Variety (Aug 1928)

British Film Field By Frank Tilley ■ Ijonclon, Aug. 19. . Further .switches in the First I^Iational'Pathe bu.slnoss. Boaverbrook, who hold fil pcfr cent Ir. the F. N;-r. concern through th(> Standard Film Company, has sold out to John Maxwell of British Instructionnl, So William Evans, managinpr director of F. N.-P., re- turns to his muttpn.s, the Provincial Cinematograph Theatres, of which he i.s also managing director. A statement Issued by: P. C. T. says, that at the time of the pro- posed formation of the Exhibitors' National Booking circuit Will Evans felt the need of protection for p. G. T;, but as that has now passed there is ho need to stay in the F. N.-P. camp. Short intermission for laughter.. Looks like the Beaverbfook in- terests got much closer to Joe Schcnck while he was here, and don't need to be allied with two American distributing outfits at once. Besides which, , P. C. T. is spending, oodles of money building theatres, and the. unloading of the F. N.-P. .stock on . Maxwell might be helpful. Elstree Studio At. Elstrte Mo.nday it rained but that wasn't British Intcrhationars fault.. The floors were jammed full of sets going up and coming down. Nobody working except the . Warner-Brothers' outfit, doing, some stuff with Percy Marmont and Ossi Oswalda on "Sir or Madam." Dance sequences in an English country home. With the men in polo kit. And the women in—oh well. Most of them had no stockings, and noth- ing else -nuch neither too. The most overdressed girl wore a sunflower round her waist. Meanwhile the set which had been shot on three days before was being struck, and they won't see the rushes till it's been down at least three days. Said Morris Levinson, in charge for Warners: "What can I do? They can't gimme the rushes. Gotta take a chance." It is the best equipped studio in this country. J. J. Barnstyn la here from New York, selling film, so far as film can be sold in this market just now. C. R. Seeyle, convalescent from carving for appendicitis, goes to the Continent next week for a rest cure.; Herman Starr, of Warner Brothers, gets in the 18th to look over the Brit- ish and Continental branches. President and treasurer of • Tif- fany-Stahl, L. A. Young and Grant Ij. Cook, are here from Paris, Going on to Germany on their stereoscopic stuff. Jack Connolly, here for Fox on 'the Movietone stuff, presented him- self with a funny one. Goes, to the Highbrow nursing home to see Seelye, sick abed. Asks him how he felt before he was operated on. Hears the symptoms. Business of hand to head. Says, "Hevvins, I'm feeling tbata way, too." So he gets radiographed and learns he needs opening up. Still in bed, and pretty sick, because he couldn't get what lie said under the anesthetic Movlc- toncd. Mabel Poulton Hurt Mabel Poulton, film star, was badly hurt yesterday, in an auto cra.sh in the West End. Her car turned over after colliding with an- other. She Is in the Middlesex Hos- pital. / Who Got Shaw? There's been some heart-burning over the Shaw Movietone film talk- ing short. When a couple of weeks ngb Variety said the fellow who persuaded George Bernard to make the talkie did a good job, it said a mouthful. This is to credit the fellow who did it, Charles Clayton Huttoh, who J,s lea:ving .the Fox branch here this week to go on the board oit Photo- tone. He had several tries, but Shaw was adamant. Hutton offered to make a short fllnii and let G. B. S. see and hear it. before anything was done with it, and take his de- cision on whether it was to go out. Nothing doing at that. Then he took the cameraman and the operators down> and thcy got tlie apparatus rlgg'ed up on the lawn WHllS^HOttW^had^tinr^Wltir-'^Shawr After which G. Bernard was asked to look It over. Then he vfas per- euadcd to do his stuff and did it. Now Sutton's gone to British Phototone with a personal contract from Shaw toi do a condensed talkie version of "St. Joan" as soon as Cybll Thorndike returns to England. British iPhototone, by the way, is to make regular silent movies as well as sound and talkie film.s, and is building studios at Welwyn to do them . in. A German company is to be floated here now the French one has been put over. Count Anthony de Bosdari is the angel, and the Rothermere newspapers are behind it, too, some t\'ay. . English Talking Interest One if the Bothermere papers, the "Daily M;ail," is already running a series of articles from America on talkers, and on August 8 gave lip nearly half a. page . to pictures of Chester Conkli'n, Jean Arthur and .others