Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

January 17, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 19 Bair, Through House Organ, Wins Sunday Show Support Extensive Drive at Uhriehsville, O., May Give Theatre Sabbath Performanees — ^Plan of Campaign Outlined in “Herald” as Aid to Other Exhibitors [Public Relations Department] A comprehensive campaign for Sunday opening vrhich has all the ear-marks of success, has been launched by the State theatre, Uhriehsville, O., through its house organ, the State Theatre News. The basic principle of the campaign, as conducted by E. E. Bair, resident manager of the theatre, and E. H. Wesson, associate editor of the News, is crystallization of public support. The results are encouraging and forecast another open town in a blue law state. Plan of Campaign May Be Applied in Other Localities Because the same plan of campaign may be applied to any locality the Herald believes it wise at this time to devote considerable space in reprinting much of the subject matter in the current State Theatre News. All Branches of Industry to Gain From Relief Body (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 6.— The Motion Picture Relief Fund of America has been incorporated at Sacramento. This new welfare organization, formed as a result of the split between the motion picture people and the Actors Fund of America, will function for the benefit of every branch of the industry. Incorporators of the new body are: Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Mae Murray, William S. Hart, Harold Lloyd, Charles Chaplin, Wedgwood Nowell, Hal E. Roach, Rupert Hughes, I. Thalberg, Mitchell Lewis, Rob Wagner, Ewell D. Moore, Charles H. Christie, W. T. Wyatt, Frank E. Woods, Neal Dodd, Mark Larkin, Donald Crisp, R. P. Fairbanks, Alfred A. Cohen, Victor H. Clarke, Cecil B. DeMille, Mary H. O’Connor, John W. Considine, Jr., Jesse L. Lasky, Winifred Kingston Farnum, Joseph M. Schenck, Joseph De Grasse, Glenn Harper and Fred W. Beetson. Heretofore, relief among the studio people has been directed by the motion picture branch of the Actors Fund but owing to the “increasing difficulties in the subcommittee administration due to the great growth of motion picture relief activities and the wide distance that separates the two bodies,” it was thought advisable to organize a separate relief b^ody. Representing the producers and distributors organizations among the incorporators are Joseph M. Schenck and Fred Beetson. Glenn Harper is the exhibitor representative. The new organization will function under the community chest plan with branches in New York and other centers of activity. Any one engaged in any branch of the picture business may become a member on payment of $1. In a statement issued in conjunction with announcement of the new body, it is pointed out that the motion picture branch of the Actors Fund has always cared for its own people through funds raised at benefits and through donations and therefore this branch has been no burden on the Actors Fund. Northwest Exhibitors Swell Door Receipts by Radio Exploitation (Special to Exhibitors Herald) MINNEAPOLIS, MINN., Jan. 6.— A tieup of exhibitors with a radio broadcasting station here is reported as an extreme success. Finklestein and Ruben, owners and operators of a chain of theatres in cities of the Northwest, are the originators and beneficiaries. Under the billing, “Pa’s F & R Family,” the first of a series of weekly theatrical programs was provided last week. Acts appearing at the Capitol theatre, St. Paul, and the State theatre, here, did their turns before the instruments. “Pa” Cambell, veteran Northwest theatre man, was the announcer. At the close of the program the announcer drops a “word to the wise” that the program, good as it is on radio, would be more entertaining if the listeners would visit the theatre. Ideas Inc, Formed Dave Bader, well known for his publicity work in exploiting Baby Peggy, Century comedies, etc., is president of a newly formed company. Ideas, Inc., which has absorbed three exhibitormerchant concerns, the Merchants & Exhibitors service, Bankers’ Manufacturers service and National Program service of New York. The State Theatre News, pages of which have been reproduced frequently in the Herald, is newspaper size. In the current issue about half of page 1, is devoted to statements on Sunday shows, printed under the streamer, “Let’s Reason Together on Sunday Movies.” Here is the subject matter appearing under that heading; To give the public at large a better opportunity to judge the sentiment regarding Sunday entertainments, the editors solicited at random opinions from merchants, railroad officials and citizens in all walks of life. While the average man is averse to a like publicity it is certainly gratifying to observe these results. About one out of twenty persons interviewed reserved their opinion and perhaps 5 per cent opposed the idea. We will also reprint two statements from ordained ministers which will carry weight with many people because they cannot fail to impress any fair minded person with their plain logic and clearness of purpose. Gets Public Sentiment Rev. Clarence Craig, pastor of the Clifton M. E. Church, says: “Methodists have been more energetic than any other Christian denomination in the war against the commercialization of the Sabbath, but I am not certain that the