Variety (November 1924)

i»np7?'. W«dMsd«7. tfvymahtr S, ifH •piCTUR-ES.-tiW ', '^^'•y.'^,\--^r'-^-'T.''*t-n tx^- VARIBTT tl ->^ FIVE-DIIY TALK IN L. A. LINES UP U. A. GROUP- MONEY COMING IN v^^'<'4r^ ,a .*, •♦^ Jot. M. Scfaenck Elected to Membership—Charlie Chaplin Hard to Convince on Problenu Agreed To by Othen—Only Waiting for Natfian Burkan to ArriTe on Coast—Schenck to Go After New Pro- ducers—^First Talmadge Release in Sept., 1925 ABRAMS REMAINS V- ^ 'Xoa AdmIm. Nov. S. United Artists with JoMph M. flchenck el«cted to mcmberahip 1b that distributing body will be re- capitalized with the posaibllity that from $S,000.0<K> to K.OOO.OOO of out- side capital will be ua«d (or the purpose. For Ave days after the arrival of Joseph M. Schenck, Hiram Abrams, Captain Denis F. O'Brien and Rob- ert Fairbanks dally conferences lasting from six to ten hours were held in the bungalow of Fairbanks- Fickford at their studio in Holly- wood. Though it had been established before the beginning of the confer- •nces that Schenck would Join the fold of Pickford-Fairbanks-Orifflth itnd Chaplin, the meetings were lengthy and at various times those participating were at variance in ▼isirs. - Chaplin Dissgresd Charlie ChapUn It appeared was the one who generally disagreed with the other members of the *Yound table." who Included Schenck, Fairbanks, Mary Plckford, Abrams, O'Brien %»d Fairbanks. ChapUn wanted to thrash out the entire dis- tribution problem and flgure how a reorganization would affect him and that was to take In ouUlde capital for the financing of distri- bution and extending the scops of the orgi^nlyatlon. In the extension of the scope of the body the others bad plans for the establishment of funds to be used by any of the producers in the croup who needed aid in the flnanc- tng of productions. ChapUn It Is ■aid argued that since on his own he has financed his own pictures and felt that anyone coming Into the body should do Ukewise. The others pointed out that they felt meritorious producers ' admitted might require financial aid at some time or other and that this aid should come from United Artists In- stead of from outside sources. It took four days of conference. It Is said, before Chaplin finally was made to see that this would be the proper course to take. •.' Waiting for Burkan tTpOB the conclusion of these pre- liminary meetings word was sent to New York to call a special meet- ing of United ArttsU last Friday and elect Joseph M. Schenck to membership. It was decided that the cloaLng of the agreement and signing of all papers be deferred tmtU the arrival here of Nathan Burkan, attorney for Chaplin, from New York next Sunday. Pending his arrival the problem of taking In the ouUlde capital will be worked out It is said that this new money will not be obtained from anyone Interested at present in the picture Industry nor wUl it be obtained from Wall street. With the addition of Schenck, he will add to the group releases made by Norma Talmadge, the first of which will be ready in September, 192S. The reason for the delayed release is that Schenck has two ntore pictures with Miss Xalmadge to release before his First National contract expires. For the present no provisions will be made for the ad- dition of the other two Schenck producing units. The Constance Talmadge contract with First Na- tional has still more than a year to run while the Bu.ster Keaton con- tract with Metro-Goldwyn is als* said to run yet for a long period. When these contracts expire Schenck will undoubtedly add those stars to the ranks of United Ar- tists. Though nothing has been an- nounced regarding the addition of Other producers to the U. A. fold. Griffith's Latest Is Revolutionary Film The D. W. Oriirth organixa'- tion Is casting about for..- a Broadway house at which to shdw "Isn't Life Wonderful," the production formerly named "The Dawn." The picture was partly made In Europo and In America. Carol Dempster is playing the lead. The production was complet- ed about a week ago, and those who have viewed it have strongly recommended that it be road showed before regular- ly released. They state that it Is as revolutionary as was his "Broken Blossoms" five years ago. PICCADDIY TO BROADCAST New Picture OHoose Linked With WGBS Direct LarfOtt Light Sign ICOi^Mikeo. Wis.. Not. 4. MlIWAttkee la laying claims to the largest upright theatre slga in the country as a result of ttM erection by tho Palaeo Orpheima of a new slga whieh is eighty-five feet in height. The largest Milwaukee sign previously .vas the oao oa Saxe's ' Wisconsin, dlreotly across trom the Palaoo, which measured approximately ser- eaty-two feet With both these immense electric signs at the samo cor- ner. Grand avenue and Sixth street has become tho eoator of Milwaukee's white way. HEARST-INCE Los Angeles, Nov. S. Despite reports and stories of other affiliations, there is - an un- derground rumor about that there may be an afllllation of picture In- terests between William R. Hearst and Tom Inpe. Since Hearst has been on the coast, he and Ince have been on very friendly terms, with the rimior starting from their constant com- panionship. ■^i^i l.'.