Variety (Oct 1927)

1 VARIETY PICTURES Wednesday, October 5, 1927 COMPLAINTS REDUCED AGAINST FAKE PICTURE PROMOTERS AND SCHOOLS Better Business Bureaus and Dailies Co-operating With Industry—Less Than 100 Fraudulent Con cerns Uncovered for This Year, from Complaints to Date—Over 700 in 1925—A. Emil Jannings Found to Be Restaurant Employee Efforts to eradicate fake picture stock promoters, acting and scen- ario schools have been redoubled in the past year on account of the difficulty in raising money on re- liable picture securities, following the raids on savings made by schemers. In conjunction with 43 Better Business Bureaus, centrally located throughout the country, and the Hays organization, legitimate pro- ducers have managed to lessen the number of promoters considerably In 1925 about 700 complaints were reported as compared to around 200 during 1926. For the present year the figures are still lower and the total on the year may no* reach over 100. Seven of the Bureaus have been broadcasting regularly, warning their vast radio audiences agalns' Investing in new Aim securities unless recommended by reliable bankers. In Brooklyn The most r?cent case reported around New York Is that of the Bellwyn Film Corporation, Brook- lyn, 28 lessons for »50. Vincent Bello, operating the school, has been telling pupils that he is acting as casting agent for Warner Bros, and If they make good with htm he can practically assure them of a chance In Warner productions. One of the girl students wrote to Paramount about the matter and the case was in turn referred to the Better Business Bureau, where it was found Bello had been cautioned previously on similar schools. Kmll Jannings, through his busi- ness manager, has Just stopped the activities of A. Emil Jannings, em- ployed In a Horn & Hardart res- taurant, from selling stock in a pro- posed picture company on the strength of the similarity of names. The restaurant executive based his right to sell stock on a diploma granted him by the Film Informa tlon Bureau, Jackson, Mich., for a reported price of $75. Practically all of the important dailies In the United States have been working with the Better Busi- ness Bureaus by elimination of all questionable advertising, especially in the help wanted columns, dis- guising schools and agencies. At a luncheon held lately dur- ing the annual conference. Edward L. Greene, general manager'of the National Better Business Bureau, New Tork, expressed the satisfac- tion of all the managers present with the helpful attitude of the or- ganized picture Industry tn the fraud prevention work. 70 ENGLISH-MADES Washington, Oct. 4. Great Britain is to have 70 native- made features this year, reports George Canty, trade commissioner, to the Department of Commerce, after making a survey. Of these, 22 are awaiting trade showings; 12 are in the course of production, and J6 on the scheduled list. British International, Gaumont and Gainsborough will have to their credit over half of these. One of the list will represent the initial ef- fort of an American company at BritiBh film making. "M. P. World's" Shift Sekely Tired of Battling—Quit Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Belli Sekely has resigned as su- pervisor of production at Universal. Hekrly wrote the screen story of "The Man Who Laughs'" and was to have supervised the production. There were differences of opinion ever various matters between him and Paul Lcnl. who was directing the picture, with the result that Bakety tendered his resignation rather than continue battling dur- ing production. Paul Kohner was placed in charge •f production In his stead. Barnes Leaves Goldwyn After but five weeks tn Holly- wood, Howard Barnes, picture re- viewer on the New York "Morn- ing World," resigned as press agent for Samuel Goldwyn on the coast • nd Is on his way to New York to resume newspaper work. Barnes la a Yale graduate and rated high brow. Barrett Kelsling, formerly with P.IJ.C, on the coast, will succeed *ilm in the Goldwyn berth. Without previous notification last Wednesday and paid off with two weeks' salary, Merrlt Crawford, as- sistant editor, Charles Howell, re- viewer, and Frank Saunders, of the advertising staff, were let out by the "Motion Picture World." On the same day, James A. Mll- ligan entered thhe service of The World' as Its advertising manager, and Herbert Crulkshank became the trade paper's editor. They were engaged as a team, and taken from hte "Morning Telegraph." Dinner-Dance by Industry For Film Trade Parley A dinner dance to commemorate the Trade Conference called by the Federal Trade Commission Is to be held Oct. 16 In New York under the auspices of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. About 1,500 invitations are being issued. A strong official turnout is prac- tically assured on account of the coming elections. David Hoachrlech is charge d'affaires. Roxy has been Invited to act as master of ceremonies. Complete choruses from Broad- way shows will attend and perform Julian Bylawskl, on behalf of the M. P. T. O., is to Invite President Coolidge, Vice-President Dawes, members of the Cabinet and other government officials to attend. Carmilla Horn Due, Opposite Barrymore Camilla Horn, whose