Variety (Aug 1927)

10 VARIETY PICTURES HARMONY MEETING PROPOSED REGUUTIONS FOR ECONOMY Academy's Conference on Coast—Everybody Agrees With All Talent Salary Cuts Declared Off for All Time—Findings and Resolves tioa Anreles, Auc 2. Ifotlon picture producers and the studio personnel, comprising actors, directors, writers and tocitnicians, have pledged to co-operate fully in tiM reduction of production costs. It is announced by the producers It tlie actors, writers, directors and technicians fulfill their pledges to bring about reduced costs, the pro- posed general 10 per cent, cut for the Industry la off for all time. A conference dinner and meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, held at the Bilt- more, followed the lonff series of meetings and conferences between producers and MBployMS, to work out economy plana. Douglas Fair- banks, president of the Academy, presided, and pledged Iho Acndomy to work out the details of economy. ■l«lM«,.|tltobeII Leiaon pledged the •up^rt of the technteiana; Walde- mar Young did likewise for the writers; Fred Nlblo for the direc- tors, and Conrad Nagel for the Speaking on behalt of the pro- ducers Cecil B. De Mille summar- ized the net results of the numerous conferences held during the last two weeka. He took pains to Inter- ject In the reading of his report the (act that the producers have no in- tention of Instituting factory prod- uct. He pointed out that th» pro- ducers want IndMdmUty Without temperament. Resolves The following are the Important findings as IncluM ia tlw D* MiUt report: Technicians' Branch has pledged its members to: 1. To bend every effort to create the flnest P9WU>1« prodnotion com- menaunkt* Wllh tk* prMetehnlned cost. 2. To co-operate to the fullest with the otlicr branches of the in- dustry to effect a maximum of pro- duction economy without ondanger- ing the entarc«liiaMiit value of the product. S. To Mtfid, dovlae or create BothiiiK that i' ICS not have direct production o. 4. Tliat wo will In evor>' measure do all within our power to foster and advance the Institute Of Re- search, anil iio all in our power to unify production. The WritW ■raneht 1. To ootnptet* treatments and •crlpta witbin « roMonable length of time SM witb 4tt« resard to achedules. 2. To develop treatnionta and write scripts within tlio limits of leiit'lli lifterniini-il l>y the rc'iuir mt-iiLs of tlie pr'Kluccrs. Actors* Branch: » 1. To refrain from any displ.ay of that unreasonable or unnecessary type of temperament that makes only for delay, expense and dis- comfort at all concerned. ' >. To co-operate with producers and directors at all tlmM by prompt and willing response to all calls. 5. To reallae to the fullest extent the respon ^WUt y o t ttelr- fteattlOB, both In tha'iMlwitry and before the public. Directors' Branch: 1. To co-operate to the fullest possible extent with producers and writers In the preparation ot the stories scheduled for production and to refrain from talcing apt ar- S. To c«^jeMniti» to the fullest possible ^Mat with producers, writers and technicians on the careful planning of each production to tlie end that the highest possible ty»)e of entertainment may be pro- vi ed at a cost commensurate with bf "-ofUce returns. 3. To refrain to as great an extent as is consistent with the best qual- ity from photographing scenes for which there can be no practical use or heed. 4. To refrain from photographing the same scene an unnecessary ni-mbcr of times, and from an un- nr:*css;iry number of angles and di' 'anccfl. 5. That the directors recognize the prodtirers" problem as their own problem, and approach that pr'^blem In a nympathetio manner. Producers' Branchi 1. To promote and auppert an In- atituta of reaeareh for the fallowing expressed purposes: a. To experiment with and p: r feet every conceivable appliance, device or method tendlnir toward vUMio or' ■ci o aU tt o Imprvvamem In the production and manufaetuic of motion pictures. b. To maintain a large rosoarcli library for tin- bciulit ut nil niim- bcr.« of Itio JifucUlliy, tlu'rt'l)y lai-il- itating artistic and scienliflc In- quiry of every sort and thereby permitting the elimination of costly individual research libraries formerly maintained by the various studios. c. In every other way possible to have available at all times scientific and technical information for members of the .academy which will permit them to operate with utmost efUciency and economy. 