. Kvefy building hereafter erected in which an assembly hall is pro- vided above the ground floor shall bo of fireproof construction up to and incladlng the ceiling of the area occupied for such place of pub- lic aasembly, except that assembly halla kicated on the second floor and having the capacity of not mor». > than 100 persona may he provided in buildings ot non-fireproof con- struction, provided the main floor of auditorium ia not over 22 feet from the ground. Aasembly halls accomodating not more than 504 persons may be built of frame construction provided the building is not more than one story in height nor more than 6,000 square feet in area, the foundation walls and piers are of approved masonry, the building ie at least ten feet from any other building or adjoin- ing lot line and there be no bal- cony. No part ot a building above a theatre shall be placed above that portion known as the stage section. No places ef public assembly shall be placed above or below a garage, dry cleaiking establishment, or such other place aa the indiia- trial commiasloner deems basord- ooe. Entrances and Ex'rta Rules aro provided for entrances on street fronts, main lobbies and passageways, required courts and corridors, primary exits, secondary exits, numt«r and location ot exits based on capacity, width of exits, width of stands, hallii, landings and passageways, width ot stqirs and landings, width and level ot lob- bies and foyers, construction of exit stairs, exterior enclosed fireproof stairways, doors, con«tr«iction ot fireproof windows, construction ot fire doors, speciflcatlons for aisles, seats, balcony and gallery railings, exit signs and diagram of exits, etc. Special attention is devoted to fireproof stage construction, to cur- tains, counterweights and openings in the proscenium wall and to venti- lation in the stage section and sky- lights, dressing rooms, stage exits and sanitary conveniences, while standard rules are provided tor me- chanical stages. A detailed table shows illumina- tion required for outdoor courts, passageways, etc., outdoor exit stairs, dressing rooms, lobbies, etc., rest rooms and smoking rooms, au- ditoriums and assembly halls. Heatins and Ventilation The subject ot heating and ven- tilation ia exhaustively treated, in- cluding machine booth ventilation. Steam boilers shall be located out- side the theatre proper fmd in no case under or within any portion of the theatre building. Automatic sprinklers, stand pipes, hand fire ex- tinguishers and fire appliances, water pails and casks are provided. General specifications and stand- ards are provided tor projection booths and for snhmlssion cf plans for such booths for approval. The code also provides specifications for roof gardens, work shops and property store rooms. In general the code required the use cf electricity for lighting pur- poses whenever It Is to be had. Gas or kerosine lamps will be pevmltted only when guarded so as to prevent any possibility of combustible ma- terial becoming ignited. The new proposed code emt^-aces about 100 sections »nd contains ap- proximately 15,000 words. The new code when adopted will go Into effect without any central- ized agency of state government de- voting itself exclusively to enforc- ing its provisions. It is to be hoped that a future legislature may rem- edy this shortcoming. To enforce the provisions of the t>ew code properly will be an enormous task; to draft its provisions loto final tentative form has taken nearly two yc.Trs, and experience has shown that newly authorized ac- tivities of government seldom func- tion to capacity unless special ef- fort be directed in their behalf. CtlBAN OBJECTIONS '^ythore*" Stirs Logation at Waoh- •Mtfton. J. A. Partington Renews San Francisco, July 1. J. A. Partington has signed a new contract with the Herbert L. Roth- child Entertainment Co., Inc., to continue in force five more years. He will be general manager and make his headquarters in the iiranada. ' ' • ■ -•!■ Washington, July 1. "Cytherea,* the picture showing last week at Crandall's Metropoli- tan hero aroused the ire of the Cuban legation, who had published In one of the local dailies a state- ment to the effect that the picture was inimical to Cuba. This was followed by a statement from Harry Crandal], In which the heed of the theatre concern said that the note from the legation was unjust and that all portions of the film that had been objected to had been removed prior to its firat show- ing here. It was stated that upon receipt of a memorandum from Jack Con- nolly of the Will Hays office here that cuts were made without "quibble or proteetation" and that all objectionable portions were permanently out as far as Washing- ton was concerned. The portion at which the chief objections were aimed was not de- picted as fact but as a dream ot the lead. Lewia Stone. Mr. Cran- dall said that "to object to tlila por- tion of the picture is equivalent to objecting to any bit of imagination or any dream." The controversy got considerable publicity. The "hick," however, was entirely on the level. A. E. CHANGES Reported A. 8. Kane, President, Leaving^Patho Taking Control Rumora ot changes ot a wide character within the Associated Blx- hlbiton^ organization have fol- lowed the report ot the withdrawal ot Mr. Applegate from the contract department and the resignation of Stanley Tunick, assistant treasurer, who has been with the organisation since it started. It is reported that Arthur 6. Kane, president. Is to step