EXIT THE "ANGELS"

Otaki Mail, 4 January 1924, Page 3

EXIT THE "ANGELS"

REORGANISING THE "MOVIES." SAN FRANCISCO, November 10. The moving' picture industry, which is generally concerted to be one of the three or four largest industries in the American nation, finds that inefficiency,, enormous expenses, high-sal-aried stars and directors and all other factors which delight the press agent, are not conducive to steady profits. Famous-Players-Lasky, one of the largest of all the film companies, has suspended production activities and many of the lesser activities either have or are planning to follow suit. It has been repeatedly charged that the motion picture industry, in spite of its enormous size, is managed generally by very small-calibre men, men whose business training has been

I sadly neglected and who know no- ' thinp of the fundamentals of conservative management. This has b;en such a notorious fact that bankers, as a rule, refuse to advance money to companies to finance productions. The business is so uncertain and conducted so unscientifically that the risks are too great, say the majority of bonkers. This has forced the companies to resort to "angels," those mysterious men of money who back tho production of pictures—and musical comedies—and charge high rates of interest for their funds. The Industry is full of anecdotes about the demands of "angels." For instance, "The Biith of a Nation." one of the biggest money-makers made by D. W. Griffith, was forced to give up 78 per cent, of the .rights of that production to secure 110,000 dollars. A few of the men with vision in the motion-picture industry have formed a financing corporation known as the Motion Pictures Capital Corporation. The new concern is headed by Frank K. Wilson, who handled the greater number of Liberty loan "drives" for the U.S. Treasury D< - < partment of Washington. Under Mr Wilson's direction and management, responsible motion-picture producers are expected to be able to obtain funds for their produe'ions at moi•--reasonable and businesslike rates than under the "angel" system. But before such companies can obtain advances they must show clean bills of health, must prove that their production costs are within reason, that their overhead expenses are not exorbitant and that salaries are parod down considerably. With the advent of the Motion Pictures Capital Corporation it is hoped and expected that a more efficient and saner development of the industry will follow.

Some of the leading moving picture theatres in the United States are experiencing financial difficulties as their patrons are falling off in number as a protest against the constant repetition of so-called "plots" underlying the average American movie production. Some of the supposed big "stars" are tiring the habitues of the screen shows and more than one of 'these big actors and actresses of the silver screen have suffered the pain of being placed in a category of not 'being required for further contract by producers. In a word, the American people want something new. They have had a surfeit of erotic plays and the ever-insipid triangle plays where wives are so easily exchanged. even as they are among the thousand and one performers in everyday movie life.