first experi- ence before a picture camera was opposite Emil Jannings in Murnau's "Faust," sails for the United States from Germany Nov. 1. She Is un- der contract to Feature Productions (Joseph M. Schenck) and will ap- pear opposite John Barrymore In his next production after "The Tempest." Two 5-10c Stories Los Angeles, Oct. 4. As Mary Pickford completed a story on the life of a girl In the 5 and 10 store, word came from the Warner Brothers Studio that they arc going to make a nickel and dime picture, too. In It Louise Fazenda Is to be starred with the title of the pic- lure at present being "Five and Ten Cent Annie." Chaney's Gangster Film Los Angeles. Oct. 4. Lon Chancy will shortly begin Work in "The Big City." a story of New York gangster life by Tod in.wnins, which was sienarlzcd for M-G-M by Waldemar Young. Browning will direct the picture. Mnrecline Day will play opposite Chancy. WILL MAHONEY Gene Buck's new musical, "Take the Air," opens In Youngstown, Oct. 20, followed by two weeks In De- troit and then into New York. The cast Includes Senorlta Trini, York and King, Dorothy Dilley, Max Fisher's Orchestra, Hugh Bennett, Geneva Mitchell, Walter Kolk, Kitty O'Connor, Gcorgie Tappe, Charlotte Ayres, Bud and Jack Pierson. Red Donahue, Audrey Dale, Bobble Allen and Will Mahoney. DIRECTION RALPH G. FARNUM 1560 Broadway Mack-Tommick May Have "Planted" Staff Los Angeles. Oct 4. There Is considerable specula- tion as to whether or not the loss of Marion Mack, picture actress, and Frank Tommlck, aviator, In Death Valley was not a pre-ar- ranged publicity stunt. The couple embarked from Los Angeles for Chicago in a plane to arrive In Chi- cago the day of the fight. Mies Mack, who had not worked in a picture for around a year. Is said to have figured that she would get considerable publicity if she went to Chicago straight through from here, while more would ac- crue were the plane lost. The plane was missing for about five days when suddenly she and Tommlck appeared In Death Valley. They told a tale which was hair raising and replete with thrilling Incidents of hardships, etc. After Miss Mack had told her tale she was examined by her own physi- cian. Dr. Elmer Anderson, known around Hollywood as a "reduction expert." He stated that after ex- amining Miss Mack's body It showed several bruises, "that she had lost 16 pounds." that her blood pressure was low and that she was In a highly nervous condition from her experience. Dr. J. Byron Sloan, prominent Los Angeles physician, was called In and made a report In which he said the only evidence of any fa- tigue or hazardous experience were three blisters, one on each lit- tle toe and one on an adjoining toe such" as might be caused by walking in tight shoes. He stated that Miss Mack was very nervous, but that nervousness might he caused by undergoing a medical and mental examination. He stated that there was no evi- dence of long exposure to sun or wind on the face, neck or arms, even though Miss Mack had told how the wind blew so hard that she and Tommlck had to hold down the plane to keep It from blowing away. I>r. Sloan also stated that the eyes were not bloodshot as might be ex- pected afte live days In t.io desert. It is understood that the press association was again going to call upon the Motion Picture Producers' Association and request that stums planned in Advance on disappear- ances, etc, of people in the picture Tally on Air Truman Tally, editor of "Fox News," was on the air for 10 minutes Thursday, 7:10 p. m., Station WABC, by In- vitation. Tally spoke on the function of the news reel In relation to the public and on the hazards of camera news- getting. He also announced the advent of Movietone, through which the public will be served sound, color and movement In news reels hereafter. CAMERAMEN NOT FOR UNION AFFILIATION Caldwell Opposite Miss Daviet Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Orvill Caldwell Is to play oppo- site Marion Davies In "The Patsy," her next for M-G-M. It Is to he directed by Kipg Vldor. industry l.e eliminated as tiny did not want to be the means of cx- cltlng the public through hoax dis- appearances. JERRIE' WITH 'FLYING HIGH' An ad In Variety last week er- roneously Identified "Jerrie." the dancer, with the Publix "Sky High" unit. Instead of "Flying High" unit. Matter of Eastern A. S. C. of No Concern on Coast—West erners Can't See Benefits Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Following a thorough discussion, members of the American Society of Clnematographers, with a total membership of 325, have decided against affiliating with the I. A. T. S. E. The organization Includes first, second and assistant camera men working In coast studios. Practically the entire membership failed to see the benefits to be de- rived from union affiliations on ac- count of the professional nature of their work. The members are not against union labor but feel that their own organization, operating for the past few years, can amply protect them in every way In addi- tion to gaining closer co-operation with producers on production econ- omies and improvements suggested by members of the organization. The members of the A. S. C. claim that a union In New York now operating