Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

September 30, 1922 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 Organized Printers To Aid Industry in Combatting Censors NEW YORK, Sept. 19.— Announcement that the New York State Allied Printing Trades Council would carry on a campaign for the repeal of the motion picture censorship law was made yesterday by its president, Peter J. Brady, in a letter to motion picture theatre owners of the state. Mr. Brady declared that censorship had been used to delete film depicting brutal conduct by employers, hirelings and officers of the law against working people engaged in industrial disputes and said that the constitutional rights of freedom of the people of the state were endangered by the law. Organized labor has appointed committees to wait upon the Republican and Democratic state conventions and will ask them to incorporate a plank in their platforms pledging a repeal of the film censorship law. Mr. Brady declared, "You can render great aid by waiting upon the county leaders and delegates from your district to both these conventions and urging them to have these conventions go on record by pledging a repeal of the censorship law and thereby relieve the industry of an unfair tax and the public of unwarranted interference." Wife of Samuel Katz Dies; B. & K. Houses Darkened During Day Mrs. Ida Balaban Katz, wife of Samuel Katz, a member of the board of directors of First National and a member of the firm of Balaban & Katz, Chicago exhibitors, died at Wheaton, 111., on September 15. Funeral services were held on September 18 at the Beth Hamidrash Hogadol synagogue. All of the B. & K. theatres — the Riviera, Chicago, Tivoli, Central Park and Roosevelt — were closed Monday until 6 p.m. out of respect to the memory of the exhibitor's wife. Mrs. Katz was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Balaban, and a sister of Barney, A. J., Max, John, David, Harry and Elmer Balaban. Hope to Strengthen Unit at Kansas Meet (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, MO., Sept. 19.— The convention of the M. P. T. O. Kansas this year hardly can be classed as an ordinary convention, in that the attendance at Wichita, September 25, will be one of the most important factors of the meeting in that it will serve as a barometer to the membership campaign to follow and will be an indirect response of Kansas exhibitors to the new business manager, C. E. Cook. The complete data of a state exhibitors' organization at a finger's end and a 100 per cent group of loyal members — that is the ambition of Mr. Cook. Aside from legislative problems, the convention will be devoted largely to the strengthening of the Kansas organization. Vaudeville Circuit President Bars "Cracks" at Industry Albee Declares No Institution Should Be Condemned for Acts of Few — Lauds Hays in Order Issued to Theatre Managers and Artists (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19. — E. F. Albee, president and general manager of the Keith vaudeville interests, has placed a ban on performers taking "cracks" at motion picture matters at Keith shows. Mr. Albee's letter to "managers of vaudeville theatres and artists" follows : "A number of complaints have come to my notice from patrons of motion picture theatres and also from those interested in a financial and managerial capacity about the reference made on the vaudeville stage by some artists to the late controversies implicating motion picture people in Hollywood, Cal. "Don't Condemn Industry for Acts of Few" "I feel that no institution should be condemned for the acts of a few of its employes or associates. It is bad enough to be obliged to stand the criticism of the press and the general public but when those who earn their living in theatricals continue to irritate a condition of this kind it does not become us in any way. It is human to err, but it is not human for members of a family to openly criticise before the public the shortcomings of any of the other members. It is the same with our business. "The motion picture industry is of the greatest and most important in the theatrical business. Millions of people, particularly women and children, get their amusement from this branch of our profession. Reference Is Breach of Decency "There are proper ways of disciplining and punishing those who offend law and principles, and those in the motion picture business who have transgressed ethics and reflected on the entire profession, have suffered for their misconduct and any reference to this in public or on the stage by theatrical people in any branch of the business is a breach of decency, to say the least, and also a breach of consideration, rather thoughtless, I believe, than otherwise, for a business which we should uphold and dignify instead of endeavoring by unsavory reference to pull down. "Mr. Will Hays, who has been put in charge of the motion picture industry, is striving from morning until night, week in and week out, to rehabilitate any shortcomings in the motion picture business and to establish a high standard in all of its ramifications which will command respect and admiration not only from those who visit motion picture theatres but from the public in general. Lauds Will H. Hays "Mr. Hays is a man of high ideals and principles, tremendously energetic and courageous and a great organizer, and it is up to every individual in the theatricals to support him in his splendid work which will redound not only to the glory of the picture business but to the entire profession in all its branches. "I sincerely ask the vaudeville artists co-operation and also the managers' in stamping out any reference to motion pictures in a discourteous and criticising way We cannot expect respect from others unless we, ourselves, respect our own calling." Administrator Woodin the cooperation of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of the State of New York. In a wire to the administrator, Mr. O'Reilly, said: "We pledge ourselves to carry whatever message you may have to the public through the medium of our screens and from our rostrums, and we are at your command to do any public service you may designate us to do." Smith to Exploit New Fairbanks Picture as Roadshow Attraction (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS AXGELES. Sept. 19.— Pete Smith, prominent advertising and publicity director, has been loaned by Marshall Xeilan to Douglas Fairbanks to exploit the latter's new picture, "Douglas Fairbanks in Robin Hood," in its road show presentations. Negotiations for theatres in New York, Chicago and other large cities are under way and announcement of its Eastern premiere is expected soon. Bond Named Manager E. J. Eichenlaub has resigned, effective immediately, as manager of the Chicago exchange of First National. He is succeeded by C. E. Bond, whose post as city sales manager will be filled by Gradwell L. Sears. Former Exhibitor Dies (Special to Exhibitors Herald) VICKSBURG, MISS., Sept 19.— Henry Mayer, who managed the Walnut Street theatre until its sale to Saenger Amusement Company a few years ago, was found dead in his room at the Carroll hotel here, from causes unknown. Blumenthal Brings Film (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19— Ben Blumenthal, president of Export and Import, is en route to America, bringing with him a film entitled "Sodom and Gomorrah," which he acquired abroad. Offers Official Aid in ' Case of Coal Famine the (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 19.— In view of threatened coal famine. President tne tnreaicucu <--^. »«-■■ • - Charles L. O'Reilly has offered State Fuel Sid Goldman Resigns Sid Goldman, Chicago manager for American Releasing Corporation, has resigned. Mr. Goldman will take a short vacation and announce his new affiliations upon his return.