Variety (May 1925)

Wednesday, May 6, 1925 PICTURES VARIETY 85 JESSE LASKY BLOCKING ELEVATION OF SIDNEY KENT TO ADOLPH ZUKOR'S SEAT Reported Lasky Believes Post of F. P.-L. Presidency ^ Belongs to Him if Zukor Becomes Chairman of Board^T-Still Talking It Over on Coast—Cecil Pe Mille Wants Kent for P. D. C.~Gloria Swan- son's Next Contract IjOM Angeles, May 8. The matter of Sidney R. Kent tak- ' DC over the presidency of Famous Players-Lasky and of Gloria Swan- renewing her contract with the [anUation, kept Adolph Zukor, L. Lasky, Kent and other "^ecutlves of the organisation here, following the closing of their Inter- aational convention. It was figured that Mr. Zukor would be ready at the closing ses- sion to announce Kent had suc- ceeded him as active head of the JF. P. Lk orgcuiisation, and that he (Zukor) would take over the post of chairman of the Board of Direc- tors, as well as giving most of his time to the operation of the Par- amount chain of theatres. The stumbling block happened to be I^asky. The latter did not feel that Kent or anyone else should take the Job. and that if Zukor wanted to abdicate Lasky felt that Lasky was Justly entitled to the position and the honors that went with it. Many conferences were held dur- ing the convention period, but lAsky is reported to have stood ' Arm. It was pointed out to him that Kent was a big factor on the success of the organization, and that it was an opportune time to reward him for good work done. Then it is said reports had reached the Paramount heads that Cecil B. l>e Mille had been in touch with Kent, and offered him a flattering proposition to take over the Pro- ducers' Distributing Corporation and have entire charge of their product. According to inside sources, Ke.it Is getting a salary of $60,000 a year from F. P.-L. and a l^tonus, while the De Mille otftr is said to have been considerably in excess of this . amount. 1^' Though Kent's attitude in the natter is not known, it is stated he will call for a showdown from Lasky, and that If things are not arranged to his satisfaction, he may make different plans for his future. Zukor meantime has been bringing pressure to bear on Lasky directly and Indirectly to show that the move of giving thi5 reins to Kent is a logical one and essential. It is said Zukor is wyiing to make per- sonal concessions to Lasky if the latter will listen to the proposition as he outlines it. Way Paved for Kent That the way was paved for Kent to take over the big job was quite 1^ obvious here during the convention. ^ Svery thing in publicity was Zukor- flAsky and Kent. Portraits of the trio were hung about the entranofc to the Ambassador hotel, where the convention was held; also in the lobby as well as in the exchange and theatres controlled by Para- mount. When De Mille officiated as mas- ter of ceremonies at the opening of "Madame Sans Gene" he paid equal tribute to all three of the men, with the mentioning of Kent, bringing double the applause from t"ho8e gathered, who Included several hundred employes, than the names of the other two men got.. Though De Mille couM not be /eached to get his version of the proposition made by him to Kent, it is said that the former Paramount director is contemplating enter- talning Kent at his ranch during the latter's stay here. They are close friends and on previous occa- sions when Kent was here he took trips on De Mille's yacht. Even though this matter is the most important being taken up, COSTUMES F^OR mire: rnoDucTiONS EXPLOITATION.S PRK.SENTATIONS Brooms If you don't advertite in STOCK SELLING DANGEROUS AFTER JUNEl Webb-Phelps Bill Then Effective—Stock Ped- dlers Covered by It The death knell has been sounded on the wholesale selling of bogus or phoney picture stock in New York State, "phere has been an ef- fort for some to put an effectual stop to the group of glib salesmen, who are making the rounds selling stock In alleged picturt corpora- tions. After June 1 aellfng valueless stoek is going to prove the biggest kind of a stumbling block through the "W^bb-Phelps bill in New York, which becomes effective on that date. In the new Martin act em- bodied in that bill the seller of the bogus stock faces the severest kind of court action. Many have been flim-flammed and gypped, yet the sellers go; away. Under the new law things will bo different, and there will not 1)e as many wholesale attempts to peddle worthless stock. ETHEL SHABHOH DTJUSED Bthel Shannon was seriously in- jured Sunday near San Fernando In taking of a Hunt Stromberg western. She is now In the An- gelus Hospital here suffering from a wrenched back, shoulders and severe bruises. Miss Shannon wa,s one of the passengers In a stage coach being driven by Charles "Buddy" Post, a screen leading man, when the coach became unmanageable and turned over several times. Post Jumped and escaped injury, but Miss Shannon, inside, could not escape. IIABEL NORMAND BACK! Los Angeles, May 5. Mabel Normand Is reported to be dickering with I. E. Chadwlck to return to the screen in "Sun- shine of Paradise Alley." In event this deal is consummated, Larry Semon win direct the picture, at present being under Cliadwick con- tract. The Will Hays orianlzation will not interfere with the plan. It is understood. Zukor, Kent and Lasky have had several meetings with Gloria Swan- son regarding the renewal of her contract with F. P. They have made It plain that they will equal any proposition made to her for a fu- ture contract, and that if she chooses to she can ask others who have made overtures for her serv- ices to o\itllne their proposition, and regardless Of what it may be it is to be met by F. P.. It is said De Mllle ha.^ a promise from Mi.ss Swanson he will be cdn- sidPred in the matter; also that United Artists want to gain her .services, with the report also Mary Pickford will aid In doing what she can to convince Miss Swanson that she would make the right move in joining the U. A. Rroup. and that the financial return for her as a result would be larger than foithcoming from other sources. Miss Swanson also has a proposal from the Warner Brothers concern. IIOHTNIB'' AHD 'UOHTNING' Fox announced the screening of John Golden's famous success, Llghtnln'," while Tiffany produc- tions expect to bring out a version of Zane Grey's story "Lightning." Not long ago an independent pic- ture was shown In New York houses under the same title. Federal Trade Dismisses Sacnger Action; Like F. P. Washington, May 5. The Federal Trade Commission has dismissed its old complaint, is- sued in June, 1918, against the Saenger Amusement Company, of New Orleans. The complaint, held up due to the like case against Fa- mous Players, charged the Saenger company with restralni.ig trade and suppressing competition. The commission would not com- ment upon what effect, if any, the dismissal of this complaint would have on the Famous Players' ac- tion. W. CHAS. PUCH MISSING, No reassuring word has 7«t reached the Associated Exhibitors' New York office as to the where- abouts of W. Charles Pugh, man- ager Portland (Ore.) branch of A. E., who has been missing for over two weeks. Pugh gut into hia car and left Portland to visit one of his branch links in that territory, with only )4 on his person. Pugh recently won the $2,500 cash, award to the A. B. branch, selling the most dates of "Spitflre." The check had been mailed to him a few days before his disai .^earance. HARRY LANG II COMEDIES Directed by HARRY EDWARDS / /■». <■-■, Produced by MACK SENNETT Dutributed by PATHE EXCHANGE VARIETY don't advertUe