2. To promote and support a cen- tral clearing house for the following expressed purposes: a. To receive and file for the use of any member ot the academy the sjmopaea of all stories, novels, plays and other works read by various members, thereby eliminat- ing the present costly practice of reading virtually every published work Independently In each studio. Members of the academy pledge themselves to file a cojiy of the synopsis of each literary work read by them with the central clearing house. b. To maintain and have avail- able at all times an up-to-date list of all the stories owned by pro- ducer members ot the academy or which they are willing to resell, with a view to lessening the exces- sive amount of capit.al tied up In literary material. c. To obtain and maintain a list of sets, mechanical devices and other facilities in general use by all studios with a view to reducing the cost of such Items. VITA'S NEW PRICES Prices on Vitaphone equipment now range from $8,000 to $15,000, as compared with $15,000 to $20,000 at the outset. The tax of 10 cents per seat has been eliminated with a charge rang- ing from $40 to $100 weekly sub- stituted for aervlce to cover perlpd- ical inspection and adjiutment of machinery. Movietone equipment has been manufactured In sulllcient quanti- ties to asaure delivery In the fall. Theatres with Vitaphone equipment ar«. charged $2,000 for additional ItOVletonc machinery. LEE MORSE The International Columbia Rec- ord Star, just ctoaing a wonderful engagement at the Hollywood Club, Galveston, Texas. Great audience, lovely surround- ings, real folks to work with and the prince of managers to work tor, Sam Maceo. I will open at the Lyric, Indlan- apolia, Sunday, Aug. 7. LEE MORSE. P. 6.—My next record will bo "I Hate to Say Ooodbye"; wrote it myaelt. RAMISH FACES SUIT FOR (3,000,000 IN'(HL CASE L A. 'Examiner's' Copyright Article Alleges Millionaire Was 'Angel' for Julian Petroleam FRANCE Paris, July 22. Monat and Delafontaine, pro- ducers, are suing Josephine Baker for 200,000 frs. damages, alleging non-execution of a contract to play in a iilcturc destined for Para- mount. They contend the colored comedienne-dancer, having signed with anotiier foreign and competing firm, has not carried out the con- ditions of her agreement with them and they claim an indemnity which the courts will decided after the vacation. Maiirloo Poirier replaces TTenrI Beauvals as chief ot the Paris of- fice of Pairamount. J. IT. Siedelnian, assl?!,int man- ager of the Paramount foreign de- partment in New York, has reached Paris on hia European trip. M, Marly, on the staff of Uni- versal In Franco for Ave years, has been appointed manager of the Paris ofllee. Antoine Oabarra haa been named head of the FIrat Katlonal branch In Bordeaux (I'Yanee). FAKAMOUNT'S 1ST NEWS Paramount Newa is now located at S46 West 43d street, having moved out of the Paramount Build- ing last week. Th e first Issu e ot the baby news- reel appeared HatUfBtty »t Un r aiK - mount. New York. Los Angeles, Aug, 2. Adolph Ramish, millionaire the- atre owner. Is facing suit In the sum of $3,865,134 in connection with his loans and stock dealings In the Julian Petroleum stock over-issue scandal, according to a statement Issued by Receivers H. L. Carna- han and Joseph Scott, and based on correspondence had by the re- ceivers with S. C. Lewis, former president of the defunct oil corpo- ration. Ramish, It is alleged, owes the Julian company $1,283,378 In alleged usurious Interest and bo- nusua, and the state law permits civil judgment ot triple the amount involved. Ramish claims his losses will ap- proximate at least $984,000. The theatre magnate called on Receiver Scott with an offer to the receivers to audit his complete transactions in connection with the corporation. The financier stated that his books show a loss nut only of $684,000 on stock transactions but that he also will lose about $300,000 on worth less notes. A denial was made by Ramish that he had profited In his deals with Julian Petroleum corporation, lie asserted, he had come to the rescue of the company with money time and ag.ain, and says he is the heaviest loser of all Involved In the stock over-Issue scandal. Former President Lewis charges in his cnrrespondence with the re- ceivers tiiat ilaniisli in one transac- tion charged him $2,000 a day for each day that he deferred meeting Lertaln