Variety (July 1929)

VARIETY PIG T U R E S Wednesday, July 3, i929j Equity's Coast Meetiiigs Tjob Angeles, July'.2. Equity patriots and those mem.- ber's ^desirous of having a closed meeting called to decide whether «r not paid up members wanted Frank Gillmore to continue his efforts for Equity shop in pictures went into a dog fight at the Beverty-Wilshire hotel June 2S. For more than two hours cries of "traitor" and "be trayer" were hurled across the floor at various players during this tur- bulent session called by Conrad Nagei and his committee of five. For a time it looked as though Clarke-Silvernail and Frederic Burt, both members of Equity's New York Council, and Frank Sheridan, ser- geant-at-arms of the organization, would stampede the meeting, but Nagel, chairman, and Ralph Forbes, his confrere, steered through the turmoil without blopdshetl or fisti- cuffs. Nagel's committee got the 30 sig- natures they were after for a peti- tion calling upon Gillmore to order the closed meeting 'of paid-up Equity members to decide what the wishes of the local niembers were In the current dispute with the picture producers. In fact they got 32 names. Picnic of insults Insults shouted across the floor were so numerous those present an- ticipated a sock at most any time. Silvernail heckled Patsy Ruth Mil- ler with sarcastic, retorts, but later apologized. Lester Chambers, actor and Equity partisan, hurled the lie at Nagel, accusing him of double- crossing Equity and Gillmore, ■ and for a time It looked as though Nagel would make it a personal affair on the putside. William V. Mong, in answering Chambers, told that Nagel was a triie Equity member and was endeavoring to_ adjust the matter for his organization. Mbng, en behalf of Qillmore, apologized, after which Chamber* also got up and made a retraction. 'Meeting was held In a room which would comfrotably seat around 200. ESiulty partisans early took posses- sion pf the room, however, and the result ■ was tbat more than' 450 jammed into the place with i«iany compelled to-linger In the outer cor- rldordl and depirtlng when they saw there waa no opportunity to make the door. Many of the turnaways were contract players calculated to coincide with Nagel and-hls commit- tee In their views on the-» desired closed meeting. Nqgel's Reasons -Crttss-flre arguments; started right away. First they hopped all over Nagel In wanting to . know on what authority he called an Equity meet- ing and aeked, why he and his group didn't attend the regular organiza- tion meetings and make their pro- tests. Nagel explained a half dozen times that he and the committee had cpriferred with Gillmore, and the lattet had okayed this meeting. Nagel declared that Gillmore told them that if they could get 30 paid- up members to sign a petition for a closed meeting to secure views and votes on further procedure It would meet with his approval. Militant group didn't like the Idea and sev- eral tlm'ep made an effort to paas a motion endorsing the action of Gill- more In the picture situation, but tlie move never reached a votfe. Nagel started oft explalnlhg he was functioning'as chairman,'as no one else could be found to preside. He stated that Gillmore had been Invited to attend, then read several telegrams regarding Gillmore's at- > tempt to get recognUlon for Equity m '26. • 5Ie Claimed that no afctlon waa taken on the matter then and that the picture people were plainly disregahled by the council and that the-latter even removed Its advisory committee on the coast from power because that committee had ap- proved a contract, with one or two exceptions, that the producers had selected as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences form of contract. Nagel stated that when this con- tract waa drawn the producers had agreed that when Equity had gath- ered sufficient strength pn the coast the contract would be turned over to Equity as theirs, as It stood. Nagel.-contlnued by saying that the onTy'rcoriaiiTon ndt"'coverea"'Tjy"th"e Academy contract which Equity de- Blres .Is the 4S-hour week, and at the time .this contract was made It was premature, for this as the pro- ducers were experlmonting, He maintained It was. no fault of the producer If working" days were lengthened. through various fechnl- cal and sound Interferences, About seven weeks ago, Gillmore came to the coast, Nagel says the latter, < with , prominent Equity people, dined at his home and they told the organization chief they were strong for Equity. Nagel then said that Gillmore never told any of them what his plans were, and they were calmly awaiting to hear what he wanted them to do when the mandatory contract bomb- shell was exploded. Nagel pointed out that the action was drastic and that every Equity member was threatened with suspension unless they obeyed the orders of Gillmore without question or expression of their own thoughts. This sponsored the first outbui-st from the pro-Equity group by shouts of "No, no, a thousand voted for this and we are going through.'' Francis X. Speaks' Nagel continued by soylng he was simply trying to explain what ap- peared to him and many others to be the situation, that he had told Gill- more that the picture group felt thej" were entitled, to proper representa- tion In Equity. At this point Francis X. Bushman Interjected himself by saying he didn't believe the actors had