Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1924)

Page 24 Exhibitors Trade Review EDITORIAL PAGE The Exhibitor at Buffalo THOE annual convention of the Theatre 0"SA^ners of New York State at Buffalo next Aveek completes an even dozen years of usefulness as an organization to the exhibitors of the Empire State. It is worthy of note, too, that when President ^Villiam Brandt raps for order on Tuesday he Avill be faced by a united body, one representative of the entire state. The first president of the state organization was Samuel H. Trigger, a rugged and picturesque character who before assuming the executive chair of the state body had for years been the leader of the Xew York City organization. It was Mr. Trigger Avho in 1906 at 110th street and Fifth avenue erected the first local stmcture intended exclusivelj^ for a motion picture theatre. He began operations with four bare walls and built up a fully equipped house. At that time there were about 1200 picture houses in the state, mostly store shows, as they Avere called. Proportionately there are not so many more theatres today, but what a difference in the total number of seats for the accommodation of the public! In view of the safeguards thrown about the projection of motion pictures today by theatre owners as well as the authorities it is interesting to observe that perhaps the leading cause for the formation of the state organization in 1912, the impelling motive, as it were, was the action compelling exhibitors to expend from $150 to $300 on asbestos booths. ]Mr. Trigger is authority for the statement that the first association was tentatively formed at a midnight gathering of a dozen exhibitors and that the presidency was offered to Marcus Loew, who declined. * * * IX the course of the twelve years of its activities the Exhibitors League of the state and its successor, the Theatre Owners, has done substantial service. It has combated reformers inside of legislative halls and outside of them. It has made possible the opening of the theatres of the state on Sunday. It has through statutory enactment abolished the worst evils that surrounded the deposit system. It held off for years the encroachments of the censorship protagonists. It instituted and carried through with the distributors a uniform contract agTeement. It initiated the successful campaign for the reduction of liability insurance from 22 cents to 12. It has established the policy of sitting around the table Avith other divisions of the industry, even if it does not always agree Avith those on the opposite side. It has established and maintained for consecutiA^e years a state headquarters through Avhich genuine serA^ce AA^as given its members. It has done countless things, many of AAdiich alone aa^ouM have been of sufficient importance to justify its organization and continued maintenance. President Brandt and his administration may feel a bit disappointed if there are no appearances registered by those representatiA^es of the two national groups to AA^hom iuA^tations A\^ere extended. But it is one of those matters AA^hich ^vi\\ "all come out in the AA^ash," and so AA'ill the question of unified national organization. It is bound to come, in its OAvn good time. We bespeak for the unterrified exhibitors of the Empire State a harmonious and a successfu. conA^ention. * * * A Good Job THERE is ground for comment out of th(i ordinary in the quick reorganization and refinancing by B. P. Schulberg and J. G. Bachmann, the principal factors in the ncAA'ly formed B. P. Schulberg Productions. Before a month had passed folloAA'ing the announcement of the appointment of a receivership in equity cameras are turning on the first production to be released by the ncAV concern. While the quick rebound Avill occasion no surprise among those who kncAv the fibre entering into the make-up of these tAA^o young men ncA^ertheless it is cause for congratulation that the obstacle should be so quicldy surmounted and that the industry AA^ill haA^e preserA^ed to it a company AA^hich giA'es CA'ery promise of a successful career. In the tAA^o years these men haA^e been both producing and releasing as independents they have scored some notable successes. That they have been able so quickly and effectiA^ely to re-establish themseh^es reflects the confidence reposed in them and in their AA'ork by the substantial exchangemen Avh5 have continued right along Avith them.