Picture Play Magazine (Sep 1923 - Feb 1924)

What the Fans Think Is This the Situation in Your Town? I THINK the best article I ever have read in a motion-picture publication was Agnes Smith's "Shopping for Pictures," in the July Picture-Play. I honestly believe that a good many of the producers and' exhibitors are giving the fans a raw deal all around1. In Chicago, conditions are deplorable ; it is almost impossible for a so-called independent picture to secure a good downtown showing. Five years ago there were about a dozen small first-run theaters in the business section of the city, and we managed to see all of the worth-while features that were released. To-day we have three great theaters of the "palatial" type, each seating several thousand, and all under absolute control of three great motion-picture corporations. One shows Paramounts exclusively ; another gives preference to First Nationals and fills in with an occasional Metro or Goldwyn ; while the third is a long-run house, owned by Goldwyn, and leased to a First. National firm. In order to secure a showing for his picture, Carl Laemmle of Universal was forced to lease the Randolph, one of the smaller theaters. The management of the Randolph has been very fair in the way of giving an occasional independent picture a chance for its life. The merits of pictures seem to cut no figure with the combinations in control of Chicago first runs. The adverse criticisms of the reviewers and the protests of the fans are ignored. For months such a fine picture as "Down to the Sea in Ships" has practically been barred from the best screens in Chicago, and the latest insult to the fans of this city is the forcing of Harold Lloyd's "Safety Last" into a small theater located more than a mile away from the path of downtown travel. "Doctor Jack" was treated almost as badly, being shown in a second-run Paramount theater, while the larger theaters were entertaining us with some of the most ordinary pictures I have ever looked at. Mack Sennett has always been one of Chicago's favorite producers, but since he has joined the United Artists, he has been treated just like Lloyd, Ray, and the other independents. The neighborhood theater owners follow in the footsteps of the big downtown exhibitors. Chicago has the most wonderful neighborhood theaters in the world, but most of them are tied up with one of the big distributing firms, and fill in their remaining dates with mediocre pictures, which. I take it. is in order to offset what they may lose on some of their poor contract pictures. The owner of the smaller theater can be reached, however, because just as soon as he sees a line-up in front of a theater a block or two away he looks over his own half-filled house and immediately begins to sweat blood. An exhibitor of my acquaintance deliberately refused to show "Way Down East," "Over the Hill," "The Three Musketeers," "Little Lord Fauntleroy," and several other fine features that were current along about the same time. A wise theatrical man. just one block away saw his opportunity and put a losing theater back on its feet again. The fans can apply the remedy if they wish to. Will they do it? John D. Cahill. 2101 West Monroe Street, Chicago, 111. Praise for Johnny Hines. I have read the magazine and "What the Fans Think" in your last issue and there is one great actor which no one mentions — Johnny Hines. I think he is a wonderfully great actor and he has cute ways. The first picture I saw of him was "Burn 'Em Up Barnes," and from then until the end of the world he will be my favorite. Grace Cowan. 808 South Ozark, Girard, Kan. Don't Depend on Past Successes. Am I a fan ? Yes! A good movie unquestionably is more inspiring and satisfactory entertainment than the average spoken drama ; mostly because of its tremendous scope and possibilities, but the pang of a poor one is pitiful; it's the most nerve-wracking and disconcerting thing in the world to have to sit through. A fan "gets stung" — all apologies for slang — because he has seen certain stars in commendable plays ; he has seen them really act, and he is ever hopeful that their next picture will be as good. But one can't always depend upon laurels of the past, nor will "face value" hold up long under continued scrutiny. If you have enjoyed Norma Talmadge a few times, be thankful. If Elsie Ferguson fascinated you for a while — let it go at that. If you have laughed with Charlie Chaplin, be content, lest your laughter finally pain you and the smile sickens on your lips. You were fortunate in having seen May McAvoy's Grizel. Don't expect to see her in so sweet and appealing a role again. You'll save money on all future Salomes, having on e squandered it on Nazimova's great effort. "When Knighthood Was in Flower" was a good investment, but don't be tempted to play that market again — it fluctuates unaccountably. Two "Robin Hoods" would be disastrous and a little of Mary Pickford goes a long way for most adults. Why punish yourself a second time by sitting through an Agnes Ayres producContinued on page 12