Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

40 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 15, 1922 National Association Calls Past Year Most Successful High Spots of Activities Are Contained in Fifth Annual Report of Various Committees ACTIVITIES and accomplishments of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry are described in the fifth annual report of the association just issued. According to the report the past twelve months have been the most active and successful since the inception of the body, as evidenced by the active spirit of cooperation by members on numerous matters affecting the industry. A MONG the outstanding accomplish■rl ments enumerated in the record is the association's protest against the proposed 30 per cent ad valorem tariff on foreign motion picture films; its successful campaign to relieve the industry of the 5 per cent film rental tax; the adoption of production standards promulgated by the Committee of Fifteen and now used in every studio of its company members; the Hoover drive in which the industry was responsible for raising more than $.'2,750,000 for European relief; defense work through publicity and other channels and active cooperation with exchange managers' associations throughout the country. * * * In cooperation with the Eastman Kodak Company many improvements in exchange buildings have been made, including the completion of two-story exchange buildings in fourteen key cities, says the report. The censorship situation throughout the country is reviewed. In 37 states legislation for screen control has been introduced. In 34 of these the proposed legislation failed of passage. Nearly 100 measures in all were introduced along this line. The tour of President William A. Brady in the interests of a free screen is described by Chairman Gabriel L. Hess of the Censorship Committee. Charles C. Pettijohn, chairman of the Legislative Committee, points out that a constant vigil must be maintained by the industry to combat the movement of blue law advocates, despite the fact that little progress has been made during the past year. The success of the reformers has been most apparent in small towns, although on a minor scale. Thirteen men were arrested during the year on charges of film theft through the instrumentality of the association's Film Theft Committee, of which H. Minot Pitman is chairman. Many stolen films were also recovered. * * * That the industry has been virtually free from labor troubles during the year is shown in the report of Major Tom Evans of the Laboratory Section. Reports of the chairman, J. E. Brulatour, of the Fire Prevention Regulations and Insurance Committee; P. H. Stilson, Transportation Committee, and James R. Quirk of the Vigilance Committee are also included. In the report Frederick H. Elliott, executive secretary of the association, makes several recommendations, among them the creation of a permanent Committee of Public Relations to foster closer Rothacker to Build Canadian Plant Toronto, Montreal and Ottazva Under Consideration as Sites For Laboratory in Dominion A Canadian link will soon be added to the Rothacker laboratory chain, according to the plans of Watterson R. Rothacker. Toronto has been selected tentatively as the site, although Montreal and Ottawa are being considered. One of the big purposes of the Canadian plant will be to enable American distributors to send negatives to Canada for the laboratorying of prints for the Dominion theatres and for export to other British possessions. Two weeks ago Mr. Rothacker dispatched A. L. Parker, publicity person of Rothacker Enterprises, on a tour of Eastern and Central Canada to make a survey of conditions and particularly to investigate tariff duties with respect to the importation from the United States of raw stock and developed negatives. After prints for the American theatres have been made from a negative it can be sent up across the border and, according to Mr. Rothacker's present information, a considerable saving can thereby be effected in the export duties now paid by United States distributors. Before leaving for the Coast, Mr. Kothacker said he had had the Canadian plant in mind for some time and was now ready to start construction pro vided his representative's report was favorable. The Dominion laboratory would not be so large as the Chicago or Hollywood plants, as there would not be the volume of business there. However, it is planned to make it big enough to afford the Dominion picture industry the same kind of prints service that the two American plants are rendering. A feature of the plant will be the employment exclusively of Canadian exservice men or the feminine relatives of the boys who went "over there" — after experts from the American Rothacker organization had given the new organization the required training. Mr. Rothacker will leave for Europe this Spring in connection with the laboratory he is going to build in London. cooperation bttween the industry and the various women's organizations, such as the Parent-Teachers' Associations, Mothers' Congress and the several organizations of Photoplay Indorsers. Secretary Elliott also recommends the appointment of an Advisory Council, composed of the chairman of each division and each national committee of the industry, each member of this council being thoroughly conversant with the various subjects that arise in their specialized field, and would naturally be in a position to give expert advice at a moment's notice to the directing head of the association. Files $25,000 Suit Against City Official Exhibitor Charges Ulterior Motive in Condemnation Of His Theatre (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., April 4.— Suits were filed in the circuit court last week bv James M. Drake, proprietor of the Eureka theatre, 2001 East Obear avenue, for $25,000 damages against Director of Public Safety McKelvey and for $5,000 against Hector M. E. Pasmezoglu, owner of the Congress, Delmar and Criterion theatres. Drake alleges that on March 7 he was manager of the Congress theatre, and that McKelvey on that date in the lobby of the theatre attacked, cursed, struck, shook and abused him. The. suit against Pasmezoglu alleges breach of contract. Had Improved Theatre After he was discharged as manager of the Congress, following the dispute with McKelvey, Drake purchased the Eureka. He had -spent $1,000 in improving the house when he charges McKelvey issued an order closing it. Engineers for the building department reported that they found the place unsafe and in a highly dangerous condition. Claims Personal Grudge Drake has charged that McKelvey closed his theatre because of the ill feeling toward him. McKelvey denies that statement, saying he was not aware that the house was owned by Drake when the closing order was issued. Theatre Closed Pending Repairs (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., April 4.— The Elite theatre, a neighborhood house owned by John Farr, was closed by Director of Public Safety McKelvey today. Farr will be permitted to reopen when he makes repairs recommended by building inspectors. New Coogan Picture Published on May 15 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— Jackie Coogan's new picture "Trouble," which went over big at its Los Angeles premiere, will be published nationally May 15. Irving Lesser today announced that 125 prints would be made. Complete announcement of distribution plans arc to be made later. Stephen T. King Dies (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— Stephen T. King, associated with Ernest Shipman for the past twenty years, is dead at the New York hospital following an operation for stomach trouble. He was 57 years of age. The remains will be cremated according to wishes expressed before his death.