Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

February 25, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 57 It' Fact There will always be something in need of reforming as long as people are willing to pay salaries to professional reformers. — "Wynne Progress." PUBLIC RIGHTS LEAGUE Screen Message No. 43 The paid reformer is a pessimist on mankind; he sees evil where evil does not exist and is only happy when he is restricting the rights and privileges of his neighbor. PUBLIC RIGHTS LEAGUE. MOTION PICTURES in the CHURCH Pastor Shows Films Ana! Knocks Theatre Another Preacher Criticizes The Presentation ot Pictures As a Drawing Card for Church Church presentation of motion pictures is being given serious consideration by theatre owners and managers throughout the country, owing to the menacing competition offered by these non-theatrical exhibitions. In view of the widespread interest on the subject, the following letter from Erwin Edwards, president of Edwards Amusement Company, Cleveland, O., is very timely and throws light on the seriousness of the situation: * * * Noted in HERALD where exhibitors were making complaint in regard to exchanges furnishing churches film. Please find enclosed the program of Dunham Christian church of Cleveland. You will note they preach the gospel, Anti-Saloon talk with Special Music, Illustrated Sermon on "The Ten Virgins" (not censored), Illustrated Song, Beautiful Pictures, Reading "When Pa Was a Boy," All you can eat for 40 cents. Motion Pictures — five reels— "Sweet Lavender" and a Rummage Sale. You will note on the program that there is no charge at the door, but ask a SILVER offering. Now the funny part of this is that if the kids bring a nickel they get hell for it not being silver. Another funny thing is the manager (?) of this movie show, restaurant and junk shop preaches against the legitimate motion picture shows and tells his patrons he is very careful in the selection of motion pictures as nearly all the moving picture shows offer programs unfit to be witnessed. See newspaper clipping enclosed of direct contrast, where preacher prays for success of film theatre. * * * The clipping referred to is from London, England. In his prayer for the success of a new theatre at Norwich, Canon Meyrick said: "The church cannot ignore great movements. The directors of a picture house have a terrible responsibility. I hope that this cinema will unite with the local church in advancing the Kingdom of God." This problem which exhibitors must cope with is a serious one. Each locality presents the situation in different form and for that reason no one solution can be cited. Other exhibitors of the country have faced the same situation as is presented in Cleveland. Undoubtedly many have solved the problem. An exchange of ideas will be welcomed and published in these columns with a view to eliminating this menace entirely. Too Many Laws Peril Country Speaking before the Ohio State Bar Association, U. S. Senator Robinson of Arkansas stated that too many laws peril this country. He declared that legislation is not the logical remedy for "every wrong inflicted and for every right impaired." Reformers should consider this advice. Aids Destitute Exhibitor in Lima Donates Part of bross to Ch arity One certain means of creating goodwill in a community is to become active in charitable work. A fine example of this is the donation made recently by the management of the Lyric theatre at Lima. O. Ten per cent of the gross receipts for one week were turned over by the Lyric to aid in relieving distress among the employed there. The sum contributed by the Lyric totalled $153.60. In turning the money over to the Social Service Bureau, the secretary, Mrs. Irene Mills Jackson, said: "You have no idea of how much real good your generous and laudable impulse in giving this sum will do. I am deeply grateful to the Lyric for its timely aid and assistance." The Lyric has won the support of Lima citizens. Other exhibitors can accomplish the same results. Public Best Censor Says Rufus S. Cole Distributor Declares That If Regulation Is Necessary It Should Be Done by the U. S. The industry's contention that the public is the best censor of motion pictures was upheld by Rufus S. Cole, president of R-C Pictures Corporation, in a talk at the National Republican Club in New York. "In my belief," stated President Cole, "the public is the best censor, for the public can be depended upon in the long run to reward with its patronage the clean picture plays." * * * Declaring that if censorship is necessary, it should be a federal regulation and not a state censorship, President Cole continued: "If censorship is to be continued, there should be a definite code of regulations so that the producers may know where they stand. If we must have a censorship, it would be far better if it were under federal regulation. "What is satisfactory in the state of New York does not meet the approval of the censorship of the state of Pennsylvania; likewise what is approved in Pennsylvania may not be approved in New York. * * * "A great loss and difficulty are caused by the difference in regulations of different states and the fact that no two censorship boards think alike." Exhibitors must educate the public to the belief that it is the only proper censor of pictures. Reformers preach the opposite, and to counteract their influence the industry's propaganda must reach every corner of the country. At the same meeting Charles Urban, president of Kineto, spoke on "The Regulation of Motion Pictures — Public Morals and the Film." He said: "As to the regulation of motion pictures: I will not say that I am in favor of censorship. In the abstract, I believe public patronage is the best form of , censorship. But I do believe that as long as a certain type of producer makes and sells some of the films the theatre and the public is today plagued with, that some sort of supervision is necessary. "To my mind the most satisfactory form of supervision would be for the federal government to license the distribution; not license each picture, but license the distributor to do business."