The Gold Rush   1923   1924   1926   next   previous

The Gold Rush Clippings 322/363

Variety, New York, November 25, 1925.

Marcus Loew

(...) Photo, Motion Picture News, Oct. 20, 1923, detail

„While the deal is blocked“

Editorial content. „Chaplin Blocking M-G-U. A. Merger;

      Honor Agreement Between U. A. Stars

      Mary Pickford Reported Not Any Too Strongly in Favor

      of Consolidation – Chaplin Says He Stands for Open Market,

      Opposed to Any ,Trust‘ – Nathan Burkan Emphasizes

      Remarks Directed at Douglas Fairbanks in Conference –

      Marcus Loew Expected on Coast

                                                             Los Angeles, Nov. 24.

      Charlie Chaplin is temporarily blocking the contemplated

distribution merger of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer with United Artists.

      Mr. Chaplin admits it. He informed a Variety reporter

yesterday, following a conference of the parties lasting for six

hours, that he stands for an open market for pictures

and is opposed to any semblance of a ,trust.‘ Chaplin added

he feels that all exhibitors should have an opportunity

to purchase any film product.

      Chaplin is reported to have insisted at the conference

he be more fully informed concerning the intended

merger before giving his personal consent. Chaplin‘s stand,

according to the account, is that he is reinforced through

an honor agreement between the original stars of the United

Artists that they cling together as one on any business

proposition that may affect their interest.

      Marcus Loew is expected to leave New York daily,

to be here should the negotiations continue until

the time of arrival. Among those in the conferences at present

are Joe and Nick Schenck (brothers), Douglas Fairbanks,

Mary Pickford (Mrs. Fairbanks), J. Robert Rubin, attorney for

M-G-M and its secretary; Nathan Burkan, counsellor

for Chaplin; Dennis F. O‘Brien, counsellor for Mr. Fairbanks

and Mrs. Pickford, and Hiram Abrams, present head

of U. A.

      At the conference yesterday Mr. Burkan spoke

at some length, emphasizing his remarks and pointing most

of them in the direction of Fairbanks.

      Miss Pickford Expresses Opinion

      Miss Pickford is reported lukewarm on the merger.

She is said to have expressed an opinion to this effect to mutual

friends Sunday.

      Chaplin is reported of the impression that while the deal

is blocked, Mr. Fairbanks and his wife must stand with

him under the honor obligation. Chaplin‘s present attitude is

similar to the one assumed by him when Joe Schenck

was admitted into United Artists some months ago.

      The conference yesterday was held at the Pickford studio.

It has been resumed today.

      While it is the belief the merger will duly occur,

just when has now become a matter of doubt. It is not thought

Chaplin is holding out for any special terms or

advantage for himself through becoming an objector,

but wants to protect his future pictures for dull

circulation, here and abroad, without being tied to any kind

of a distributing agreement that may limit the

distribution, even though it should guarantee as full

a gross return in money as a Chaplin picture

might bring otherwise.

      That Word ,Trust‘

      In New York among those conversant with the controversy

over the U. A.-M.-G.-M. distributing merger, the word

.Trust‘ in the reported objections of Charlie Chaplin appears

to portend something more than the mere union in

distribution of Metro-Goldwyn and United Artists. The merger

in itself is an economical move, and doubtlessly

recognized as so by all associated in the deal. Variety reported

last week the merged M-G and U. A. exchanges,

through the abandonment of the U. A. exchanges, would

effect an immediate actual saving of 41,000,000

annually  in operating expense alone.

      Marcus Loew said Monday when asked if he intended

to go to the Coast, that he expected to but would give

no reason nor time of departure. Nick Schenck, of Loew‘s, has

been representing the Loew end, also Metro-Goldwyn,

together with J. Robert Rubin, the attorney.

      Just wether the employment of ,Trust‘ in the Chaplin talk

indicate a belief that the M-G-M-U. A. merger is but

a preliminary to a juncture at some definite time of that

combination with Famous Players is something

the New Yorkers are not prepared to talk of with authority.

They appear to feel there is a drift toward an idea

of that sort. That again brings up the matter of ,The Big Three,‘

including Famous, M-G and First National.“ (...)

Redaktioneller Inhalt

 The Gold Rush   1923   1924   1926   next   previous