Exhibitors Herald (Oct-Dec 1920)

October 16, 1920 EXHIBITORS HERALD Taboo All "Steam Roller" Tactics at Ohio Meeting Harding and Cox Are Invited to Attend Convention of Independent Exhibitors to be Held at Cincinnati October 7 and 8 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) CINCINNATI, O., Oct. 5. — Leaders in the movement to organize the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Southern Ohio have sent out a warning that "steam roller tactics will not be tolerated" at the convention here on October 7 and 8. In issuing this warning, which was a part of the call sent to "independent theatre owners only," the temporary officials of the organization declared that "your voice means and counts as much as anybody's ; the small exhibitor will be given just as much consideration as the 'big fellow.' " Harding and Cox Are Invited Samuel I. Berman. personal representative of Sydney S. Cohen, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, will attend the convention in the interest of the national as well as the local organization. Governor Cox of Ohio, Democratic nominee for president, and Senator Harding of this state. Republican presidential candidate, have been invited to attend. The purpose of the Cincinnati convention is to perfect in this state a strong exhibitor organization for affiliation with the national body. A temporary organization was formed at a meeting at the Gibson hotel on September 21, when I. W. MacMahan was named chairman to conduct the pre-convention activities. Work for Big Attendance That as many of the exhibitors of the state as possible will be present so that the organization formed will be representative and assured of the united strength of all, Fred S. Meyer, chairman of the publicity committee, has kept a flood of notices going through the mails. • "We have made the first move," he says in one piece of literature sent out. "and now it's up to all of you to help perfect this organization. There's going Congratulations From Distributor The following telegram from W. W. Hodkinson, president of W. W. Hodkinson Corporation, was read to the exhibitors attending the semi-annual convention of the Kansas State Exhibitors' Association, Inc.: "I congratulate the independent exhibitors of your state on getting together for the purpose of asserting and preserving the just rights of the exhibition field. "Our organization is entirely independent of producer control. It aims to serve the exhibitor by giving him pictures which must be sold on their individual merits and not because they happen to be on any particular program. "My organization does not intend to enter the exhibiting field. I have always firmly believed in preserving the integrity of each branch of the industry. "I trust your convention will be entirely successful and that I may be able to assist you in solving your problems by continuing to give you pictures of undoubted quality." to be an awful rain before long. Have you an umbrella? "Before long the fireworks will be started and then there'll be hail Columbia to pay by the fellow who does not belong to some organization or other." Mayor John Galvin will welcome the exhibitors to Cincinnati. An important address will be made at the first session by Senator Walker of New York, who was instrumental in passing the Sunday motion picture bill in that state. He also aided the theatre men in getting legislation rectifying the advance deposit svstem. Kansas Exhibitors Denounce Rembusch Declare His Attack on Cohen Unjust — Endorse National Association (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, KAN., Oct 5.— Condemning as "unjust, unnecessary and untrue'.' the attack of Frank T. Rembusch on Sydney S. Cohen, president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, the executive committee of the Kansas State Exhibitors' Association endorsed the M. P. T. O. A., its executive head and its other officers. The resolution as adopted follows: "Resolved by the executive committee of the Kansas State Exhibitors' Association representing 253 theatres in the state of Kansas, That we herewith assert our confidence and faith in the integrity of the national president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, Mr. Sydney S. Cohen, and do herewith condemn as unjust, unnecessary and untrue the attack of Mr. Frank Rembusch of Indianapolis. "This organization will stand solidly behind the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, its president, its officers and its executive board." Eve Balfour Signs (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. Oct. 5.— Eve Balfour, the English actress, has been signed by Fox Film Corporation. George L. Clarke acting as her representative. MARION FAIRFAX Who wrote -The River's End" and "Don't Ever Marry" and ha* just signed a new contract with Marshall -Neilan. Marshall Neilan Again Signs Marion Fairfax Following Next Four Pictures Writer's Stories Will Be Featured in Films Marshall Neilan has renewed his contract with Marion Fairfax, author, playwright and scenario editor. Under the new agreement Miss Fairfax will prepare the scenarios for the next four Marshall Neilan productions, which will be published by First National. After that, Miss Fairfax enters into a working arrangement with Mr. Neilan in the production of Marion Fairfax Productions. These pictures will feature the work of the author and will be original stories or scenarios based cn ?tories that already have been published in national magazines. Her scripts for "The River's End." "Don't Ever Marry," "Go and Get It" and "Dinty," Mr. Neilan's first four independent pictures, have proved important factors, it is said, in the consistent triumph of Marshall Neilan productions. Her latest work, a scenario based on Ben Ames Williams' magazine story, "Not A Drum Was Heard," is said to be a masterpiece. This film is now being staged by Mr. Neilan at Glacier Park. Montana. The success of Marion Fairfax comes through wide knowledge of dramatic values, not only from the viewpoint of the author but also from that . of the artist, for Miss Fairfax has enjoyed considerable success as an actress under Charles Frohman-. Her motion picture career prior to her affiliation with Mr. Neilan was confined to one organization, the Paramount company. During her long service with that organization, she wrote the scripts of numberless successful photoplays including: "The Clown," "The Honor of His House." "The Valley of the Giants," "The Westerner," "The Sowers," "The Immigrant" and many others.