being tested for talkies. When you thing that space rates for advertising in the "Daily Mail" are around $12,500 a page you can see how strong their ii^terest is becom- ing in sound. On the other hand,, most of the criticism of the Movie- tone efEect.s and music to Fox's "Red Dancer of Mofecdw," shown last week at the New Gallory. were hot in its favor. British Fairness Dast October tlie Ciovernmont of- India appointed a commission to look into the question of pictui'es and to answer the suggestion of the Imperial. Conference' of 1926 that British films shoiild be encouraged in the Overseas Dominions. The report has been issued, and in part declares the complaints by Indian and British Avriters of the harmful influences of American films arc based on wrong information or trade propaganda. Baybe Swaffer will have something to say in reply, foi: he has been one Of the most vio- lent relaters of the damage to white prestige, in India caused by bathing girl and similar films from America being shown there. 7^ Dr. David Lees and Mrs. Nevill Rolfe, who went to India in 1927 as delegates from the British Social Hyigierie Council and made violent complaints about the . demoralizing nature of many of the films, shown there, are severely condemned by the commission's report, which ad- ministers a strong rebuke to them. These two people declared on their return .from India that they found in every State and Province the bad influence of the screen was given by representative citizens as the cause of the lowering of the na- tive standards of sex morality. The commission has tried to flnd and get evidence from these "representative citizens," but has been unable to discover them, nor has it succeeded In tracing any of the imdeslrable films which are reported to be com- monly shown in India. In rejecting entirely the statements by these two people the.commission says: "It ap- pears obvious to us that they were made without any attempt at seri- ous Inquiry, and partly at least as the result of a pre-existing obses- sion. We greatly regret that such an Institution as the Social Hygiene Council should have lent Its author- ity, from whatever motives, to sup- port statements which one witness, not without justice, described as preposterous." Surely this is a striking example of British fairness In a high degree. Part of the campaign carried on here for some years past for the purpose of founding a British film Industry has been that of propa- ganding the bad effect on native peoples of American films. . Doctors With Silk Hats C. R. Seelye and Jack Connelly arc two interesting invalids at pres- ent. Both carved for appendicitis. Both in a Park Lane home attended by Sir Trevor Dawson and Sir Thomas Horder. . , - Hi-hat indisposition, that. Listing a Stock . Issued "for Information only," de- tails of I. W. Schleslnger's corripany, British Talking Pictures, Ltd., which is the turning of Phonofilms, Ltd., into, a l5Ublic, company. . Over here if you want to put stock on the Exchange you can do one of three things:- issue a ^ prospectus asking the public to subscribe, put out an "offer for sale," which Is somewhat similar, or publish a statement "for information only." The latter enables you to go. to tho Stock Exchange Committee later and say that as the law has been complied with you want per- mission to deal and a quotation, which, unless there is .something very fierce in your layout, you. get. Then you got a jobber, u.sually- for a private consideration, to make a book, and he probably goes to a broker—maybe an outside man— who ".advises" his clients to buy. -An d :=th ero's=^ yo ij r---m arke t=to - u n~- load on. Just tolling you what can be done. The capital of T5ritl.sh Talking Pictures, Ltd., is $2,500,000 in sliaros of $1.25 eaclL Of those, ],12C,S0S are already Issued, 72.1,000 to the vendors of Phonofilms, I^td., and 402,8.08 for cash, at par. "These h.ave gone to the undorwriiors,' who have an option on 873.000 of tho unissued stock. Directors of the new company are WARNERS HRST IN LONDON WITH ALL-TALKER May Open "Noah's Ark" Sept. 1 at Piccadilly—r Plaza Also Sound London, Aug. 28.. Hernian Starr, representing War- ner Brothers here,, has practicilly concluded arrangements to place Vitaphone at the Piccadilly. In- stallation is expected to be com- pleted about Sept. 1, and a picture will come in Irhmediately, probably "Noah's Ark," The deal has been kept under cover, probably to forestall the Plaza (Paramount), which Is also due with sound next month. Warner's lease on the Piccadilly Is understood to be for one year with prolong.ation by option possible. House opened last April as a mu- sical comedy site and holding a con- tract with Lee Ephraim to' furnish the attractions. But the first ven- ture failed to develop real money and tbe theatre i^ent dark for sev- eral weeks as negotiations for va- rious i^roductions failed to ma- terialize. 