Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

42 EXHIBITORS HERALD February 7, 1925 Strange Censor Tangle Perplexes Kansas Exhibitors (Special to Exhibitors Herald) KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 27. — Kansas exhibitors are in the midst of one of the strangest fights over censorship that perhaps ever occurred in the Middle West. Led by Senator James W. Finley, a battle is on in the Kansas legislature to abolish the censorship board. But the strange part of it is Kansas theatre owners doubt whether they want the censorship board abolished or not. It is possible that M. P. T. O. Kansas and Missouri headquarters may, in an emergency, issue a hurried despatch of questionnaires to obtain a concensus of opinion among exhibitors. The status of the situation is this : On several occasions many Kansas towns have been threatened with self-appointed censors, members of local organizations, who sought to impose an additional censorship to that provided by the regular state board at Kansas City. These movements were quashed by the attorney general, but in many towns the “spirit” still is alive. Should official state censorship be abolished, would Kansas become over-ridden with an avalanche of unofficial censors? That is what theatre owners are asking. If state censorship were abolished would individual city censorship still be legal? The censorship fight was not started by the exhibitors but, according to politicians, the censor board appears doomed. Senator Finley’s committee report reads: “We recommend that the Board of Review, popularly known as the state censorship board, whose duty it is to pass on all films admitted to the state of Kansas for exhibition, be abolished. Your committee feels that this board is a comparative useless one.” One check on exhibitors, however, was contained in the recommendation. The committee would make the exhibition of any picture which is degrading or immoral in character punishable as a misdemeanor. Players Use Radio to Answer Questions by Screen Patrons (Continued from page 37) followed by Mrs. Strauss, head of First National’s scenario department, who talked interestingly on the selection of stories for pictures and gave some valuable advice on scenario writing. Director Lambert Hillyer spoke briefly on directing players and pictures. Starting off with Milton Sills, each of the stars were introduced in turn to the radio audience and a noble but ineffectual attempt was made by each to answer over the air the questions that had come in for him or her over the telegraph. The broadcasting station worked until 3 o’clock but there wasn’t time to answer but a small part of the wires. During the course of the evening a luncheon was served by the store management and at the close of the broadcasting the entire party was taken to the new Benjamin Franklin hotel, where accommodations had been reserved for the visitors. On Sunday the stars appeared at a big Shriners celebration and the entire party returned to New York on Sunday evening. Moreno Visits Home (Special to Exhibitors Herald) GIBRATLAR, Jan. 27. — Accompanied by his American wdfe, Antonio Moreno last week returned to Algeciras, his former home. He went from there to his old birthplace with his mother whom he met in Algeciras. “Our Laws Enslave Us,” Says Beveridge (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 27.— In an attack on the present condition of our statute books former Senator Albert J. Beveridge, of Indiana, last week before the Lawyers’ Club and the New York Bar Association, thrust sharp missiles at the product of reformers and self righteous legislators. He said the United States is overburdened by federal, state and local legislation which has brought about a condition in which the officials are vexatious tyrants and the citizens are cringing subjects. "We are by law forbidden to do more things and by law ordered to do more things than were the Russians under the Czar or were the Turks under the Sultan. We are surrendering our liberties and making ourselves the slaves rather than the masters of state,’’ he said. IT’S been a long time since Chicago was the headquarters for any of the larger companies, but last week history came almost repeating itself. Carl Laemmle and Boh Cochrane both headquartered here for a few days. Strange to say their visit failed to arouse any wild rumors. Carl continued West and Bob returned to New York. * * * We had a pleasant chat with the Shouras Boys from St. Louis, who conferred more or less with Sam Katz and Max and Barney Balaban. If Oscar Rumore had his way he’d concoct some wild story concerning those conferences, but no such thing. Just a friendly visit. ♦ * * Larry Weingarten brings us a new one from the Coast. How dare you label the boys who hand out publicity press agnets. No siree. They’ve all got their diplomas now and you must refer to them hereafter as commissioners of public works-;no, no, public relations. Larry and Artie Bernstein were en route East with Jackie Coogan’s newest picture, “The Rag Man.” Larry jumped over five desks in his enthusiasm over the picture. But we musn’t tell you more about that for we are encroaching upon Mr. T. O. Serv'ice. * * * Y. Barret McCormick is in town to give us a world premiere. The picture : “Barriers Burned Away.” Theatre : The Randolph. It’s been some moons since we had Mac with us and we’re all enjoying it. * * * Speaking of “On the Fly,” there’s another record holder in Chicago when it comes to globe trotting. Watterson R. Rothacker is one to be sure, but now give a little thought to Aaron J. Jones, head of Jones, Linick & Schaefer. They^re going to rent out desk space at the J. L. S. offices if A. J. doesn’t settle down. No sooner had he arrived from Europe than he flipped a train for Florida. It’s an awful nuisance, this traveling. — SHRECK. Unusual Chain of Factors Aid Big Universal Drive (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 27. — A really great set of factors has been set to work to exploit the coming Universal picture, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Chance has taken part in the efforts of advertisers, playing into their hands an opportunity that was snatched up before it could become “cold.” The greatness of the campaign is outlined in a letter from representatives of the Universal organization from five viewpoints; a billboard campaign ; national advertising ; serialization ; novelties ; and tieups. Outstanding in the efforts of the publicity men is the advertisement harvested in the recent tale in New York that a sculptured head was fished out of the Hudson River and it was believed to be the marble likeness of Augustus Caesar, carved during his lifetime. The story was spread by newspapers in column after column. Interest was high the following morning when, in each paper in the city, a large advertisement was carried containing a cut of the sculpture and saying, “America’s greatest art critics say that this marble head fished out of the Hudson River, was carved in Caegar’s time and is worth $10,000. Is this the sculpture of Augustus Caesar? Or is it Lon Chaney as he will appear in ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ to be presented by Carl Laemmle?” Therefore the campaign for the picture got away with a good start. The Saturday Evening Post has carried large ads in which is announced the prize contest for a slogan to suit the picture. 10 Cent Matinee for Juveniles Sponsored by Hays Organization (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 27.— Will H. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association, has just announced his “answer to the demand for motion picture programs which the young folks may attend and enjoy.” In co-operation with theatre owners of the country morning performances will be held during the year at an admission price of 10 cents. For these matinees 3,500 reels of film with a special appeal to juveniles have been collected. Representatives of the Hays group and the public relations committee have spent six months in selecting these programs. A feature-length picture, a comedy and an educational subject will be shown at each performance. Wilson Goes to Cuba to Shoot Color Films (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Jan. 27.— Bering D. Wilson, president and general manager of Wilson-Wetherald, Inc., and Clay Davis, production manager, left yesterday for Cuba, where they will start the production of their latest Kelley Color film. It will be made under the name of “White Mice,” Jacqueline Logan and William Powell appearing in it. Mitzi May Appear in Grauman Productions (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27. — Mitzi, noted musical comedy ^tar, will return to Los Angeles after her present tour for the purpose of entering pictures. Sid Grauman is negotiating to produce these attractions.