Exhibitors Herald (Jul-Sep 1922)

Something to Read Each week the HERALD publishes numerous articles pertaining to censorship, blue laws and other reform menaces. Every exhibitor should keep a file of these stories for use when the occasion demands. PUBLIC RIGHTS LEAGUE Screen Message No. 74 That this community may enjoy its full share of returning prosperity, each and every one of its citizens and business institutions must prosper through cooperation with one another. This theatre is mindful of its duty to this community and pledges itself to this cooperative endeavor. EDITORS ARE : : : FREE SCREEN : : : PROPONENTS Constructive Comments in Press Will Combat Bally-Ragging of Reformers Contrasting pleasantly the unsane attitude assumed by some newspapers toward the motion picture industry are the editorial comments published recently in the "Portland (Ore.) Telegram" and the "South Boston Gazette" as well as the activities of M. E. Foster, president and publisher of the "Houston (Tex.) Chronicle." Bishop to Praise Studios "What wonderful material for a sermon that I will take pride in delivering." Such was the statement made by both Bishop E. C. Anderson and the Rev. Dr. John L. Lewis, both from Connecticut, after a recent visit to the West Coast studio of Paramount. The two divines Left to right: Rev. Dr. John L. Lewis, Thomas Mei^han. Paramount star, and Bishop E. C Anderson. were en route to the general convention of the Episcopal church at Portland, Ore. They had been requested to visit Hollywood and the studios so that they might deliver sermons on motion pictures on their return East. Comments by the two clergymen indicate the favorable sermons they will deliver to the church people of Connecticut. Rather than antagonizing scores of people against the industry, their teachings will correctly inform those people and win over potential patrons to the theatre. Dr. Lewis and Bishop Anderson are to be commended for their desire to obtain the true facts about Hollywood and Paramount is to be commended for acquainting the two clergymen with the true facts (not misstatements) about the industry. The strongest argument against the professional reformer who declares that all pictures are vile, immoral, indecent and the handiwork of the devil is found in these editorials. In these editorials also is the answer to the cry of certain people: "Give us good pictures and the need for censorship will not exist" Here is what the Portland Telegram says editorially about the Harold LloydAssociated Exhibitors feature comedy, "Grandma's Boy:" * * * "No salacious sex problem trails its slimy length through the film. The eternal triangle is limited in its application to two boys who vied in basking in the smiles of one innocent, wholesome girl. There is fighting enough to satisfy the most belligerent "The comedy appeals to everyone who still has faith in men and women. We love 'grandma' because our memories still retain visions of some one who had faith in her grandchild and whose face was good tor a boy to see." * * * In commenting editorially on the George Arliss picture. "The Ruling Passion." a United Artists publication, the South Boston Gazette said: "The Broadway is to be complimented on running such a fine, constructive and wholesome bit of movie entertainment. Readers of this editorial do well to request the theatre to book more picture plavs of the lofty calibre of 'The Ruling Passion.' Any who are interested in better plays, the kind that amuse without disgusting, will do well to let the local theatres know their opinion. George Arliss, the whimsical and incisively clever screen artist proves that a movie vehicle may be popular, effective, and screamingly amusing without being punk and immorally rotten. Let us have more such film masterpieces, let us have many more such film aristocrats, as 'The Ruling Passion.' " * * » While we are unable at this time to present editorial comment from the Houston Chronicle, it is befitting in presenting the foregoing to say a commendatory word about its editor, If. E. Foster. Mr. Foster has been a staunch supporter of every branch of the industry and through the columns of his paper constructive and instructive news of film events are given wide circulation. Many pictures are reviewed personally by Mr. Foster and frequently his comments are the deciding factor when members of the Houston censor board can not agree upon certain pictures. Each Sunday in the paper's rotogravure section one page is devoted to film personalities. Influential editors are a power in any community. Every exhibitor should make certain that his local editor knows more of the true facts about the industry. Without these facts many newspaper publishers will continue to harrass the screen. It is within the exhibitors power to correct this.