Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD May 13. 192, Film Executives See Healthier Conditions Throughout Industry (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, May 2.— Healthier conditions throughout the industry are in evidence everywhere, according to Elmer Pearson, general manager of Pathe, and Louis Weiss of Weiss Brothers, sponsors of a number of state right organizations. "It is my opinion," says Mr. Weiss, who is handling "The Expose of Sawing a Lady in Half," "that any salable picture will find a ready market on the state right field at the present moment. Exchange men are anxious to buy and have the ready cash to handle any picture out of the ordinary." Mr. Pearson, viewing the situation with optimism, says: "March and April plainly indicate an improvement in the picture business. A large number of exhibitors have given practical attention to their own special problems of adjusting expense to receipts on a rational basis, and this has speeded up their entrance upon a new era of prosperity." What Does the HERALD Say? Beardstown Exhibitor To Stage Benefit Show For Victims of Flood (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., May 2.— St. Louis exchanges have pledged their assistance to make successful a benefit show L. W. Goodell, head of the Beardstown Amusement Company, is arranging for the benefit of the Beardstown flood sufferers. Film for the performances will be loaned free of all charges. The Princess and Gem theatres were forced to close because of the high water. Goodell said Saturday that there still is four feet of water in front of the Princess. St. Louis Alderman Would Rid City of All Blue Law Ordinances (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST LOUIS, MO., May 2. — Joseph Heckel, alderman of the thirteenth ward of this city, has started a movement to eliminate all blue law ordinances from the St. Louis code. Heckel on last Friday introduced a bill to eliminate Sunday closing legislation. He called attention to the fact that Sunday closing violates the principles of religious liberty guaranteed by the constitution. The Missouri branch of the Anti-Blue Law League is rendering Alderman Heckel support. Inaugurate Concert as Prelude to Film Show (Special to Exhibitors Herald) INDIANAPOLIS, IND., May 2.— The Circle theatre has inaugurated a new standard of entertainment under which de luxe programs will be given each week with the house opening each day at noon instead of 11 a. m. From 12 to 12:30 each day a musical program is presented on the mezzanine floor which is followed by the photoplay program. Cupid Lets Secret Out (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, May 2.— Robert Collier, publicity manager of West Coast Theatres, recently married Ruth DeFrancis. Cupid can't keep a secret. Fire Perils Theatre (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SOUTH BEND, IND., May 2.— Fire which started in a wooden staging used in the construction of the Palace theatre on North Michigan street, was extinguished before much damage resulted. Companies to Abolish "8 by 1 0 V National Association Says Discontinuance of These Cards Would Effect a Great Saving "Eight by ten" lobby cards are doomed, in the opinion of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry which has just conducted a survey among producers and distributors. By abolishing this size in favor of 11 by 14 cards, it is believed that a great financial saving will be effected. Two distributing companies already have discontinued issuing the smaller cards because of the low percentage of exhibitors using them. Answers to the questionnaire sent out by the association, indicated that only the smallest theatre men are using the 8 by 10's. One of the queries in the questionnaire was: "What is the present percentage of 8 by 10's as compared to 11 by 14's?" The answer varied from 1 per cent to 30 per cent, and their composite average was 12 per cent. Six companies answered that they would consider the elimination of the smaller card "if done uniformly through the industry." Two companies stated they would continue to issue 8 by 10's in small quantities. In sending out the questionnaire the National Association followed a suggestion by C. W. Gothcrman, purchasing agent of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. The questionnaire was sent to the purchasing agents of the various companies and the replies were composite answers from the purchasing agents, sales departments and advertising departments. The result of the canvass will be placed before a mcciing of the company executives in the near future. St. Louis Theatres Lock Out Musicians: 450 Players Are Hi (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., May 2.— The e.x pected lockout of the musicians in th motion picture houses here took plac yesterday. The managers of the the atres say they will dispense with mu sicians until they submit a wage seal calling for a reduction in wage satisfac tory to the owners and abolish the rul that requires a certain number of mu sicians according to the size of the hous and admission fees charged. Recently the Musicians Mutual Benefi Association rejected a request that wage be reduced 30 per cent. They decline to consider any reduction or change th working agreement. The decision ti lock out the players at the expiration o the old contract on April 30 was thei reached. About 450 musicians are affected. Th. few vaudeville houses of the city wil continue with the minimum number o musicians called for in their contract: which do not expire until the close o the regular season. Under the old wagi scale the musicians were paid a mini mum of $42 a week and as high as $75 (Concluded from page 32) He explained how the story had been "faked" by Joe Jordan of the Evening World, and stated emphatically that lie had given no statement to the press. Referring to this phase of the M. 1\ T. . O. A. statement, he said: Gave No Statement "That statement is a malicious lie, because I gave out no statement and could not have said any such thing. I am here today to face some of these malicious lies. I say that the statement of the M. P. T. O. A. started off with a lie. I want to further say that while Cohen's name is not signed to that statement, he either wrote it or dictated it. And he should be here either to affirm or deny that he did issue this statement. And why shouldn't he have come here? Who are here? His friends, but he doesn't dare to face you. "Perhaps hypocrisy, deception and double dealings are part of his methods. Perhaps these don't mean anything in the motion picture business, but I tell you that it is character that is involved in this issue with me." All Must Answer Citing that part of the statement which read, "If the producers want to hire a professional politician to run their affairs for them that is their business," the senator made this comment: "This person has cast reflection on every public official. He should be here and be made to answer whether he considers every public official a professional politician. There isn't a public official who has not taken exception to that charge and you will hear more about that later. He will be asked to answer that, and so will you." Walker stated emphatically that he would not be a candidate for president:) of the national organization, but despite this his sponsors actively arc continuing their campaign.