Variety (November 1924)

VARIETV ^;^ ST «jp>--- 'V-^tfrTvqn^'ffa v Wednesday. November 19. i9U wm: 112,000 TAKEN fReNK.CTREAS. ::^d- .♦.JLi Newqian Elmploye Held ; Up Near Bank' ji *.■ V' Kansas City. Nov. 1$. Gua Eyssell, treasurer of the ;; Frank I^ Newman theatres (New- ' man and Royal) was held up, kid- napped and robbed or *|12,000 at ; Boon yesterday. Eyssell, acco/apanled by a city de- tective as guard, was entering the 'Commerce Trust when he and his V,. protector were completely sur- :';|rj»unded by a gang of bandits, forced > Into an automobile and driven to the ^, north part of the town, where they i'.'Were thrown from the m&ehlne. and ^».the robbers escaped. The holdup was the most daring ever accomplished in this dty. It narks the second time that Eyssell ^^lias been kidnapped and robbed. g, Hii initiation took place 18 t£ months ago, when a lone bandit held ♦> np several In the Newman theatre V Oflloe, comi>elled Eyssell to put the ^ cash In a bag and accompany him p-to taxi. In which he was driven several miles awny. where the ban- dit disappeare d . afcrafc: **ONE FOR ONE" I (Continued from page 21) «ra to meet this demand are at- Vtrapdng all kinds of expediencies, '.««t "the total production of fllm Is falling oft," . In Un. 1.2S1,2S9 meters of film War* made," reports Hr. Miller, *^hlch was a Arop of (6 per cent from 1931. A further drop of IS 1-S per cent, brought the figures to 77BJ8S meters In tbs next year. From Jan. 1. 1924. to Aug. 16, a lit- tle more than six months, only 221,- •00 meters were produced, not tn- cludlng pure advertising films. This drop in production has been' caused ebtefiy by growing Importation from the United SUtes." American films reaching Qermany have Increased from 25,880 feeV in X91S ^o 4SS.M4 meters for eigbt months of 1924 "This Is nearly twice as much as was produced by Osmuiny daring the same period of time." states the report. (The most recent figures obtainable at the de- ptu-tment set forth that in Septem- ber, 1924, •eo.MS feet of fllm were exported to Qermany). Oermans BiispSet Boycott Iq some circles In Germany It 16 believed that a boycott existe in the United States against the Ger- man-made films, although Mr. Miller states that the "more responsible persons in the trade are ready to admit that there is no conscious ef- fort to ke«p European films from earning any sums they can in the American market. The real reason Ues In the fact that German films do not appeal to the taste of the American audiences and are not paying propositions." to Per Cent. Held by Receivers The national association of Ger- man theatre owners hae Just com- pleted Its annual convention in Leip- sig with the iwesldent of the as- sociation declaring that 80 per cent. of all German picture theatre own- ers were now In the hands of re- eelvers, or would be In '.he near future, "which means," to again quote Mr. Miller, "that their affairs are subject to special government snipervision In order to prevent dec- laration of bankruptcy. This state- ment appears unreasonable because the total number of all firms under receivership In Germany is a little over 2,000, an^ is not showing a ten- -dency to increase during the last few weeks." At the convention, the report con- tinues, the theatre owners com- plained of the amusement tax levied by the government. Theatre rentals have gone up from 35 to 62 per cent. with the chief cost, the large sums paid for American films. "It Is stated that good American six reel dramas are renting at from t,000 to i.OOO gold m'arks a week. For good slsed houses and for super-film considerably more must be paid. The Industry Is also complaining of the excessive salaries paid film distrib- utors," adds the report. As for the latest plan to cope with American produced pictures as outlined above Mr. MiUer states that its force will depend entirely upon the manner in which the fllm indus- try acts as a unit and whether or not they will receive the support of the theatre owners. Will Hays was in Washington last «e«lc UnSS NORIUND BARRED FROM DIVORCE ACTION Attempted to Intervene in N. W. Church Proceedings- Actress Suing Mrs^Church