^ Another of Broadway's houses Is to fail into line on the air. Lee Ochs has closed sn arrangement with WaBS. through DaUcy Paskman, representing the Now York Olmbel Brothers' .•*>'■'. whereby t|M Picca- dilly wUt be one of the regular con- tributors to4he aorlal entortalnment of the town. This links i p three «f the Broadway houses, the Caplt' , which has the air Sunday ovening from T:>0 to > through WJZ and the Strand, which gox s on tho air ovory Monday night via WKAT. Ochs is setting aside a special room at the Piccadilly as a broad- casting studio, and it will be in readiness soon. A special direct wire has becU'run to WOBi^ so i' at In the cass of a number of the Jazz orchestras In the near neighbor- hood of the PlocadiUy playing at dance places will be able to get on the air from the theatre without going all th-^ way to the Qlmble store studio. it is believed Schenck win bo quite active in recruiting for the ranks of the organisation a number of high producers who at the present are releasing through national dis<- trlbutlng bodies. Lloyd and Valentino Unllkoly Though It had been conjured that Harold Lloyd and Rudo^>h Valen- tino might be added to the group, according to present Indications this Is unlikely; Lloyd had a confer- ence last week with Fairbanks and tho latter - remarked "Harold I would like to tie you up with our organization for six pictures." rrry and get me," was the quick retort of Lloyd as he made his exit. It is said though the Lloyd-Valen- tlno agreement with Famous Play- ers'-Liasky calls for only one pic- ture, that Lloyd has decided that will be the only sort of contract he will make with any releasing or- ganization in the future. That should others try to take him away from F.-P.-L., tjie latter body would be prepared to meet or better the terms offered by others to keep Lloyd within their ranks. No plans of operation have been defined for the future of the United Artists organization, but it has been agreed that Hiram Abrams, present heact of the organization, remains at his present i>ost. A. E. NOT NOW TO PRODUCE Despite rumors tt.at Associated Exhibitors were going to eater the producing field, there Is apparently no truth to the stories. J. S. Woody, general manager of Associated, Is out with a denial that the organisation win take to pro- ducing, although admitting that such a policy was under oonsldecm- tion during the last few months. The executives of the organisation came to a unanimous decision against entering the Sold at this time, but may do so a year later. Associated lays stress at this time that it is the only organisation of Its kind devoted solely to distribu- tion and Is not linked In the iiroduc- ing fle'.d In any manner. W. COAST ASS'N WANTS EVERY! PRODUCER ^ A. M. P. P. Starting Cam- paign for New Members' Mooser-Hood Mia Grcrit San Francisco, Nov. S. Adele Blood Is In tttwn and an nounces that with Ooorge Mooser she Is to take over a syndicate of 16 picture theatres la the larger cities of India. The syndicate. says the aslress, is backed by American capital. Mooser Is to be in direct charge. Miss Blood announced that she intended to desert the legitimate atage and devote herself entirely to the business end of ISie the> atrical business. Miss Blood plans to sail from here early la Jantuiry for India. I<o« Angelas, Nor. S. Unless practically every picture producer la enroUed among its membership the Association oC Moving Picture Producers can not accomplish Its object tor the bet» torment of the trade. That was about the atatemeat made at the. assiKslatlon's meeting here Friday o( the West Coast or' gaalsatlon. It was a speolal maeting called to devise means to bring into the association all of tlie prodncer* on the coast, large or smalL Harry Wamsr's Novel Plea During the meeting a plan was suggested to make provlslou for the development of future stars by the big line and independent com- paniea. It was a matter brought up by Harry M. Warner (Warner Brothers) who urged protsotlon be given the independent producer. Be aaked that where a producer is laboring with talent Ita the making that the others protect him by sot enOeaTorlng to take the player from undar Ms wing. So also requested that the aasio- olatloa protect that when aa la- dependent with a star proapoct la uMable to fnnilah M weeks work a year, accordlag to eoatract. other members of the assoelatloB aid by giving the actor employmeat to fill A special meeting' in the offices of Nathan Burkan In New York, at which three members of the United Artists' Board of Directors were present, Joseph M. Schenck was elected a member of the board on Friday last. Present at the meet- ing were Mr. Burkan, representing Charles Chaplin; Albert H. Banzhaf. D. W. Griffith's attorney, and M. E. deary, treasurer of United Artists. Burkan is leaving for the Coast tomorrow, Wednesday, and will ar- rive in Los Angeles Sunday to at- tend the final meetings, at which the papers for the combination of Schenck and the United Artists will be worked out, as well as the plans (or the reorganization of the dis- tributing machine. Mr. Banrhaf. Qrlfflth's attorney, will accompany Mr. Burkan to the Coast to be present at the final meetings of the merginp parties. Amusement StodEs Sluggish Lust Week There was little doing In the stock market during Ihe past week as far as the amusement stocks were con- cerned. Everyone seemed to want to lay off as far as the market was concerned, not trusting to what the final result of the Presidential elec- tion might do to the market. As far as Famous Players was concerned. It seemed as though something had happened to spike a drive on the stock from the Inside to get It Into hand so tliat they would be able to take advantage of the rise that should come along wheo they finally announce that they have cleared off their Indebt- edness and are on the profit side of the ledger. Last sates on Monday recorded were: Bale*. HIsli.tow.CloM.Bld. Ask. seOButman K..lim lllK 111% .. Do pr«f Ml l»0(hFainoiM Play. M% Wk M Do vrtt e«% 98 irWOLoew Co 18K 18 UH, .. 