Variety (December 1924)

«»1ij*"i'W^* J'^P^^flWrK-- - ', !lFW>iMU«l.'"WTr-.3.^ VARIBTY PIC T U R E S ■^.'■Rf:P"T-TI Wednesday, December 17, 1824 HAYS WILL TALK TO HUH MEN 9F FOREIGN SALES DEPARMNTS 1. (SHAN HAT DIRECT NEXT PHXFORD tUJI Trm^e Plrets Invited for Friday Morning Meelinif-^ R^K»rt of EnglUh Circuit Trying to Line Vp 900 First Runs in England win H. Haya ha* called « niMt- tng: for thla Friday momtnc at his officea, at which art to be present the men handling the foreign sales 4ei>artmenta of the various members of the Hays organization. To the ■ame meeting the members of the trade press have been Invited.' 1%0 recent agitation in Germany •Caiast American pictures because the Ckrmans were finding It impos- sible to get distribution of their product tfi this country, and Uke- wlMtlio'hints that Bnsllab pro- dueera 1t4vo lot drop to the effect that those In their country were go- ing to aak fbr a protective tartS so that the Amirloan distributors could not Dractloally give away tholr product In England to the theatres In order to force out BngUsh pro- duced pictures, may form part of tbo d l scnsslon before Hays. One Q% the KngUsh producing or- ganiaatloiis' (fitoH's) trying vainly for 7«ars to break Into the American market la now reported as lining ap about SOO first run theatres In I^glaod for the sole purpose of forcing the American pictures out of thoae IheKtrea, playing the Eng- lish, Itadaa, iVench and tlerman made );>letttriB$ In preference to the American product. The question of how tlis KngWsh public would Uka that Is one that should worry the JlngUsh producer moat, for the English producera, nn- UIls ths Amortcan. havo not sdn- catod tbo British pQbUo to fllm p«ir^ sonaUtls^. and the fftns tn Bpgland, Uks those in Amorlea. want thohr eavorttss, who would moan mors to them than the spirit of patrlotlam at this time. Tbo "one for one~ poUoy whlcb the Osrmana wantod to Inavgume seems to havo fallsn by the way- aids bsoauss- o( thnt phase of the sxhtblMng snd In that oonatry. the sxhlbttors tearing that to bar the American pictures would rednee ttastr sMoidanss to such an extent they would hmv to openOs nt-n loss sr go Into bankruptcy. "■' ■''■■y DIVORCE PONT COMES ir, WOFE THE SUPPORT Therefore, Said Court, Harris Gordon Couldn't Be Charged with Non-Support DEPT.OFCOM. PICTURE DEPT. Handling Foreign Film Butin ei f C ongre— .^''$.li«tet^ Act ~f.<* ' ^aatalntrten. If or. 1*. A division of motion pictures la apparently scheduled for the De- partment of Commerce, according to Infomxatlon here. This division wUI have to do with the handling of the foreign business of the Amer- ican producers, a business that has grown to such an extent as to now constitute the fourth or fifth of the key Industries. At the present time films are handled through the spe- cialties division, bu. the work inci- dent to their handling has grown to such p(;aportlons that this divi- sion Is literally swamped. Congress will liave to pasb upon this and make an appropriation to carry on the work. If put through during the current session funds would bo available for the estab- lishment of the division on July 1. 191S. To jfudgs dis magnltods sf the export baslnsss of films. tl)e dspart- ment's Sgnrss for October disclose 'ths ffrilowfng: Senalttzed not eac- posed, *,%»,4n foot valued at fllS,- iMI; nsgnUves. Tl«.0l« ft valued at tll7,Ml; posltlvea. lt.>71,«0S feet rvalusd at $««l.»9. "^he trade In poaltlVsB elossly approaches the re- cent Mgli record of August of this ypar and far exceeds the buslnsss done In October, liza," atate offldala of tbs department. WAMPAS AT HONE . «•• j^jo^ Angeles, Dec. 16. liorrls Oordon, known on the scroon as Lorrle Ijarsen, brought suit for divorce agafnst Harris Gor- don on a charge of non-support. The ease was tried before Judge Sum- merfleld. Wanda Hawley, a friend of the complainant, who bad recently been granted k decree by Judge , Bummerfleld, was the star witness. Mrs. Gordon and Miss Hawley testified Oordon worked In pictures when bits were thrust at him and that to save herself from poverty She quit the screen herself