Xos Angeles, Kbv. II. Mabel Normand will not be per- mitted to intervene in the divorce action brought 'by Mrs. Georgia W. Cniurch against Norman W. Church, millionaire capitalist. Such Is the opinion handed down by Superior Court Judge Shaw, who ruled that under the law Miss Normand had no direct Interest In the outcome of the proceedings. Miss Normand had asked the court for fhe rlfht to Intervene for the purpose of clearing her name of an allegation set forth in the complaint in which Mrs. Church stated her husband had Informed- her that Miss Normand had 'visited his room In tlie Good Samaritan hospital attired only in a night- gown. It also stated that Church told his wife that Miss Normand had given him flowers, indulged in drinking bouts with him and threatened to tell <bim stories un- less he kept quiet. The motion to intervene was filed in conjunction with a $500,000 suit for slander which Miss Nor- mand. had brought against Mrs. Church. The ruling of Judge Shaw with respect to intervening has no effect upon the legal status of th» slander action. OF LAPPS Washington, Nov. l(. TiMtNat'Mal (%eogra^io 8o- elsCy ftiWDuncatf^ th« fllm de- pleting:, tbs Ufa srths Lappaas exhibited last week before that body by O. Clyde Fisher as among the most unusual yet prsaentsd. The films were ob- tained, sUted Mr. Fisher, aftisr surmounting great difficulties. The I/spps are wanderers of the flrosen north, who have never migrated to any other part of the earth. FUMECHANGES UNDER 1 ROOF L.A. FUm Row Will Move to New Structure L A. MURM CASE DKUIDES FILH PLAYEK Sensation Hounds Try lopon- nect Mysterious Death of H. I. Katz with Film Industry TfT- -sr" Denial of Studio Shift Story in L. A. Daily Los Xngeles, Nov. 18. Yesterday "The Record" printed that Famous Players-Lasky studio will be moved to Culver City, on Washington boulevard, close to the Metro-Goldwyn studio. In substantiation "The Record" published what purported to be a copy of a wire sent by Jesse' Lasky to George Jefferson, industrial en- gineer of Chicago, who Is said to have represented Lasky in the deaL The wire read: "Interested In site fronting Wash- ington boulevard near Goldwyn studio. Your recommendation o. k. Definite action immediately. Jesse Lasky." Charles Eyton, general manager of sthe Paramount Studios, asserts there is no truth in the story. His concern has carried on no nego- tiations along these lines, stated Mr. Eyton. About six months ago the report was about that the present site of F. P.-L. studios would be on the market withiik two years. Leases on the ground would expire by that time. It was stated. ■ ■— -■ —.— • " r . • .j imiir ' -., lios Angeles, Nov. 18. The Gore brothers, Miko and Abe, have a plan whereby they contem- plate bousing all the local fllm ex- changes under one roof. This roof wUl be on Vermont avenue, running from Washington Boulevard to 20th street, where the concern Is erecting A 91,000,000 combination theatre and fllm exchange building. Construction of the building com- mences around Jan. 1 and it Is ex- pected that by May the film ex- changes will all be housed here. The location is in what is now a residential district. All of the film exchange beads have agreed thnt they will move their quarters into the Combination structure. They confirmed this In a body at the meeting of the Film Board of Trade. The present film row Is located on Olive street. In the center of the city, and this proi<«rt) is increasing In Tains with the result that the removal of the filn^ exchanges will n(ft at all effect this scctloii. FINISH OF SBLZNICK Los AngslM, 'i^r. It. Harry I. Katx, wealthy realty man, musician, relic collector -and friend of numerous people con- nected with the picture indusivy, was' mysteriously murdered last week. From the start the sensation hounds tried to connect the tragedy with the theatre and motion picture industry. A large number of so- called picture actxirs and. others were talfen into custody and ques- tioned with reference to their rela- tions with the murdered man, but none seemed to be able to throw light on the matter as far as the murderers were concerned. Several