Variety (Feb 1927)

Wedneiday. February 2, 1927 PICTURES VARIETY FAMOUS WILL GANON CHASE, CHAMP REFORMa SLAMS PICTURES AND WILL HAYS AGREED Publishes Two Books—Full of Inaccuracies—Inti- mates Hays Put Orer Plen^ of Stuff on Brook- lyn's Sensationalist—Calls pams'Trust" Washing Ion, Feb. 1. The self-created, self-directed publicity bureau of Canon Chase has started to £un<:tion with its first "re- lease." an attack not only on those Of the picture Industry, but right on up the line to the Presidept of the United States! Two booklets have been Issued, one, "The Case for the Federal Su- pervision of Motion Pictures," the other, -International Film Situa- tion." Both with authorship cred- ited tO the Rev. Wm. Sheafe Chase, D. D., as superintendent of the In- ternational Reform Federation. Outstanding in the S5-page book- list covering the Federal consorshlp proposal is the charge that Will Hays was in Washington when President Coolidge rtated his oppo- sition to the Chase bill, sponsored by Upshaw, cf Georgia. He accuses tlie President of being influenced by Hays, openingly stattnir that Will Hays "was seen in Washington" the day the President made the state- ment, via the "official spolcesman." As previously reported in Variety, Hays was not in Washington on that date. Nor was any other mem- ber of the picture organisation in- volvfdi This la but an example of the inaccuracy, as a check-up has disclosed, of innumerable instanees In the booklet. A United Press reporter was re- sponsible for the President's state- ment. He put the question, during the hearings in Congress on the bill, In UTtttng to the '^nwkesman,'* with the now well known result. 'Those of the industry here doubt (Continued on page 13) GRIFFITH-DE MILLE, PATHE-P. D. C. MERCER Reported in L. A. Everything's " All Set—Announcement Ferthcoming Chi's Film House Ads Chicago, Feb. 1. There are 14S picture the- atres in Chicago advertising regularly In the daily papers. The largest local chain of houses is controlled by Bala- ban & Katz, who have, in- cluding their Lubliner & Trinz subsidiaries, SO theatres repre- sented by daily advertising. B. & K. are affiliated with Publix. the national chain. Ascher Bros, rank second, with IS houses, and Cooney Bros. (National Playhouses), advertise six theatres. The Orpheum and Junior Orpheum own no theatres in Chicago. They lease eight houses, playing feature pic- tures with vaudeville. 2 COMMrrTEES FORMED FOR HOLLYWOOD LABOR Chairmen Have Secretaries on Coast—Studio Differences Go Before Them Two-Day Hearing Before Federal Tiwde Comnis- siott Lea^ But ^Bloek Buying" Under Consider- ation — Commission's Members Put Pertinent Questions to GoTennneat Counsel PRESENT DAY METHODS Los Angeles, I'eb. 1. D. W. Griffith is due here about Fei>. 10, at which time announce- ment will be made, it is said, that he lias aligned himself with the Fathe organisation that will Jointly distribute its product with DeMille. Gi ifflth is to have the same stand- ing on the Pathe side of the fence that DeMille has, and^ according to his contiart. he iMflilUiirseiially make six pictures a year and to supervise the production of two. Griffith's first film will probably be with Leatrice Joy, who will be transferred from the DeMille organ- ization to the Griffith unit. It is said that Griffith will re- ceive $5,000 a week and a percent- age of the profits of all the pictures he makes and supoi v is»'s. The contract is reported for Ave years. New Theatre Rejectet^ N«t Finished on Tune Chicapro. V-h. \. The theatre being built at Law- rence end Crawford by J. J. Red- din>?. Contractor, has been refused by M.uks ni oM . owners of the CJia- nada. Tlwir claim Is tliat the house has been under construction for two years and the lease calls for iin runipiotion within that time. Th»» house has not been finished yet. Reddln?! has stop0ed all ron- •tni( tiun Work, ponditig the secur- h»g of new tenant. After recent conferences by the two committees representing the picture producers and the labor unions, permanent chairmen were selected by each. William F. Can- avan, president of the International Alliance, represents the stage hands and ni. p. operators' international organization, heading the labor in- terests, while W. Currier, Boston, identified with the ownership of the Film Booking Offices, was chosen by the producers' committee. The chairmen have appointed permanent secretaries, with head- quarters on the California coast. They will hold hearings for griev- ances