Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1929)

20 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 2, 1929 Keep Talking Films Clean, Is Plea (Continued from page 17) atre" is in a better position today than ever before to show a consistent profit. "Mr. Hays has realized the obligation of the industry to preserve to the small community the same quality of entertainment enjoyed by his metropolitan neighbor," said Comerford. "Sharp practices are disappearing from this business. Brains and ability will tell the real story. The independent theatre owner never asked any more than a square deal, and he is more likely to get that now than at any other time in our business. Of course, business situations generally have changed. Economic conditions are different. But taking these into consideration, which are fundamental factors in all kinds of business, the independent will find his position more secure. "We can meet with producers and in a fair, honest business way make the independent theatre owner reasonably secure. This can be done through cooperation, and not through antagonism. Meet Problems from Within "We can and will handle all of the problems of this business from within. We need no outside control or undue official regulation. We will adjust our business to meet up with any needed community regulation and even lead in the way of making our theatres better community centers. "Combinations and efficiency systems are good if handled squarely, as these reduce production costs and cut out all waste. That is what every one wants. Economy in production, efficiency in theatre management will give the public real entertainment and enable all in the business to make money." Woodhull Gives Surprise Address Pete Woodhull, former president, surprised everyone Tuesday in the speech which he made giving the presidency of the M P T O A over to M. A. Lightman. Woodhull, with Dr. Lee DeForest present, gave the organization one of the talks for which he is famous. However, Pete's talk was prejudiced naturally because of the fact that he is now one of the executives of the Lee DeForest corporation. Biechele in Chair at Opening The first day of the convention, Tuesday, consisted for the most part of speeches. R. R. Biechele, president of the M P T O of Kansas-Missouri, was in the chair. President Lightman of the M P T O A did not come to the forefront until the afternoon session. During the morning the chairman of the censorship board of Memphis aroused the most curiosity. During the afternoon session President Lightman delivered his address. Lightman's speech was one of the most sane addresses which this writer recalls ever having been delivered at a national convention. His address on sound was a panacea for smaller exhibitors. President Lightman is for the talking picture, and he believes the talking picture is a salvation of the theatre owner, whether it be a small house or a big house. Throughout the sessions Tuesday morning and afternoon the thought was expressed that care has to be taken in the production of the sound films. In other words, speakers said, they must be kept in the bounds of propriety. Must Present Films in Clean Fashion One of the delegates to speak at the morning session Tuesday was Fred Desberg, chairman of the board of directors of the M P T O A and an executive of the Loew corporation at Cleveland. Desberg said: "We must present our pictures in a clean fashion. Our business is to appeal to the family, and to the family we must cater. None of us can visualize the development of the talking picture which is to be done yet. Some of us have bought the right equipment and some of us not. Some of us have played the right pictures, and some not. But there is 'plenty of gold in them thar hills'." Through most of the sessions Biechele presided. Among speakers were Dr. Lee De Forest, Pete Woodhull, Col. E. P. Hawkins of R C A Photophone, Frank Rembusch, S. K. Wolf, head of the acoustical department of Electrical Best o' luck. R. F. W oodhull, former president of the M P T O A, snapped by the Herald-World camera as he greets M. A. Lightman, his successor, at the opening of the convention in Memphis. Lightman Heading Slate of Officers For Coming Year (Special In the Herald-World) MEMPHIS, Oct. 30.— Although the formal election of officers of the M P T O A will not take place until tomorrow morning, it appeared practically certain tonight that the following would be named: President — M. A. Lightman, Arkansas. Vice-President — Charles Picquet, North Carolina. Vice-President— F. C. Walker, New York. Vice President — Willard C. Patterson, Georgia. Vice-President — R. R. Biechele, Kansas. Secretary — M. J. O'Toole, Pennsylvania. Treasurer — Jay Emanuel, Pennsylvania. Directors nominated at the afternoon session today include: Jack Miller, Illinois; Major L. E. Thomson, New York; Fred Wehrenberg, Missouri; M. E. Comerford, Pennsylvania; E. M. Fay, Rhode Island; Moe Silver, New York; Fred Desberg, Ohio; Harold B. Franklin, California; Sam Dembow, New York; William Benton, New York. Research Products, Fred Desberg, C. C. Pettijohn of the Hays office, Gov. H. H. Horton (by sound picture proxy), and Comerford. Each discussed sound, and the consensus seemed to be, in the words of Pettijohn, that the exhibitor must either install sound or sink. Rembusch, after reminiscing, discussed, as would be expected, the new plan of picture rentals and distribution which he is offering through the Motion Picture Congress.