men and women w^re placed nnder arrest but released. Among the persons questioned regarding their friendship with Kata was Rosita Marstini, who claimed to be a vaudeville actress and screen player. Miss Marstini was reputed at one time to have been a sweeteart of the dead man. Another questioned was Mfss Bradley King, who also knew Katz. Katx was killed in his apartment by an unknown man. All the police could discover was that a quarrel took place and that a .92 caKbre pissol bad been used. Katx was also known as a friend of Mrs. Teresa W. Mors, for whose murder Kid McCoy Is now awaiting trial. iOIKLANNERSIN HOOSe STATE 3<i^ 'Belief Sunday Amuse- 'menu Will Be Banned 1 <.«,#W-<M 4 '^dlanapolis, lloV 19. With the Ku Klux Kla.n in power through the sweeping Republican victory In Indiana In the i-ecent election Indiana amusement inter- ests appear to face the hardest bias law flght in the state's history when tho general assembly convenes in January. Abqut two days before the elec- tion there was eirciilated through- out Indiana KIsndom by the "Grand Dragon, Realm of Indiana," signing himself "Gl Indiana." an appeal to Klansmen to support the Republican ticket because the Republican or- ganization and practically all of its candidates have pledged themselves to support among other items in- dicated : "Most stringent'blue laws and the repeal of the Sunday baseball law, abolishing all Sunday baseball, closing theatres, picture shows and billiard rooms on Sunday." The report that the Klap candi* dates were "blue" was circulated very generally by Democrats long ■■^ '.1 before this circular became public. An oflloial of the Motion Plcturs The&ties of Indiana Issued a state> msnt during the recent campaign that Ed. Jackson, the governor- elect, baa no Intention of banning Sunday amusements. Meanwhile theatrical Interests sit. on the anxious seat awaiting the first tnoves of the Incoming admin- istration. ^ Ella HaH Johnson Through with Husband ';;. w;-:^\ Los Angeles, Nov. 18. Z>es|rfts Emory Johnson an- nounced In court he wanted his wife and their three children to re- turn and live with him, Mrs. Ella Hall Johnson refused to withdraw her suit for separation. She was allowed $100 monthly alimony by the court, after having applied for $600. Mrs. Johnson said that her hus- band as a picture director is earn- ing $750 weekly. He retorted by stating his total Income at present is $901 a month. Mrs. Johnson .charged her husband with cruelty. Speed on Foreign. Deal An International fllm deal estab- lishing a speed record has been closed by Jake Wilk for Pathe Freres (Lon.lon). It Involves eight pictures of the Columbia series of featiirfji being turned out by C. B. C. The flrst three are on their way to England. Pathe Freres started negotiations by cable Nov. 8; received a reply Tbs final chapter of the Selsnick Dlstrlbotlng Corp. was written last Thursday afternoon before U. 8. Judge WInslow when he signed an order directing the receiver to liqni- dats the assets of the corporation. At the same time those In close touch with the affaire of the organ- IsaUon state that the Utica flnanclsrs who backed the Selsnick organisation are "In" for $1,200,000. The Selsnick and the Select were formed by Lewis J. Selznick after he stepped out' from under the World FUm crash. The company was responsible for such etars as tbs lats OUve Thomas and Martha Mansfield, also Norma and Con- stance Talmadge, Conway Tearle, Clara Kimball Young and others squally prominent, now and In their days of stardom. The final deal, which closes the career of the organization, finds the receiver sending out an order to sus-' pend. all of the exchanges of the company, and at the same time di- recting the exchange managers to turn over to all of the F. B. O. ex- dbanges the short subjects handled as part of the Standard Cinema. The features on band and being distrib- uted by Selznjck will be turned over to Pathe, and handled through the Associated Exhibitors. Lewis J. Selsnick and one of his sons were present when the Judge consented' to the order for liquida- tion, but left immediately after and did not take part In the rather lengthy discussions that followed be- tween the attorneys representing the various factions, the receiver, the producer-creditors, and the creditors among the printers and the film trade Journals. They argued pro and eon for several hours over the division before finally caning to an agreement satisfactory to all. The receiver has the right to sell' Stunt Aviator Injured At Niagara Falls Buffalo, Nov. IS. William Tyndal. 