Camera (June 1920 - May 1922)

CAMERA! "The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry Page Five C ■amera ! s The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry DEVOTED TO THE NEWS OF THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY LOLA B. ROBBINS AND RAYMOND CANNON, PUBLISHERS Entered as second class matter, August 11, 1918, at the postoffice at Los Angeles, Cal., under act of March 3, 1879. = Raymond Cannon Managing Editor Scott Macnicoll Adv. Manager g ^ H Fanchon Royer Editor Ora Brook Circulation Manager g g Price 10 cents per copy, $2.00 per year in Los A ngeles County. Outside Zone One, $2.50 per year g jg H Edited and printed on Saturday afternoon of each week at 4513 Sunset Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California. (Holly 1539.) g == Hili iiifiiiiiiiii iiiii liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiniiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiHiiiiH Vol. Ill SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1920 iiiiniiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin No. 10 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CO-OPERATES WITH THE INDUSTRY That the differences which have so long occasioned an under current of strife between the city of Los Angeles, including its social and business interests, and the motion picture industry might be analyzed and some method of satisfactory settlement decided upon, a meeting was called by the Chamber of Commerce of the city, of motion picture producers, business men and press Friday the 18th, at noon. After a luncheon, which was served in the directors’ room of the chamber, the present conditions were considered from several different angles. The informal discussion was preluded with an explanatory talk by the president of the Chamber to the picture interests. In it he pointed out the fallacy of the statement, at one time circulated, to the effect that his organization was not cordial in its attitude toward the profession. Thereafter, upon the invitation of the chair, Mr. Loeb, attorney for Louis B. Mayer, and other big producers, opened for the picture interests by explaining the prejudice of the city socially and commercially with regard to the industry, as he has heard it from members of the latter. He declined to substantiate his statements from personal observation, however. A talk by Mr. Anger of the Capitol followed, in which he laid particular stress upon the unfair manner in which the newspapers have long accented misdemeanors, and alleged misdemeanors, of film people. He explained how such undesirable publicity has been greatly responsible for the rancor between classes here. Mr. Abraham Lehr suggested that the Chamber of Commerce might beneficially encourage the press to give credit where it is due and not generalize to such an extent in its recordance of such unfortunate occurrences. Other angles, such as discrimination of city assessors against studio property, were set forth. Investigation of general conditions was invited. Altogether, the spirit displayed by all representatives in question was highly commendable, and much may be expected as a result. Co-operation between these classes is as pleasant a contemplation as it is novel. Only by using it can accomplishment of any note be effected. THE MOTION PICTURE PEOPLE’S CHURCH Out at the Lasky studio there is a minister of the gospel acting in the capacity of technical director for William D. Taylor in the latter’s production of “The Furnace,” by Pan. Nor is the clergyman in question one who has changed his profession in response to the lure of the cinema. He is in fact, no other than the Reverend Neal Dodd of the Motion Picture People’s Church, and his temporary studio work is being done in addition to his regular duties. He is staging, costuming, etc., a large English wedding which will form an elaborate episode in the production. The noteworthy point in connection with the above, is the spirit displayed by this man Avho is big enough to realize that religion, contrary to general ministerial belief, as we have known it, has a place for the theatrical man. For several years, Reverend Dodd has quietly carried on his work among the studios, fii'm in his conviction that his field was as woi’thy as any other, and that time would more than accomplish his plan to move his flock out of the Little Church Around the Corner, and into the new building which will house the Motion Picture People’s Church. His idea has been as large as his feeling for the industry, but it is today nearing fulfillment. Upon the completion of his work with Lasky, Mr. Dodd will bend his spare time effort to the organization and progress of a campaign for the collection of the funds necessary to finish the project. In appreciation the profession will “see him through.” As recent city controversies clearly show, the industry has not been treated cordially by Los Angeles churches in the majority of cases. This has been the result of prejudice, honest and otherwise. No wonder that our “holier” brethren have been little annoyed by our attentions. Always, however, Ave have been able to turn for instant contrast to Rev. Dodd, who has been consistently at the disposal of the profession. Not only will our regard for him be proven by the outcome of this drive, but Ave will accomplish in the establishment of such a church a monument symbolizing our recognition of the birthright of every human — honest belief.