Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

38 EXHIBITORSHERALD Just What Would You Do If You Were a Producer? Theatre Owners, in Answering Question, Pick Flaws in the Making and Distribution of Motion Pictures An analysis of production and distribution has been made by exhibitor readers of the “Herald.” The “Herald” sought this appraisal ^ of those branches of the business from theatre men with the thought in mind that such a survey would elicit suggestions helpful to the industry at large. The publication of these analytical comments, begun last week, will continue through subsequent issues of the Herald. This week’s appraisals follows : Desires Less Sex Tragedy HARRY LEE WILBER, Rialto theatre, Fullerton, Cal., says: If I were a producer I would keep uppermost in my mind the overwhelming fact that the public wants to be entertained and amused with human situations. Less sex tragedy, and problems. A good police dog actor is worth more at the box office than a hundred lownecked stars and swallow-tailed dandies arguing across a mahogany table. Outdoor action along logical lines spells prosperity at the ticket office whether it be a dime house or a dollar palace. What makes Harold Lloyd one of the biggest box office bets in the business? Does he do anything that you couldn’t do? He is natural and he makes you laugh. People like to pay money to somebody who will make them laugh. If I were a distributor. I’d hammer these facts home to the producer. Wants Good Films for Small Towns AUBREY E. SWEARINGEN, Hoo Hoo theatre, Doucette, Tex., says: If I were a distributor I would arrange to give the small shows in the small town some good pictures (even old pictures at a reasonable price). Cut Out Suggestive Scenes, Hodge Urges H. T. HODGE, Palace theatre, Abilene, Tex., says: If I were a producer, I would cut out What If Players Asked To Censor Censors? In discussing the censorship of motion pictures the New York Evening Journal last week covered the question in very few words as follows: Netc York's Board of Moving Picture Censors, not satisfied with its present powers, requests permission to censor the behavior and private lives of moving picture people. ** Appetite comes with eating,'* the French say, and that's true of the love of power. It would seem preposterous to the censors if moving picture actors and actresses insisted on the right to inspect and regulate the lives of the censors. But one proposition would be as sensible as the other. Ladies and gentlemen of the Board of Censors say that certain moving picture makers violate the law and injure public morals. That would be a good reason for putting those moving picture men in jail, and if the charge is true, that's what ought to be done. But it isn't any reason for establishing a meddling Board of Censors that do no good, interfere with a most important and useful industry and make themselves a general nuisance. all suggestive scenes in pictures. I would leave out cigarette smoking by women, I would leave out all cuss words in subtitles as all such are offensive to church members and Christian people and reformers in general. They are looking for something to condemn pictures on and this practice certainly gives them a right to, and it does not in anyway add to the value of the picture as entertainment, and the picture would be ]ust as good without it and would please the religious people a great deal better. Another thing I would do would be to select a title that would have some draining power and had some connection with the story which many do not have. Then I would furnish lithographs that would suggest to the public what the picture was all about, which all do not do. If I were a distributor I would treat all rascals and thieves, who never pay for a cheap film if they once got their hands on it without paying for it. All e.vchanges do this, that is act as if they thought exhibitors were all rascals. They probably judge others by themselves, which is not right. All men should be treated like gentlemen until he proves to be a rascal, then quit doing business with him if he doesn’t deserve it. Dahymple Would Give Real Service J. M. DALRYMPLE, Dreamland theatre, Waverly, O., says: I would treat the other fellow as though I were the other fellow myself. In other words I would try to help the exhibitor build up his business by giving him real service at a price he could stand and not try to see how hard I could squeeze him and force him into bankruptcy. Would Eliminate Costume Pictures C. H. POWERS, Strand theatre, Dunsmuir, Cal., says: I do not believe I have ever said “If I were a producer” I would do this or that, because I know nothing of the producing end of the business. But I will say as an exhibitor I wish they {Continued on page 106) Miller Series Available {Special to E.rhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 17.— H. B. Miller, president, and A. G. Steen, treasurer, of the Hunt Miller Western Productions, announce the early release of a series of 26 two-reel Western plays by way of the States Right market. Three of the series have already been completed and are on view to the buyers at the local offices of the company at 1650 Broadway. Stabbed With Screw Driver COLUMBUS, IND. — Frank Horn, manager of Crump’s theatre here, was stabbed and perhaps fatally hurt recently. Police are searching for Robert Rose, custodian of the theatre. When Horn censured Rose for neglect of duty as a custodian, the latter is alleged to have attacked the manager with a screw driver. February 28, 1925 Levy of $1,250 Made By Arbitration Board On Charge of Bicycling {Special to Exhibitors Herald) PHILADELPHIA, PA., Feb. 17.— One of the largest single awards ever made by the Philadelphia arbitration board was made as the outgrowth of the detection of the proprietors of the Star theatre in appropriating the use of film while in transit between theatres and exchanges in this territory. Conspiring with an employee in the messenger service, the exhibitors secured short subjects from the messenger when they were being returned from the theatres to the exchange, and after playing them, returned them to the messenger, who in turn delivered them at the office. It was found that this practice continued for several months and the total rentals due the short subject exchanges W'ould approximate $1,250. The arbitration board ruled that these exhibitors must make the payment to the board, which would in turn distribute it among the short subject exchanges in proportion to the amount of films that they had involuntarily supplied for the house. Pro-Dis-Co Gets Collier for Crossed Words** {Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, Feb. 17. — William Collier Jr., “Buster,” has been cast for the leading male role of “Crossed Words,” opposite Gladys Hulette. Renaud Hoffman will produce this story of a lost bundle of mail as his second Spring release through Producers Distributing Corporation. Willis Marks who has been seen in distinctive character roles in Hoffman’s “Not One To Spare” and “On The Threshold” has been re-engaged for “Crossed Words,” in which he will play the part of the eccentric old postmaster. Other roles have not been cast. Remodeling of Theatre Results from Oil Find ( special to Exhibitors Herald ) KANSAS CITY, MO., Feb. 17.— Oil wells, as a rule, have little to do with motion picture theatres, but the $60,000 improvement work to start soon on the Belmont theatre, a suburban house, was made possible by an investment of Edward Grogger, manager, in a Wagner County, Okla., oil well. The well “hit,” so the Belmont will receive the “dressing up” of its life. “I intend to start construction work in a few days,” Grogger said, “and there will be not a dollar stand in the way of all possible improvements and conveniences for patrons.” Mr. Grogger built the theatre ten years ago and it has been in operation continuously since then. Brand Heads Wampas (Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17.— Harry Brand, publicity director for Joseph Schenck, has been named president of the Wampas at the annual election, to succeed Harry Wilson. Brand defeated Mark Larkin of the Pickford-Fairbanks studio. William Collier, Jr.