Exhibitors Herald (Mar-Apr 1924)

E-.^CvJEJ I B I T O S QJie independent ^film tirade ^Lapey Martin J. QuigleyPublisher & Editor Published every Wednesday by Exhibitors Herald Co. Editorial and Executive Offices: 407 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, U. S. A. (Tel. Harrison 9248-9249) New York Office Lob Angeles Office 1476 Broadway (Tel. Bryant 5111-1368) 6528 Santa Monica Blvd. (Hollywood 8520) James Beecroft, Manager Harry Hammond Beall, Manager All Editorial and Business Correspondence Should Be Addressed to Chicago Office Edwin S. Clifford, Managing Editor George Clifford, Business Manager William R. Weaver, Exhibitor Editor Jay M. Shreck, News Editor J. Ray Murray, Review Editor John S. Spargo, New York Editor Other Publications : "The Box Office Record," published semi-annually, and "Better Theatres," published monthly as a supplement to Exhibitors Herald Subscription Price: United States and Its Possessions, $3.00 a year; Canada, $4.50 a year; other parts of world, $6.00 a year. Single copy, 25 cents. Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations. Copyright, 1924, by Exhibitors Herald Co. Vol. XVIII April 5, 1924 No. 15 Penalty of Public Service {Written March 21, 1924) Into the wild-eyed and loud-mouthed investigation now going on in Washington, where there is an inquiry which is essentially a grand jury affair that should be held behind closed doors — but, instead, every bit of rumor, gossip and irresponsible scandal is broadcasted to the world — the name of Mr. Will H. Hays has been introduced. We do not know what Mr. Hays is to be asked or what he will answer, but we are satisfied that nothing whatsoever will be adduced which will be an adverse reflection upon Mr. Hays, on nis conduct and practices. This industry which is very much interested in Mr. Hays — and, incidentally, owes him a considerable debt of gratitude for what he has accomplished in the past two years — need have no apprehension as to what is going to happen to him in Washington. It was probably inevitable that his name should be dragged into this investigation. His prominence and importance in national politics before his association with the motion picture business gave him knowledge of many matters which directly or indirectly were likely to be under consideration in this investigation. To be dragged into a matter of this kind is a penalty likely to be exacted from any man who has occupied an important position in public life. Mr. Hays is devoted to the cause of public service. That is one reason why he undertook his present work rather than going into some ordinary business where there wTould not be the opportunity for serving the public interest. He is one man who gave a great deal more to politics than he took out of it. Throughout his public life he maintained a steadfast devotion to the finest principles and he went out of office with as clean a record as any man in the history of this country. It is unfortunate that he should be dragged into this inquiry, but we have a deep-rooted confidence that his examination before the committee will produce nothing that will cause the industry to value less highly the leadership and guidance of Mr. Will H. Hays. There is one bright spot in the development, however. It is the fact that some of the players in California can now spend a few of their idle hours drawing up resolutions reproaching Mr. Hays for drawing "unfavorable publicity" upon the motion picture industry. * * * On Identifying The Players Producers frequently in the preparation of main titles fail to identify the various players with the character they portray. This practice presupposes a familiarity on the part of the public with the various subordinate players which the public simply does not possess. * * * New Promise of Technical Advance Several motion picture engineers maintain that the next important step in the scientific and technical refinement of motion pictures will be the adoption of a method under which a considerably larger negative film will be used and by means of optical printing the images from the larger negative film will be transferred to the standard size positive film. It is asserted that this method, without any other developments or changes, will result in a much finer quality of photography and will, in fact, produce a photographic result that will approach very close to the ultimate in what may be desired. This method, it is believed, will practically dispose of the comparative coarseness in even the finest of present pictures which is due to the granular texture of the film stock which is not minimized when a negative picture of one size is transferred to positive of the same size. The technical excellency of existing pictures is so great that there really does not seem to be much to be desired but, still, every little refinement assists further in entrenching the motion picture as an instrument of artistic expression. * * * Wait for Increase Of Population In connection with the closing of two of his Des Moines theatres, Mr. A. H. Blank has issued a statement in which he explains the action as being due to "lack of patronage" but he volunteers no explanation of his thought as to the reason for this "lack of patronage." With reference to an amusement enterprise this term, "lack of patronage," covers a mighty broad field. In the case of the Des Moines situation it appears that the failure of these houses to draw adequately is not due to any general condition and not due to any lessening of the public's interest in pictures, but rather that conditions in Des Moines led to the building of too many theatres, with too great seating capacities. This seems to be a condition that exists in various places throughout the country, notably — Cleveland. The only solution — and not a happy one, at that ■ — is to shut down and await future developments.