Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1919)

EXHIBITORS HERALD WILLIAM DESMOND IN "THE BLUE BANDANNA" Three scenes from the current Robertson-Cole production in which Desmond takes the part of a New York millionaire who goes West in search of health and finds romance and plenty of thrills. Exhibitors Organize to Exclude Advertising From Their Screens New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Theatre Owners Head Movement to Curtail ' 'Objectionable Advertising Films and Inserts" With an announced purpose of protecting the screen of the theatre "against its common abuse by the display of objectionable advertising films and advertising inserts," exhibitors of New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio are fostering a new national exhibitors' organization, with Fred J. Herrington as field organizer. Up to date, it is announced, state and city organizations in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, Iowa, North and Soutn Dakota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois have been enlisted. Committee Is Announced The details of the plan are being perfected and an announcement will be made shortly by the committee composed of the following: Sydney S. Cohen, Sam I. Herman, Chas. O'Reilly, New York. Fred J. Herrington, Pennsylvania. Sam Bullock, W. J. Slimm, H. H. Lustig, Ohio. King Perry, Peter J. Jeup, Michigan. The committee h^s sent out a general announcement to exhibitors throughout the country asking them to refrain from signing any contract which will permit industrial films, advertising films, or advertising inserts being shown upon their screens. Eliminates Advertising Films The movement is declared to be in no sense a destructive one; it is intended to be constructive. The purpose is to eliminate many objectionable advertising films and inserts that have been deliberately placed upon the screen of the exhibitor without his knowledge until they had been run and considered part of his show. \ Sydney S. Cohen of the New York State League has been appointed temporary chairman of the committee and Sam Bullock "of Cleveland, secretary. Herrington was in Chicago November 24 on field work for the organization. To Public "The Suspect" Vitagraph will publish one more Anita Stewart feature before the end of the year, "The Suspect." It was written by H. W. J. Dam, and the scenario made by S. Rankin Drew, who was killed in France during the recent war, and who was a son of Sidney Drew, Vitagraph star, who died recently. Film Aids Charitable Campaign in Cleveland One of the factors included in the drive for funds which is an annual event in Cleveland, O., the Community Chest Drive, which was held during the week of November 18, was a two reel motion picture made for the occasion by the Argus Enterprises. Robert McLaughlin wrote the story of the film, which centers about the three allegorical characters, Faith, Hope and Charity; and "The Greatest of These'' was the name aptly chosen. It was exhibited at every motion picture theatre in Cleveland during the week of the campaign. Foreign Rights Sold The International Variety and Theatrical Agency has purchased "A White Man's Chance" and "A Joyous Liar," Robert Brunton productions featuring J. Warren Kerrigan, and "The Blue Bonnet," starring Billie Rhodes, for China, Tndia, Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlement, the Dutch East Indies and South Africa. Myron Selznick Creates Talk By Erecting Mysterious Sign Is Myron Selznick unknown star on XEW YORK about to spring Broadway? Speculation was aroused and much interest was evoked among the many sidewalk sightseers and Broadway professional folk who stood and watched a handsome and impressive electric sign which had sprung up overnight at the corner of Broadway and 46th Street. It read, "Gloria Dawn," in flickering blue and amber lights, and is coupled with a sign bearing the Selznick mark. Sign Three Stories High The sign is more than three stories in height, almost square, and looks as if it were built there to stay. Various surmises on the part of picture fans as to 75 the possible meaning of the sign agreed on one thing — they did not know what it was all about but it looked as if Myron Selznick had another surprise to ,-pring on the public. Is Real Broadway Mystery When Myron Selznick announced a year in advance that he was going to star Zena Keefe, it was admittedly an unusual and daring experiment in star making. But to spring Gloria Dawn, a "Dark Horse" totally unannounced on the wisest and most critical show street in the world, is a stunt worth watching. However, Myron Selznick is not talking, and the real story of Miss Gloria Dawn must wait until next week. It looks, though, as if a sixth star was about to be added to the distinguished group of Selznick luminaries.