Exhibitors Herald (1927)

20 EXHIBITORS HERALD November 12, 1927 AL ST. JOHN. RALPH LEWIS AND KATE PRICE, making “Casey Jones" for Rayart, seem to be enjoying the new phonograph record of the famous song. New Exhibitor and Producer Unit Forms; Cohen at Helm “Independent” Factors Organize to Further “The Best Interests of the Motion Picture Industry” — Headquarters in East (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 8. — The Board of Trade and Commerce of the Motion Picture Industry of the United States of America, with a membership of “independent” theatre owners and producers, has just been organized in New York. Sydney S. Cohen, former head of the M. P. T. O. A., is president. The purpose of the organization, according to its formal announcement, is to advance “the best interests of the entire industry.” “The formation of the Board of Trade and Commerce of the Motion Picture Industry of the United States of America, with offices at 28 West 44th Street, New York City, has come about as a result of the recent Trade Conference called by the Federal Trade Commission to discuss trade practices within the motion picture industry, and held in New York City, October 10-15, 1927. Producers Are Members “A number of prominent independent theatre owners from different parts of the United States, together with some representative producers, feeling the urgent and immediate need of an organization such as this, met and formed The Board of Trade and Commerce of the Motion Picture Industry of the United States of America, electing as their president, Sydney S. Cohen, the outstanding independent theatre owner of the country — a man who served four terms as President of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America, later serving as Chairman of its Board of Directors, and at present being Chairman of the Advisory Board. “This Board of Trade and Commerce was formed solely for the purpose of advancing the best interests of the entire motion picture industry. It is not engaged in any way in making, buying, selling or exhibition of motion pictures, and ks dedi cated to the proposition that a free and unrestricted competition in making, selling, distributing and exhibiting motion pictures is fundamentally essential to the successful future existence and development of this great industry. Believes Protection Necessary “The founders of this association believe that independent producers, distributors and exhibitors must be guaranteed freedom of action in their respective undertakings and must be protected against unlawful aggressions by potential monopolists so that they may work out their own destinies, — all to the end that the public may by their continued enjoyment of superior motion pictures, the product of an active competition, be encouraged to continue to support the industry as it has loyally done in the past. This Board of Trade and Commerce is further convinced that without a free and unrestricted screen the industry is in danger. “Membership in The Board of Trade and Commerce of the Motion Picture Industry of the United States of America is open to every interested person, save only those producers, distributors, theatre owners, or officials affiliated with those forces who seek to monopolise the motion picture industry ; and who, in seeking to monopolize, destroy all independence and all initiative. MAJOR EDWARD BOWES, managing director of the Capitol, which celebrated its eighth anniversary last week, received the congratulations of Aileen Pringle, who came from the West Coast for the event. Miss Pringle stars in M-G-M’s “Tea for Three," which played at the Capitol. Harold Lloyd Finishing “ Speedy ” on West Coast; Lauds N . Y. for Its Aid (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8. — Harold Lloyd and the cast of “Speedy,” who have been in New York for the last ten weeks shooting exteriors in which for some of the shots an old-fashioned horse car is used, are now on the Coast completing the production. Anne Christy is the leading woman. Ted Wilde is directing the picture. “We owe much to New Yorkers,” said Lloyd, “for the assistance they rendered us, for without the cooperation of everone it would have been impossible for us to have secured the excellent results wTe feel we obtained.” Horsley Critically III (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 8.— David Horsley, pioneer motion picture producer is critically ill at the Hollywood hospital. He recently underwent an operation for gallstones and pneumonia developed. His physicians state he has passed the crisis and will recover. Buxbaum Wins Fox Title (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 8.— Harry H. Buxbaum, manager of the Fox exchange, captured the Fox Films Handball championship at the West Side Y. M. C. A. courts by defeating Sam Shapiro 21 to 6. Dahill and Popowich won the doubles championship. Columbia Adds Exchange (Special to the Herald) NEW YORK, Nov. 8.— Columbia Pictures' has completed arrangements for opening an Omaha exchange, which will take over the distribution of Columbia productions in that territory from the Midwest Film Distributing Corporation. V ancouver F B O Moves (Special to the Herald) VANCOUVER, Nov. 8.— The F B O exchange here under the management of A. E. Rolston has been moved from Granville street to the new Film Exchange Building, at Burrard and Davie Sts. Eastern Exhibitors Protest Against Producers9 NonTheatrical Sales Drive (Special to the Herald) PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 8. — Letters of protest against the reported drive of producers to secure more non-theatrical business have been sent to all distributing companies, exhibitor associations and the Hays organization by the M. P. T. O of Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. The letter in part reads: “This is not only unfair competition in supplying these non-theatrical organizations, but further, in view of the fact that their business amounts to so little, there is no reason why steps should not be taken to eliminate it."