ade- quate representation through the Academy, for If they made com-^ plaints or protests there they would be black-listed by the producers. Nagel said then that one of' the matters discussed between Gillmore and his committee was black-list- ing and that It was polnfed out that Equity would also be .powerless to do anything about It. Bushman re- torted by saying that he believed If Equity shop were In forc^ black- listing threats would mean nothing at all. Another voice from the crowd said that prior to 191B there was a black-list In the legit field, but now there Is none. . More Excitement Harry Stubb^ recent stage arri- val front .th'e east, then popped up and declared he would sign the Nagel petition If the 29 others who put their signatures on It with him would abide by the decision of the closed meeting. Then came more excitement. Les- ter Chambers hurled his questions at'Nagel of "How do we know-you win 'keep your word? Tou betrayed Equity three times. How do we know you'll not betray us again?" Shouts of disapproval toward Cham bprs. ^agel flushed, but coolly In- quired, "Suppose I ask you to sub-- stantlate the charge, can you do so?" "Tes," waa the reply. "How," Inter- rogated Nagel. "By. Frank GUI- more," replied Chambers. It was later that Chambers retracted this denunciation. Then some one in the rear said the contract players had nothing to worry about, therefore It would be a good Idea for the non-contract people to sign the petition for the meeting. Silvernail Condemns At this point Clarke Silvernail, who recently left the Fox writing and directorial staff aftei' six months, stated he saw no reason, for the tietltlbn. Said that ballots- had been sent out, that 2,202 had voted and of this number only 99 were against It. He declared that even Nagel had voted for It and that the council simply was governed by the vote taken. , {le mdde the point that Equity was a member of organized labor and they were now simply try- ing to Improve a working condition. Silvernail tore matters wide open condemning the group who were trying to question the rights of their organization. Burt's Tirade Frederic Burt then went Into a tirade against thcr picture Industry. He-shouted.'there was no difference between th^ stage and the screen actor, anxl' that Equity waa .>busy with the foreign actor Invasion and the agents when the call firom the coast for help came, Gillmore un- selfishly responding. Burt thought this no time to dis- cuss th« matter, but to let 'tho or- ganization handle It. That the actors were brought here by the managers, that they were not particularly anxious to . come, that he himself didn't care whether he worked- an- other day In the pictures. Declared he had been called for a test early one morning-, went through an all- day ordeal and was told he would be sent for. The picture Is now An- Ished and as yet he hasn't received a call. Biirt maintained he was go- ing to stick to Equity and advised the others to do likewise. Silvernail Again Silvernail canie forth again to say that 10 members of the Equity council were now on'the Coast and that he couldn't see why further autonomy was necessary. That those back of this meeting were just trying to muddle the minds of those who were there. He said all Equity wanted was for both sides to keep their contractual responsibilities and obligations. Miss Dresser and Miss Wilson Lois Wilson said she didn't think the New York council group under- stood the problems out here. More heckling at this point, with Indications -something- woujd pop, when Louise Dresser took the- floor. Miss Dresser said that because her husband. Jack Gardner, was on the producers' side made no . differ- ence to het, and claimed that those prho knew the 24 years of their married- life -were aware that their opinions on ma-tters were never sim-- llar. ■ She itook exception to Gill- more's statebient at a meeting that she- was unknown before she ap- peared In "The Goose 'Woman."- She slated she had /^jrprked nlgh^ and day, but, that the picture business could not be run otherwise, and. that studio conditions were nowhere near as dlfllpult as they were on the one-jilght stands she had played. As Miss Dresser sat down, she asked why could not the Academy, under (^crntlhued on page 8) LEON lEONlDOFF Roxy Theatre, New Yoi>k Director of Production (Assistant to. Mr. S. L. Rothafel) Au Revolr. Sailing this .-week for a four weeks' vacation In Europe. Equity's Benefit Film Of Mirch Mystery Los Angeles, July 2, Equity Is preparing to. make its own picture at the .Metropolitan stu dlos with a 100 per cent Equity cast, according to organization curricu lum. Actors. are. being approached to enroll ,in the production, receipts from which will be added to the relief fund. The only member so far reported signed by George Ull- man, understood doing the casting, Is Bodll Rosing, character actress, George Melford Is reported to have agreed to megaphone the pic ture. The Metropolitan schedule shows no vacancy • for a picture by an outside company until August 16. How the film will be released or where It will be shown ore not Indl cated. Equity contemplates a series of benefit performances In key cities thrdughout the country for Its re- lief fund. Folks, 1 believe "Say It With Songs," Jolson's latest, will take as good or better than "The Singing Fool" which-broke a record EVERYWHERE first run. Well, it can't beat that unless they sneak a few more chairs In the aisles. And, more, "Hoiiky Tonk," with Sophie Tucker, coming soon, wlil take In dough If you'll take the word about a aho-w picture of one who was in the show business himself for years. Yours for money. Lloyd Bacon, P. S.