Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1921 - Mar 1922)

March 25, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 47 Pennsylvania Seeking Lower Film Rentals Questionnaire Forwarded to All Members of State Organization (Special to Exhibitors Herald) PHILADELPHIA, PA., March 14 — The Eastern Pennsylvania unit of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America has joined "the nation-wide demand for equitable film prices." A questionnaire to assist officials of the organizations in planning their campaign has been forwarded to members of the league over the signature of George Aarons, secretary. In a letter accompanying the questionnaire, Mr. Aarons writes: Future "Not Rosy" "The exhibiting business is at present in the throes of a serious depression and the future does not look very rosy. Thousands of theatres throughout the country are closing or operating at a heavy loss. Reports emanating from Minneapolis declare that out of 700 theatres in that territory 375 are closed and one-half of the others are losing money. "The theatre owners of New York at their convention in Albany, faced with the closing ot one-half of their theatres by summer, have launched a vigorous campaign to bring down extortionate film rentals ZV/3 per cent. The protest against excessive film cost is sweeping the nation. To obtain one good picture it is necessary to take a string of inferior ones at inflated prices. Most of the independent exchanges, always friendly to the theatremen, are meeting this condition in a spirit of sincere cooperation. Demand Must Be Made "The time has now come for the theatre owners of this zone to join the nationwide demand for equitable film prices. To succeed we must have the active cooperation of every exhibitor. Many ordinary program pictures masquerading as 'specials' demand prices out of proportion to their worth. The opening of this campaign will be to unmask these so-called 'specials' and 'super-specials,' for which undreamed of rentals are demanded, by combating the smoke screen of exaggeration thrown up by the exchangemen with actual facts. "Fill out the enclosed questionnaire with actual facts and return immediately. Your active cooperation will pay handsome dividends." Abe Warner Making Tour of Key Cities (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 14— Abe Warner of Warner Brothers, has left on a four weeks' tour of key cities in the interest of Warner productions. Mr. Warner will visit Detroit, Chicago. Des Moines. Atlanta and Xew Orleans, calling on exchanges and first-run houses. Claim State Right Film Cost Million (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, March 14.— According to Louis Weiss, "After Six Days." the forthcoming presentation of a picturization of the old testament, is the first million dollar production to be offered to state right buyers. District Officials to Direct First National Field Forces R. C. Seery and L. 0. Lukan Will Supervise Central West and Western Territories Respectively; Eichenlaub Promoted in Chicago A rearrangement of the distribution system whereby district managers will supervise its field forces, is being effected by Associated First National. The system is now operating in two of the five districts into which the country has been divided. R. C. Seery, who has been general manager of First National in Illinois for several years, has been appointed district manager of the Midwestern territory which comprises Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Omaha, Kansas City and St. Louis. Sales Manager E. J. Eichenlaub has been appointed manager of the Chicago office. Maxey Succeeds Lukan in Seattle Office In the Western district comprising Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland and Butte, L. O. Lukan, Seattle manager, has been appointed district manager. He is succeeded in Seattle by Guy G. Maxey. former sales manager. Other districts into which the country has been divided are: Eastern. Southern and Central. Announcement of the appointment of district managers and branch managers will be made later. Brockell Makes Change The new system was installed in the Midwestern district by F. M. Brockell, supervisor of exchanges for the company, who has been in Chicago during the past week. In announcing the change, Mr. Brockell said: "Indicative of its remarkable growth and progress, Associated First National Pictures, Inc., found it necessary to place district managers in the \arious territories of the United States and Canada. This latest move is intended as an aid in the distribution of First National product, the volume of which has reached such proportion that we find it essential that part of the work be placed in the hands of field managers. Pioneer in Industry "Mr. R. C. Seery, who has been general manager for Associated First National Pictures of Illinois, Inc., for several years, has been selected as manager of the Midwestern district. His untiring efforts in this capacity has brought the award of this new appointment. Mr. Seery is a pioneer in this industry, having former connections with Globe Film Company, the Majestic and H. & H. Film Company, which were later merged into Mutual Film Corporation and Triangle Film Distributing Corporation. "Mr. E. J. Eichenlaub has been appointed branch manager of the Chicago office to succeed Mr. Seery and will be in complete charge beginning Monday, March 13. Mr. Eichenlaub has been sales manager for First National of Illinois for the past two years and previous to this time it will be remembered he was sales manager for Famous Players-Lasky Corporation at the Chicago office. "During the many years that Mr. Seery and Mr. Eichenlaub havt given the industry they have acquired a great number of friends and we are sure they all join in congratulating them in their new appo'ntments." E. J. EICHENLAUB, who becomes manager of First National's Chicago exchange under the newly announced plan. Writers Urge Repeal Of N. Y. Censor Law Copy of Petition Is Sent to Legislative Chairman At Albany (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. March 14.— The Writers' Club at its recent meeting voted unanimously for the repeal of the New York censorship law. A petition asking that action be taken by the legislature was forwarded to Joseph A. McGinnies, chairman of the ways and means committee at Albany. In this petition the writers declare that the law "is a direct violation of the constitutional right which provides for freedom of expression and thought." The Writers' Club is composed of men and women whose productions are published by recognized publishing firms and magazines and whose plays are produced by recognized theatrical managers. Herman Landon is president.