Exhibitors Herald (Jan-Mar 1920)

March 20, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 "Big Six" Considers Five Propositions Decision as to Distribution Will Be Made This Week Says J. Parker Read (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 9— The Associated Producers are still negotiating on several propositions which have been presented. As yet no decision as to the plan of distribution has been decided and it is unlikely that any decision will be reached for several days. Five Propositions Made The following are among those who have submitted propositions: First National Exhibitors Circuit, Inc., Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. United Artists Distributing Corporation, William Randolph Hearst, and the Associated Theatres, Inc. "During the past week our negotiations have progressed to a point at which from present indications, I expect an announcement will be made within a few days." declared J. Parker Read. Jr.. business manager of the "Big Six." "Several distributing plans are under consideration and each plan is being carefully analyzed with a view of effecting a final arrangement w^hich will insure to exhibitors our product on a thoroughly equitable basis." Producers Are In Harmony Inquiry at the producers' headquarters reveals that all is amicable among the several directors concerned in the combination and that at the present time, no individual connections are being considered. Allan Dwan Nails "Malicious Rumor" (Special to Exhibitors Herald) HOLLYWOOD. CAL., March 9— Allan Dwan emphatically denied today that there is any dissension in the ranks of the ''Big Six." "There is no misunderstanding between J. Parker Read and myself," said Allan Dwan. "Any rumors are erroneous and malicious. The Associated Producers respect the business judgment of Mr. Read." Bathing Girls Arouse Demand for Censorship MARSHFIELD. ORE.— The appearance here of a troupe of bathing girls in conjunction with a motion picture show aroused the ire of church members, who appeared before the city council with the request that a censorship board to control the showing of motion pictures be established. The council, however, said that the creation of such a board would require an expenditure that could not be afforded at the present time. Judge Rules Kokomo Theatres Are Exempt From Sunday Closing Law Holds That Exhibitors Are Engaged in "Publication and Distribution of News"— Decision Paves Way for General Attack on Blue Laws INDIANAPOLIS, IND., March 9. — Holding that motion picture exhibitors "come within the exception of the statute exempting those persons from prosecution who are engaged in the publication and distribution of news," Clarence H. Willis, judge of the city court of Kokomo, Ind., dealt a strong blow to the prosecution of exhibitors of that city, on charges of desecrating the Sabbath. The decision is the more interesting because of the fact that exhibitors in almost every city in Indiana have been prosecuted on the same score, and in many instances have been forced to abandon Sunday operations. Statute Is Sixty-Five Years Old The statute under which the exhibitors were brought to book, Judge Willis said, is sixty-five years old and is obsolete in many respects. He announced that he was not attempting to decide the legality of operating motion picture theatres in all communities, but was deciding the case on the law and evidence as they apply to Kokomo. Resolve: No Sunday Pictures in Canisteo CANISTEO, N. Y.— The village board, following a recent Sunday showing of pictures by Glenn S. Roe, passed this resolution: "Resolved, That the village trustees of Canisteo. N. Y., refuse permission for the holding of Sunday moving picture shows within the village." "The motion picture shows as now operated," he held, "are engaged to a certain extent in the distribution of local, state and national news and there is a reasonable doubt as to whether or not the operators of motion picture shows come within the excepception of the statute exempting those persons from prosecution who are engaged in the publication and distribution of news." Ministers Refuse Compromise The ministers of Kokomo, preceding the decision of the court, rejected all compromise offers made by the exhibitors. The latter offered, for instance, to operate only between the hours of 1 and 7 o'clock on Sundays; to advertise on their screens the evening programs of all Kokomo churches and urge attendance, and to have the ministers deliver ten-minute talks during the afternoon in all of the theatres. The ministers refused this offer and were then met by the court decision. The decision, if upheld by the higher courts of the state, is expected to open up a campaign throughout the United States to defeat the "Blue Laws" which have withstood other legal tests for vears. Exhibitors in other cities of Indiana are preparing for similar attacks on the -tate law in their local courts. News Reels Pave the Way The general use of the "news reels" is regarded as the means through which Sunday performances can be legalized throughout the state. Exhibitors carrying news reels on the programs, as well as scenics and educational pictures of various natures, it is contended, are "engaged in the miblication and distribution of news." 350 Exhibitors Are At Utica Convention For Opening Session ALBANY, N. Y., March 9.— Exhibitors from all parts of the state arrived here yesterday to attend the convention of the New York State Motion Picture Exhibitors League. A delegation of thirtv theatre men from Brooklyn and eighty-nine from the Albany territory helped to swell the crowd to three hundred and fifty. Sixteen distributing companies are represented also. Louis Buetiiner delivered the address of welcome at noon, Monday. Mayor James O'Connor of Utica also attended the opening session. Among those present are: Eugene Roder, Utica; \Vm. Beerstein, Albany; James J. B. Berman. Brooklyn, N. Y. ; \V. Stephen Bush. Xew York; W. A. Dillon, Ithaca; J. C. Ellis, Alexandria Bay: Sydney S. Cohen, N. Y. ; George W. Jackson. Elmira ; W. J. McFarland. Xew York; C. A. McCarthy, Hoosick Fall; H. S. Manus. Brooklyn; Charles L. O'Reilley. Xew York; Sam. SHickno, Albany; J. M. Saliards, Rochester; W. J. Schatt, Gowanda ; Sam. Spedon, New York; Wm. A. Johnston, New York; Tom Hamlin. Xew York; Lesley Mason. Xew York: Adam Tennis, Norwich: Morris Needles. Xew York; Gus Kolnigswald. Xew York; William Helkermeier. Brooklyn; Charles Steiner, New York: A. Stackhammer. New York; Myron Pagan. Yonkers; X'. Greenslade. Xew Rochelle: Tom Daniels, Hastings: James Beecroft. of Exhibitors Herald. Xew York. The convention will close Wednesday evening. A banquet is to be held this evening at the Hotel Martin, and following the session on Wednesday, at which censorship matters will be taken up, the meeting will adjourn. A ball is to be held Wednesday evening, for which two hundred and fifty tickets have been sold, at the Hotel Martin. Paramount Purchases Three Frisco Houses According to Report SAX FRANCISCO.— Reports current here indicate that the Famous PlayersLasky Corporation has purchased the California, Imperial and Portoia theatres, three of the leading picture playhouses here. According to information received, the deal was consummated by H. D. N. Connick. Three million dollars were said to be involved. Herbert Rothchild, president of Market Street Realty Company, denies the report of the sale. It is known, however, that Mr. Connick has been in the city for several days, and has been in conference with the heads of the theatres named.