Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-21
PRODUCER TO TRY
OUT COOPERATIVE
;, POLICY IN STUDIOS
Profit Sharing Idea Industry's
First Attempt to Curb
Inflated Salaries.

Inc cooperative pOl1cy OF mOtlou
picture production Is to receive its first
try-0ut on a large scale at the re
studios on the west coastA according
studios on the west coast, according
ers, the new managing director of that
company. Mr.. Powers returned recent
ly to New York with an announcement
which has focused the eyes of film ex-
ecutives, long harassed by the ever-in-
creaslng demand for high salaries by
screen stars. upon the re studios.
1t is the belief Of Mr.. Powers that
the profit sharing basis is the only
equitable one under which a star can
work. Mr.. Powers has assembled many
of the leading stars Of filmdom to join
these include Harry Carey. one Of the
foremost delineators Of western roles:
Ethel Clayton, for a long time one OF
the mainstays Of the Paramount pro-
gram, who will continue in big So
ciety specials for re; Mr.. and Mrs.
Carter De Haven. who are returning
to the screen in q series OF domestic
comedies, after a years absence: and
Jane Novak. who will be directed by
Chester emmett in a series OF out
door specials.
Several of these companies have al
ready started work at the re studios
lin oJACIS VIII Suol JVlio". II
complete lineup of re producing units
also includes Bay Carroll productions.
in which Helen Jerome Eddy will be
starred; Robert Thornby productions.
which will film some of the famous
stories for which re now owns the
screen rights: Emory johnson produc-
tons. which will film special produc-
lions. and the Doris MAY company.
Miss May will continue under the di-
rection of William Setter in a series of
light comedy drama. In addition. Nor
man Dawn win produce a series OF
special productions, the first of which
is ''The Son of the Wolf" an adapta-
ton of the Jack London novel of the
same name. Edith Roberts and Wheel
er Oakman are the featured players
in this production.
inflated Salaries
Mr.. Powers system Of cooperative
production is being closely watched not
only by other motion picture execu-
tives, but by the public at large. While
it is known that the salaries of mo-
ton picture stars has been greatly ex-
aggerated in some cases for publicity
purposes is a fact that many play
ers have been receiving inflated sal
aries. This is the first time in the
history of the industry that principals.
directors. writers and technical staff
have been invited to participate in the
fruits of their labors. Radical steps
are now necessary said Mr.. Powers
In announcing this plan. ITO prevent
disaster in the motion picture industry.
w are starting with a clean slate
in inaugurating this new idea. Actual
cooperation is to be our modus oper-
andi henceforth. This applies to both
financial n technical phases Of pic
ture making. Our cash in actual dol
lars will be pooled with the potential
cash to accrue as the result of the ar
tistry of a star. a writer, a director.
Our cash being the actual hard coin
Of the realm. naturally whatever brains
and beauty is pitted against that cash
Will be stripped of any inflated val
ues placed on these equations by an in
dustry until recently rampant in waste
fitness and the plaything of those ex-
aggerated egoes which it has created.
Counterfeit Must Go
The counterfeit in pictures must
go just as the wildcat money that has
produced so many of them. has gone.
Nothing so rebounds to the benefit of
an undertaking as personal interest.
1t is apparent that the quality Of our
product will gain by such a broad
partnership. According to whatever
percentage of art is contributed to the |
finished product by the various fac
tors concerned. So will the profits
of a production be apportioned.
No established star of really stellar
repute will suffer under this revised
order of things. nor will a director
with the goods ~retrogress. We be-
lleve that we are taking the only logical
step 70 insure the future prosperity
and existence of the motion picture
industry"