out, but no definite Information is obtainable. • Pathe haa b^en back of Asso- ciated financially -and probably will take over the Associated pictures. EUmer Pearson, ot Pathe, has been one ot the directors ot Associated and has often put freeh funds Into the company. IKE GORE MARRIED TWrd AppointoMnt Held Up—Kept Secrot 8ince Jan. Los Angeles, July 1. Ike Gore, ot Gore Bros., Inc., with thesttres on this Coast, is known as the "fox" ot the family. At least, that is what his uncles and brother have called him. Gore is in charge of the Red Mill theatre and would go to the Weat Coast Theatres, Inc., office to trans- act business at various times. There he met Marie DeSalcs Pur- cell, who had won a beauty contest in San Francisco. She waa em- ployed aa a aecretary. Ike paid court to her. His re- latione knew nothing about it. On two separate occasions he proposed marriage, but each time an auto- mobile accident bad to spoil their plans. This was about a year ago. Then Ike kept quiet a while. On Jan. S be piloted Miss Purcell to the city hall at Sacramento. There they were married. They returned. She resumed her position for a time and then quit. Nothing was said as to the rea- son, but after that she was seen In Ike's company a good deal, until members ot the family began giving him the "third degree" when he ad- mitted. WEST COAST OUT OF SAH BIEOO Ban Diego, July 1. Announcing their intention to withdraw from the Balboa and Ca- brillo theatres, of which they now control BO per cent, the West Coast Theatres, Inc., is negotiating the final dissolution ot its working ogreement here. The West Coast formed a part- nership with Robert E. Hicks, owner of the two theatres, last De- cember, taking over a one-half In- terest in each bouse and a picture policy has been adhered to. Hicks will operate the two theatres per- sonally following the partnership dissolution. Mines Sprains Ankle Johnny Hines. screen comedian, Hprnined his left ankle while at work on a picture at the Glendale Studios. He is doing "The Speed Spook." 'JANMX MEREDmr WU RELEASE THROUGH H^ >o Listed by M-G as 1925 Release—Opens in N. Y. About Mid-August .;>| It seems to be a settled fact that William R. Hearst's Cosmopolitan productions will be released through the Metro-Goldwyn Corp. "Janice Meredith," in which Ma- rion Davies ia atarred, is listed among the M.-O. releases for 1«2B. Janice Meredith" will be shown In New York about mid-August. M.-Q. also will take over the IiV4 spiration-Henry King pictures star'* ring Lillian Glsh, It reports heard oii BitMUtway BOW aro true. "Romola." tho first ot the Qlak pictures, la being readied for it* Broadway abowing. J. ■*• $39,000 VERDICT Awardad in Favor ef P. B. Warron Againat Aaao. Exhibitors, Ine. A Jury In the Supreme Court laat week awarded a verdict for IW.MO to Fred B. Warren against Aaaoel> ated Prodscera^ Inc. bow out «< businesa. Three years ago Warren c«a« traetcd to dlatribtrte A.-P. picture^ and tour months before the Wmt- ron contract expired the A.-P. mem^ bora breached tho contract. H* aued, and tied up certain funda of the members of the company pond* ing the outcome of this action. Tho balance will bo paid pro rata bx the members. The directors making up the com* pany In 1921 were Thomas H. Inco^ Mack Sennett, Allan Dwan, Maurlc* Tourneur, Marshall Nellan, J. Par- ker Reld, Jr., and George L>o*b« Tucker, now dead. Warren was general manager d the dlstrlbotlng firm. ' Atf* SID SMITH'S $75,000 SUID Wants That From Ckand Ro«H){ Co/—Broken Contract '- ^*\ Lofl Angeles, July I, ' Bid Smith, picture comedian, %m0 brought suit for |7S,0ft« ag&lnat Samuel V. Gnuid, the Samnti V. Grand ReaHy Co., and the Sid Smltlk Production Corp., Id the Superior Court, alleging breach of contract. Smith clalma that he made a eo»4 tract with the defendants on Mareb 14, 1923, agreeing to work for them exclusively for three years at • weekly stipend of fSSO. He also al« leges he was to get a raise ot |M after each six months and 10 par cent, of the profits of the pictureo in which he waa featured. ' Without cause he was fired Oct. 2S, lt2t, and after thinking thlnga over tor nine months he decided to go to court, ho says. This is the third of a seriea of legal controversies the Grand corp- oration haa been in during the past three months. Recently Ben Wilaon had their studio attached by tho sheriff In an endeavor to realf^o on some uncollected notes given him. n IOWA OWIERS' ELECnOH Des Molnea, July 1. The Iowa Theatre Owners' Ai elation In annual meeting at the Hotel Savory elected B. J. Van Dyka ot the Loyal theatre, Des Moines, as president; B. P. Smith, Chariton^ •ecrctary-trcasurer; N. C. Rice, AI- gona; Harry Hersteiner, Des Moines; EUer Metzger, Creston; J. C. Collins. Perry: lieo Moore, Centerville; Joe Smith, Fort Dodge, and Ed Wagner. Valley Junction, were named executive committee. A. H. Black, Des Moines, dia" cussed, "What 4s the Present Out- look for Pall Business?" and other managers presented matters cf in- terest to the association and pre- dicted successful fall business. ROKHA TAUIAIIlBE IHJUBED Iios Angelea, July 1. Norma Talmadgo was painfully cut about the head In an accident while filming a boat scene in the United Studios, Friday. A cable parted and In falling struck the actress, bowling over both she and Ben Walker, the actor. >- Miss Talmadge was hurried to < the Hollywood Hospital, where her injuries were dressed and she was removed to her home. Walker was cut and bruised about the bead and bo^-. «> ^ acj fe