The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

rjIRAM ABRA MS, president of United Artists Corporation, who passed from among us this week, will be missed. IIJIS was a rare combination of qualities, a keen vision, boundless initiative, and a winsome, sturdiness of character which endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Wl ITH executive and organizing ability of the highest order and an enthusiasm and an idealism which carried all before them, he was one of the really great ones which this industry has produced, a true pioneer. by the way Hiram Abrams Will Be Missed Two Notable New Records Made On Broadway During Past Week N. Y. State Motion Picture Director Who Takes Office Jan. 1, 1927 Should Know Industry's Problems Will H. Hays, Guiding Genius, Of Presbyterian Church 's Drive For $15,000,000 Pension Fund pj EREAFTER T i m e s Square will doubtless be known as "The World's Crossroads," among the knowing ones, with the wonderful new home of Paramount pictures at its exact center furnishing the dominant architectural note. T F there is goin to be any controversy over the suggestion, we shall be glad to hear from the hick districts before taking the matter up with Mayor "Jimmy" Walker and the Citv Fathers. H E has gone from us, at a time, "where manhood's morning almost touches noon, and while the shadows still were falling toward the West," just as he saw a greater success, perhaps, than even he had dreamed of, about to crown his efforts. T N his conception and ideals, as to what was best for . the progress and development of the film industry, 'Hiram Abrams was generally a step ahead of most, and like all who strive to bring new ideas or novel methods into common usage, he must have had many a trial and manv a heartache, • HIS final achievement, the great group of stellar and producing talent now gathered under the standard of United Artists Corporation, is sufficient to secure his fame for all time in motion picture history. • BUT for all his record of accomplishment, it is for his gentle and never-failing tact and kindliness, the spirit of loyalty and sincerity that animated his being and formed the well-spring of his character and impressed itself upon the lives of all around him, by which those who knew him, w-ill remember him best. • pjIRAM ABRAMS will be missed— by his company as ^ magnetic and efficient executive and by the industry at large as a useful, forward-looking and constructive personality— but most of all he will be missed — as a friend. • THE week just past saw two notable new records made on Broadway, one, when "The Big Parade," somewhat in advance of its year's run at the Astor, which, bv the way, was completed Nov. 18, passed the million dollar mark at the box office, the first time that any screen production anywhere has reached this amazing figure on a consecutive run. THE other record to be broken was at the Rialto, where the first week's intake of Harold Lloyd's "For Heaven's Sake," which previously held the record at this house, was topped by "We're In The Navy Now," Paramount's outstanding success so far this season, by several hundred dollars. BOTH records are a fitting*ontribution to the "Give A Thought To Broadway" movement, celebrated Nov. 18 19 and 20, with the opening of the great Paramount Theatre on Nov 19, as the apex of the ceremonies glorifying the Main Stem. TpHE possibility that John H. Walrath, former Mayor of Syracuse, and present Chairman of the State Motion Picture Commission, which is to be abolished Jan. 1, 1927, may be appointed the new motion picture director for New York State, is distinctly gratifying to those, who have had occasion to observe the efficient and intelligent functioning of the censorship board under Mr. Walrath's able direction. . • . "VXiTHILE we do not believe in censorship of any kind, either in principle or practice, as long as it is the law of the State it must be observed, and it is well to have the law administered by a man as intelligent and liberal in his views, as Mr. Walrath has shown himself to be since his connection with the present board. • A FTER Jan. 1, 1927, the official censorship of motion pictures will be carried on by a bureau in the Department of Education, as provided under the reorganization law passed last year, so it is of the utmost importance to all in the industry that a man, at least friendly to motion pictures and sufficiently familiar with film problems to administer his position wisely, be appointed to the newpost, the more so as his responsibilities and powers will be coniderably greater than those now possessed by the present Motion Picture Commission. • CUCH a man we believe Mr. Walrath to be, and his appointment should be a welcome one to all well wishwishers of the motion picture. • . "\X7'ILL H. HAYS, according to newspaper announcements, is Chairman of the Laymen's Committee of the Presbyterian Church is organizing a campaign for a $15,000,000 fund to provide service pensions and compensation for the Presbytery's aged and disabled ministers. • A WORTHY and eminently desirable object, and one which we make no doubt will be fully successful under General Hays' able direction. • npHERE may be a thought in this for some of us in this industry, when the time comes for us to get together a fund of ovir own for the sick and needy of the motion picture business. • AT least we will know' exactly where to find the man. "^who can put the campaign over when the time comes with sure success.