Screen Stars and Films

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1926, Page 27

Screen Stars and Films

FILM MAGNATES DENOUNCED

SENSATIONAL REPORT. The cinema industry in the United States is in a state of commotion to-day owing to the publication of a report by Mr*, W. H. Fuller, the chief counsel of the Federal Trade Commission, denouncing it as a monopoly in restraint .of trade, was the report cabled recently to the London "Daily Mail" by its New York correspondent.

Mr. Puller, after four years' investigation, recommends the commission to order the producers and distributors forthwith to divest themselves of all theatre interests. He depicts the industry as being dominated by the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation, which, in turn, is dominated by the Adolph Zukor, its president, who is accused of employing oppressive methods to bring about the elimination of independent theatre owners. Mr. Fuller says it is essential that the independent theatre owner shall be left free to lease from any and all producers. He must also be free to lease only such films as he deems suitable for his locality and acceptable to his clients. Mr. Fuller adds:

"Whether the motion-picture will prove a blessing or a curse to the world depends upon whether or not each of the three branches of, the industry—production, distribution, and exhibition— can be kept free from the evil influences of monopolistic control."

His report gives a fascinating account of the rise from the humblest circumstances of Mr. Adolph Zukor to the position of Czar of the fourth largest industry in the United States of America. Mr. Zukor came to this country as a Hungarian immigrant, at the age of 16. He is now 51. His first job was that of a sweeper in a fur shop. He noted that women had difficulty in keeping boas about their necks, and indented a patent snap for fur neckware. In 1903 he started a half-penny-in-the-slot arcade in New York with Mr. Marcus Loew. Together they opened one of

the first cinema theatres in New York. As the industry grew, so did the ambition of Mr. Zukor, who is now the leading figure in. an industry capitalised at £300,000,000. Block-Booking Evil. Mr. Zukor i 3 depicted as successfully ' scheming and conspiring to unite proj duction, distribution, and exhibition, of seeking to establish a monopoly, and of forcing bulk-sales on theatre-owners at home and abroad, who are thus compelled to' show poor pictures or not get any good ones. Mr. Fuller states' that 20,000.000 people daily attend the cinema-theatres of the United States, paying £200,000,000 yearly for admission.. Of these people, j 75 per cent are under 24. The daily attendance at schools in this country, lon the other hand, is only 10,000,000. I Hence the film industry is " a greater I potential power to influence the 'character, habits, dress, morals, and | general conduct of ■ our youth than our ! school' system." It provides "the first j and only universal language in existI ence" which carries "a message for all I to understand." The report concludes: | "Never has there been a case brought I by a Government in which the general I public has been more vitally concerned.". ; Counsel for the defence; contend that | the accusations of unfair methods are not supported by the j evidence. They assert that the Famous Players and Mr. Zukor are responsible for only 17 per cent of all the pictures produced and that they distribute only the same amount and own and control only 2 per cent of the theatres in the United States. ; ._ \■"-. .■ I • ' Edwin Carewe is completing "Joanna," a story about a girl who suddenly, inherits a cool million dollars.' Dorothy Mackaill is the girl in the case. It is. said to be one of Carewe's best pictures during i his many years' service at tho i megaphone. ; j In the music score for "The Vanishing ! American," Zane Grey's epic of the American Indian, ' Charles Wakefield Cadman, has fitted to the action of the story melodies adapted from these laboriously gathered ' and priceless records. The most beautiful were blended into the theme song, "Little White Rose."

Monte Blua will next appear in "The Agony Column" for Warner Brothers. Universal has purchased an original, "Signs." The story will be used as a vehicle for Reginald Denny. A herd of wild horses stampeding down a spacious valley gives a thrilling touch to ."The White Outlaw," a new Universal feature. Barbara La Marr is enjoying a ■ brief rest in the Sierras. She has .just completed "The Girl from Montmartre," in which she co-features with Lewis Stone. More than two hundred professional dancers were engaged for the filming of a single sequence in "The Teaser," a Universal-Jewel -production, starring Laura La Plaiite and Pat o'Malley. Among the players supporting Hoot Gibson in his latest picture for Universal, "Taming the West," are Marceline Day, a promising newcomer to the screen, the old favourite, Francis Ford, Morgan Brown, and many others. "The Fighting Cub" will be released in the Dominion shortly. Mary Carr, Mildred Harris, Wesley Barry, Pat O'Malley, George Fawcett and Walter Long have featured roles. Corinne Griffith haa completed work in "Caesar's Wife," for First National, and will vacation for three weeks before starting her next attraction. "Ashes," it.is Baid, has been selected.

Sylvano Balboni has begun direction of. "The Far Cry." Balboni has a colourful background and a world of technical experience. He is an "ace" cameraman and has served in many capacities during the production of some of the biggest pictures yet placed on the Bcreen. His most recent work was as technical adviser during the production of "The Viennese Medley" for First National Pictures.

