Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Apr-Jun 1930)

Editorial Stage and Screen THE fact that the stage theatre has been facing and continues to face a most difficult situation creates a certain amount of satisfaction — and almost pleasure — in various quarters in the picture business. This is understandable as an attitude of pioneers who were in tlie picture business at a time when the screen and everything and everybody connected with it were despised by the so-called legitimate theatre and its people. But in the light of events as they now stand it is both needless and improper that the motion picture industry should he other than sympathetic toward the condition in which the stage theatre finds itself. There is now an exceedingly close bond between the picture business and the stage, and this bond is likely to become stronger and more intimate. Already various leading interests in the industry are substantially concerned in stage activities and this will continue. A very important function of the stage in the next few years will be as a source of material for pictures — as a testing laboratory for material under consideration for picture purposes. Every person sincerely and intelligently interested in amusements will want only success and progress for the stage. The stage will never pass as long as civilization lasts. That it should find some escape from the present difficult conditions which surround it is something that the motion picture industry should genuinely wish for. The stage has long since passed out as important competition for the screen. Now with the talking picture firmly established it can never, as far as the general public is concerned, regain its former position. But the stage can produce many things which may not be produced in pictures because of their limited appeal. Such things should not be kept from enactment and they should be made available to that part of the public which wants them. A great part of the original province of the stage has been assumed by the talking picture but there is plenty of scope left for the healthy continuance of the stage. The industry should heartily welcome that eventuality. Criticisms of Code A CONSIDERABLE part of the attitudes expressed in various newspapers and by various reform groups and individuals toward the new Code for motion picture production, recently announced by the Hays’ association, is explainable only on the grounds of a rather complete ignorance of the whole matter. A large number of the expressions uttered belong in the classification of the smart-aleck — observations that were intended to be witty and amusing but turned out to be only silly because the writers and speakers were dealing unintelligently with a serious subject. BY MARTIN J. QUIGLEY One class of the critical comments claimed that the Code would accomplish nothing; another claimed that its restrictions are so severe as to ruin pictures as entertainment. It would seem that one class or the other is quite wrong; the fact, however, is that both classes are quite wrong. The Code will certainly accomplish a great deal — it has already accomplished a great deal in having placed before the studio people a definite scheme of guidance, enabling them better to understand their responsibilities and to discharge them. As far as the severity of the restrictions are concerned, it should be apparent to any intelligent person that the best possible judgment that can be obtained on whether the restrictions are too severe is to be had from the producers who know motion picture entertainment and who intend to make their living out of the production of successful entertainment. The producers agreed unanimously to the restrictions set forth in the Code. It is a disturbing fact that many irresponsible writers and speakers who actually do not know any subject well are under the impression that they know just about all there is to be known about motion pictures. Although this type of person will not take the trouble to inform himself relative to the intricate and involved nature of this whole question will, nevertheless, set himself up promptly as an authority and proceed to tell the industry and the public just what is what. The industry need not trouble itself about these expressions. The new code promises great and substantial progress. All that the industry needs to do is to see to it, in every possible manner, that the Code is applied as diligently as possible and that the spirit of it is lived up to as faithfully as possible. AAA Better Reproductions RECENT surveys indicate a material improvement in the character of the reproduction of sound pictures which is being given by the theatres generally. In many cases in which inferior reproduction is still in vogue the reason is poor equipment which was hastily installed in the first rush for sound. In other cases exhibitors have put off making necessary alterations in their theatres. There is a heavy penalty being levied against the theatres in both of these instances. The obvious steps toward relief which must be taken is the installation of adequate equipment, together with the making of necessary acoustical alterations. The HeraldWorld plaque for better reproduction has been an influence for better reproduction. The awards have focussed attention on the necessity for better reproduction and have appropriately honored theatres which have achieved that result. Ceremonies in connection with the awards are also doing much to make the public appreciative of good reproduction. Exhibitors HERALD-WORLD * MARTIN J. QUIGLEY, Publisher and Editor Incorporating Exhibitors Herald, founded 1915 ; Moving Picture World, founded 1907 ; Motography, founded 1909 ; The Film Index, founded 1906 Published every Wednesday by Quigley Publishing Company, 407 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago; Martin J. Quigley, President; Edwin S. Clifford, Secretary; George Clifford, Assistant Treasurer. Member Audit Bureau of Circulations. All contents copyrighted 1930 by Quigley Publishing Company. All editorial and business correspondence should be addressed to the_ Chicago office. Other publications : Better Theatres, devoted to the construction, equipment and operation of theatres, published every fourth week in conjunction with Exhibitors Herald-World ; The Film Buyer, a quick reference picture chart, published every fourth week as Section 2 of Exhibitors Herald-World; The Motion Picture Almanac, Pictures and Personalities, published annually; The Chicagoan and Polo, Class publications.