Exhibitors Herald (1925)

82 EXHIBITORS HERALD May 9, 1925 mechanics of the Fort Lee studio of Sawyer-Lubin when work on “The White Monkey” was finished, and was given a loving cup by the employes. Ivan Players “Lying Wives” Finished "Lying Wives,” with Clara Kimball Young, Madge Kennedy and Richard Bennett, is ready for immediate release as the first of four Ivan Emerald Productions which will be distributed in the independent market by Ivan Players, Inc., President Ivan Abramson announces. Century Wiley and Marian Sign Wanda Wiley and Edna Marian have taken long term contracts, Abe Stern, vice president of Century, reported on return from conferring with Julius Stern, president, on the Coast. Wanda is to make 12 comedies for next season, while tworeelers made by Edna Marian for early release include “Speak Freely,” a June bride picture: “Plenty of Nerve,” “After a Reputation” and “Standard.” “Getting Trimmed” Released Wanda Wiley’s “Getting Trimmed” is being released through all Universal exchanges. Columbia European Rights Sold Rights for “Justice of the Far North” have been bought by Unity Film company of London. Large Territory Acquired Standard Film Service Company of Cleveland has taken the entire program of 18 pictures for the territory including Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan and western Pennsylvania. LETTERS From Readers A forum at which the exhibitor is invited to express his opinion on matters of current interest. Brevity adds forcefulness to any statement. Unsigned letters will not be printed. Explaining Eight Years of Success OVALO, TEX. — To the Editor; I am an ardent reader of the Herald and find it is a great help in booking pictures. I always enjoy reading “Letters From Readers” and “What the Picture Did for jMe” reports. I read these for information, William Desmond, featured in "The Meddler,” Western, from which these scenes are taken, is now busy on the Universal lot in “The Ace of Spades. ’ but the more I read the deeper the mystery of the motion picture business becomes to me. It is not surprising that the producers are in a quandry as to what kind of pictures to make. It seems the motion picture business will prove the old saying, “Birds of a feather will flock together” to be a fact, for a picture that will make a hit in one town is a complete failure in another. I have been running a small town theatre for about eight years and I find it is quite a task to make it pay. I show every Saturday night and put a special on once in a while as a midweek attraction. I never could make a regular midweek show pay. I have tried it on serials. If I happened to get a good serial it would pay, but if it happened the other way (which it generally did) I was blowed up. I do not show through July and August, then folks are always glad when I open up and come out better. I have been very successful the eight years I have been in the business, but I credit my success to the fact that I am always on the square with the people. A small town exhibitor has the same bunch to deal with all the time and they have got to play square. My patrons have confidence in me and my ability to select good pictures, for I never make a fuss about a picture unless I am pretty sure it is worth it. I do not very often raise the price, but when I do make a fuss or raise the price I have to put out the S. R. O. sign, and they leave the theatre with that “I am glad I came” look on their face. I always try to keep the confidence of my patrons and the exchange I book with. 1 read a lot where exhibitors seem to get unfair treatment from Famous Players Lasky Corp. I want to give the devil his dues, so I will say now I book most all my pictures from them and I find them fine people to deal with. Their prices are right, their films are, with a very few exceptions, always in good condition, their shipments are always punctual, their percentage of pleasing pictures will far exceed the poor ones and they are willing in every way to try to please me and they generally do. What more could an exhibitor ask for? Of course, the office force has a heap to do with the service you get. I get my service out of Dallas, Tex. I have also booked a few pictures from Metro-Goldwyn and so far have found them to be all right. All film exchanges send out some salesmen who are dandy good fellows, and again they send out some who are not a credit to the company they work for. I would rather book my pictures direct through the exchange. No doubt the most of the theatre fans want clean pictures with plenty of comedy and a good Western once in a while. I am sending in some reports on pictures with this letter. Before I close I would like to know what has become of our “Fool There Was.” Mrs. J. A. Wright, Lone Star theatre, Ovalo, ex. Indians Killed Only 33, Picture Public Is Told (Special to Exhibitors Herald) ST. LOUIS, MO., April 28.— Motion pictures are all wrong in playing up the hazards and Indian battles of the pioneers on the Oregon trail. Dr. A. B. Hulbert, professor of history at Colorado university, said in an address here. Dr. Hulbert said only 33 whites were killed by Indians out of a total migration of 75,000. However, he praised the settlers for overcoming such hardships as ferrying rivers, lack of water, dust storms, sickness and lonesomeness. DeMille Cuts Interest (Special to Exhibitors Herald) CULVER CITY, April 28.— Retroactive April 1 all loans existing and pending for the Culver City Commercial and Savings Bank just taken over by the America commercial company of Los Angeles will be reduced from eight per cent to seven per cent, it has been announced by Cecil B. DeMille. HUNT STROMBERjO personilly supervised PRODUCTION NOW BOOKING PRISCILL/i DEAN Runti^ In Harvey Gates Ward Crane, Alan Hale. Mitchell Lewis J{eUased by f TROD iWERS DISTRLDUTING ~ CORPORATION