Jack Holt, jun., son of the Paramount star, plays 'his first screen role in "The Enchanted Hill," which Irvan Willat ia producing from the novel of Peter B. Kyne." , * Noble Johnson, famous for his characterisation as the Bronze Man in the "Ten Commandments" and also for his work as the native chief in "Adventure," is another foremost player who has been added to the cast of "The Golden Journey." Schemes for an Bnglißh "Hollywood* are developing in the British film world. A comprehensive plan was considered by the general committee of the cinematograph trade. It provides for the erection of central Btudios near Brighton, available for large and small producing companies alike, and incorporating the most up-to-date technical equipment. The Brighton* Corporation have offered extensive facilities „in support of the scheme. No promotion profits will be claimed, as it is put forward as a constructive proposal for developing the British film industry generally. Mr. Beddington Behrens, formerly on the permanent' staff of the .League of Nations, who has studied film conditions in various countries, is the author of the plan. ' The United" States liner "Leviathan, the largest steamship in the world, forms the background of many important scenes in Thomas Meighan's new Paramount picture, "Irish Luck." The Meighan Company made both East and West bbund voyages on,the Leviathan, en route to Ireland for location scenes. The action of the picture called for several sequences to be shot at sea, showing Meighan as a New York traffic policeman on holiday, getting acquainted with life on' shipboard, playing deck games, and falling into the clutches of a pair of confidence workers, - Several hundred of the Leviathan's passengers volunteered as extras, and Captain Herbert Hartley, the fore-host skipper in the United States merchant marine, appeared with the Paramount star in several scenes. One ' interesting scene shows the Leviathan steaming* slowly up "-"Jew York Harbour past the Statue of Liberty, while others . show the vessel ploughing the waters of the mid-Atlantic.

Sixteen of tne most beautiful girls in the State of Texas will appear as a bevy of chorus beauties anxious to win the affections of Richard Dix in the star's newest picture, "Womanhandled."

Douglas McLean announces that he has selected the theme and title for the second Paramount picture he will make as a successor to the already phenomenally successful "Seven Keys to Bald' pate."

Warner Baxter, featured player in "The Best People," will play Nuitane, the native lover of Gilda Gray, in her first starring picturg, "Aloma of the South Seas," which Maurice Tourneur is filming.

A published report that Jesse L. Lasky is to resign from the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation is a malicious falsehood, circulated for selfish reasons. So declared Adolph Zukor recently. "I see no reason why anybody should circulate this report, or why any reputable newspaper should publish it," said Mr. Zukor. , "No doubt somebody who would profit by Mr. Lasky's departure from this company is busy spreading this story, which is a. lie made out of whole cloth, Mr, Lasky has no intention of leaving this company." "I would call the.story" of my resignation a joke," said Mr. Lasky, "if it had not been given such widespread publication in the last few days. Let mc say this, once and for all: I have no intention of leaving Famous Players. I have been here for years and •I intend to remain. The report that I am about to resign is false, utterly and absolutely.",

Robert T. Kane announces the pur chase of "The Reckless Lady," by Sir Philip Gibbs, and will soon start production on it at his studios. It will be released by First National. The "Reckless Lady" was an outstanding "bestseller" of last year and still rates in the blue book as one of the leading six best sellers on the various bookstands at Home. The story has been widely sought after by the big producing organisations and every firm made strenuous bids for the screen rights. Mr. Kane has acquired them through friendly connections which have enabled him to achieve his ambition to produce this story himself for the screen. He is planning an elaborate production and will no doubt start work on it within the next month or so.

That the Paramount picture "The Street of Forgotten Men," tells the truth .about how the public is being fleeced by fake beggars, is the belief, expressed in a letter, of John C. Faries, director of the Institute for Crippled and Disabled Men of New York City. "I contpratulate you most heartily," wrote Mr. Faries to the; Famous Playcrs-Lasky Corporation, "upon your production 'The Street of Forgotten Men,' featuring Percy Marmont. During my eight years of experience in the service of the worthy disabled men—the man who wants to earn an honest living—l have been constantly distressed at the way the public is being fleeced by fake crippled beggars. In my opinion this film tells the truth in a startling manner. The counterpart of Easy Money Charlie,' the cheat*, is the fellow, genuinely crippled in body by scorning dependency, who comes to the institute for training or find a position at some suitable job. It is our experience that there are few crippled beggars who could not earn their living if they had the will to do so."

"The Knockout," First National's latest release, starring Milton Sjlls, the lumbering sequences of which were photographed in Canada with the active aid of the Canadian Government, had its first showing in the Dominion at the Centre Theatre, Ottawa, early in Ootober. It .scored a great hit. So big were the crowds seeking admittance to the theatre on the opening day of the engagement that it was necessary to stop this sale of tickets several times. Business' continued" at capacity throughout the week. The reception accorded this virile photoplay in Ottawa, in New York and all the other American cities where it has played indicate that "The Knockout" is one of Milton Sills' most popular features. The scenes photographed in the heart of Canada's logging .ndustry and the three big fights in picture, together with the appealing love story, have aroused the admiration of the reviewers and the fans alike.

The year 1925. was an eventful one in the world of pictures, especially in regard to the Paramount Company. It saw the release of such attractions in New Zealand as "The Ten Commandments," "Monsieur Beaue'aire," "Scaramouche," "Madame Sans Gene," "Peter Pan," and many others. The coming year will be equally as great. "The Wanderer" will probably be the biggest Paramount picture released this year. This picture has been built throughout on similar lines to what is known as the - first section of "The Ten Commandments." "The Wanderer" is the Biblical story of the prodigal son. Its two keynotes are la'vishness and power in the story. It was produced by Raoul Walsh, whom the critics declare to be tho most recently-established genius in the world of film production. The cast of the above picture will contain such players as Ernest Torrence, Greta Nissen, William Collier, jun., Wallace Beery, Tyrone Power and Kathlyn Williams. Another picture said to be of almost equal calibre is "The Vanishing Race s ," written by Zane Grey, and featuring Richard Dix in the leading role. This is a story of the American Red Man, from the time of his zenith to his present decline. Tihe fact of Zane Grey's imminent visit to this country will lend added interest to this great attraction.