and adjust CT report to the committees any dlirerences which may rise in the studios between the managers and. the union members. For the labor unions Frank Car- ruthers, Los Angeles, of the Mu- sicians' Union and at one time its president there for a single term, will act as secretary. A. J. Berres, Washington, has been chosen the producers' com- mittee secretary and will tako up a residence in Hollywood. Mr. Berres for many srears served as secretary of the Metal Trades De- partment of the A. F. of L. Dur- ing the war he was the labor mem- ber of the Shipbuildinr Xabor Ad- justment Board. Most of the picture producers have agreed to the two committees and two^secretary plan, with the producers having representatives on their body from Famous Players, Metro-Goldwyn, Vox, First National and P. B. O. On the labor committe»? with Can- avan are I'residfnts Wober, Mu- sicians; lledrick, l^ainters; Hutch- inson, Carpenters; Noonan, Elec- tricians. The producers concerned are members of the Will Hays organ- ization. Credit is given Hays fur his assistance in the twoocommittee formation plan. ~U BUY'S REX — Iios Angeles, i<'eb. 1. Rex, the wild horse used by Hal Roach in several feature produc- tions, has been transferred on a deal to Universal. It Is believed the first instance of an animal star being bought by one producer from another. Variety Bureau, Washington, Feb. 1. In Variety of Dec. 2. 1926, 14 months ago. It was stated that If the Federal Trade Cenmlaslon was to decide the Famous Players- Lasky case upon the presentation of the "prosecution" by its then chief counsel, W. & Fuller, the picture company could lay cdalm to having won its case. That statement is now equally applicable following the final argu- ment Wednesday and Thursday last. The only change necessary is to substitute the name of Martin A. Morrison, who argued the goT- ernment's case lait wsslfc for that of Fuller. Mr. Morrison was no more equal to the situation than 'mm Mr. Fuller, a "situation" consisting then, as now, of Robert T. Swaine, heading the F. P.-L. counsel, and the general trend of thf questions pu t by .; tins sseiHsslsiiirs i fliieiif selves. Further strengthening ttie de- fense, aM at the same time feaklng the Morrison task 411 llM pors ftf- (Continued on page 12) GRETA GARBO THREATENED WITH DEPORTATION NOT "BEHAVING Kicks Up Another Row—Doesn't Want to Work- Ignores Contract Raise of $1,750—^Jeanne EageU Sdbbing in ''Anna Karenina** PreveDtion Device I'hiladelphia. Vvh. 1. A new invention which, it is said, will prevent fire in any l>icture booth has been installed in several of the houses of the Stanley Company in this city. Director of Public Safety Elli- ott. Fire Marshal Mulhern and numerous underwriters have given their indorsement to the new device, the Invention of two Philadelphians. Senator Max Aron, counsel for the Sentry Safety Control Corp., Is responsible for the installation of the device. With it there is an automatic con- trol in ca»e of fire, no signs showing on the screen. The Stanley Company has accepted the invention for all of its theatres and will shortly install it. FOX STUDIOS EASE OFF; 11 AHEAD OF SCHEDULE Only to Do 10 Pictures in Next 7 Months—8 Wks. Vaca- tion for Staff Los Angeles, Fob. 1. iPox is 11 pictures aiiead of sciied- vltf, according to Winnie Sheehan, general manager, who informs Va- riety that this will cause the Stu- dios to slacken down for the next six montlis and produce only 10 pic- tures until next September* The company has |2,250,<HM worth of finished negatives on hand be- sides "Sunrise," costing $1,200,000. L'ntit September only the companies (n^aged in making the 10 scheduled productions are to be kept working. All units finishing now and in the future will take a two months* vaca- tion. This Includes directors, writ- ers and actors under ;contract to the company. All free lancers and those not under contract have been 1 ( leased. The comedy department, Wliirh closed down Dec. 15, will resume operations March IS for next year's product. Shc«'han announces he has purchased 20 stori«s which Will be in production by Oct. 1.. Sol Wurtxel. general superintend- c nt of studios, leaves III Matvh for a two months' vacation in New York, Iiis first trip cast in Ave years. SUNDAY CHURCH GOING ADVOCATED BY HGRS. Albany, N. Y., Theatres Join in Advertieement—It'e a ■OlmA' Sunday Town Albany, N. Y., Veb. i. TlM-atre mana^frs of this "closed- np Sunday " town paid for a fuil- pnp:e advertisement In Saturday's "Times Union" (Hearst) that urged residents to gp to church on Sun- day. ' At the bottom of the ad was the following statement: "The publication of this page was made possible by contribu- tions from the management of the Leland, Clinton Square, Mark- Strand, Proctor's Orand and Proc- tor's Hall, the theatres attesting their belief in a Sabbath that should be kept sacred and for churcii attendance." Although Albany is one of the few remaining cities in the state without Sunday shows, the secret of why it is a closed town on that day never has been fully deter- mined. It invariably is laid, how- ever, to. the "blue-bloods," but then apain, the theatre owners them- selves are blamed. Los Angeles, Feb. 1. (Jreta C^ irbo has apain kicked over the Metro-Goldwyn-Maycr traces and will not be featured In "Anna Karenlna," to be directed b.v Dimitri Ruchowetzkl. Instead tests have been taken of Jeanne Kagels and the latter will probably get the role. Production Is sched* uled to begin Feb. 7. Ever since Miss Garbo finished Flesh and the Devil" the M.-O.-M. executives have had trouble with her. She walked off the lot se^« eral times and asked to be released from her contract. Louis B. Mayer, however, would 'not do this. Threa weeks ago she came back to the studio, it is said, in a repentant mood and agreed to work in "Anna.** But Just before Mayer left for tlMI east Miss Garbo is reported to hava changed her mind again. Although under contraet at around $750 a week, Mayer offered her $2,500 if she would go through the picture. Money seemed to mean nothing to Miss Garbo and she Juat walked out on Mayer and off tha lot. As she has two years to go on her M.-G.-M. contract, none of the other Hollywood produeeni ara interested in doing business unUuM Hhe is cleared. It is likely that M.-G.-M. may notify the U. S. Immigration au- thorities that Miss Garbo is not desirous of working and that the latter department may cancel her permit to stay In this country. This would mean that she would have to return to Sweden. U. A S 70-30 DEAL WITH WEST COAST IN L A. Criterion to Play First Runs on De Luxe Policy Starting Feb. 1&—65oTop U> A. Film Opem RoiT The picture that will open the new Roxy theatre will be United Artist.s' ' The Love of Sunya," Star- ring Gloria Swanson. 8. I4. Rothafel made the decision yest*»rday (Tuesday) after consider- ing A number he had seen recently. U and Pan Take Over the El Capitaii in HoUywood Los Angeles, Feb. 1. I'nivor.sal Is Interested With Alexander I'antages in the lease of the 111 Capitan theatre. It is under- stood that U has taken over lease (»f the house. PantageS is to do the alterations and. the combination will split on the ^ro^its. This will give Universal a first run house in Hollywood. l''or the i)ast year or so I'niversal product lias been sold on the open market. Wash. 'Sunday' Hearing Washington, Feb. 1. The sub-eommittre iiandiin;; the I»roi>oHed Sunday closing law for the District of Columbia is to meet this afternoon (Tuesday) to set a date for the reopening of the hearings in eonn*»etlon with the LaMkf**r4- bill, which carries the proposal.* Chairman Clarence J. McLeod (R.) of Michigan desires to have both sides fully represented in the completed hearings to enable his committee at the next session tr» mnkA some deflnite dlNposition of the bill. Los Angeles, Feb. 1, West Coast Theatres, Inc., hava made a deal with United Artists whereby the latter organization will put their flrst-run product into the Criterion here, starting about Fehw 15. The hou.se for the past year has been under a grind policy, playing first and second run ple« tures at 50 cents top. Under ihf new arrangement, the Criterion will operate on a de luxe basis with presentations and musi^ cal programs, at U cents top, a similar price as that charged at Loew's State, two blocks away. A 2r>-piece orchestra is to be installed, with Jan Rublnl officiating as con- ductor. The first I'. A. picture will be "The luhived Rogue," sUrrlnff John Barry more. The terms of the agreement pro* vide that the theatre get Its opa«' ratinpr expense out of the first money and then turn over 70 i>er cent, of the balance of the receipts to the picture releasing organisa* tlon. J. J. Madan Back te India J. J. Madan left New York last week, on his way home to India via I'iurope. " While over here the Indian e.x- liihitor closed contracts for V. S. picture products for the next two \ »'ars. CO S T U M E S F'OR HIRE PRODUCTIONi I KXrLOlTATIONt I PRBSBNTATlOKfl I