Exhibitors Herald (Sep-Dec 1923)

42 KXHIHITORS HHRALI) October 6, 1923 Screen Emerges Big Factor in Educational Work Constructive Lectures on Motion Picture Production and Presentation to Be Feature in New York Schools DESPITE the preachings of the reform element and its effort to retard the progress of the motion picture through enactment of adverse legislation, the fact remains that the screen today is emerging as an important factor in the educational system of the country. Labels Reformers Talk "All Bunk" (Special to Exhibitors flcrohl) LOS ANGELES, Sept 25.— Are motion pictures inspirations or deterrents to crime? Los Angeles officialdom appears to be divided in its opinion on the subject. Comes Chief Vollmer, the new ippointed prefect police, and throws a harpoon into burlesque cops, saying that it destroys respect for law and order. Then District Attorney Asa Keyes, probably the most popular lawyer ever accorded that office, speaks before the Wampas and tells them that never in his experience as a criminal prosecutor has ever one wrong doer admitted he was influenced by having seen a film, and that on the contrary he believes most films are of uplift value. Keyes has questioned hundreds of criminals as to why they committed the crimes for which they were convicted. He declares the talk about pictures fostering crime is "all bunk." A program which will advance further the coordination of textbook and screen is announced by Dr. Ernest L. Crandall, director of lectures for the board of education of New York City. Dr. Crandall, who spent several weeks at the West Coast studios during the summer collecting important data, has prepared a series of constructive lectures on motion picture production and presentation. These lectures will be delivered to both pupils and adults attending evening classes. * * * The New York schools may well boast of another advocate of the use of the screen for educational purposes. Prof. R. W. Hatch of the history department of Horace Mann high school, in commenting upon the great task confronting the teacher of history in making the past seem real, declares: "And now, as a helper in recounting the past, another teacher of history enters the field — namely, the motion picture. This particular teacher is still young and has much to learn. Many of her previous attempts have resulted in distorted resemblances. Perhaps the less said about these earlier lessons the better. "ip a few cases such as, The Son of Democracy, The Birth of a Nation, Down to the Sea in Ships, and The Covered Wagon she has taught worthwhile lessons. Yet some of these, like The Birth of a Nation, need to be scanned closely, as I caution my students, with both the movie and the historical eye. "It is my opinion that the producers of The Covered Wagon merit the thanks of every teacher of American history. This masterly production is in itself an evidence of the great possibilities that lie in the future of the motion picture as a teacher of history. The directors of this picture are particularly to be congratulated, it seems to me, for two reasons. In the first place the dramatic episodes, incidental to the long trail, are not overdone, and secondly, they have unquestionably caught the spiritual significance of our great Westward movement. * * * "The picture drives home a double lesson. It is for us, the following generation, to conserve that wliich they toiled so hard and long to gain and build. But while their task is done, ours is not. The spirit of progress which they typified so well must still remain with us. Let us hope that the coming generation will emulate the courage, and sacrifice of these pioneers in the great tasks that yet stretch before. Conserve the best, but also, progress. "It is to be hoped that this picture will soon run to popular prices so that all the children of all the people may enjoy and profit thereby." Prof. Hatch was so impressed with the historical value of "The Covered Wagon" that later he took his entire junior class in U. S. history to see it. Also in New York is Columbia university which offers courses in motion picture production and photoplay composition. With a closer association existing between the school and the screen, the time is not far distant when the motion picture no longer can be classified as "non-essential" by those who would burden it with taxation. United Studios to Rent Its Equipment to Other Plants Levee Announces (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25.— A new affiliated organization of United Studios has been formed for the purpose of supplying the various local studios with every need in the shape of properties of every description, street sets of practically every country and other picture producing facilities, it is announced by President M. C. Levee. The new rental organization will be in charge of M. S. Epstin, who has for some years been associated with Mr. Levee in the management of the United Stu dios. Under the new arrangement, all the street sets and other physical producing facilities of the United Studios are placed at the disposal of the producing industry in general here. Properties valued at $2,000,000 are said to be involved in the deal. In addition to supplying film studios. Mr. Epstin's organization will take care of the demands of institutions in other fields in the matter of renting lights and other properties used at entertainments and events of all descriptions. Clifton to Make Film (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 25.— Elmer Clifton, director of "Down to the Sea in Ships" and other photoplays, is about to start production at Fox's New York studios on "The Warrens of Virginia." an adaptation of the stage play of that name. Martha Mansfield and Harlan Knight arc among the principals already cast. Ed Supple Joins Pathe (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK. Sept. 25.— Ed Supple, formerly of Motion Picture News, has joined the publicity department of Pathe. He succeeds Curtis Dunham, who has resigned to accept the position of publicity director of the Chronicles of America Pictures Corporation. Report Marcus Loew Seeks Chicago Houses Rialto, Orpheum and Randolph May Be Leased or Sold Declares Rumor Marcus Loew. who for years has been reported as being just about to enter Chicago in some theatrical enterprise, is now declared to be negotiating for the purchase of tin Rialto and Orpheum theatres, owned by Jones, Linick & Shacfer, and the Randolph theatre, now under lease to Universal Pictures Corporation. All three playhouses are on State street in the "loop" district. Some credence is given the report as Metro Pictures Corporation at the preseni time has no certain outlet for its product in first run downtown houses, although it has fared well in the Balaban and Katz Chicago and Roosevelt theatres. The Rialto is a combination picture and vaudeville house at the south end of the loop. The Orpheum, rccentlv remodeled and redecorated, is now classed as a firstrun theatre and js in the center of the loop. The Randolph is at the north end of the loop. The Randolph is also a Jones, Linick & Schaefer house, but was turned over to Universal a year ago on a fiveyear lease. LoewMetro Employes to Give First Ball Nov. 1 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Sept. 25.— Members of the Loew-Metro Club, an organization composed of employees of the Metro and Loew organizations will stage their first annual "movie" ball November 1, in the grand ballroom of the Astor hotel. Arrangements are now being perfected by committees of the club of which Marcus Loew is honorary president and Col. Jasper Ewing Brady, in charge of the Metro Eastern scenario department, president. Other officers of the club are David Loew, vice president; Rose Quinby, recording secretary, David Blum, financial secretary, and Charles Quick, treasurer. Many prominent screen personalities will be present, it is said.