Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

30 EXHIBITORS HERALD July 22, 1922 Charges and Denials Feature Cohen-O'Reilly Tiff Controversy Shifts from One of Oratorical Display to One Of Writing Communications (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, July 11.— The Cohen-O'Reilly tiff, which at one time was featured by its colorful oratorical display, has now simmered down to a stage of writing notes — denials, charges, counter-charges, retorts and what not. Latest of the communications to come from the headquarters of the New York State league and the national organization has a bearing almost entirely upon the situation in the East. Ince Denies Many Rumors In a statement issued Thomas H. Ince, producer, gives a flat denial to many rumors concerning his activities. Among them is his statement that he has not sold his studios at Culver City, Cal., nor has he leased them to William Randolph Hearst. He also refutes reports that he has closed his plant or that he is to merge his studios with any other producer, as well as that he will move his production activities East. CHARLES L. O'REILLY, president of the state body, charges Sydney S. Cohen, high executive of the M. P. T. O. A., with attempting "to create discord in the hope of finally disrupting the state organization." * * * President Cohen retorts with this statement: "We have had very little differences of opinion in the state at large and in the National headquarters of the M. P. T. O. A. has been removed 132136 West 43rd street, New York City. Extension of work made the removal necessary. greater number of instances all or nearly all of the exhibitors are members or are joining the district units." O'Reilly counters with this comment : "Cohen knew perfectly well that the great majority of the exhibitors in the state are absolutely loyal to their state organization and are desirous of maintaining the harmony that exists in their ranks. Mr. Cohen's statement on the New York situation is as truthful as the statement that he has 12,000 theatre owners in his organization.' Mr. Cohen, in his communication, states that exhibitors in different sections of the state "have found it advisable to organize themselves into district units affiliated" with the M. P. T. O. A. "These exhibitors," says the national president, "are loyal to the national body and the cause of the organization generally, and are unwilling to be separated in any way. This situation exists in the Buffalo district, in the Rochester territory and in other portions of the state." * * * Declaring that the New York State board of directors have withdrawn from the national organization and have declared that it was their intention not to interfere with any other state organization, or to create any new national organization, Mr. O'Reilly asks this question : "How long will the other officials of the national organization and other state leaders tolerate Mr. Cohen's actions and propaganda?" O'Reilly concludes his communication with this statement : "If Cohen insists upon war, war it will be." Thus ends another skirmish in the CohenO'Reilly tiff. Pickford to Marry (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, July 11.— Jack Pickford and Marilyn Miller will be married early in August, according to Mrs. Charlotte Pickford who arrived here from New York, July 8. Nominees for Business Head of M. P. T. O. K. Unable to Accept Post (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., July ll.— Herbert and James Barclay, recently nominated for the appointment as business manager of the M. P. T. O. Kansas, have declined the position, due to pressing business interests, thereby leaving the field open for another appointment. Prior to the next state convention at Salina, Kan., September 25 and 26, the Kansas organization expects to have one of the most compact state associations in the Middle West, according to M. Van Praag, president. Notices now are being sent to all exhibitors whose dues are unpaid, informing them in a courteous manner that the M. P. T. O. K. intends to have a 100 per cent paid up organization, even if the membership consists of not more than seventy-five exhibitors. "The size of our membership is not what will attract our interest in the future," said Mr. Van Praag, "but it will be the number of paid up members who can be counted upon for support, financially and morally." Noble Back From Trip Among Coast Studios (Special to Exhibitors Herald) OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA., July 11. — William Noble, dramatic critic and theatrical correspondent has returned to Oklahoma City from a month's trip to the Pacific Coast. Mr. Noble saw Douglas Fairbanks at work on his production "Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood" which he predicts will be one of the greatest pictures to be screened. MidSummer Pow-wow Is Staged by Wampas (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, July 11.— Western Motion Picture Advertisers held their annual mid-summer pow-wow at John Jasper's Hollywood studio last night. Al Wilkie DeMille, publicity director, was chairman. Entertainment by screen and vaudeville stars constituted the program. Heads Paramount Office (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., July 11.— Ben Blotcky, former manager of the Kansas City American Releasing Corporation office, returned from Minneapolis last week as manager of Paramount's* Kansas City office. MONEY MAKING IDEAS Used Successfully by Up Their Patronage Which Have Been Exhibitors to Build By W. G. STURDIVANT (Hoyburn theatre, Evanston, 111.) This week I am running a "Paramount Encore Week" with a different picture every day. Have run "The Miracle Man," "On With the Dance," "Old Wives for New" and "Don't Change Your Wife" and will run "Male and Female" and "Behold My Wife." These are all excellent pictures and the great array of well known stars makes a very enjoyable presentation each evening. I don't think any ex hibitor will make a mistake in running these pictures. By H. L. FOX (Tokio theatre, Moorehouse, Mo.) Heretofore on serial nights, I had been using the serial and finishing out the program with short stuff, usually a two reel western and two reel comedy. Lately, I have been using some good feature with the serial, preferably not over five or six reels and I find that 1 get the ones who do not care for the serial in addition to those who demand it.