GENERAL FILM GOSSIP

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16987, 10 March 1923, Page 7 (Supplement)

GENERAL FILM GOSSIP

The autumn crop of pictures, which includes the early winter ones as well, lias, with a few notable exceptions, fallen far short of the elaborate promises made by the producers and their exploitation experts (says the ‘ ‘ Chris tian Science Monitor”). Wherever these poor pictures have been shown there has been a “ slump in business,” which the picture men are fond of attributing to general economic conditions, but no “slump” has been observable when interesting pictures Lave been shown. The result is apparent in many of the studios on the Pacific coast:' where a number of widely advertised producers, writers. directors and players who have been responsible for much that has been bad in picture making, have been removed and their places given to less famous but far more capable men and women. Perhaps the best eign of all is the way things are opening up for the independent producer, who heretofore has been unable to get his picture marketed satisfactorily. Rodolph Valentino, says a New York telegram, dated January 19. “ won a point to-day in his legal controversey with the Famous Plajers-Lasky Corporation, through the modification of a temporary injunction in Appellate Court. The injunction, wliich forbade him from performing any service without permission of the Lasky Corpora lion, was amended by striking out the clauses that would prevent him from engaging in any other business of any kind or class whateber” and from 4 rendering any service for himself on his account.’ The ruling will permit Valentino to engage in any business except appearing before the camera pending the trial of the suit for a permanent injunction.” A later telegram . states^ that Valentino and his wife (formerly Virginia Hudnut) wil ldance and sing in vaudeville the repertoire including the famous tango from “ The Four-Horsemen of the Apocalypse.” It is said Valentino’s salary will lie TOCO dollars a week, probably the highest ever paid to a performer in the history of variety in the United States.