enforcement of the Sunday closing law is a feasible means of accomplishing this. The proper observance of Sunday cannot be legislated. Religion is not a law. When religion is turned into a law it loses its inspiration. Goodness must be creative. Obedience of the law is not religion.” Rev. Frank Nelson of Christ church of Cincinnati, says: “Both the religious and moral grounds for arguments are lacking. Only if the shows are debasing does the moral issue alone enter. So we don’t have to hit this thing so very hard after all.” Mr. Cahaney, popular tailor, says: “Putting two and two together, it strikes me that the controversy takes on more of a commercial than a moral aspect. It seems so out of keeping with my line of reasoning that a few people can tell me that I can’t see a decent show on Sunday though t would really like to that I can’t help thinking they must have another reason up their sleeve than my own personal welfare. Whatever they think they will lose if they win and as far as I am concerned I surely wish you success in getting a little life in this town on Sunday.” Mr. E. P. Uhrich, former president Board of Trade, says: “If drug, cigar and candy stores can keep open on Sunday also newsstands and baseball can operate, I don’t understand this strenuous objection against moving pictures. Anyway, I’ll go if they are opened.” Mr. Edward Devine, from Uhrichsville’s busiest filling station, says: “People who oppose a decent Sunday entertainment do so either for special reasons or for the sheer love of opposition. I’m for it.” Mr. Charles Wheaton, chief inspector, says: “When I saw ‘The Ten Commandments’ and read the good son’s quotation on the screen, ‘There is nothing to be found in the Bible that says we can’t have some wholesome fun on Sunday,’ I thought of your articles and can only say that you are right in your endeavor to get a little more freedom for us on Sunday.” Sunday Day of Recreation Mr. E. H. Gray, mechanic, says: “This is the first town I ever lived in where Sunday movies are not allowed. I have frequently visited them on Sunday and attended services too, and I surely consider myself as good a Christian as those shouting, ‘This thing must be hit hard.’ ” Mr. N. B. Campbell, who owns and operates a farm near here, says: “As far as I can see it, Sunday is not only a day of worship but also for rest and recreation and where I do the first part in church I can’t see a better place for wholesome recreation for myself and my boys than a good picture show. Wonder why they fight so much against it?” Mr. H. R. Henry, another farm owners, says: “I sure do like to see a good picture only I can spare so little time on weekdays, like all those reformers, and when I could go on Sunday once in a while they force a man to go to some out of town place where people employ a little more common sense and give a real workman a chance to get a little enjoyment.” Mr. William Huff, stock clerk, says: “It isn’t the harm a picture show does on Sunday to the public, otherwise the government would surely take a decisive step against it like it djd the liquor traffic. The antagonism is purely personal.” Mr. C. A. Adrian, claim agent, says: “I cannot see any objection; if people don't care to see a picture they can stay away. Why all the fuss?” Mr. F. Fenney, Supervisor of Roads, P. R. R., says: “Personally, I care little about pictures, but I believe it should be everybody’s own affair whether he wants to go on Sunday or any other day. I can’t see any harm.” Mr. Roy Carnahan, one of the directors of the P. H. A. C., says: “We enjoyed many a good ball game on Sunday. Objection to them was overcome. There were also football games. I believe in a square deal for everybody.” Mr. Harry L. Wires, caretaker of Pennsy System offices, says: “As long as the Sunday entertainments don’t interfere with the service hours of the church there is little sense in creating such a hateful sentiment against them, just see that they are conducted clean. It can be done.” Should Reach Agreeable Understanding Mr. Eugene Deems, private secretary, says: “The opposition handles the situation entirely wrong. Possession is considered 90 per cent of the law, but when possession of rights or privileges are ostensibly questionable, the wise thing to do is to come to an agreeable understanding and avoid friction, making matters only worse.” Mr. E. B. Parks sign painter, says: “I have lived nearly three score of years and a major portion right here, and I will say that if there is not anything more hurting the morals of this or any other community than a decent Sunday picture show, we don’t have to be very much alarmed about the future. I’ll go next Sunday if they are open.” Mr. Fred Uelchy, mechanic, says: “I have lived in this town only a few years. I have the interest of my family at heart and I can see that there are a lot more things that need stopping more than a picture show on Sunday. -Nobody says a thing about them. I’d like to go to a show on Sunday afternoon and I believe there are thousands like me.” We have the assurance of a number of prominent employers including clay pipe operators, to the effect that they would rather favor the opportunity to see their men enjoy themselves decently at a good Sunday entertainment than having to resort to questionable divertisements to' while away the Sunday — this is particularly the (Continued on Page 27)