and opened a dress shop in Hollywood, as he was unable to properly sup- port her. Under the California law, this tes- timony did not Insure Mrs. Gordon a decree. The court found that the earnings oC the wife are community property, and therefore half of what she earned belonged to her husband. Though the court said morally Mrs. Gordon was' entitled to a decree, .that legally "where the wife works and supports the family, the hus- band cannot b^dlvorced on the (rounds of non-support." Though the court refused to issue findings at the time he agreed to taks tbs matter under advisement nnd endeavor to figure out a way whereby he could oblige Mrs. Gor- dion. In ths same manner he had her frlsnd. Miss Hawley. Los Angeles, Dec 1>. Wampas, the press agents of this community, are going to remain at bome and stags their annual festivi- ties. They are not going to be ham- pered by the police this year, so will hold their event at the Ambassador hotel on Feb. I. They anticipate making this atFalr bigger than the one held In Ban Francisco last year. To get by the gate It will cost $6 a head. Ray Leeke Is to be director in charge of the event, while Korman Manning will be the manager. Gar- rett Graham is quitting his Job as presa agent at the Hal Roach atu dios to handle the publicity, while Joseph Steele, who recently allowed Sid Grauman to get a new press agent for bis Egyptian, will handle the exploitation. Of course^ the IS baby Wampas stars for 192S will be tbs features of the ovent. They are to do their bit In helping entertain besides look- ing their prettiest. The names of those chosen will be made known shortly after New Year-a Von ^ Sternberg, Fallltankt' FindrMay Be Uaned to '' Zios' Ant«lM. -1)|m. }*• Marshall Nellan and not Joseph ▼on Sternberg may direct Mary Plckfiord's next production. Thoosh tbs Impressldn had been that Yon Sternberg, who sprang Into the limelight when Douglas Fairbanks took an Interest In his career by purchi^lng. an Interest in "The Salvation Hunter" and having Miss Plckford place him under contract, has been working tor two months on an industrial story for the star, It appears as thoufb she does not think It Is at present In proper shape to go ahead with. The story^ she fecla. Is a bit too morbid In apota and lacks sufllclent comedy relief to warrant her chanclag It In the present shape. Von Sternberg feels be can abape It TO- ^ Miss Plckford baa another atory along ths type of aome of hM* earlier pictures, such aa "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm," and thinks It Is an opportune tlnr.e to do aucb a. picture. The acrlpt Is aald to be by Frances Marlon, who in the early daya of Miss Plckford's career pro- vided her with working material. Nellan, who Is now completing The Sporting Venus" at tbs Metro- Gold wyn-Mayer plant,, has been considered as Just the director for Miss Plckferd, having made her last picture, "Dorothy Vernon." He has been la conference with the Plck- ford group for the past two weeks and la said to be prepared as soon aa he finishes hla present endeavor to take over the task for Miss Plck- ford. The latter Is quite anxious to get started. Should Nellan be available trlthln tbs next few weeks he wlll:b« given the first chance to direct b«r. Jt Is ;hardly likely that the Von Sternberg script will be chanced at this time, though the dlreetor-sceoarlst is still . working diligently on tt Should Nellan be tbs lucky dl- rfcton It la Ukely the Plckford con- cern will farm Von Sternberg to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer until ready to uae.blm. Ths M.-G.