28, aviation pilot, is in a serious condition at St. Mary's HospiU!, Niagara Falls, as a result of an accident while Aiming a picture thriller over* the falls. Tyndal was flying above the cat- aract preparatory to rofKulng the heroine by means of a rope ladder and a dummy. After the ladder bad been lowered engine trouble de- veloped. Tyndal tried to guide his plane to safety, \>ut treacherous fiir currents forced him from his course. The dangling dununy caught In a tree, whioh brought tbs plans crasbT ing to the ground. The pilot was rushed to the hos- pital, suffering severe cuts and In- ternal injuries. His assistant re- ceived minor bruises. Tyndal is employed as an avia- tor by Creation Motion Picture Co. of N. Y. THEATRE SALES F. C. Norrls has sold the Audi- torium, Burgettstown, Pa., to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Monjella. Slovan, Pa. Aroo theatre, In samf town, has been bought by George Clair. Boyd Wright has purchased the £:arle D. Clayton furniture store, Pullman, W. Va., and win turn It into a plcturs house. > Ban an light Power Officially Declared Off ~Los \ngeles, Nov. II. Electrical current can ^ used as much MS tbe folks hereabouts please In the future. The. recent rain brought this about wben last week FILM MHI PO(M. \ i Milwaukee, Nov. 18. Three leading picture men of this city, Fred Seegert, Regent theatre, and president of Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Wisconsin,^ George Fischer (Milwaukee thestre), and B. N. Van Norman (ParKway theatre), have Joined In papers ais4 with the Secretary of SUts. U will be known as the Badger Tbs;* atres Corporation. The dally press announcsd t^ c«intly that a Badger Theatre Cor« poratlon was bunding a theatre costing IISS/OO, at t7th and WeUs strMts, opposite a new house an- nounced by the Mai Intvsstment Co; HowsVer, Seegert and Van Normaa strenuously deny their eompany has beeh formed for that purpose. They say tt is a oolnctdencs that a eom« panif of the same name should np« ' peair at this Ums. "^ HOUSE CHANGES ;i I Oeorge H. Dumenia. former n«B* >f acer Bale's ModjsAka. MllwmuksA ^ has resumed the managemsnt of thi ' j States CIS viand. « | Harry Oreenway has succss fl ij ~ ^aek Cuddy tm pnbUclty girsetof^ Saxs housss, Milwaukee. 1 ler announced that the conservation ban Was officially,off. more than three ln<;fMS fell. _ ,.^ . Power Superintendent H. G. But- j lliome of his father and mother an^ TOO MUCH 7AlniT Los Angeles, Not. tt. ^ Claiming that her mother-tn>-Ul^ was not the most congenial persoQ found it necessary to leave the hom^ in the world, Mrs. Renee Peronn^ of her husband, Ralph Psronns^ owner of a motion picture house ftk Tujunga, and file suit for divoros Im the Superior Court.^ , ., Mrs. Peronnet said that her huj^'t bsnd would not move from' ths therefore freedom was more desir- able. COMING SOON Nov. 10, closed by cable on Nov.dthe titles of the various corporations 12; negatives inspected and money^that were Involved, ahd the chance* paid Nov. 13, the shippers got the film on Nov. 14 and the "Olympic" carried the film away Nov. 15. both the State Department and the Department of Commerce. Inquiries at both departments as to whethei) or not the Hays' visit was in con i nection with this German- plarj brought neitbs)r , confirmation ■ no^ H« ,waa In conferences pit deniaL-i- . *;.>.^' -^ are that Ia J. would most likely pick them up for a song. German Mystery Film London, Not. 18. Tbs Qerman ipystcry film. "Wafning Shadows'* suocessfuUy scors4 upon opening at tbe Tlvoli. Neither tl^s prpdpcer .^. ^ls ^st Is namedi ' *>' . <-«i<IH«*^.-V ' >^ «*«W J •• S..<U< #J*U^ Kma 2zid)5 Margaret J tri-^-cr-:'-^?:-: UiMA 1»t-1«25—Thirty Fl«<»t-Ru« Pictures ■M-