obligations to him (Ram- isli.) The total amount due on tliis item alone, Lewi.s asserts, is $60,- 000. Lewis lists the specific Items of usury or bonus paid to Ramish within a 12-month period. Ramish was the "angel" for the Petroleum ctmipany wiien it reiiuir- ed funds, according to a copyright article in the Loa Angelea "Ex- aminer," written by Morris Lavlne. Ramish, according to the '"Exam- iner's" story, "loaned huge sums" to the corporation, and was repaid largely In atock, most of which be still owns. He bought thousands of shares of preferred stock and at one time he and his relatives owned 175.000 shares, it Is alleged, Ramish aaserts, according to his sworn testimony before the grand Jury, said the "Examiner's" article, that his loss will aggregate $684,000. the largest loss sustained by any- Il e t ea tlB e d h e n e v e s s o l d a mi CONTESTS IN CAN. Toronto, Aug. 2. Although they got enthusiastic co- operation from BOighborhood mer- chants and a fair share ot space In the dailies. Famous Players In Can- ad.T. failed to throw many hand springs after the "Miss Ontario" contMta. Beauty entrants lined up In the- F. P. chain of S9 Ontario towns and cities. Winners I" each house collected gifts from mer- chants in the neighborhood. All came to Toronto (or the flnal at the Uptown. Here the winner got a Whippet coupe and a trip to M.ary Pickford's home In Hollywood. Vague talk of a chance In pictures but nothing definite. Tbo winner also stepped In for a complete wardrobe. The box ofl^ce needed a tonic and got It, but the dose was Insufficient except during the last Toronto week, when the S. R. O. sign went out for nlte cluba the first time In six weeks. Merger or Buying Pool For P. & R. and Saxe The hook-up between Flnkelsteln & Ruben and the Saxe theatre in- terests of Wisconsin is under way. Whether this will take the form ot a merger has not yet been definitely decided upon. To promote a merger it has been decided It -will be necessary to buy the holdings of J. Ham. Ed Ruben Is due to arrive in New York around Aug. 10 to look over tk* Itold for chances of a banking oonneetion. Hayden, Stone * Com- pany may be Invited to consider the proposition among othera. Tills firm haa not been Informed as yet, but It Is undorstood tliat Ruben has them under coiialderatlon. If the merger cannot be promoted It Is almost assured that V, & R. and the Saxes will combine for buying film. Wcdtiesday, August S. 1927 MINN. COUNCIL GIVES PERIT FOR THEATRE Lasky Bound for N. Y. I.ofl .\ngeles, Aug. 2. Jesse L. l.asky, accompanied by Jesse L. Lasky, Jr., left for San Francisco en route to New Tork, where the former will confer with the New York Paramount osseu- Uvos fur Id days. , one. share of stock he hSd purchnsed since the first day he became con- nected with Julian affairs and his name was bantered nhont as the "siijiporter" of the eonii>aiiy, he stated. The only shares he ever sold were to Jack Bonnttt, who guaranteed him acalnst lo"s on loans. Twsnty-thres thousand shares whtcli be bousbt 'v-hcn the price of the stock was H'tth and before the Motley Flint Pool In which ho figured was organized, are still in his safe, as are other count- less shares for which he paid cash, Ramish asserted. Lavlne's copyright article Is a clean absolution tor Ramish, and states that "the pages ot Ramlsn's teEtimony are blottel with tears, as the elderly financier cried fre- quently during the eourse of telling his experlenoss." "Just Acting" On9 of the outsta'-dins feature? of Ran Ibl 's grand jury testimony says the "Examiner,' iet::tn to ihn way 8. E. I«wls, president ot Julian Petrolc' tn, prevailed upon him to take and to keep Julian stock. Tes- tifying on his loans to the com- pany Ramish said: "I thiok, all told, our checks will sh6w that we paid out over $500,000, and I believe the guaran- teed profits on those four agree- ments was $150,000 or $200,000 tor holding the atock until It raiaed on the market, and the stock reached up to $36, and if you would come and want to buy and I would want to sell the stock, he (Lewis) would always keep me ffom Belling It, and the stock never was sold." Ramish says he made four other loans of $50,000 e.ach. "Q.—That would make a total of IB50. 080T" "A.