Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

42 EXHIBITORS HERALD April 15, 1922 Radio at Kinema Broadcasts Appeal for Tolerance Messages of Mayor Oyer, Colleen Moore, Sol Lesser and A. L. Gore Carried 2,000 Miles ANEW way of reaching the people with truths about Hollywood, the motion picture industry and its people was inaugurated with the installation of a radio telephone station at the Kinema theatre, of the West Coast Theatres Company, Los Angeles. The occasion was made a momentous one with Colleen Moore, Mayor Cryer of Los Angeles, executives and stars of the film industry talking via the wireless to various parts of the country. X/TEXICO CITY, Honolulu, Denver, ^ -1 Seattle and other points within a radius of 2,000 miles "listened in" as Mayor Cryer spoke on the beauties of Los Angeles and Colleen Moore defended the industry. Following the first two speakers were A. L. Gore, president, Sol Lesser, vice-president of West Coast Theatres Company, and Jack Retlaw, advertising director of the company. * * * The radio station worked perfectly. Great crowds thronged the vicinity of the theatre necessitating police handling. In her talk into the instrument Miss Moore said: "Speaking of screen folks, I would like to make an appeal to all of you and that is that you give friendly thought to the screen and its people. We're just human like the rest of you, and I don't think you would like to be considered a malefactor if you were sincerely trying to do some good in the world. "I feel that certain newspapers are unfair when they indict an entire class of people and their product indiscriminately, just as I feel that fanatical agitation for censorship is unfair. People who know nothing of picture making sometimes wreck the structure of an artistic screen production by taking the scissors to points in the story that are necessary to the climax. Many times you see a picture and wonder why the story suddenly seems to jump. Don't blame it on the producer. Just remember that the censor has had his little scissors out again. "I am a member of the Independent Screen Artists' Guild, which is composed of about fifty of the leading independent stars, directors, and producers, including Charles Chaplin, Norma and Constance Talmadge, Richard Barthelmess, Buster Keaton, Katherine MacDonald, Hope Hampton, Anita Stewart, Charles Ray, Marshall Neilan, Thomas H. Ince and many others. * * * "Through the kindness of Associated First National Pictures, Inc., our productions were shown two weeks ago in their 3,500 theatres during First National week. We challenge the censors of America to find anything unclean or demoralizing in any of these pictures that were shown. I know it will surprise you to learn that we have not had a single acceptance to this challenge. And we promise you we will keep up the good work. "Those of you who know Hollywood must certainly enjoy reading some of the silly things that they say in the eastern papers about that poor, sleepy old village. I wish you could know, as I do, of the dozens of happily married families among the picture people and see some of their cute little kiddies. Honestly, I don't see why people rather say unkind and un f true things about us instead of painting us as we really are. "But truly, Hollywood is full of the kindest and most generous people I have ever known." Anything Is Possible Says Robert Lieber Godsol Is in Attendance at First National Meeting At Indianapolis (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., April 4.— Following a meeting of eight of the eleven directors of the Associated First National Pictures, Inc., at the Hotel Lincoln in this city two days last week, Robert Lieber, president, said in reference to a possible union of the First National and Goldwyn interests: "Such a combination is possible because anything is possible. If such a deal were to go through it would involve a large amount of capital." Annual Meet April 20. The First National directors will hold their regular annual session at West Baden, April 20. Only routine business was transacted at the meeting here, Mr. Lieber said. It was admitted that F. J. Godsol, a representative of the Goldwyn picture interests, was in attendance at the meeting. The directors of the First National who attended the meeting were H. O. Schwalbe, of Philadelphia, secretarytreasurer; Fred Levy, Louisville; Sam Katz, Chicago; E. R. Johnson, New York; J. B. Clark, Pittsburgh; M. Mark, New York, and W. H. Gordon, of Boston. J. D. Williams, of New York, manager, was also present. Exhibitors Are Present Exhibitors who are not officials of the organization but who managed large interests in the photoplay world, also were present. They were M. Finkelstein and J. H. Ruben, of Minneapolis; E. V. Richards, of New Orleans, and Spvrous Skouras, of St. Louis. Biggest Year Ahead i For Educational Is Hammons Prediction (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— The program outlined for the studios on the Pacific Coast, contracts providing for certain changes in the production schedules for some of Educational's important comedy series, together with the acquisition of certain other pictures will make the season of 1922-1923 the biggest in the history of Educational Film Exchanges is the word brought back from Los Angeles by E. W. Hammons, president. Mr. Hammon's return to New York culminates a trip to the West Coast, during which he visited numerous exchanges en route. Plans were perfected, it is stated, by Mr. Hammons and the producers for a large share of Educational's program for next season. COLLEEN MOORK broadcasts anti-reform message from new radio plant installed by the Kinema theatre in Los Angeles. Mayor George E. Cryer listens in at close range while Sol Lesser is an interested spectator. Managers Contribute $2,503 for Relief (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 4.— The F. I. L. M. Club of New York City has contributed $2,563.50 to the theatrical committee of the New York campaign for Jewish war sufferers.