Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

March 14, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 27 Hays Canadian Group May Publish Magazine (Special to Exhibitors Herald) OTTAWA, ONT., March 3.— At a recent conference of practically all exchanges in Canada, at Toronto, a proposal for a cooperative motion picture magazine was discussed. Incidentally, it is understood that those who are considering the project are Canadian distributors who are members of the Canadian organization of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors Association, although the latter organization has nothing to do with the proposal, it is stated. There is already a trade paper published at Toronto and the proprietor, Ray Lewis, is secretary of the M. P. T. O., Canadian Division. Lewis has been actively identified with the M. P. T. O. movement in Canada since the formation of the Canadian diviison two years ago. Handbook Made by U, S, Tells How to Pack Film (Special to Exhibitors Herald) WASHINGTON, D. C., March 3.— The department of commerce this week issued a handbook on packing for foreign markets, in which considerable attention is given to the proper methods of packing motion pictures and motion picture screens. The book was compiled by transportation division on the request of the committtee on merchant marine of the House, which in 1920 investigated pilferage. In it is discussed at some length the proper materials for use in packing films; and it contains valuable information regarding customs charges and import regulations of foreign countries. Cops Lose in Bandit Chase for Cohen Cash Abe Cohen, manager of the Monroe theatre, Chicago, was robbed of $345 Sunday night when he left the theatre. Gene Gootneck, 16 year old cashier, with him, screamed and ran when she saw a man press a gun against Cohen’s ribs. The robber joined three companions in a waiting car and sped away. They were followed by three detectives in a taxicab. Shots were fired. The chase was futile. Stanton Cady was found shot in his apartment at 639 Gary Place. It is alleged the dying man stated he was shot when he and another man had attempted to rob the Lexington theatre, 715 South Crawford avenue, Saturday night. Showmen Lose Local Option Bill 30 to 18 (Special to Exhibitors Herald) BISMARK, N. D., March 3. — By a vote of 30 to 18 the bill to establish local option of Sunday motion picture shows in North Dakota was killed this week in the Senate. A_ number of senators counted on by friends of the industry as staunch supporters of the measure deserted the ranks to vote with the opposition to the Whitman bill. The fickleness with which votes were cast was noted when a motion to reconsider the measure lacked but two votes of passing. The effect of the balloting was to end the long campaign waged by exhibitors against blue laws. Rawlinson Gets Sheik Role NEW YORK. — For a ^'sheik” role in the Paramount production, “Are Parents People?’* Herbert Rawlinson has been selected by Jesse L. Lasky. Treat Us Like Business Men, Not Thieves, Say Exhibitors Theatre Owners Express Some Opinions on Shipments of Film by C. O. D. — Hold That Practice Is Only Check Exchanges Have on Customers Opposition among exhibitors to C. O. D. shipments is not KX) per cent. You may have thought so. Frankly, this writer was of that opinion. Such is not the case, however. Opinions expressed by theatre men in a discussion of the question during a survey conducted by the Herald reveal that a surprisingly large number of exhibitors either approve C. O. D. shipments or are neutral on the proposition. Of course, the opposition holds a safe majority. Exhibitors Resent Inference That They Are Thieves In this referendum, 67 per cent of the theatre men participating voted “no” to the question, “Do you favor C. O. D. shipments?” while 33 per cent voted “yes.” Many of the exhibitors became heated in their discussion of the question, declaring that the distributors should consider the exhibitors as business men and not as horse thieves. The exhibitors give many and varied reasons for their approval or disapproval. One, for instance, believes that C. O. D. shipments “are necessary to save the film industry from the evil of credit business which in the long run means that the honest, thrifty, successful people have to pay the debts of those who take advantages of the credit business to get out of paying their rental.” Majority Oppose C. O. D. Here are the exhibitors’ answers to the question : “Do you favor C. 0. D. shipments f" Frank Atkins, Jr., Lyric theatre, Marysville, Cal.; Absolutely not. G. J. Ritter, Regent theatre, Bogota, N. J.: 7 understand from some exchanges that if they don’t get theirs in advance, they "get done," so 1 don’t blame them for C. O. D.’s. W. B. Martin, Elmo and Monterey theatres, San Luis O., Cal.: No. Goodwin & Hilton, Park theatre, Morningside and Moville, la.: No. E. P. Giacomazzi, Star theatre, San Juan Bantista. Cal. : I believe that C. O. D. shipments are all right when the exhibitor does not own anything, but generally the exhibitor owns the building and business and they surely are good for the amount. Leslie Hables, Reel Joy theatre. King City, Cal.: No. A. V. Abel, Strand theatre. New Philadelphia, O. : No, I don’t. Max M. Cleveland, Community theatre, Platte, S. D.: No. C. V. Anderson, Oak theatre, Oakdale, Neb. : No. F. E. Chase, Memorial Hall, Pine Plains, N. Y. : Positively unnecessary. C. A. Anglemire, “Y” theatre, Nazareth, Pa.: Yes, 1 do. Charles Born, Elks theatre, Prescott, Ariz. : Only where requested. Wilfored G. Rupay, Griffin theatre, Woodstock, Ont., Canada: Absolutely no I E. Pellettieri, Princess theatre, Oconto, Wis. : No. _ Squires & Luth, Alamo theatre, Pembine, Wis.: No. Peter Peterson, Opera House, New Lisbon, Wis.: Under certain conditions. Steve Farrar, Orpheum theatre, Harrisburg, 111. ; In certain cases only. A. R. Workman, Coliseum theatre, Marseilles, Del.: No. Frank Meinecke, Public School principal, Cashton, Wis.: 7 do not. C. E. Price, Grand theatre, Newark, O. : Not exactly. J. S. Wright, Auditorium theatre, Seaford, Del. : No. W. A. Hillhouse, Lyric theatre, Glasco, Kan. : No. Earl V. Seitz, Star theatre, Sandusky, O.: No. R. O. Raine, Pioneer theatre, Rainelle, W. Va. : Yes. Eugene Saunders, Saunders theatre, Harvard, 111. : Yes, if film had not been paid for. L. P. Charles, Grand theatre, Chetek, Wis.: Yes. Star theatre, Lamison, Ala. : No. E. H. Smith, High Splint theatre. High Splint, Ky. : No, no, not A. Pratt, Dreamland theatre, Fennville, Mich. ; No, no, not W. A. Peterson, Scenic theatre, Mt. Vernon, S. D.; Positively no. N. Johnson, Scenic theatre. Miller, S. D. : Yes. W. J. Wunderlich, Auditorium theatre, Nehawka. Neb.: Yes. W. R. Vincent, Grand theatre, Oconto Falls, Wis. : 7 should say not. Henry B. Varner, Lexington theatre, Lexington, N. C. : Not where a theatre owner is entitled to credit. S. F. Pirtle, Pirtle circuit of theatres, Jerseyville. 111.: No. T. A. Shea, Palace theatre, McGehee, Ark.: No. C. L. McVey, Dreamland & Eagles theatres, Herington, Kan.; Absohitely no. J. A. Rogers, Rogers theatre, Ramsey, 111.: No. Lyceum theatre, Clovis, N. M.: Yes. Jno. W. Johnson, Iris theatre, Midvale, LBah: No. J. B. Stine, Wabash theatre, Clinton, Ind.: Generally speaking, no. J. B. Eames, Star theatre, Littleton, N. H. : No, not if theatre owner has been honest in past and paid promptly. A. B. Carter, Rasalia, Wash.: No. E. V. Richards, Saenger ompany. New Orleans, La. : No. Charles Lee Hyde, Grand theatre, Pierre, S. D.: Yes. Clarence C. Fuller, Loxley Hall theatre, Loxley, Ala.: No. Will J. Glaser, Grand theatre, Faribault, Minn.: Not Emphatically. J. W. Lumpkin, Cupid theatre. Miles, Tex.: No. Rex P. Barrett, Cozy theatre, Columbia, Mo.: Indifferent. Cragin & Pike, Majestic theatre. Las Vegas, Nev. : No. W. C. Tracy, Gem theatre, Platteville, Wis.: No. R. C. Greeting, Lyric theatre, Channell, Neb.: 7 do. G. B. Odium, Palace theatre, Olean, N. Y.: We always use C. O. D, Give Reasons for Stand Now let the exhibitors tell you why they approve or disapprove of C. O. D. shipments. The following are answers to the question : “In general, what is your opinion regarding C. O. D. shipments?” Frank Atkins, Jr., Lyric theatre, Marysville, Cal.; My credit is good with everyone else, why not with exchanges? If they are afraid to trust exhibitors make the latter put up a bond. G. J. Ritter, Regent theatre, Bogota, N. J.; Personally have very little trouble that way. I generally get my show whether it’s paid for or not, unless it’s some exchange that I haven’t done much btisiness zvith. W. B. Martin, Elmo and Monterey theatres, San Luis O., Cal.: Refuse to honor them if at all pos.nhlc to do so. Am not bothered much in this respect now as past experience has shown my attitude. Goodwin & Hilton, Park theatre, Morningside and Moville, la.: They are the biggest _ cause of contention between exhibitors and distributors at the present, I believe. E. P. Giacomazzi, Star theatre, San Juan Bautista, Cal. : In most cases it is an oversight that the exhibitor does ziot think about it until the last minute and the films are sent C. O. D. and it costs him 35 cents more. Thirty-five cents may seem a small amount but it is nearly the amount of tzao adults and when an exhibitor breaks about even or at a loss, this is noticed. What I do not believe in at all is C. O. D. on advertising. Some concerns will send $1 worth of advertising C. O. D. In most cases the exhibitor wotild send a check but does not know the amount of the bill. Leslie Hables, Reel Joy theatre. King City, Cal.: They are detrimental to a house’s business standing and are unnecessary. I have been bothered very little with C. O. D.’s but the few I have received lately (mostly on paper orders) are not