Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

July 1. 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 First National Is Suing Ince Over Contract (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, June 20— First National has filed suit to force Thomas H. Ince to perform under a contract written August 1, 1921. Up to date, Mr. Ince has made no comment upon the action. First National claims that Mr. Ince declines to continue delivering pictures as provided for in the contract. It is understood that Mr. Ince asked certain modifications in the contract and that the executive committee of First National refused to make them. This suit in no way involves the distribution of pictures by First National under the separate contracts between Associated Producers and First National, nor any of the contracts executed between First National and various old Associated Producers' products at the same time the contract was made with Mr. Ince. Seek to Reduce Wages Of Projectionists at Kansas City Theatres (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., June 20.— With hot days looming ahead and amusement parks as competitors for the summer months, Kansas City exhibitors have launched a movement to obtain a lower wage scale for motion picture operators. Just what wage scale will be proposed has not yet been decided upon. A meeting will be held this week and matters discussed by a committee in charge of the affair composed of J. W. Watson, Benton theatre; L. B. Sonsler, City Centre theatre; A. M. Eisner, Circle theatre; B. A. Weil, Broadmour theatre; and G. Goldstein, City Centre theatre. Hays to Confer With Civic Organizations (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, June 20.— Will H. Hays will meet representatives of civic, social welfare and educational organizations tomorrow to obtain from them views on how the public can co-operate in attaining the aims of the association in establishing and maintaining the highest possible moral and artistic standard of motion picture production as well as developing the educational and general usefulness of the industry." Fifty organizations have been invited to send representatives to the conference. Slow Motion Picture Of Aid to Speechless (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., June 20.— Dr. Max A. Goldstein, director of the Central Institute for the Deaf, told the fifth annual convention of the Society of Progressive Oral Advocates meeting at the Washington University Medical School, last week, that motion pictures have performed wonders in teaching the deaf to talk. He said that the ultra slow motion picture which show the muscular movements of the neck and throat had opened a vast new field in the teaching of the deaf. Three Organizations Now in Conference with Producers National and New York Leagues and Theatre Owner 's Chamber of Commerce Consider Vital Matters in Meetings with Will H. Hays (Sp-ecial to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, June 20.— Will H. Hays may have thought he was a pretty busy man when he was running the national post office, but he is really just learning now what it is to be a real busy business man. This new educational angle is coming to the head of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America through his efforts to iron out the differences between the exhibitors and the distributors. Conferences with representatives of exhibitor bodies are on Mr. Hays' daily menu, and have been for the past two weeks, with the schedule increasing instead of diminishing. Conference in Progress with Three Organizations Starting with the first conferences with the Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce two weeks ago, at which sub-committees were appointed from both sides, the conferences switched over last week to the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, and to these two was added today a series of conferences with the board of directors of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of New York, headed by President Charles O'Reilly. H. B. Varner The negotiations with Sydney S. Cohen and the executive committee of the M. P. T. O. A. opened last Monday and continued all the week until Friday, when adjournment w a s taken until yesterday. After Friday's session the following statement was issued from the office of Mr. Hays: Issues Statement The conference, commenced on Monday last between Will H. Hays, president of the .Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America. Inc., and President Sydney S. Cohen and the members of the board of directors of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, is yet under way and many matters of vital concern -to the motion picture industry have been and are yet being considered. The first meeting was held at the Hotel Biltmore. following a luncheon, and other sessions were held in Mr. Hays' office and meeting of sub-committees of both organizations were held at different offices. The subject of a more uniform and understandable contract for the mutual advantage of all concerned was one of the main issues. The reduced cost of accessories, the question of deposits, and the development of an effective arbitration plan operative in each exchange section of the country, were matters discussed. Understandings and agreements are in process of formation on all of the phases indicated and ai the time of going to press the committees having the matters in charge are in session. There is every indication that substantial progress is being made. Those attending the conference sessions are: For the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America. Inc. — Will H. Hays. Sidney Kent, W. R. Sheehan, Karl Kirchwey, R. A. White and Courtland Smith. For the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America — Sydney S. Cohen. W. A. True, W. A. Steffes, W. D. Burford, H. B. Varner. Jos. Rhode, Claude E. Cady, A. R. Pramer, R. F. Woodhull, E. M. Fay. M. E Comerford. A. Julian Brylawski, Chas. Whitehurst, W. H. Cadoret. Jacob Lourie, Howard Smith. M. J. O'Toole, A. J. Moller, John Collins, Dave Cohen, and Harry Davis. Sub-Committee Appointed At yesterday's session and continuing for some time the negotiations will be conducted for the exhibitors by a subcommittee composed of W. A. Steffes, W. A. True and W. D. Burford. The committee representing the producersdistributors is Mr. Hays, Sidney R. Kent, Famous Players; W. R. Sheehan and R. A. White of Fox Films, and Courtland Smith, secretary of the M. P. P. D. A. President Charles O'Reilly last week issued a call for a meeting of the board of directors of the M. P. T. O. N. Y. at his office yesterday, one of the purposes of which was to prepare for the beginning of the conferences with Mr. Hays today. The members of the board are Mr. O'Reilly. W. A. Dillon, Louis Buettner, Frank Koch, W. H. Linton, S. I. Berman, Jules Michaels, Walter Hays, Leo Brecher, Charles Steiner, V. A. Warren, Jules Greenstone, A. A. Elliott, Bernard Edelhertz, Howard Smith, Samuel Suckno, David Cohen, Joseph Quittner, Rudolph Sanders, Nathan Robbins, Samuel Peyser and Samuel Sheer. Entire Board to Attend The entire board will attend the first sessions with Mr. Hays and then a subcommittee will be selected to work along the same lines as is being done in the cases of the T. O. C. C. and the M. P. T. O. A. All three of the exhibitor organizations are working for practically the same objects, chief of which is a uniform and equitable contract, reduction of film rentals and accessories cost, the deposit system, and an effective general arbitration plan. Mary Pickford Not in Favor of Stars Making Personal Appearances (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES. June 20.— Mary Pickford will not make personal appearances in connection with "Tess of the Storm Country" when it is completed and published by United Artists. This stand is further backed by the star's opinion that contrary to the belief expressed in some quarters, personal appearance of stars is destined to lose popularity with each succeeding season. While Miss Pickford does not regard personal appearances as in any way detrimental to the profession she is inclined to view the procedure as entirely unnecessary and, as far as the public demand is concerned, thinks the practice may well be discarded.