Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

February 18. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 27 New York to Launch Drive for Rental Cut at Meeting President O'Reilly Contends Reduction is Vital to Continued Operation of Many TheatresGrand Ball Features Conclave (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7. — "Lower film rentals" is to be the slogan of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Xew York, at the state convention which opens at Albany next Tuesday, according to Charles L. O'Reilly, president of the organization, on his return from the state capitol where the details of the convention were worked out. Also, according to Mr. O'Reilly, it will be the biggest and most important gathering of exhibitors yet held, and each delegate will go to Albany with the determination to lend his aid in working out the best method of re-establishing the film business of the state through an adjustment of film rentals. Sees Drab Future Unless Prices Are Cut Mr. O'Reilly is positive in his statement that unless a way can be found to obtain a reduction of rentals, many picture houses now closed will not be re-opened and many others will be forced to close. Big Question Mark Surrounds Plans of New Producer Chief (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7. — Despite all rumors of offices engaged, assistants decided upon, plans for a new Hollywood on Long Island, and many other wild and woolly stories talked and printed in connection with the advent of Will H. Hayes as director general of the film industry, nothing but large batches of silence has so far emanated from Mr. Hays or the film magnates associated with him. Mr. Hays, after a luncheon here last week with some of the producers, left for Florida, where he will take a much needed rest before assuming his new duties on March 5. According to one of the large producers, no steps will be taken towards the formation of the new association until Mr. Hays takes charge. Report Powers Now Interested in R-C (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7.— It is reported that arrangements have been completed by R-C Pictures Corporation whereby Patrick A. Powers has become financially interested in the company and will occupy the position of managing director. It is the intention of the company to enlarge immediately its operations. Deny Neilan-Schenck Rumors of A f filiation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 7.— Rumors that Marshall Neilan is considering an affiliation with Joseph M. Schenck are emphatically denied by J. R. Grainger in behalf of the producer. "Mr. Neilan is not considering an affiliation with anyone, and intends to remain strictly independent at all times," says the statement from Granger's office. Shuberts Add to Chain (Special to Exhibitors Herald) EVANSVILLE, IND., Feb. 7.— Preliminary arrangements have been made for taking over one of the Evansville theatres by the Shubert syndicate. An agent of the Shuberts is expected here soon to confer on the question of installing vaudeville in the city. Producer fs Wife Dead (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7.— Mrs. Maria Hampton, v ife of Benjamin B. Hampton, motion picture producer, died here following an operation several weeks ago. Besides her husband, she is survived by five children. Berman in Chicago H. M. Berman, general manager of Universal, arrived in Chicago Saturday, February 4. He is here in connection with the showing of "Foolish Wives" at Ascher Brothers' Roosevelt theatre. With this object in view every member of the organization has been sent a bulletin relative to the general price scale with a request that the member gather specific data. All this information will be taken to the Albany convention and be brought before the general meeting for consideration. Following the convention it is planned to go direct to the distributing companies with this information and showr how necessary it is to obtain a reduction in rentals. Executive Body to Meet The convention proper opens next Tuesday, but on the preceding evening there will be a meeting of the executive committee at which the program in detail will be decided upon. The first business session will be held Tuesday afternoon, and other sessions will be Wednesday and Thursday. On the opening day an open session of the ways and means committee of the general assembly will be held for the consideration of Assemblyman Louis A. Cuvillier's bill to abolish the motion picture commission, more generally known as the censor board. A committee representing the M. P. T. O. will attend the meeting and urge the enactment of the bill. The big social event of the convention Two Big Scoops in First Two Issues The new Pictorial Section of the "Herald" — the latest exclusive feature of this publication — scored pictorial beats on every motion picture trade publication two successive weeks by printing — First Pictures of Will H. Hays signing the contract to head the new organization of distributors and producers. First Pictures of the Knickerbocker theatre disaster at Washington. These spectacular examples of enterprise and efficiency simply reflect the care, the effort and the news sense, which go into every page in every issue of the "Herald." is set for Wednesday night, and is in the form of a grand ball at the State Armory. The ball is being advertised extensively throughout the state by the various exchanges and exhibitors and many of the larger exhibitors are announcing it on their screens. Invitations have been sent to nearly all of the big producers and distributors and to many of the more prominent stars. So many acceptances have been received that the ball committee is sanguine that it will be one of the biggest social events ever, given in filmdom. Walker Toastmaster On Thursday night the annual banquet will be held with Senator "Jimmy" Walker as toastmaster. Among the prominent speakers at the banquet will be former Governor Martin Glyn, Mayor Hackett of Albany; former Senator Thompson, father of the bill under which New York picture houses are open on Sunday; Senator Henry Walters, Sydney S. Cohen, president of the national organization, and Charles L. O'Reilly, prerident of the state body. An attendance of more than 1,600 is expected. Carry DeMille from Steamer on Arrival (Special to Exhibitors Herald) XEW YORK, Feb. 7.— Cecil B. DeMille of the Paramount directorial forces, has returned from Europe badly crippled with rheumatism. On his arrival on the Aquitania it was necessary to carry Mr. DeMille from the steamship to an ambulance on a stretcher. He was met at the pier by Mrs. DeMille and Adolph Zukor and taken directly to the Ambassador Hotel. Jury Out 40 Hours on Blue Law Case (Special to Exhibitors Herald) UNION CITY, IND., Feb. 7.— After deliberating forty-two and a half hours a jury found R. S. Wenger guilty of a charge of operating the Victory theatre on Sunday. He was fined $1 and costs. The case has been appealed. At a former trial the jury disagreed.