—I'll continue to keep you informed In "Variety" about any good when money-makers I'm connected with. L. B« Cameramen's Application Los Angeles, July 2. Local 669 of the Cameramen's Union has' filed' application for membership- in- the Los Angeles' Central Labor" Council. This move Will bring the caftisramen into'close affiliation with Equity. Camera'rh'^n ' are' afllllated -with Local 160 of the' theatre projection- ists' union, with Lo6aI '37 of ^he electricians and local 33 of the stage hands. All these crafts have their own agreement with the stu- dios. CAMPAIGN PLAlf URGENT NEED OF EQUITY * Meeting Monday in L.; Draws Large Atten- dance—and Jessel Los Angeles, July 2. Last night's Equity rally was the largest . In point of attendance and about the dullest in point of actlmv of all the meetings. About 1,6QA) persons present at .the Hollywood 'Women's Club. Miany of those who., spoke alluded to the lack of a deft, nlte campaign plan which they; stated was placing everyone In i^,. tough spot. " Surprise pf the evening was the- appearance on the rostrum of; George Jessel, the first actor whoi had made an antl-Equlty statement' in the press, to make a subsequerit- . personal appearance at an Equity- gathering. jessel gagged plenty and found the meeting ready to laugh. Fran-'' els X. Bushman, when called upon' - later to speak, alluded to the "In' definite remorlis and humor" of the previous speakers, referring to Jes-' . sel. Bushman' deplored such flip*-'. pancy and advocated dignity, . Joseph Schlldkraut was at the meeting to explain. TJnlversal'a pub- - Jlshlng a letter-he'-wrote to studio officials expressing appreciation of their treatment Schlldkraut In a sense is also on record publicly as opposed to Equity, He mentioned that hie father,- Rudolph Schlld- kraut, free lance, has turned down offers pending settlement of the Equity matters. Loyal to Boss Charley Chose, two-reel featured comedian, admitted the dlfllculty of' the position he and,.other contract people were in. He said, he. could not and would not .say anything^ aga,lnst his studio or .his boss,' Hal_. (Roach. . iVs.the remarlcs continued along a) -pessimistic tone Busliman stated' that, a house divided against itse'V cannot stand, that 'no'one was mak-' ing any constructive suggestions and that he thought, a move should be ina4e to try to get-together wltli. the Cpnrad Nagle group aiid bring' ithe Insjirgents to an Equity m'eet-J- Ing. ■ Frank Gillmore Im'ihedlately took the ' opportunity - to appoint Bush-, man a pommlttee of one tp rpuhd Up.Nagle and his cohorts'!for .thls^ Friday's (6-) meeting. ' '- '^j . Nance 'OIJTelt opened the meeting^ with .patriotic excerpts from Mai*; . shal' Foch, Earl Halg' and othPJ^ fighters' and poncluded by announj^j (Continued on page 8?) ' Pros and Cons in Equity Matter Reports'east And'west of-the attempt by Equity to entrench itself In the Jlc'ture studios'ruii'along this reasoning: , . ' . Actors-(Eq<ilty members as alluded to here) look upon the talkers as .. their first real bhance f6r money and opportunity since they commence^ : acting. ■-• ■■ ■ ■ ... .;j)B r Producei-s sec Eqiilty only as by itself and an unnecessary, interferencai if-getting a footing In the picture'field. ..ilf: Actors (men and women) so anxious to get into .pictures and regardless ' of Equity, suggesting contracts be ante-dated to June 6. .£ Producers against ante.-datlng or other .evasions' by understanding!!). Some reilorted.-td ha'i^^ 'acceded .upon urgpn't'pjeas of-.the actors, «l' ActorsTielieve'free'iance.drania people suffer the most with the vasftj majority of-.JBqultyltes bh Coast free lances. . .'rfo Producers' cl&lhi h'i lieglfhas proven," a, dra-w In talker-plcturo, favocia' ttes only dependables at box offices to date. Actors say they prefer gambling on their chance in pictures even' under any E^qulty threat. .! '• Producers allege trained voices of actors frorh dramatic top strong for talkers and can not be taught modulation. Soft voice picture players - more susceptible of talker dialog technique. Claim this has been brought out through'tests and observation. Actors writing letters of protest against Equity with claim there is an unlimited number still unpublished In Los Angeles. Producers' allege that in other than the musical full picture cast pre-, ferred to .a mixed .one of film and drania people—^that the legits onljW show ,up the picture actors, with audiences fully satisfied with fllgi(i players only.. , >;aii Actors charge not giving notice or vote on EquIty-ln-to-plctur.pp ■action—-"—*--^—"™"-——; - —,-„.^-^;... Equity claims everything against it-in on Coast Is inspired by pro- ducers. ' Equity appears to place Its dependence upon the American Federatloar of Labor. ii; Equity continuously making a pilea of loyalty among members—mean*.': Ing they should not desert Equity and obey It. ' Actcrs talk, privately pne way, and In grpups or meetings, another. Equity says it is fighting for a prlnclpl*. Actors claim Equity picked wrong tlmie, In summer when legits usually are Idle. Film work now means extra money.