Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

36 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 7, 1925 Industry Is Now on Sound Footing, Says Yates Consolidated Official Declares That Returns on Investments Are Proportionately as Large as in Other Businesses IN many quarters the motion picture business is looked upon as a gamble, yet it has “returned to the investor from its large and well managed companies dividends proportionately as large as other great American enterprises,” according to Herbert J. Yates, managing director of Consolidated Film Industries, Inc. Mr. YATES views with pride the progress made by the industry in eliminating “film-flammers” and “get-rich-quick” promoters. This fact in itself, he says, is an indication that the industry is basically sound. In a discussion of the subject, “Motion Pictures Serve Humanity,” Mr. Yates says : “The test of any great industry is the investment rating of the stocks and securities of its leading companies. The motion picture industry has returned to the investor from its large and well managed companies dividends proportionately as large as other great American enterprises. “While it is true that money has been lost in the motion picture industry, it is likewise a fact that millions of dollars have been lost in oil, in railroads and in every other industry by those who speculated on slim chances or invested unwisely. “Particularly in their early stages and due to the magnetic power of their rapid growth, the typical American industry has in most instances served as the basis for the unscrupulous operation of ‘film Rammers’ and ‘get-richquick’ promoters, who have preyed upon a credulous public, mismanaged their affairs and often even given an unstable appearance to an industry which is really sound. “Those who have been in the motion picture industry from the beginning and who have been determined to conduct their businesses along sound commercial lines must view the gradual elimination of the ‘flimflammers’ and the ‘get-rich-quick’ promoters with pride. They have seen a basically sound industry push itself through all such obstacles to a recognized position of sta bility. “The motion picture industry is captained by able business executives, men who are imbued with the idea of building a permanent corporate institution rather than with the sole purpose of personal aggrandizement. “Aside from the moneymaking possibilities in motion pictures, there are those who cherish the ambitions of supreme achievement, whether it be art or drama or better service to the public. The now established policy of striving for better and finer pictures and more beautiful prints, and of accomplishing greater objects in the industry than the mere accumulation of dollars has already had a far-reaching effect. “This change has been substantial on the part of every factor in the industry. Especially has the laboratory branch of the industry undergone a complete metamorphosis and has evolved from a hap-hazard, any thing-will-do-basis into a highly specialized technical science and art that is actually a complete business in itself. “Certified prints reflect this improvement. They convey to the public the clear brilliant artistic result that the director and the cameraman intended. “Certified prints are sold on their merits. Quality, price and service are the only basis — not friendships of past performances. They are made by an organization whose entire time is devoted to the business of producing prints that are the best that can be made. It is not just a hobby or side line with them.” (On this page are pictured four of Consolidated’s Laboratories.) EXOVWGE PLACE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.— United Artists has opened the long looked for exchange at 50 East 4th South street. Carl Stern, manager here for Universal three years ago, is the local chief for U. A. He is busily engaged in fixing over his new quarters. . . . L. W. Weir, Western division manager for Producers Distributing Corporation, is expected here Friday, to enter into conference with C. F. Parr, local manager, on the new contest, whereby the Western division challenged all other sections to cop prizes in selling and collecting Eddie Diamond, Pantages theatre manager, broadcast a radio talk on the Metro-Goldwyn production playing at his house last week, “He Who Gets Slapped. He is all het up about it ... . Thomas D. Soriero, general manager of all Universal owned theatres, was here last week talking with Ed. C. Mix, manager of the Kinema theatre. He is returning to New_ York City after inspection of all Umversal theaters in the West, which he claims aie making better showing than those East of the Mississippi. This tickled Ed. . . . Carl Porter, managing genius of the Victory theatre, is doubling up by looking after the interests of the Paramount Empress theatre during George Carpenter s absence. George hied himself to the Paramount theatre convention at Atlanta. . . Eustace Carpenter, assistant to George, is on the job too .... Neil Schettler has taken over the musical direction at the Victory theatre. The Victorians will continue to function as heretofore Samuel Henley, Uny versal exchange manager, has divided his sales and office force into teams in an endeavor to cop prize money in the national contest inaugurated this week and extending until June 6 Universal ex change employes have organized the^ Universal Film Employes’ club. • Holah, Fox mentor, took a flying trip to Southern Utah this week, with Leonard Tidwell, his salesman in that territory. . . _. . The local Pathe exchange presents a radio broadcasting program twice a week over the Desert News Station KEPT. This is proving to be a popular feature fp*" tli^ radio fans W. S. Western division manager for Pathe, was here this week conferring with IV .G. Seib, local manager. Musta left his far-famed Stetson sombrero home this trip. . . . -C. M. Van Horn leaves the Butte Pathe office to take over the managerial duties at Denver. . . . W. A. Calkins, manager for Pathe in this city several years ago, replaces Van Hoi n. George Hays, Associated Exhibitors manager, is selling his product in Idaho. . . . Harry Lustig, genial manager of this division for Metro-Goldwyn, will be here this week to conduct a sales conference of all salesmen under the supervision of George^ L Cloward, resident manager E( Ryon of the Liberty theatre, Brigham City, is here 0. E. Mclff, Panguitch; B. G. Thatcher, Logan; William S picker, Logan, Utah; Ned Grossman, Pocatello, Idaho, were here this week signing up for "U” Branch Management to Scott OTTAWA, ONT. — While here for several conferences, Clair Ha^e, general manager of Canadian Universal Films, Limited, Toronto, announced the appointment of R. A. Scott, branch manager at Vancouver, B. C., as Western Division manager for the Canadian territory.