3 American Films Best Liked in BerEn Berlin, Aug. 17. . At the end of the season three, American pictures came on and had tremendous success. Greta Garbo In "Anna Karehina" proved itself undoubtedly the big box office pic- ture of the year. It kept on at the Gloria Palast for almost 10 weeks— a record which it will take some going to beat. Greta is set here as one of the three or four big cards. At the sanie time .."Underworld" did so overwhelmingly at the Ufa Pal-^ ast that after keeping it four weeks they sent it to the Pavilion for a run. More surpri,sing was the splendid reception of "Chicago" at the Tau- eritzlen. Even at the smaller neighborhood houses it was an equal hit. Variety's reporter, found in a small out of the way theatre that the local crowd didn't let a laugh go by. Stroheim's "Gree*,?* hissed at the Ufa Palast three years ago owing to the intrigues of the nationalists, was. revived at the Kamera on Unter den Linden and. well reviewed by the press. Did nice business for two weeks. Other American pictures which had pleasing receptions were Bebe Daniels in "One, Two, Three, Go"; Clara Bow in "Four Gentlemen Are Looking for a Connection"; Jackie Coogan in an ocean liner picture and H. B. Warner in "Sorrel and Son." Flop was "The U. S. Constitu- tion" at the Ufa Pavillion. So much .so that It was taken ore after three day,s, an unheard of occurrence at this "house.^ ■ 7 - - _^v^-. .^ - I. W. Schlesinger,. Harold Holt, Al- bert Clavering of United Theatres, another Schlesinger company). Sir Sydney R. Fremantle (of the Good- son Gramophone Record Co.), Henry J. Hill (Schlessinger's representa- tive In this country), ICdward C Reynolds (director of British Con- solidated Investments, from whom the new company buys Continental and other rights in Phonofilm), and Alexander N. S. Sandoman, M.P. Things They Say Getting to be kinda comic here, the doi)e visiting movie folk got by with. Ossi Oswalda, playing here for Warner Brothor.s, told a bunch of sob-si.^ter.s, in perfect English, .she'd learned the language coming over on the boat. Gilda Gray got In last week claiming she invented the shimmy, the^charleston^and black^hrDttomf=" She plays in "Piccadilly" for E. A. Dupont, who has just taken a hou.se at Elstree and has had the brainstorm of calling it '"Ton Trees" bof'.'LUse there .-iro 10 in the garden. Next nim after '•J'icoadilly:' from Dupont will be "Tambourino." Most of the diroctor.s who come here cho.so tho big drum or p<»nv wind instrument. What I can't undcr.';(!ind iH- wliy TjOwIs J. ,Solzrii<'k didn't come over here a year agoi , / ■ * Letter Appointment One of the big film-chiefs in New York appears to have adopted the English systeni for business Interviews. When phoned to the other day by a picture man desiring an appointment for an urgent theatre matter, a. fourth as- sistant secret.'vry suggested the p.m. write a letter to Mr. Boss, requesting an appoint- ment. The p.m. nearly died. ^ ^ : -; . Mussolini Grants Film Co. Ex-Kaiser's Former Estate Washington, Aug. 28. Mussolini is supporting the recent Gorman-Italian film alliance- by put- ting the magnificent Villa Falco- nierl, at Fi'ascati, at the disposal of the new combination. Pronounced one of the most beau- tiful buildings of Its kind in Italy, George Canty reports to the Dept. Of Commerce that it wilJ be remod- eled to. constitute a complete studio without marring . the building, grounds or lake. ■ The estate belonged to the ex- Kaiser before the war; wois built in 1865 and given by a wealthy Italian family to the Trappiists, who later sold It to a German banker. The monks considered It to be too worldly a place for them. Peru Hogging Profit United Artists will jiot do busi- ness with the government of Peru. The South American republic wanted United Artists to send Do- lores Del Rio to Peru to star in a picture written around the history of the country. ' Negotiations came to an abrupt conclusion it is understood when the Peruvians demanded 100 per cent of the profit with the Ameri- can firm to receive only a percent- age for distribution. The son of the president of Pern was In New York same months ago. At that time he was