Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

Vpril 29, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 37 Now They'll Be Good (Special to Exhibitors Herald) CORSICANA, TEX., April 18. — Letters bearing the official seal of the Corsicana Klan of the Ku Klux Klan and delivered to every theatre here declare that "through personal investigation and observation we are aware of considerable improper conduct in some of the theatres." Exhibitors were requested to keep the letters posted for one week so that patrons might take due notice and govern themselves accordingly. Colorado Fanatics Fail to Convict at Blue Law Trial Court Directs Verdict In Favor of Exhibitor at Grand Junction — Understood Reformers Will Continue Their Fight {Special to Exhibitors Herald) GRAND JUNCTION, COLO., April 18.— Despite their failure to convict Ole M. Nelson of the Majestic theatre on a charge of violating an obsolete blue law, it is understood that fanatics of this city will continue their fight to force the local theatres to close their doors on Sunday. The reformers lost their case against the exhibitor when Judge N. C. Miller directed a verdict for the defendant, the court upholding the contention of the defense that informations were at variance with the evidence. Says Law of 1868 is Still Operative In his decision the judge held that the law in existence since 1868 was still operative. On the point that a motion picture show is a theatre, he held that while it is in the nature of a theatre it could now be held to be a theatre, the information in the case charging Mr. Nelson with operating "a place of amusement, to-wit, a theatre." Celebrates Inaugural As Preview Theatre Vest Coast Film Folks Are Guests of Ambassador Management (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, April 18.— Memers of the Los Angeles Film Board of rade and other persons prominent in le industry were guests at a luncheon id smoker at the Ambassador hotel iven by J. B. Maurath, manager of the mbassador theatre, in celebration of ie successful inauguration of the playouse as a national preview theatre. Public Is Critic The Ambassador opened as a preview 3use on March 21 witli the R-C producon "Five Days to Live." Since then umerous previews of various pictures ave been held at the theatre, to help roducers arrive at a decision on the otential box office value of a producon. The public constitutes a board of irectors, form cards being provided on hich to indicate their opinions. Madame Glyn Present Among the guests present at the lunheon and entertainment at the theatre 'ere the following: Madame Glyn; A. L. Gore, vice-president West oast Theatres; Ed. C. Mix, president Film oard of Trade; J. S. Lustig, president Southern alifornia unit M. P. T. O. A.; A. F. Michael farlian. general counsel of the film board; . C. Ezell, personal representative of Lewis J. elznick; Harry D. Goldberg, R-C exchange manner; Will T. Gentz, R-C publicity man; Maurice /olf, manager Goldwyn exchange; O. V. Tragardh, manager Paramount exchange; D. Berhon, general booking manager. West Coast heatres; Bert Hall, Thomas Smith, manager ipling exchange; W. T. Wall, manager Hodkin>n exchange; Harry Mclntyre, manager Peer•ss exchange; Harry Kreiter, manager Cojerative exchange; J. H. Goldberg, manager ederal exchange; F. E. Samuel, manager !une exchange; Oren F. Woody, manager Selzck exchange, and E. A. Benjamin, manager 11-Star exchange. VillH Hays to Be Guest of Publishers (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 18— Will H. Hays ill be guest of honor at a dinner tenered him by publishers of the United tates at the Commodore Hotel April 26. The invitation committee includes the antes of publishers of numerous and iried well-known newspapers, magazines nd trade papers. In a statement issued immediately following the trial, Horace T. De Long, one of the blue law leaders, declared: "We trust that the movies having now found the statute in force will voluntarily close without further legal proceedings." "Other Business Isn't Unlawful" (Special to Exhibitors Herald) WABASH, 1ND., April 18.— As the result of the operation of other business houses here on Sunday when it was supposed they would be closed as were the picture houses, Dickson Brothers, managers of the Eagles Theatre, announced that they will open their theatre on Sunday and give the net proceeds to charity. They were arrested recently for opening their theatre on Sunday and the case is pending against them. In a statement regarding Sunday shows, the theatre managers said that in as much as the prosecuting attorney had Blue Law Clergy Are Ousted (Special to Exhibitors Herald) BURLINGAME, KANS., April 18. — Three ministers who tried to close up the Panama theatre, operated by R. V. Turner, on Sunday, met more than a tartar in the exhibitor. They not only failed to succeed in their "mission," but lost their jobs in their over-active attempts to force Sunday closing. Mr. Turner was arrested every Sunday in February, but the broadminded citizens decided among themselves that it was time for action, so the reformers were sent unheralded on their way to other parts. announced that he will not close business which "has become lawful by long established custom," they will operate their shows on Sunday and give the money to charity "until Sunday picture shows in Wabash become lawful by long established custom." Baum to Go Abroad (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 18.— Louis Baum, sales manager of Equity Pictures, will leave for an extended trip throughout Continental Europe on May 2 in the interest of Equity Pictures. He will be gone approximately three months. Censorship Bill in Mississippi Dies as Legislators Adjourn (Special to Etchibitors Herald) NEW YORK, April 18.— The Mississippi legislature has adjourned without enacting the censorship bill which had been vigorously urged by reformers in the state. The bill had been passed by the Senate but was reported unfavorably by the Educational Commtitee of the House of Representatives. Closing hour measures to have the bill enacted met witH failure. The campaign on behalf of the industry was conducted by a committee composed of E. V. Richards of the Saenger Amusement Company, officials of Southern Enterprises and the Censorship Committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry of which Gabriel L. Hess is chairman. Other states in which censorship legislation failed of passage during the legislative sessions this year were South Carolina and Kentucky. In Maine, New Jersey and Rhode Island no censorship measures were introduced at the 1922 sessions. In Virginia a bill was passed and a censor board has been appointed by the governor. In Louisiana the legislature will convene next month for a sixty-day session. In Georgia the legislature will convene in June for a fiftyday session. Hold Saturday Shows For School Students (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., April 18.— A series of Saturday morning performances for high school pupils is being given in local picture houses through the cooperation of theatre managers with the Indianapolis Indorsers of Photoplays. The visual education department of the public schools is interested in the project. The first picture shown in the series was the "Tale of Two Cities," selected because of its conformity with the English courses being given in the high schools.