Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

March 14, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 19 Producers Ban 100 Salacious Books, Flatten More than 100 books were rejected by producers last year because they were called salacious. Members of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors agreed that books shall reach the set standards if they are to be made into pictures. Such was the gist of an article by J. Homer Platten, treasurer of the Hays organization, in the periodical "Advertising.” The books rejected were regarded as some of the most popular novels read by the public. **Forbids Society from Distributing *^Taxable^^ Music (^Special to Exhibitors Herald) SHAWNEE, OKLA, March 3.— As a part of the general move constantly grov^ring to stamp out the use of taxable music the Oklahoma division of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners directed a letter this week to the American Society of Composep, Authors & Publishers, virtually forbidding it from continuing the circularizing of its music among theatre owners of the state. The sending of sample copies of music to owners was pointed out in the request as objectionable. “We wish to request,” the letter read, “that you immediately notify every member of your society to discontinue this practice in this state as theatre owners do not desire to play the music of any of your members.” The letter was authorized by A. B. Momand, president. Firm in Plea Sent to Producers (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., March 3. — A letter to each producer last week recommended to thern that tax free music be included in music cue sheets sent them, as a result of a meeting of the executive committee of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. Announcement of the resolution was made by I. W. Rodgers, president of the organization. The letter follows in part : “There is a tax-free music bureau in New York of which Harry Sigmond is the manager. . . . It is his intention to discuss with you this question and we want to go on record as being in sympathy with his idea and we are getting this letter before you with that purpose in view. We want to state kindly but firmly that we will give preference in the booking of pictures to those pictures which have tax-free music cue sheets accompanying them.*^ P.D.C. to Take Over Forum Theatre, Report {Special to Exhibitors Herald) LOS ANGELES, March 3. — Producers Distributing Corporation will take over the Forum theatre in a business deal to be consummated this week involving $120,000, it is reported. P. D. C. has been negotiating with the Mortgage Investment Company, the owners, for some time and the money is in escrow. It is stated Cecil B. DeMille will direct the policies of the theatre. "Stereoscopiks” Accredited Success NEW YORK. — The success of the “Stereoscopiks” subject, “Ouch,” at the Rialto has prompted the Paramount management to book the picture at the Rivoli theatre for a week. Three Big Independents Quit Film Board; Charge Injustice Uniform Contract Basis of Action — Bromberg, Jenkins and Branson Head Companies Which Have Withdrawn — Further Developments Are Expected (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ATLANTA, GA., March 3. — Simultaneous withdrawal last week of three independent exchanges from the Atlanta Film Board of Trade because of what they term unfairness and control by a few distributors, has aroused considerable comment in Southeastern film circles where the companies in question are important factors in the business. Just what the result of this action may be is a matter of speculation among local film men who are watching the situation with a great deal of interest because of the possible effect it may have on the independents in other centers. Bromberg, Jenkins and Branson Head Companies The members who resigned last week from the Atlanta board are : Progress Pictures, Arthur C. Bromberg, president ; Enterprise Distributing Corporation, William K. Jenkins, president, and Eltabran Film Company, which is headed by T. A. Branson. Two of the exchanges are strongly intrenched and important distributing organizations, Enterprise being the largest independent distributor in the country. With executive headquarters in Atlanta, this concern operates exchanges in Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, Dallas, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Kansas City and Omaha, and its activities are said to cover twenty-six states. While Progress Pictures does not cover such a wide territory, it maintains five branches in Atlanta, Charlotte, New Orleans, Dallas and Oklahoma City, and has affiliations that give it a consistent volume of product. Eltabran maintains offices only in Atlanta and Charlotte, but is considered a thoroughly efficient organization in its territtory. Arthur C. Bromberg Bromberg Raps Board The movement, which has been foreseen for some time by certain observers in this section, is explained by Mr. Bromberg in a statement issued at the time the withdrawal was made public. In reference to the Film Board of Trade this statement says : “It is not an institution of fairness and justice to the exhibitor or to the distributor, other than a few distributors who more or less control the destinies of the Hays organization, which is the power over the Film Board of Trade.” In regard to the uniform contract, which is said to be the principal basis of the action of the three independents, the statement says: “The uniform contract, in my opinion, is unfair; and the salesman through the instructions of his manager inveigles the exhibitor to sign that unfair and retroactive contract that is anything but a legal transaction.” Explains Board Personnel While some of the smaller independents operating out of Atlanta have never been members of the board the three organizations withdrawing have been active. The only major national producing-distributing organization that has never been affiliated with the board here is United Artists. Although Pathe is not a member of the Hays organization the local Pathe exchange is one of the strongest factors in the group. At the present time the roster of the Atlanta Film Board of Trade shows the following members : Educational, Famous Players-Lasky, F. B. O., First National, Fox, Metro-Goldwyn, Pathe, Producers Distributing Corporation, Southern States, A1 Lichtman (Creole), Universal and Vitagraph. **Epidemic** of Closed Theatres Hits Parts of Illinois, Missouri Travelers through Southern Illinois and parts of Missouri report an “epidemic” of closed theatres. One traveler compiled this list: Edwardsport, Ind., Royal theatre closed indefinitely; Cooter, Mo., destroyed by fire; Harvel, 111., Gem theatre closed; Houston, Mo., Lyric, sold and closed indefinitely; New Haven, Mo., New Haven theatre closed; Areola, 111., closing temporarily; Bowling Green, Mo., Majestic theatre closed; Donnellson, 111., Home theatre closed; Adairville, Ky., Kentucky theatre closed temporarily; Puxico, Mo., theatre, burned; Palmyra, Mo., Savoy theatre closed account smallpox; Odin, 111., Grand theatre closed; Grand Tower, 111., Amazon, closed; Olean, Mo., Olean theatre, closed; Stonington, 111., Gem theatre closing April for summer; Wayne City, 111., Moonshine theatre closed; Modesto, 111., Moonbeam theatre closed; Frankfort, Mo., Liberty theatre closed; Quincy, 111., Quincy theatre closed account fire; Holly Grove, Ark., Royal theatre closed and Pocahontas, Ark., Kozy theatre, closed. Hays Aids Miners* Kin (Special to Exhibitors Herald) SULLIVAN, IND., March 3. — When Will H. Hays arrived home from California he began immediately to aid families stricken in the coal mine disaster in which 51 were killed. Word of the disaster came to Mr. Hays when he was at Gallup, N. M. The train was held while he wired $100 to the relief fund. Snow Closes Theatre {Special from C. H. P.) DUNSMUIR, CAL., March 3. — The recent snow storm that swept Northern California so crippled the power plants that Sission, Castella and this city were in complete darkness. The Strand theatre here, managed by C. H. Powers, was closed three consecutive days. Two feet of snow fell during 36 hours. Seessel to Aid Whitman Bennett NEW YORK. — Whitman Bennett announces that he has engaged Charles O. Seessel as art director and general supervisor for his productions. Seessel will begin with “Children of the Whirlwind,” in which are Lionel Barrymore, Johnnie Walker and Marguerite de la Motte.