Exhibitors Herald (Apr-Jun 1922)

22 EXHIBITORS HERALD June 3, 1922 .MARTIN J. QUI G LEY PUBLISHER/ ZP EDITOR Published every Wednesday by Martin J. (tnlgley. Editorial and Executive Offices: 417 South Dearborn street, Chicago, Illinois. (Telephone: Harrison 9248-9249.) New York Office: 1476 Broadway, (Telephone: Bryant 1368 and Bryant Kill.) Los Angeles Office: 453 Sonth Spring St., (Telephone 660-10.) All Editorial and Business Correspondence should be addressed to the Chicago Offices. Subscription Price: United States and Its Possessions, Mexico and Cnba, $3.00 a year; Canada, $4.50 a year; Foreign Countries (Postpaid), $5.00 a year. Single copy, 25 cents. Copyright, 1922. All Rights Reserved. Copyright throughout Great Britain and Colonies under the provision of the copyright act of 1911. Vol. XIV. June 3, 1922 No. 23 A Free Press Political machines in civil politics give a lot of attention to the press. When a newspaper is not friendly, or at least tolerant, they set out to whip it into line. If this fails and the publisher is corrupt, then there usually is a recourse to money influence. When neither of these appear practicable or possible political machines have been known to start their own medium of expression, which in such instances invariably becomes merely a sounding board for the leaders. We trust the condition which is known to exist frequently in civil politics is not the condition which gave rise to the talk at Washington with reference to a publication to be operated by the exhibitors' organization which would be either a "fan" paper or a trade paper. # # * If the organization leaders have a mind to do this thing then they will go right ahead and do it, provided they can obtain the means for the enterprise, and they would not be likely to heed what we would have to say on the matter because of their probable thought that our attitude would be dictated by apprehension with respect 'to such an enterprise. Hence, this comment probably is gratuitous, but we make it nevertheless because some day we may have occasion to refer to it. An organization that cannot live with a free press is a bad organization. The motives and maneuvers of leaders who want their own, privately controlled organs of expression and trade opinion warrant careful inquiry. All that they need from the free press and all that they are entitled to require is a fair deal, open news columns and uncolored news reports. If they encounter hostility from a publication which closes its news columns to their statements, which colors its news reports about their activities, then they still have no cause for worry, because such a publication, seeking to hold the interest and good will of exhibitors, will certainly die and all the harm that it sought to do to its adversaries will be buried with it. * * * Organs of either trade or public opinion should be privately conducted and under an arrangement of centralized authority and centralize'd responsibility. A publication which is tied to the fortunes of a political machine, which is operated for the aggrandizement of those in control of the machine, is a thing of utter uselessness yet a thing of great cost. For good and all, exhibitors should be done with even thought of this folly. Even in an industry of big investments there doubtlessly would be a surprise for many if they were to learn the amount of money which has been expended in bringing the trade press of this industry up to its present position of influence — and this under individual enterprise which always is materially less costly than that required under any other arrangement. Re -Takes J. R. M. Cheerful news! * * * Sir Arthur Conan Doyle says only l per cent go to hell. * * * Wonder if that includes all the bootleggers? * * * Always Talking Shop Detroit papers start their picture reviews with "This is a rattling good film." * * * More Trouble Poor Joe Weil. He wires: "The Curse of Drink is upon me! And I haven't shaken The Jungle Goddess yet!" 'Stoo bad, Joe's such a nice fellah. * * * Free Transportation By Dan E. Daily That's a great little idear the M. P. theatre owners of York-state has. They want the N. Y. Central railroad to carry 'em free. In return they will adv. the R. R. The National organization's going to try it, if it works. The idear could be carried farther to save tickets. F'instance if Charlie O'Reilly wants to go from N. Y. to Buffalo, all he'd have to do would be to give the conductor a strip of fillum — say a thousand feet — and the conductor could punch the sprocket holes in the edge as he goes along. For a short ride to Poughkeepsie, only a 100-ft. trailer would be needed. But gosh! If Syd Cohen goes to Calif, it would take a "Four Horseman." Next week! "Sawing a lady in Half." * * * Sounds Reasonable I see they claim flappers are caused by small flats and high rents. My, what a lot the landlords have to answer for! * * * Need New Ones There ought to be a different set ot laws to govern certain film stars. The present ones don't seem to fit their convenience. * * * Not So Chic! Peggy Joyce is going about Chicago wearing one of the long Paris gowns, so fashionable abroad. Peggy isn't attracting as much attention these days thus attired. * * * Big News The American Releasing Corp. throws the deposit system outa the window. * * * A Little Late Pete Smith says Marshall Neilan I! seeking suitable punishment for movn fans who write directors for autographed photographs and start their letters with "I have just seen you in your latest piC; ture. I think your acting is wonderful. Which would have been a good joke I Rex Beach hadn't used it all last Wiotei on bis personal appearance tour. Bettei luck next time, Pete. IN THIS ISSUE OF SPECIAL INTEREST F<>\ Officials Discuss Soles Pollcj <>n \ series of I Busuall? Interesting Ni'" ><-,v irtlelea on Equipment 77 departments Hi in ii of •• I rouble" l>> Min i ill .1. Qj/Ulgley 5 1 Pictorial Section 2P \ I :\\ S <>!■• THE \\ EE Iv rhe w eeh in New ^ <>rk 84 M >> Making IiU-iin 'Mi Tide Him Tamed i Better iiuhI The Theatre :i7 Newsplctures 4H Reviews 4» Public ii i League 58 Through Nebraska with H. B, ST.... W2 Letters From ii<-iuI<tn (14 Here. Stllles /.llkl \i-h lurk i:\hilillor Otlleiuls \l tend Confer ■<■ Willi Hays outlook In Bright for Nevi Reason Seceding exhibitors in v V. Kay Komi \imi National League Cohen uk. Bays for Conference i I opl«-« of Day . . . . . . 04 Meeting Will Be Held soon -7 whin the Picture Dili for Me « < leveland Commerclnl < lui> is Where Can 1 llnj n? TB sletlng Censorship Benort -* Theatre i:«iul|>i ii Bshl r oiiieini Lauds >■ »ri iii jr. Chicago Trade Events P4 Bulglej Bdltorial M Chalde <<> Current Pictures im