The New York herald., 1922-10-24
"FirSt National"
Changes Rumored;
Lasky Men Quit
Richard A. Rowland to Head
Former With New Policy,
Is Report.

Change and rumors os change were
rife in the film world yesterday. The
most interesting report was that OF an
impending shakeup of widespread pro-
portions In Associated First National
Pictures, Inc. popularity known as
First National" which controls a
large proportion of the film theaters.
1t was expected at the annual meet
ing OF directors at West Forty
eighth street yesterday that Richard a
Rowland would be elected president. A
movement has been OH foot for some
time to put him in control. But after
the meeting no information could be OBJ
tanned as to whether athe change had
been made.
Hitherto First National has been pri-
n-arily distributing channel for the
product OF its members. Hereafter it is
intended to have the parent organization
produce for itself. under Rowland's di-
rection. thus bringing it into complete
competition with Famous Players
Lasky, Goldwyn and Universal which
make as we'll as market films. -Four
producing companies are to be formed
The object is to develop new screen
talent and keep the numerous First Ma
tional theaters supplied with a steady
stream of pictures, thus diminishing the
number of films that holders of First
National franchises will have to buy IN
the open market. The proposed new
policy is an outgrowth of the recent fail
ure 10 merge with Goldwyn.
Rowland is a comparatively recent
acquisition by First National He went
{, that organization from Metro, which
he founded. He resigned from the pres
ieency of Metro after Marcus Loew
bought control to insure constant sup
| ply of pictures for his theaters.
The members of the board who
attended the meeting yesterday were
Robert Leber of indianapolis, presi-
dent; Harry o. Schwalbe of Philadel
phia. secretary treasurer; Col. Fred
Levy, Louisville n. III. Gordon. Boston !;
! j. b. Clark, Pittsburgh A. III. Blank
| Des Moines; Moe Mark New York /;
Samuel Katz. Chicago; Il. V. Richards
Jr., New Orleans, and j. II. Rubin. Min
neapolis. In case of a reorganization
it is understood that j. d. Williams,
manager of First National, who has been
a moving figure in the development OF
that company, will leave and form an
| organization of his own
a shift also is in process in two inn
! portant posts of Famous Payers-La sky.
AT the local offices, 4S5 Fifth avenue.
confirmation was obtained yesterday
that designations had been received from
Frank Wood. in charge of the supervis-
! ing directors in the Hollywood plant,
and Thompson Buchanan. one of the
supervising directors, who came pre-
viously from Goldwyn. Buchanan is
well known as a playwright, having
written "A Woman's Way" 'The Cub"
| Civilian Clothes" and the forthcoming
oliver Morosco comedy. "The. Sporting
| Thing To Do His resignation is to
take effect Immediately. while that Of
/ Wood is dated November q. They are
to form producing company of their
own. it is reported. One of these posts
is likely to be filled by Ralph Block.
former associated editor of Goldwyn
| He has just gone West after becoming
affiliated with Famous Players-Lasky.
Robert G. Vignola. leading director for
| Cosmopolitan Productions. will sail soo.l
on five months trip around the world.
after which, 1t is reported, he will not
return to Cosmopolitan. lie directed
When Knighthood was in Flower