400 Metro-Gold... It 16% K IROaOrphonm IS Z2K 2t .. *Wamar Bros i. .. •Not quoted during weak oa Carb Market. Mary Pickford's New Director in Pittsburgh Los Angeles^ Nor. I. Joseph Von Sternberg, wko sprang to sudden fame when Mary Plckford signed a contract with him to direct her next ptctnre after Douglas Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin and she had purchased an Intereet In a feature, "The Salvation Hunt- ers," which he had made. Is now In Pittsburgh obtaining atmosphere for the first picture he win make with Miss Plckford. Von Sternberg is to provide a story with an Indus- trial backgrmmd. He will alto go to Dayton to get the prop<w ma- terial and color for his sceparlo. Vcn Sternberg la ezpecled to re- main in the east for at least sn- other month. In case arraagements are made to show the picture which he recently made in New Tork by United Artists he wiU be eloee at hand to go there for a personal appearance. The ooatter future diacussion. was left open for SELZNICK NEEDS MONEY Creditora' Committee Tells the Creditor* it to Tom Svans, chairman of the cred- itors' committee of the Selsnlck Distributing Corp., and Bernard L. Miller, it's secretary, have Issued a statement to the creditors that a "prompt and Immediate reorganisa- tion whlc^ will involve putting up money Immediately la no Incoaald- erable amount to keep the ex- changes open" wilt become Immedi- ately nepeesary, bo that the business of the Selsnlck continues function- ing. The ooriMratioa weat lato Invol- untary bankruptcy two weeks ago. LTTELL TO WED THO WEEK Los Angeles, Nov. t. Bert Lytell arrived from location at Tahiti on Sunday and was met at the depot by Claire Windsor. According to friends, the couple will be married wlthla a week. Atlanta Exhibitor Skeptical on ''Lincoln" Film; South Prejudiced Atlanta. Oa., Nov. t. WlUard Patterson, manager of the Metropolitan, :« giving a "show me" preview Sunday of First NatlonaUs "Abraham Lincoln." He has invited a select group, representative of all classes, to as- certain if the south haa overcome her prejudice against the mar- tyred President. It Is his plan to hand out cards and aak for an individual expression from each guest. First National officials have assured him that the film will go big In tho south. Pat says they'll have to show him. If the majority of the previewere favor the film he will show It later. If not, out! irsTraiEiBT' with the advent of the spring program of 21 pictures wkieh are to be released by Uaiversal aader the brand des l gn atl ca a€ "nie White Ust" the Uaiversal la going to in- atigurate a new era of bosinsss la the film world, accordlag to R. H. Coebrane. vIoe-preaMeat of the or- gaalsatlon. Mr. Cochrane says "We are really trying to set a new pace tsr the whole business by hitting IM per cent, oa white pioture% white oon-. tracts,, white treatment aad white everything." The white treatmeat will be some- thlag that the exhibitors will want and undoubtedly Hays wilt give the Universal his uaquallfled support OB "white pictures" If the deelgna- Uoa "white" Is what the accepted sense Is in oonnectlon with the sex appeaL Utalyorsal suttered through the last y'esr because of the manner In which Its sales force was In- structed to go after exhibitors. There was a natural falling off in the good wIU that It had taken U years to build up. R. H. says that over at Universal "we are pounding It home to every maa In the erganiaatlon, particu- larly the sales force- It Is good business, but better still, It's good principle, and If It does nothing more than give a slight boost to the general tone of the Industry it win have been well worth while." Anything that can boost the tone of the picture Industry Is more than worth while and U the White Uat of Carl Laemmle can do It, then he ought to get a medal. Flflclier Lining Up Against Balaban & Katz Invaskm Madison. Wis., Nov. S. Fred Fischer, wno operates three motion picture theatres here, is de« veloping a string of houses through the State to wlthsUnd the threat- ened opposition of Balaban and Kats In this territory. Fischer has lined Up houses la Appleton, Fond du Lac, where he Is building, and Oshkosh. In Ullnoia he has landed two houses In Ke- wan nee, and one in La telle. Sylvia Breamer Retiring Los Angeles, Nov. S. Mrs. Harry W. Martin, nee SyiVia Breamer, will retire from the screert. She was married Saturday to Dr. Martin and the couple immedlafeTy left here on their way to EUropOu