Exhibitors Herald (1925)

July 11, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 25 Re-Takes PREMIERES, theatre openings, previews, actors luncheons, fights, special screenings, luncheon dates, that’s the life of a screen scribe in Hollywood, and only a person with an iron constitution and an asbestos stomach can stand it. * * * Had to get out the old Tux twice last week. New theatre at Pasadena, and Charlie Chaplin’s film at Grauman’s. Both fine affairs which lasted till all hours of the John Barrymore, looking leaner than somewhat, broke bread with the boys and girls of the cinema columns and furnished them with a lot of stories for their Saturday pages. John’s a great booster for California and Warner Brothers ought to get a rake off on the corner lots John sells. * * * Going, Going, Gone They’ll make a monkey outa Bryan yet. * * * He’s Wise Just as Mrs. Coolidge decides to do the spring housecleaning the President decides to take a vacation in Vermont. That’s the advantage of having relatives nearby. * * * Makes It Unanimous According to latest reports the Democrats are in favor of reducing the income tax. That ought to get ’em a couple more votes. * * * Clean You In Hollywood they have vacuum cleaners for the streets and the grocers vacuum clean your pocketbooks. * * * I Do I understand they’re going to revise the marriage vows. If they’ll put one in about not driving from the back seat it’ll help a lot. * * * Too Late That bandit who walked into a swell Los Angeles restaurant the other evening and covered the guests, didn’t get much. The proprietor had just collected cover charges. * * * In Out Town Voice on the Phone — “Come on over, we’re having a party.” Other Voice — “Can’t, got a case of neuritis.” V. O. T. P. — “Bring it over, the boys’ll drink anything.” * * * Long Time Ago An old timer is one who can remember when the gals wore cotton stockings. * * * Long Waits Between Cars In Hollywood they furnish seats at every corner for the straphangers to wait for cars. What they really need, however, is beds. * * * Famous Last Words I know the guy who makes this stuff. R. M. Equitable Contract Pledged by Elliott at Jersey Meet President Joe Seider, in Annual Report, Thanks Trade Press for “Kindness and Help” — Independent Association Honors Woodhull — Cohen Talks By JOHN S. SPARGO ASBURY PARK, N. J., June 30. — The definite promise of an immediate new equitable contract was the highlight of the opening day of the sixth annual convention of the M. P. T. O. of New Jersey at the New Monterey hotel. It came from Frederick H. Elliott, general manager of the Independent Motion Picture Association of America after he had promised as part of his program, “an equitable contract, based on a desire to live and let live.” When he had finished Joseph Seider, president of the Jersey organization, asked Mr. Elliott if he could make that statement any more definite or binding and in reply Mr. Elliott said : Action to Be Taken on Contract Within 10 Days “The adoption of a new, equitable contract is the first major problem that will be acted upon by our association and I can assure you that within a week or 10 days a committee from our association will be appointed to confer with a similar committee from your national organization to draft a contract that will be fair both to the exhibitors, the producers and the distributors of independent pictures.” Mr. Elliott’s statement is the first set promise of immediate action on what the exhibitors consider the most vital question affecting their business today and his statement was cheered by the showmen gathered at the convention. The convention got under way promptly at the scheduled time, which is a characteristic of New Jersey exhibitors since Joe Seider took the presidential reins, with an address of welcome by C. E. F. Hettrick, mayor of Asbury Park. Mayor Hettrick’s talk showed that he had studied the toughest question which confronts the New Jersey exhibitors, the old blue laws which are being enforced in the state, and that he had reached conclusions that there was a lot wrong with it. Blue Laws Interfere Mr. Hettrick pointed out that the two great moral forces of the present day were the church and the theatre, and that the latter was being hampered in the good work it could do by the application of these blue laws. “These blue laws of New Jersey are obnoxious, obsolete and unenforced and you theatre men should see that they are wiped off the statute books of the state,” said Mayor Hettrick. “If a thing is right and moral on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it is right and moral also on Sunday and with this being true the application of the blue laws to the extent of closing the theatres and other places of recreation on Sunday is all wrong.” The opening day was characterized by strong speeches by men prominent in exhibitor circles in the East. Most prominent among these were president Joseph M. Seider of the New Jersey organization; R. F. Woodhull, president of the M. P. T. O. A. ; Sydney S. Cohen, William Brandt, and Mr. Elliott. Each paid high tribute to Mr. Seider for the good work he had done with the New Jersey organization, which now numbers among its members 94 per cent of the theatre owners of the state. Thanks Trade Press In his annual report Mr. Seider took occasion to thank the trade press “for their kindness and help.” “You, my kind friends,” he told the exhibitors, “little realize to what extent they have helped us to succeed.” Mr. Seider pointed out that during the past year the organization had adjusted 40 odd “music tax” cases ; had aided members to pay dues by securing “two exceptionally meritorious industrial reels had functioned politically by defeating Bill 438 and enacting Bill 241 ; had elected four of five candidates for commissioner in Newark and five candidates in Jersey City. “In public service activities,” he said, “we have not been backward. We have never failed to participate wholeheartedly in every municipal, county, state or public undertaking. We addressed Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions and Business Men’s Associations ; selling the theatre owner to his community, showing his value to the business progress of the town, and opening the eyes of all to his value from every angle. “We have instituted campaigns for the reduction of basic rates in insurance and electric current and refunds of overcharge on electric current charge since 1914. ( Continued on page 40) Brown to Head F. B. O. Distribution ; Marcus Appointed Manager of Sales (Special to Exhibitors Herald) NEW YORK, June 30. — Major H. C. S. Thomson, president and managing director of Film Booking Offices, announced today that Colvin W. Brown had been made vice-president in charge of distribution, and that Lee Marcus, assistant to the late Harry M. Berman, had been appointed sales manager of the company.