Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

22 EXHIBITORS HERALD July 1, 1922 jWARTIN J. QUI G LEY PUBLISHER/ EDITOR Published every Wednesday by Martin J. Quigley. Editorial and Executive Offices: 417 South Dearborn street, Chicago, Illinois. (Telephone: Harrison 924S-9249.) Mew York Office: 1470 Broadway. (Telephone: Bryant 1368 and Bryant 5111.) Los Angeles Office: 453 South Spring St., (Telephone 600-10.) All Editorial and Business Correspondence should be addressed to the Chicago Offices. Subscription Price: United States and lis Possessions, Mexico and Cuba, $3.00 a year; Canada, $4.50 a year; Foreign Countries (Postpaid), $5.00 a year. Single copy, 25 cents. Copyright, 1922. All Bights Reserved. Copyright throughout Great Britain and Colonies under the provision of the copyright act of 1911. Vol. XV. Inly 1. 1923 No. 1 "Ben Hur" The Goldwyn company has achieved a distinct victory in obtaining rights for the picturization of "Ben Hur." This famous story by Gen. Lew Wallace has long been considered the most sought after piece of literary material for motion picture purposes. The huge success of the story and of the play have been taken as indications of what might reasonably be expected if a motion picture version of "Ben Hur," done in a creditable manner, were offered to the public. "Ben Hur" unquestionably has been reported sold for motion picture purposes a greater number of times than any other story and there has been no one, however high in the industry, who did not seem to enjoy having his name associated with "Ben Hur." It is a great subject and should afford the means toward a great picture. At any rate, Goldwyn will have the best wishes of all in their effort to enrich the screen with a masterful motion picture version of "Ben Hur." * * * Mrs. Snow Retires The retirement of Mrs. Evalyn F. Snow, Ohio's woman censor, is just another contribution to the impracticability of official censorship. Mrs. Snow and no one else in the position she occupied could render satisfaction. Mrs. Snow did not err in any unusual or unexpected manner. She simply followed the natural, human course of a person who has been thrust into the position of censor. As time went on she became giddy witli power and reckless of what might be the thought or interest of anyone but herself — and the result was that through her own effort she practically compelled the state administration in Ohio to remove her. # * * Foreign Trade The motion picture is an invaluable aid to the American manufacturer who is seeking to progress in foreign trade. By means of pictures it is possible to present to the foreign buyer an understanding of American product and methods of productions which can be accomplished in no other way. Hence, it is important that nothing be permitted to stand in the way of this work. It now appears that the Bureau of Commerce in its efforts along these lines is being harassed by what during wartime would have been called foreign propaganda. The motion picture industry, being interested in seeing the motion picture put to the best uses, should lend its influence toward putting a stop to the hindrance of the Bureau in this work. Re -Takes J. R. M. Fellows we like to meet — First National $l-a-\veek men. * * * It was 90 in the shade the day they hit Chicago but they never lost their tempers. * * * He'll Stump 'Em When we get ready to talk to Mars, better let Thomas A. Edison have the wire. He can ask more questions than a Philadelphia lawyer. * * * Speaking of Props The M. P. Nooz is all puffed up because a copy of its paper was used as a prop in the third act of a show called "Up the Ladder," while Exhibitors Herald appears in the first act, while the family in the play was comparatively poor. Which only goes to show that the Herald was the factor in helping them "up the ladder" to success. By the way two vaudeville acts in Chicago used the Herald as a prop last week, and both acts went over big. * * * Not a Fade-Out Evalyn Snow did a melt-out last week in Ohio. * * * Speaking of appropriate names — that press agent Phil Space strikes us as about the ultimate in appropriateness. * * * Things That Amuse Us The little exchangeman who objects to an honest review of one of his features. * * * Gave Us a Laugh That "personal appearance"of a cameraman in New York last week. * * * Christie Fashion Hints Al Christie has been heard from again. He says London, England, has promise of becoming quite a town and while in Paris he made these observations: "Skirts will be worn again this year, superseding the previous run on kneelength remnants." "Hair will be worn long or bobbed, according to one's individual necessity of looking youngish or older." "Hats will not be worn in picture shows by discriminating dressers," and "Pearls continue to be popular, especially with soubrettes and even chorines." Which goes to show that Al has been looking 'em over. * * * Things in General By Dan E. Daily 'Stoo hot to write much original stuff. '01 think tank ivont work. "You know how 'tis," as the girl in "The Storm" says: And speaking of "The Storm," wasn't that dive of the old Frenchman's into the river, a darb! Yep. Some dive. And some foxy camerawork, too. Slow motion, 'n everything. There's a pic. n' one that ought to make a bbl. of money, for "U," and Carl, and everybody that plays it. No big sets. Except nature's. No villains. No abductions. Just a darn good story. And a real blizzard and a real forest fire. And with music, say, it ought to mop up. (Next week — Great guessing contest.) IN THIS ISSUE OF SPECIAL INTEREST Quarterly Index to Reviews 51 Goldwyn Pays $1,000,0(10 for Screen Rights to "Ben Hur'' 28 NEWS OF THE WEEK Xeiv Constitution in Missouri May Provide for Free Screen 23 First National Asks Walker to Investigatc Contract 24 New York League Officially Secedes from M. I>. T. O. A 24 Three Organizations Now in Conferences With Hays 25 First National Is Suing Thomas If. Ince Over Contract -."> Kenipf and Kane Organize to Build Hug** Film Warehouse 26 Zukor Takes llndicnl Step to Improve Quality of Pictures 27 National Conclave Inspires Greater Exhibitor Activity 35 F. B. O. Fills an Acute Need in Industry, Says Powers 36 DEPARTMENTS Pictorial Section 20 The Week in New York 34 Money Making Ideas 36 The Theatre 37 Newspictures 45 Reviews 47 I'n l>lii Rights League .">."> Letters from Readers 50 Topics of the Hay 56 What the Picture Did for Me 57 Theatre Equipment 67 With the Procession in Los Angeles 70 Chicago Trade Events 71 Guide to Current Pictures 73