New-York tribune., 1920-02-29


Afh for motion pictures. Six OF
W. the leading film producers OF
the world are here to arrange
for market for their product which
will eliminate the middleman. In the
words Of Thomas H. Ince. president of
these Associated Producers, they III
tend TO emulate Admiral Dewey at the
Battle Of Manila Bay and cut the cable
between the men who are doing things
for the screen and the managerial
"buresucrats, who do not know the
fighting game, but have been waxing
fat at their expense. They are for an
open market and will either employ
distributors TO place their goods or do
the placing themselves.
In the organization, besides Mr.
lnce, are Mack Sennett, who acts as
treasurer; Marshall Neilan, Maurice
Tourneur, Allan Dwan and George
Loane Tucker. j. Parker Read jr, st
present general manager for 1nce, will
have his pictures included soon and
ether producers will be admitted when
found worthy
We have been talking this thing over
for four MONTHS said Mr.. Ince, land
| was surprised to find these artist,
director producers eXcellent business
men braiuy men in more than just the
artistic sense We Will not need Wall
Street capital or that of other big in
tcrests, as we have money enough Of
our own TO be Independent. We will
establish general Offices in New York
under al executive head, yet to be
chosen, and will either have our own
exchanges or employ the services of
exchanges already established.
The name Associated Directors is
not trademark, as we are associated
only for the marketing of our product
and each man will receive all the in
come from his own pictures. The pic
tures will not be sold in a lump. The
weakness in the film industry in the
past has been that q mediocre film has
OF strong ones to 90 with the weak one
IN this way a successful picture had to
suner loss to carry the inferior arti-
Gle. In our plan the exhibitor will not
be asked 30 take anything he does not
want, and even those pictures he Sc
iects ne may discard if he does not like
snem after he has seen them.
We will not be burdened with the
great overhead Of holding company
lor there will be none. and there will
De no salaries for the president or the
other officers. There will be no poll
TICS and no profits from collective book
ings. We cannot fail. We must sue
ceed, as the Allied generals did after
'ney were centralized and conferred to
help each other. We are all situated on
inc Pacific Coast and intend to remain
tnere So we will be able to have
weekly meetings for general exchange
OF advice on the pictures of all But
escn man will be absolutely his own
boss
All the money earned will 60 to the
producer and the exhibitor. Formerly
'"e exchange ma who contributed d
'othing, received the bulk of the
profits. I know we will be in the posi-
''on OF that little band of Frenchmen
at Waterloo who stood back to back
win oayonets fixed, for the whole film
'aoastry will be waiting to take shot
at Us.
We intend to have big stock COM
paay IN which we will share. We will
nave the best screen actors in the
country. This arrangement is not
s'Anaed to cut the actors salaries. but
~ preserve the quality of the film prod
1'~ 30, II an actor cannot be used by
vas' he will be employed for the time
- snother Of US, and, when he has to
as on Tor. say, month or two year
~ VIII oil chip In to pay his salary
"'en VIII make It easy for US ALL Of
.fss' each will have his own stars
A' 'ney Will not be interchanged."
vusstioned as TO hi. own success in
= easturss. Mr.. Inds told the story