Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1922 - Mar 1923)

December 30, 1922 IllllllllilllllllllllllUlllllIlllllllllilllllllllllll 83 HIGH SPOTS in the NEWS of 1922 riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiw The fall of 1922 will long be remembered in the film industry as marking the end of a depression which extended over the preceding eighteen months, reaching its high point in the early summer of this year. The entry of Will H. Hays into the business ; the defeat of censorship by public referendum in Massachusetts; the Cohen-Walker split, and mairy other high lights mark it as extraordinary in many particulars. The files of the HERALD tell the story in the following tabloid: JANUARY Realart Pictures Corporation ceases to function as an individual organization. ¥ Canvass of New York state shows that 1 4 1 theatres take the Herald exclusively. ¥ Sydney S. Cohen and James J. Walker tour country, attacks on First National featuring their addresses to exhibitors. * Carl Laemmle offers to cut prices for exhibitors proving operating loss. ¥ American Releasing Corporation is launched by Walter E. Greene and F. B. Warren. ¥ Will H. Hays, postmaster general of U. S., accepts call to head Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association. FEBRUARY Films displace stage and vaudeville shows in many important theatres of country. ¥ Senator Meyers starts movement in Senate to investigate "political activity" of motion picture industry. * Roof of Knickerbocker theatre, Washington, D. C, collapses, killing 108 people and injuring scores. ¥ M. P. T. O. of New York launches movement to obtain reduction in film rentals. ¥ M. P. T. O. of Nebraska enters agreement with Vitagraph to receive percentage of gross rental in state during March. Ham D. Taylor brings protest from branches of industry. ¥ Famous Players Canadian Corporation purchases Canadian interests of Allen Theatres, Inc., for $5,000,000. MARCH Exhibitors hail with approval the first issue of the Herald's Box Office Record. ¥ New York exhibitors in convention demand 33 1 3 cut in film rentals; table resolution offering co-operation to Hays. ¥ Sam Harding and other Kansas City business men form Capitol Enterprises, million dollar theatre and booking organization. ¥ Representative Appleby of New Jersey introduces bill providing for federal censorship of films; union labor fights meas Arthur S. Kane is elected president of Association Exhibitors. Organization of M. P. P. D. A. with Will H. Hays at helm is completed. ¥ Frank J. Godsol replaces Samuel Goldwvn as president of Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. ¥ Radio fad hits theatres; apparatus installed in many playhouses. APRIL Morris Kohn and John S. Woody rejoin Selznick Pictures Corporation. meeting of Theatre Owners Chamber of Commerce in New York City. ¥ Virginia enacts censorship law; Mrs. Evelyn Snow, chief censor in Ohio, is shorn of power. ¥ M. P. T. O. of Kansas issues ultimatum to stop film supply to churches. ¥ Al Steffes issues his now famous "I'll smoke Hays out" declaration at Minneapolis convention. Production is speeded up on west coast to meet returning prosperity expected in early Fall. Bitter fight precipitated between Sydney S. Cohen and Senator "Jimmy" Walker on eve of national convention. ¥ Martin J. Quigley publishes "Principles— Not Personalities" editorial. ¥ Sydney Cohen reelected president of M. P. T. O. A. at Washington. New York and several other "state organizations withdraw from organization. ¥ "Tide has turned; better business is here," says Zukor in exclusive interview in Herald, which is borne out by subsequent developments. Al Lichtman and Ben Schulberg form Preferred Pictures as producing and distributing unit. ¥ Richard A. Rowland is assigned executive post with First National. ¥ Newspaper treatment of death of Wil Will H. Hays is guest of honor at Georgia withdraws from M. P. T. O.