The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-30
PRODUCER SHORN
OF FILM POWERS
BY Distributor
Change Ordered in Movie.
Industry in Plans for
Curtailment.
OLD SYSTEMS TO co
Present Cut in Output Fore
casts This, Says w. W.
HOdkinsOn.
FEWER. BETTER PICTURES
Favoritism Prevalent in Pres
ent Methods Breeds In
ferior Films.
FEWER, BETTER PICTURES

Itll Ol Il
The present decrease In photoplayt
production is the outward indication of
a fundamental change in the motions
picture industry which Will make the
distributor the paramount figure in
stead Of the producer who dominates
to-day That summarizes statement
made yesterday by w. w. Hodkinson,
former president of Paramount, which
developed into the foremost distribut-
ing agency in the country, and now
head of the w. w Hodkinson Corpo-
ration, an important independent re-
leasing company. His remarks, while
fully bearing out the report of
sweeping curtaiment in film produc-
ton published Tuesday in THE New
York HERALD, threw new light on the
movie situation.
THE Wholesale reduction In film out
put" said Mr.. Hodkinson. "and the cut
ting down of companies mark change
to a new order to which many COM
panies established on the basis of the
old system are now struggling to adapt
themselves. Under the old system the
producer assumed complete charge lie
had his various lieutenants who looked
after production, hired persons VINO
bought stories and developed continue
ties and who engaged directors who In
turn engaged casts. Under such COM
pick system no one man could actually
direct all the details of the production
end as well as look after the exchange
system distributing the company
product.
Chance for Favoritism.
consequently there was opportunity
for favortism at the lower end OF the
scale in the casting of plays, sometimes
with players who weren't up 10 the
mark While good directors worked
hard, others, because of the intricacy OF
the system, could fake or stall. All
these clements would open the way for
bad pictures. even If the responsible
head at the top had the best intentions
I'm the world.
Moreover. there was no reliable way
OF checking up on the quality or draw
ing power of a picture. Exhibitors gen.
orally have an idea Of what the public
wants. but many men now controlling
the motion picture industry never were
exhibitors Under the present order
producing company by means of its own
distribution system could seek 70 prevail
upon exhibitors to accept its output for
the regular weekly programme, whether
good or bad. 1t could use good Picture
to carry on and cover UP several bad
ones.
Exhibitors were bound to grow re-
luctant about taking pictures under such
system, and overproduction was newt
able. Under the new order the dis
tributer will act as referee. producer
will come to him with a story and a
cast which he thinks is good and the
distributor. checking up on the produc-
ton possibilities from his own expert
ence as an exhibitor. will contract with
him to go ahead--on the producers own
capital. When a director Is working on
his own money he's less likely TO be
temperamental. Then the distributor
viii send the pictures throughout the
country, having been a valuable check
on the selection Of director. cast and
story and thus having insured good
picture 10 the exhibitor.
Before adopting the new arrange
ment. BY which n number Of producers
working Independently would pool their
output through common channel of
distribution. the producers were destined
10 limit output in the hope of saving
the old system with it's subsidiary
exchanges. This would naturally force
some Of their own directors into the
ranks OF Independent producers and that
step is taking place now.
overproduction Proved.
United Artists and Associated Pro-
ducers are instances of players vino
CROPPED for way out Of the old methods.
One Of the instances Of overproduction
readily observable Is the running OF
double feature and sometimes triple
feature bills In various houses. From the
newer system. with the distributor as
referee. fewer and better pictures Will
result"
Arthur S. Kane. New York film execu-
tive. who is sponsor for the Charles Ray
photoplays has just returned from a
seven weeks study Of conditions in Los
Angeles. where he found slackening in
the studios due 70 overproduction. lie
anticipates that this lull win be relieved
shortly after the beginning OF the New
Year and will assure fewer and better
pictures.
Joseph NJ. Schenck declared himself in
r.rord with the producers advocating
FEWER md better productions, but main
aimed this did not mean the passing Of
The star.
"As tho president" he said. "of the
Norma Talmadge and Constance Tai
radge Film companies, ! have just
signed contract with the Associated
First National Pictures. Incorporated,
involving 2o.0o0.00O. whereby these
stars viii receive three times the salary
paid TO them two years ago by this same
company In view Of this fact ! think
know whereof speak IN declaring
that the public Is not tired OF the star
. system The public is only tired OF the
system Of certain class Of mediocre
producers. who try TO make n star over
night out Of inferior material and to
force this second hand machine made
article on the public as first class ar
ticle
Mary Pickford Douglas Fairbanks.
Charles Chaplin, Charles Ray and the
Talmadge sisters and other stars OF
great magnitude have no limit as 10
value IN terms of weekly salary They
earn just as much as any company
will pay them. because no company
viii offer an amount, however great.
that does not stll leave large margin
Of profit for Itself
STRIKING WALTERS LOSE.