can arbitrarily en- force on producers any demands they desire because of the backing they receive from other branches of unionized labor in eastern studios. This method does not meet with the approval of the local A. S. C. and the trend of feeling by prac- tically all the members Is against union affiliation at present or in future. No official stand has yet been taken by their board of di- rectors either way. It Is admitted that a couple of A. S. C. members are also in the New York union but this is no di- rect concern of the local organiza- tion. The cameramen's association here now stands as the most closely woven unit among the studio crafts on the coast with practically every cameraman-working here, whether on still or action cameras, a mem- ber of the association. Inexperienced Caster Appointed in Charge Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Following the resignation of Frank Kingsley as casting director In War- ner Brothers' studio, Joe Marks, brought In a few weeks previously to assist Kingsley, was given the position. Marks is said to have been with the Warners In the east for 18 years. He had had no casting ex- perience. William Mayberry, replaced by Marks as assistant to Kingsley, has returned to help marks. Kingsley Is said to have resigned In a huff over his Inexperienced assist .-int. Manson Leaves Chaplin; Expects to Be Director Eddie Manson, personal press representative for Charlie Chaplin, has resigned and expects to become a director. In this he follows In the footsteps of Monta Bell and Harry D'Arrast, who left Chaplin to become directors. Carlyle Robinson. In Maneon's Job with Chaplin previously, returns to his former post. Manson was with Chaplin about five years. Imogene Wilson With U Imogone Wilson Robertson, ex- sweetio of Frank Tinney. and now Mary Nolan, picture actress, will appear hereafter in Universal pro- ductions. John W. Considlne, Jr., has surrendered the option he holds on her screen services. Imogene is Molly In "Sorrell and Son," Herbert Brenon's latest for United Artists release. Brenon gave her the Nolan tag. DAY AND DATE RIGHTS UPHELD Chicago Exhibitor Wins Arbitration Against Par Chicago. Oct. 4 H. K. Schoenstadt 4k Sons, own- •rs of several south side plcturs houses, of which the largest is the Piccadilly, won a signal victory in a point of arbitration before the Chicago Film Board of Trade. The Schoenstadts had entered Into a contract with both P.-F.-L. and M.-O.-M. to split pictures with the Tower, nearby Orpheuin house, on a day and date basis. On several occasions the Capitol and Avaloa theatres, owned by National Play, houses, Inc., played the same pic- tures as the Piccadilly, on the same day. Action was Instituted with Board against M.-G.-M . but was later dropped when It developed that M.-G.-M.'s agreement was de- pendent on Paramount's going through with their end of the pact Paramount was made defendant hi a new action, and the decision against It followed. New Ambassador, Chi, Rented-Monlhs Dark Chicago. Oct. 4. C. E. Beck, operator of a string of grind bouses In the Loop, has taken the lease on the new Am- bassador, 12th street and Crawford avenue. Terms are $40,000 rental per annum and turn over of 40 per cent, of the profits to the property owners. The Ambassador was promoted by a group of neighborhood busi- ness men. It has been dark since completion several months ago. Location and size, 2,500 seats, caused a shortage of takers until now. The project is under a 1450,000 bond issue floated by Gerard & Co, local bankers. Beck has not decided on policy, though the seating capacity will possibly necessitate stage attrac- tions in addition to pictures. Hal Roach's Orchestra Los Angeles, Oct. 4. Hal Roach, head of the Hal I loach Studios, has organized the Hal Roach Studio Orchestra, composed of studio employees and Is person- ally directing himself. Roach is a bug on music and wields a mean bow across the fiddle. The first public appearance will be a concert at the Veterans' Hospital in San Fernando, Oct X. Personnel of the combo includes Hal Roach, director and violin; Oscar Sandberg, assistant director and violin; Leonard Stevens, man- ager and trombone; Jack Hums, bass: Steven Dempsey, piano; Hap Wheeler, drums; Lory Anderson, t and clarinet; Walter Squires, sax and clarinet; Arthur Sander- son, trumpet; Jack Simons, banjo and soloist. U. S. Travel Pictures For German Schools Los Angeles, Oct. 4. . Dietrich W. Dreyer, owner of the Doering Film Works, Hanover, Ger- many, Is on the coast completing a travel film of the United States and Canada. Dreyer's party. Including Karl Plndl, artist; Hugo Urban and Ar- thur Neurman, cameraman. Is being financed by the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. The films are to be shown in Ger- man schools and theatres ami on all North German Lloyd steamers. Mr. Dreyer's company films and handles travel and educational pic- tures only. Sam Warner Quite 111 Los Angel es, Q< t. 4. Sam Warner of the Warner Brothers is reported quite ill «ith a renewal of an old stuns Kiluient Blood transfusions have been mves- sary. Abe Warner, brother, hn* n ■" hed here front New York. <.''• I west by Sam's Illness. Mrs. Sam Warner Is Lil" "*•* quctte.