-^i8ometWng like that, and I want to s.ay further that he put up as security 91,000 or a3,000 shares of the common stock with an agree- ment that he would not Incur fur- ther indebtedness, that he would not dispose of the assets, tliat he would not incur liahiUtieH on the current liabilities. That 91,000 or 93,000 shares of common stock, which I have In my possession today, were to be tlie controlling Interest of common stock, as thci-e were only to be out 180 odd thousand shares at the time." Ramish testified, the article fur- ther states, that when he accused Lewis that he "thought things were not looking the way they should," that the Julian Petroleum president answered him, "Well, the courts are open to you If you want to use them." To wlileh K.amish replied, "Well, 1 will, If that Is the way you feel Ahniit It." But that was Just acting, he added. The Los Angeles "E-tamlner" Is freely credited by the public for giving its readers the full inside story ot the Julian Petroleum stock scandal, in which Ramlsb, Louis B. Mayer, Cecil B. DeMllls and others in tha theatriuai and picturo in- dustry have been implicated. . & R. Opposition Uii'« successful Against Berg's New House Minneapolis, Aug. 2. Flnkelsteln As Ruben, who prac« tically have dominated the norths west exhibiting field, will be forced next season to meet competition in the city's chief outlying business section, where one of the circuit's most profitable theatres Is located, as well as in the down town loop district, the locale of the new 4,200«" seat house being built for I'ubli.x. This was assured when the city council here last week Issued » building permit and theatre license to William Berg tor a movie house at 3020 Hennepin avenue. Efforts by P. & R. to block the project were unsuccessful. Berg coi.ld not be persuaded to abandon his plans, business men in the vicinity got behind him solidly and the city council even refused to defer action for two weeks. Speculation is rife in local the- atrical circles as to whether Publix win have any Interest In the new house which would provide an out- let for Paramount pictures in tha most thriving up-town business district after they have been ahown In the lioop. 'When queried by members of the city council license committee, Berg, a plastering con- tractor ■without theatrical exiierl- ence, stated that certain "mcivia producers" are behind him finan- cially, but he refused to name them. He did make known, however, that he ha $100,000 In the bank, not his own money. Out of this ho an- nounced he win pay $25,'000 cash for the site, while the remainlnll $75,000 will go Into the atructufe. LONG-SHORT RUN THEATRES IN L. A. Los Angeles, Axifr. 2. With the taking over of Giau- man'a Egyptian by West Coast Theatres, Inc., as a weekly change house, and the temporary closing of the Forum, pending Its re-open- Ing later in the .season by Alexan- der Pantages, there remain but four extended run houses tn this imme- diate vicinity. Of the.se, two— Grauman's Chinese and the Cartbay Circle—may be classed as long run and suitable for $1.50 prii es. The other two are the Million Dnllar (Publix-West Coast operated) and Criterion (West Coast), both short "run" houses. By late fall the run houses will be augmented by the addition of the UnitCKl Artists down town and the Warner Brothers, Hollywood, both now figured for extended runs. It Is believed In local film circles that the Criterion can be developed into a healthy run house. Judging by the response to "The Big Parade," now having Its second run in this lo- cality—this time at popular prices. The Million Dollar is also experi- menting with a second run of a road show picture—"Beau Qeste" current. With Indications of a greater number of road show picturea this season, prospects are for consider- able competition among the dls- tiibutors to secure time. Carthay Circle and Grauman's Chinese are virtually set for their next produc- tions. Fox's "Carmen" will follow "7th Heaven'" at the Carthay Circle, probably in late September, and It Is expected that when 'King of Kings" ends at the Chinese, prob- ably not before October. It will be succeeded by Clarence Brown's super Metro-Ooldwyn-Mnyer pro- duction, "The Trail of !'8." Universal is angling for a run house tor "Undo Tom's Cabin" and ma y hftve BUl i ie d l lHcuUj i making a connection. There Is a possibility It may be booked into one of the local legit houses, as it Is generally understooil out here that Jeff Mc- Carthy Is to handle "Uncle Tom" as a road show feature. Paramount's "Things" Is tenta- tively slated to to into the Million Dollar thU tail.