Exhibitors Herald World (Jan-Mar 1929)

24 EXHIBITORS H IrRALD-WORLD January 5, 1929 Woodhull Challenges Allied to Give Stand on Admitting Chains Declares Progress of M P T 0 A Has Been "Satisfactory and Safe" in 1928 — Calls Enemy from Without Greatest Danger to Exhibitors — Urges United Front (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 2. — In an extended interview, issued on the threshold of the New Year, R. F. Woodhull issued a greeting to the members of the M P T O A, of which he is president. Woodhull commended the record of his organization and commented rather caustically on tl/e efforts of certain theatre owners to start a rival body, now accomplished under the leadership of Abram F. Myers with the Allied States Association of Motion Picture Exhibitors. $20,000 for Families Hit by Laurier Disaster (Special to the Herald-World) MONTREAL, Jan. 2.— The aggregate sum of $20,000 has been offered by the city of Montreal, without prejudice, to the families who lost children in the Laurier Palace theatre disaster here two years ago. The number of children who died in the fire and panic was 78, while the number of families affected was 66. The fund was divided pro rata. The fund means compensation of about $300 to each family, and $255 for each life. "Progress for the last year has been satisfactory and safe," he declared. "Notwithstanding differences of opinions, sparring for political position, enemies from ^.without and within, insincere, selfish and thoughless activities, all common to every growing institution, its record of accomplishments is comparable to that of any similar endeavor." He reviewed the decision at Columbus in 1927 to admit distributor-owned theatres and added: "The new structure started at Columbus is completed and is a splendid institution. It has accomplished much in protection for the theatre owners. In legislation, in solving hundreds of contractual difficulties, in the development of nationwide public goodwill, in the cooperation with governmental officials and many other constructive ways, the wisdom of adopting the new order of things has been definitely established. This organization now numbers within its membership over 7,000 theatres. Its direct point of contact with state associations and individual members, together with a contact man in each film zone, provides efficiency and quickness of action where speed is an essential." Puts Question to Allied Then he turned to the matter of the revival of Allied States: "Peering into the future, we find a few theatre owners endeavoring to start another organization. Differences of opinion will always be with us. This started with Adam and Eve and will be present on Judgment Day. It is, however, to be hoped that our gretest foe, the enemy without, will be met with an undivided front. If not, the industry will suffer and the individual will find that block-booking, contract clauses and some of the other timeworn ballyhoos are mere details to his success. Legislators, badly-advised or selfishly inclined, reformers, sincere and otherwise, have given us several close calls at Washington and State Capitols through the folly of divided ranks in the past. I hope this danger will not be increased by this new movement. This is one of the many and dangerous reasons why the constructive minds of our industry deplore the idea of two organizations. "I want to ask those interested in this new movement one direct question. Will it be the policy of their Allied States Exhibitors Association to bar all affiliated and chain theatre owners from membership and to counsel all state organizations as may join with them, to also bar from membership the chain and affiliated theatres? "If the latter is so we can simply sit back with sympathy for those who have been led to contribute and watch the new organization die of its own futility. There are more independent theatre owners in the MPTOA than there are ever likely to be drawn under the new banner. This is not a test for supremacy as a 'czar' of independent theatre owners between Mr. Myers and myself. I have never been able to visualize myself as a czar; neither can I see Mr. Myers on any such throne. I wonder also if Mr. Myers still believes in rubles and how many it would take to pay the rumored $100,000 annual salary. "I am afraid the travelling troupe will be dependent for continued support on keeping in the limelight, ignoring the proven fact that the problems of this industry can be settled within the industry through peaceful negotiations. "Let us go into the New Year firm in the conviction that we as individuals progress only as the industry thrives. Let us spread the gospel to the unbelievers. Let us rededicate ourselves to every activity that will reflect credit to our business and watch with unceasing vigilance and strongly entrenched forces, the slightest movement that will bring reproach upon it. "With these few thoughts and the realization of the responsibility that is mine as the representative of our large membership, I extend greetings and the sincere hope that the year of 1929 will be abundantly filled with health, prosperity and their attendant contentment for all in the motion picture industry." Salesman Scares Bandits (Special to the Herald-World) KANSAS CITY, Jan. 2.— When two bandits attempted to take R. R. Thompson, city salesman for Pat le exchange, for a ride, he confused them s > that they could not start their car. They fled. Problems of Sound Are Spur to Greater Efforts In 1929, Declares Mayer (Special to the Herald-World) HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2 — "The year 1928, which has brought to the screen industry some of the greatest and most sensational developments in its entire history, has also left a heritage for 1929, in the shape of many important problems that the united brains of this great industry must grapple with," declared Louis M. Mayer, vice-president, in charge of production of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer, in a New Years statement issued at the studio. "The past year has seen what is almost a revolution in the art of the screen," he continued. "Stars once silent now must talk; pictures that once appealed to the intelligence through a single sense now reach human consciousness through two instead. "A new and separate art is being formed. "Will it change the entire structure of screen drama? Some believe it will, others believe not. Some say it is a passing novelty, and others that it will supplant even the speaking stage. Who knows? "But I am sure that the spirit in which the whole industry is approaching these problems means that they will only spur us on to greater achievement, and a higher development of the great art to which all our efforts are dedicated." Warner Brothers to Change Subtitle in "Singing Fool" (Special to the Herald-World) ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2.— In answer to a protest made by several St. Louis chapters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and auxiliary organizations that a subtitle in "The Singing Fool" reflected on the honor and glory of Robert E. Lee, and held the valiant Southern leader up to ridicule, Warner Brothers in a statement agreed to discontinue this title and substitute a similar one. The title that caused the kick read, "Al Jolson has done more for Dixie than Robert E. Lee." The new title is to the effect that Jolson has done more for Dixie than any other minstrel. Don Eddy Named Publicity Director for F B O Studios (Special to the Herald-World) NEW YORK, Jan. 2.— Don Eddy, former reporter on the Los Angeles Times was appointed Director of the FBO Studios in Hollywood. Eddy is a veteran in the motion picture business. Fire Destroys Derrick (Special to the Herald-World) VIRGIL, KAN., Jan. 2.— The Derrick theatre was destroyed in a $30,000 fire, several business houses also being burned. Fire departments from surrounding villages were called. He's Santa Claus 50 Times in One Year (Special to the Herald-World) ST. LOUIS, Jan. 2. — State Senator Joseph Mogler, owner of the Mogler, Bremen and Excello theatres in North St. Louis and president of the St. Louis Motion Picture Exhibitors' League, acted as Santa Claus for 1,700 children living in the vicinity of his theatres, by passing out about $600 in new quarters in front of the Bremen bank. It was the 50th time since last January 7 that Mogler had given new coins to children who assembled at the bank. It all started as more or less of a joke last January 7, when a youngster asked him for a nickel. The following Saturday a dozen kids were on hand, and once more Mogler passed out coins. And every Saturday since that the crowds grew steadily, until the peak was reached on December 22. During the 50 weeks Mogler gave away $2,823.