Exhibitors Herald (1927)

28 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 2, 1927 Detrimental Bills Die In Three Legislatures Just Closed Fate of Missouri Tax Measure to Be Decided in JVeek — Hearings Soon on W isconsin Censorship Proposal The motion picture industry won out over detrimental bills in practically all instances in the activities of three state legislatures which have adjourned within the past fortnight. These are Kansas, New York and Oklahoma. In two other states, Missouri and Wisconsin, inimical measures are before the legislators; for early action, with the result still undetermined. In Missouri the fate of Governor Baker’s 10 per cent amusement tax bill will be decided within a week. In Wisconsin the public is being informed of the injustice of a censorship measure which comes up for a public hearing soon. Following is a resume of the decisions or issues before the legislators: Kansas — Five measures detrimental to exhibitors were killed in the session just closed, thanks to President R. R. Biechele of the M. P. T. O. Kansas-Missouri, and the only regret is that the bill creating local option to legalize shows was killed. The five detrimental measures which were killed included two affecting the censor board, one allowing each county to censor its own films, the other decreasing the personnel of the state board from three to one ; another bill would have compelled the board to pass on posters, slides and all accessories ; others would have allowed the state fire marshal to inspect all booths and make a charge and designate equipment. New York Censor Repeal Dies New York — Every bill of particular interest to the industry failed to become law in the session which closed Friday. One loss to exhibitors was the killing in committee of three bills for the repeal of censorship. Had a repeal bill been voted Governor Smith unquestionably would have signed it. Other bills which died in committee included the Cuvillier measure prohibiting sales of tickets any place other than at the box office, or resale at a higher price ; Wales, making it a misdemeanor to assist any child under 16 in gaining admission to a theatre: Greenberg, placing under the workmen’s compensation law all employes of studios receiving not more than $100 a week ; Ryan, requiring fire drills twice a month, and the Coughlin bill barring higher admissions on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Oklahoma Sunday Bill Averted Oklahoma — The legislature adjourned without passing the Sunday closing bill offered by Representative Faulk. The failure of passage is largely due to Allen Street, one of the owners of the Orpheum, Liberty and Empress theatres at Oklahoma City. Wisconsin — A bill proposing censorship be conferred upon chiefs of police and \illage marshals will come before the assembly public welfare committee for a public hearing soon. Assemblyman Theodore Swanson of Ellsworth is the originator of the bill, which would grant a city or village the power to force a firm to obtain a permit before showing any picture in a theatre or elsewhere. Another clause provides that any city adopting such ordinance may provide for an unpaid committee of citizens to assist the chief of police irv enforcement. National Screen* s Two Reel Vaudeville Special Shows in Many Houses (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, March 29.— On the screens of vaudeville theatres from Coast to Coast during the week ending March 19 was shown the historical story in cinema form of vaudeville over the period of its first century. This interesting subject which becomes a permanent pictorial record of each vaudeville theatre is 1925 feet in length and is captioned “One Hundred Years of Progress.’’ It traces the growth of the industry known as vaudeville from its humble beginnings in the old Lafayette theatre. New York — through the era when it was known as variety to its present importance. The subject shows contracts between theatres of several decades ago and the modern vaudeville palace — the antiquated, uncomfortable dressing rooms of the past as compared to the beautiful dressing rooms of the present theatres. U. S. Will Study Rembusch Attack Upon Hays Body (Washington Bureau of the Herald) WASHINGTON, March 29.— Full investigation of the charges made against the M. P. P. D. A. by Frank J. Rembusch, president of the M. P. T. O. of Indiana, was promised Sunday by Assistant Attorney General Donovan, following a conference with Rembusch at the Department of Justice. Rembusch visited Washington at the invitation of the department, to enlarge upon the allegations made in his letter of complaint some weeks ago, in which the Hays organization was charged with the adoption of trust methods. Mr. Rembusch declared the activities of the organization was so arranged as to drive from the field the independent producer, distributor and exhibitor, and specifically arraigned the uniform contract, block booking and arbitration. It is understood that Rembusch laid before Assistant Attorney General Donovan more specific information regarding his allegations than was contained in his letter. It was explained to him by Donovan that it would be necessary to have definite evidence of violation of the anti-trust laws before prosecution could be brought, but promised that his charges would be thoroughly studied and preliminary investigations would be made to determine whether there was sufficient basis for further action. Golf and Oyster Roast Head Entertainment at Engineers* Convention ( special to the Herald) NORFOLK, VA., March 29.— W. C. Kunzman, chairman of the arrangements for the spring meeting of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers to be held here at the Hotel Monticello April 25 to 28, announces a splendid social and business program is planned. In addition to a number of features specially prepared for the women, there will be a golf tournament and oyster roast at Virginia Beach. Twenty-nine papers already have been sent in and a full list will be given out at a later date. The industry in all its branches is beginning to come to a better realization of the importance of the conventions of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. Gibson Can*t Get Terms So He*ll Leave Universal (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, March 29. — “Hoot” Gibson who has been with Universal seven years leaves that organization in October. Gibson states he is dissatisfied with the treatment accorded him by Universal executives and refused to re-sign a new contract after several conferences between Carl Laemmle and Gibson’s attorney Sam Wolf. Beaudine Will Direct Kerry in Universal Film (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Mar. 29.— William Beaudine will direct Norman Kerry in “Too Many Women” for LTniversal. William Craft has been signed by Universal to direct “Patents Pending.” Can*t Standardize Film Advertising, CochraneTells Students in Harvard Course Reduction to Rules Would Bring Rude Awakening, Vice President of Universal Declares — Defends Hokum as Legitimate (Special to CAMBRIDGE, MASS., March 29.— Advertising of motion pictures is no more amenable to standardizing than are the pictures themselves, R. H. Cochrane, vice-president of Universal, declared in his address on the Harvard motion picture lecture course. “The man who feels he has the business of motion picture advertising, publicity and exploitation reduced to rules is due for a rude awak-. ening,” he declared. Mr. Cochrane said that appeal is the criterion of whether advertising is successful or not, and that some people are certain to disagree with the superlatives the Herald) employed, though the truth is not violated. He declared hokum is a legitimate term with a legitimate purpose. Joseph P. Kennedy, president of F. B. O., who sponsored the course, said the industry should be chiefly concerned with the business done by pictures in the small towns and suburbs, rather than the first-runs in the big centers. The Christian Science Monitor quotes Mr. Kennedy as forecasting introduction into the industry of a number of men of such calibre as to lend strong influence in the elevating of standards as a result of the lecture course.