-M. concern had expressed a desirs for bis ssrrloss. . « EATTOHS' IIHIBH COKTIHUITX lhrs«orlc and Fannie Hatton have somplstsd tbs full continuity for *Vnll and Farewell" (Barbara 1a- Mmt). Studio shooting is sched- to start In New York Dec. 22. Mrs. Hamiltoii Charges Husband Deserted Her Iios Angeles Dec. K. Charging that Mahlon P, Hamil- ton, picture actor, deserted her Oct. 23, 1928. Mrs. AlU B. Hamilton filed suit for divorce from him in the Superior Court. According to Mil- ton Cohen, attorney for Mrs. Hamil- ton, her husband is new residing with Wesley Ruggles, picture di- rector, whose wife divorced him on the grounds of desertion last May. Hamilton Is said to have an in- come of tS,500 a month and pro- portionate alimony is asked by the wUe. They wars married In Jersey City, N. J., in 1918. TINSDALE'S TAWaiE ProminSRt In Lonilon's Rsosnt Film •lump -^ n -r ■ London. Dec t. Amonff tbs .many bankruptcies and amasbes caused by the film slump the affairs of Arthur Charles Tinsdals stand out. Tinsdale recently met his credi- tors at the Bankruptcy Court, when a remarkable Insight into his con- dition of things was given. He came here 18 months ago from Aus- tralia to exploit a new company. United Theatres and FiUns. With him he had $160,000 worth of films which were held in bond until the removal of the McKenna Duties. The duty payable amounted to $10,- 000, and in order to get them quick- ly released, Tinsdale got In touch with a man who agreed to under- write 20,000 9S shares In a company. Various troubles arose and ultimate- ly the underwriter was declared bankrupt and a receiving order was made against Tinsdals at tbs pstltlon of Film Booking Ofllce. His liabilities amounted to $18,216, while hla aassts were estimated at $2*6,146 in Urns he could not at the moment release. Since the lifting of the McKenna Duties he bad obtained backings already valued at $80,000, but he would not be able to touch the money until next July. ADCOMBINEPARnAUYBROKEN > 4^r \- ■: i' fi . Ssemlnirtr ths insMs ndvsrttalng eombln&tlon that 'was going to deslgnats Just what two publications in tbs ploturs trads wars to rsceivs the bulk of ths advertising appropriations has bssn broken up. At any rate "The Moving Picture World" last, wssk carried the eonaplsts Insert of AssocUted First National, an Indication the exeSnitfves of the paper by soms manner or another bad gotten the First National to "coms throngb." An Invsstlgatlon conducted disclosed the plcturs advertisers of the bigger organisations had gotten together and decided that they were coins to give the bulk of their business to but two papers, one an eastern publication ana the other a western paper. Executive Msds Trip With this information at hand one of tbs executive staff of "Ths World" made a hurried trip around the country and hooked in with ths big franchise holders In First National. Re had them use their influence In swinging the First National advertising. Incidentally the group that decided to regulate the advertising is causing something of a sUr in ths A. M. P. A. tne association of picture adverUslng msn and press agents. Thoss of the oragnisa- tlon on the ouUide because aligned with smaller producing and distributing organisations feel that they are out of their element when coming into contact with the "big fellows." These ^ter seemingly feel that as long as they are the representatives o? the big Interests they haven't any use for the smaller fo and go ahead, In private meetings laying out the policy the whole Industry Is to follow. With the obtaining of ths First National adverUslng by "Tbs World" It will be interesting to observe in the future whether th'e others of the big concerns will fall into line and give that publican tion an equal break in the layout of their advertising appropriations, or whether they will stick to the plan outlined and put Into practice during the last couple of months. ?EI1R PAN'S" WORLD PREMIERE AtTWOPmCES.DEC.26-27;BIG ■ PRESENTATION AND TIE-UP jji LOSS OF $50,000 A DAYONmERRY WIDOf Siroiietin Postponement That Plea on f: DECLINES CITT COUflCIL Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Dec. li. Fred W. Hermann, manager of the Capitol theatre, has declined hla ap- pointment to city council by virtue of hla numy duties in tbs tksatrical world. •""'•''-*. ^'Xos Angeles, Dec. 18. '^Frlal st the suit brought by Oladye uui Selma Lewis against Brie Von Stroheim. plcturs dlrsc- tor, over the novel. "Ths Merry- -Go-Round." has been postponed to Jan. 17 In the Superior Court. The continuance was granted after at- torneys for Von Stroheim explained he was making "The Merry