Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

April 15, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 37 Censorship Repeal May Be Plank in Platform of Democrats in N. Y. (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4— Herbert C. Pel!. Jr., chairman of the Democratic State Committee, has issued a statement to the effect that the state election campaign this fall will be conducted with personal liberty as the dominant issue. In elaborating on his statement Mr. Pell said that undoubtedly the platform would embody a pledge looking to the repeal of the motion picture censorship law as opposed to the idea of personal liberty. "We oppose motion picture censorship on exactly the same grounds that we oppose censorship of the press," he explained. "Xot one word can be said in favor of censorship of motion pictures that cannot be said with equal force in favor of censorship of the press. There is ample provision in the law to prevent the presentation of immoral pictures or pictures shocking to the sense of decency, just as there are laws dealing with libel." Film Made Dominant At Kinema Theatre; Cut Admission Price (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 4.— The picture is "the thing." This is the idea adopted by West Coast Theatres, Inc., officials of which will inaugurate a radical change in the program of the Kinema theatre. Admission pricts will be sharply reduced, and films will be the paramount attraction in the future. It has been found that symphony orchestras, vaudeville, skits and other stage stunts have run up the cost of the show, subsidizing the picture, which, executives of the company believe, is what the public is primarily interested in. With the program stripped of all its incidental attributes greater emphasis will be laid on the quality of the pictures projected. Music will be furnished by a huge pipe-organ. Free Films Refused To Virginia Theatres (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— The N. A. M. P. I. has voted down a request of Washington exchange managers to be permitted to give free film service on "go 4o theatre" day planned by the M. P. T. O. of Virginia, April 19th. A certain percentage was to have been turned over to the Virginia organization for state defense work. No action was taken on the matter of booths at the exhibitors' convention, it being regarded as a matter for each individual company to decide. Radio Music Will Supplant Orchestra (Special to Exhibitors Herald) DES MOINES, IA., April 4. — A wireless receiving station is being installed in a theatre here. According to B. F. Elbert, manager of the house, the wireless music will be provided his patrons as a substitute for the regular orchestra. Seven State Associations Meet This Week and Next Steffes Up for Re-election — Rental Prices, Church Competition, Blue Laws and Other Subjects To Be Considered at Conventions Aside from the national convention to be held in Washington on May 8 to 12 at the New Willard hotel, there is nothing looked forward to with such interest at this time as the state gatherings, seven of which are scheduled for this week and next. Seldom have the state organizations been confronted with so many problems as at this time, which undoubtedly is responsible in a measure for the interest created. Exhibitor bodies meeting this week are: Florida at Daytona, April 3; Illinois at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, April 4 and. 5; Missouri at Statler hotel in St. Louis, April 5 and 6 and Indiana at Indianapolis, April 5 and 6. Next week: Western Pennsylvania at Pittsburgh, April 10, 11 and 12; Minnesota at Minneapolis, April 10, 11 and 12 and West Virginia at Parkersburg, April 11. Several Propositions to Be Offered Exhibitors It appears from early reports that the film rental question will be given first consideration at a majority of the meetings. Although nothing definite has been reported, it is understood that a number of organizations have film propositions to decide upon. Especially is this true of Minnesota, the league having requested every exhibitor to hold the month of May open. President W. A. Steffes' letter to theatre owners reads: "Do not book any pictures from any distributor or releasing: company for the month of May, but wait until you come to the convention. If you have already set in pictures for the month of May, cancel them. We cannot outline in our letter the plan we have in mind, therefore it is absolutely _, . . essential that you Charles T. Sears . v,__j „«. be on hand at the convention to hear all the details. Missouri has outlined a very comprehensive program. Among the important subjects for consideration will be: Lower film rentals, non-theatrical competition, percentage system, anti-motion picture propaganda, blue laws, equity and fair dealing within industry, the theatre as a community center and gaining the good will of the public. Steffes Seeks Re-election The programs of these two organizations give a fair conception of the procedure of the remaining conventions. It is almost certain that film rentals will be given the bulk of deliberation. Little information has been forthcoming which has any bearing upon the various elections. The only official who has announced his candidacy for re-election is President Steffes of Minnesota. It is probable that President Charles T. Sears of Missouri will be given the vote of the Missouri delegation. Although no names have been offered as presidential timber in Illinois, it is almost certain that L. M. Rubens, now traveling abroad, will retire. Will Choose Delegates As to Indiana, West Virginia, Florida and Western Pennsylvania, the question is problematical. Both F. C. Smoot of West Virginia and Jerome Casper of Pittsburgh have served as chief executives of their respective organizations since their inception but a few months ago. It is expected that the election of officers in Minnesota will revolve itself into a bitter fight. Previous to Mr. Steffes' announcement, it had been understood that Joe Friedman of the Tower theatre in St. Paul would enter the race. From authentic sources it is learned that Mr. Friedman has quite a number of the exhibitors of the state advocating his election. Some Opposition Apparent While it is known that there is some opposition to the re-election of Steffes, exhibitors have been reticent in discussing the question. Delegates for the national convention will be chosen at the present conventions, else the presidents will be instructed to appoint them. The latter course was decided upon at the Kansas conclave last week. G. G. Schmidt Hollywood Follies Set for April 22 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 4.— April 22 has been chosen as the date for the Hollywood Follies to be given at Philharmonic auditorium by the Screen Writers' Guild. Famous stars will participate. A. Cohn and Waldemar Young wrote the piece. Max Callicott Dead (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 4.— Max Callicott, well-known theatreman, brother of Jack Callicott, died suddenly from heart attack on Friday. '