known to have approached Thomas Dixon, the au- thor, to do the story , entitled "The Sun Daughter." It is not reported whether any other American filrn company has been approached. Cameraing Treaty Paris, Aug. 28. Elaborate preparations were made for the filming of Kellogg and the delegates from 14 other natlotis signing the treaty which outlaws war. Eight international film compa- nies had cameras at the ceremony. Robertson on English Los Angeles, Aug. 28. John S. Robertson, director, who has just returned from London, will probably go with M-G-M. Robertson says the English have not taken talking pictures seriously and seem to believe it is merely American propaganda to scare the English producers. L. A. to N. Y. Ira Uhr. John C. Flinn. Abe Meyers. Frederic Stahlboi.:^. Al Rockett, Josiah Duro, Gilmor Brown. Edward Miohtaigne, Constance Talmadgo: Vivien MoSes. Edward Montague N. Y. to L. A. 1— Texas Guinan. Bon lOnglander John S. Robertson PICKPOKD WORKING AGAIN? Jack Plokford, after spending five weeks at Lake Placid for his health, lie wont by .loroplane. It's reported ho is to return to the screen shortl.v. Plokford hasn't been in a .picture for the past couple of .'joasons. Baronccili Okay Jao(iuos Baronccili, reporlod .se- riously injured In an auto acoidont. only roooivod a bad shaking. He antioipat«'S returning to studio work immediately. Mona Maris Due Here; Schenck's Tall Brunei Paris, Aug. 28.' " Joseph M. . Schenck thought enouig:h of Mona Marls, Argentinian star, to, engage her for camera work In Hollywood. The. South American girl, who has bedi making pictures in Berlin the paW few.years; is a willowy tall bru- net and is quite well liked On this side. B. I/s Money Report London, Aug, .28., . Biritish: Interriational's report and accounts for its first year, ending March 31, .show a profit b.alance of $138,000, with $75,000 sent to the re- serve. A payment of ari eight per cent, preference dividend, with nO divi- dend on the common. Reserve now amounts to $.450,000 and $1,000,000 In new common stock issue is being created for a later Is.siie, making the total capital $5,- 000,000. Sound Holding Co. Fonned London, Aug. 28. Mark Ostrer and-Reginald Brom- head, of the Gaumont Truist Co., have registered International Acou- stic Films with a capital of $75,000 In 20 cent stock. . Company will later ask for public subscriptions. It is formed to ac- quire the stock and o.ther interests in sound devices, especially Electri- cal Fonofilms and Aktieselskab of Copenhagen. The firm will alfso ab- sorb British AcOu.slic Films Co., which uses a sound track on the film and is now employed by Gau- mont. Pictures in Paris Paris, Aug, 28. Tiller's Plaza Girls have returned to the Paramount (pictures) with the feature there this week, "Wreck of the Hesperus" (Pathe). Gaumont Palace is showing "After Midnight" (G-M) and the Cinema Max Linder is presenting "The Cir- cus" (U. A.). The Salle Mariyaux reopened last Friday, although alterations to the entrance are incomplete, with '.'Two Lovers" (U. A.). PEOLONG MORATOEIUM Washington, Aug. 28. A creditors' meeting of the Deutsch-Nordische Film-Union has decided to prolong the moratorium granted to the company until Sept. 15. Small creditors have been paid off at 30 and 50 per cent. Individ- ual arrangements will be made with larger creditors. Negotiations are taking place In Denmark' in an endeavor to re- finance and continue both the Deutsch-Nordische and. the Nordisk companies. FURTHMAN'S ''DOCKS" STORY Los Angeles, Aug. 28. Screen version of "Docks of New York,"' made by John Moiik Saun- ders, has boon rojooted by Parar mount. • . . - . A story written by Jules Purth- Tiran-' hns'r'f^Ti-"a(r''ceT)f^^^^ VARNEY GOING ABROAD Los Angeles, Aug. 28. Artluir Varnoy, indopendent pro- ducer, is bound for Now York to sail for England: • He. will join (ho staff of Monty P.anks, now with .. British Interna- tional.. PAR'S AIR ANNEX IjOS Angeles, Aug. 28. Paramount is building an air con- ditioning annex to its temporary sound stage. It's a c(imbinati(m refrlgeratioii and ventilating plant, evidently in- tended to countor.aot the stifling boat gonor.Tt.ed by the air-tight sound chamber. ERWIN GELSEY, BERN'S ASS'T Erwin C'lOlsoy, story writer of M- G-M, leaves Saturday to heoomo assis(;int to I'aul Born, now head of I'atlio production dep.artment. Rawlinson, Met's M. C. ■ Los Angolcs, Aug, 28. Herbert liawlinsoii, ox-(Uin star, will act as master of oerenionies at the Motrup<ilita ji for two woeUs st.'irting Aug. 31. He succeeds I'hil Lampkin.