Widow," and that a delay now would entail a loss of $60,000 a day to Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer. When the book was placsd on the market Von Stroheim obtained an Injunction against Its sale and the Lewis slaters tben entered a ault for dissolution of a partnership agreement they held with von Stro- heim, asked for an accounting and $10,667 damages. Johnnie Jones* Acting Did Not Prevent Releasing Los Angeles, Dec. 18. After listening to several daya of testimony, Judge Hollzer In the Su- perior Court decided that Johnnie Jones, Jnrvenile actor, was entitled to $2,060 from J. K. McDonald Pro- ductions for servcies performed. Suit ivas brought by Edward J. Pell, father of the boy actor, as the producing concern refused to pay the salary due him on the grounds that his acting had not been up to the standard and that Paths, which released the produc- tions, had refused to accept any tn which Jones appeared. The court Indicated there was 'nothing in the testimony to show ,that Paths bad refused to accept ths pictures on account tjt ttlM actr Ing of {the boy. ^,,^-. ; , ..^.. Kansas City, Dec. 18. Plans for the most elaborate pres> enUtlon ever given a picture at Its world's prsmlere srs being completed for the Initial showing of "Peter Pan" here Dec. 27. The occasion Is a big party given to the okljidren of the tqwn by the Kansas C9jf "SUr." Arrangements are being made to <krs for M.0OO boys and girls, all to be admitted to ConvenUon Hall tree. Tbs ptQbostra of (0 or mors ma> siclans will bs under the direction of Lso Vtorbstein. of the Newman theatre, who will have % number of additions to bis regular nrchestra oi 22. BVank L. Nswman and his staff; who had cliarge of the "Star's" par« Ues In 1*17. wlU bs in cbargis of the details of the tbrss perform- ances to be clven the 27th. The arrangements provide for four 24-foot serssns to form a sqnars in tbs osntsr sf tbs bugs ball, with ths orchestra undsmeath. The picture will bs thrown by four' machines, so registered together that the picture will be on all four screens perfectly Umed that spec- Utora in aU parte of the ball will see exactly the same acene at tbs same time. The picture will not be releassd, even In the key cities, until tbs week foUowIng the premiere here. Los Angeles, Dec. 16. '-' Jesse L. lASky has announced tbs" world's premier of "Peter Pan" b«rs Dec. 2* and at $2 top for the open< Ing. HAYS MOVES The offlcee of the Associated Mo- tion Picture Producers and Dis- tributors of America, better known as the Hays Organisation, with for- mer Postmaster General WM H. Hays at its head, w'ere moved on Monday from tbs building at $22 Fifth avenue to tbe suite of offices on the eighth floor of 46* Fifth avenue; formerly. occupied by the Goldwyn Co. The present arrangement makes it possible to have all the various departments housed on one floor In- stead of being split up aa formerly. Two Theatres Closed in Chicago by Health Dept. Chicago, Dec 18. Two picture theatres on the South Bide had their licensee revoked last week for failure to comply with the clty'a hsaJth and sanitation rules. Revocation w^ reoommended by the health oommlssioner with a po- liceman' statlonsd at each of the theatres to prevent reopSBtng, 3 NEW GOVT. FILMS Washington, Dec. 18. Three new pictures made by ttaS Department of A_.-iculture had their first showing here last week. They are "Sheep In Psalm and Sage," "Touring W^h the Grangers" and "Weighed In the Balance." Howard M. Gore, the new Secre- tary of Agriculture, delivered an ad- dress in conjunction with ths Alms, which, as the titles 'ndlcate, are tot educational purposes. $150 Fine for Minors Hartford, Conn., Dec. 18. Antonio Dl Lorenzo, proprietor s^ the Crown and Liberty theatres here and president of the Liberty The- atre Co., was fined $160 in police court on the charge of admitting children unaccompanied by adults. Officers testified hundreds of chil- dren entered the theatres tn one day. Special police officers on duty In the theatres at tae time were :crltlclsed by the prosecutor for not arresting the theatre ownar and his ^ployes. '