Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1930)

26 EXHIBITORS HERALD-WORLD November 15, 1930 Shock Absorber of Industry — New Name for Small Exhibitor By CHARLES S. AARONSON PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13.— Edward Kuykendahl, Columbus, Mississippi exhibitor, and newly elected member of the board of directors, speaking before the M P T O A convention here on "The Problems of the Small Town Exhibitor," termed the small exhibitor "the shock absorber of the industry." // CHIC" CHATS He stressed the fact that the theatre manager in the small town has a definite and important responsibility in his community, with great opportunity of being of service, since his theatre is essentially a gathering place for local residents. He deplored the manner in which large salaries in the industry are repeated in the newspapers, giving lawmakers the impression that the motion picture industry is "rolling in wealth," and opening the way for adverse legislation with respect to taxation and censorship. "Censorship," said Kuykendahl, "is definitely dead in the state of Mississippi." The speaker outlined what in his opinion are the cardinal points to be carefully considered by the small town theatre owner in operating his house to the best advantage for himself and his steady patrons. Personal Contacts Vital Personal contacts are vital to the success of the small theatre, and it is particularly necessary for the owner to be on the best of terms with the local newspapers, making a decided effort to merit and retain the confidence of the community press. It is not possible, by reason of the short runs in the small towns, for the theatre owner to publicize his pictures by means of "splash advertising," and for that reason it is especially important that he cultivate those groups and organizations in the community which will in a sense do his advertising for him, he declared. Speaking of the necessity of keeping school pupils informed as to the showings at the theatre, this exhibitor said, "I have never cheated with either pupils or teachers." In this connection he said he himself is deeply interested in playgrounds for children, even though such activities mean a cut at the box office. He believes that by such interest he is strengthening the confidence which the people of the community have in him. Stresses Need of Civic Interest Ministerial organizations must be contacted in much the same manner, according to Kuykendahl, with attention on the part of the exhibitor given to the fundamental L'.ws of decency in the pictures he shows at his theatre. "The small theatre owner cannot ride the fence in local politics." He must take a definite stand on one side or the other without backsliding. It is important, he continued, for the small town theatre owner to interest himself in the work of dinner clubs, and lend his active support to any plans tending towards civic improvement. With reference to women's clubs, Kuy Fighting Over Sales Healthy, Says Kent (Special to the Herald-World) PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13.— That Sidney Kent enjoys a good verbal tussle was indicated in his speech when he said that "fighting between salesman and purchaser is healthy and I don't want to be in business when that stops." kendahl stressed their value in combating censorship moves in the legislatures, either municipal or state. The small community, he said, is more discriminating in its choice of pictures because of the fact that everybody knows everybody else in the town. Horwitz Censured by MPTOA for Activities Favoring Censorship (Continued from page 25, column 3) resolution, Vincent said he thought RCA would be offended if omitted. William Horwitz of Texas was censured in a resolution because of his activities favoring censorship. The trend of the resolution was that his action was deplored and that the M P T O A "are opposed to any censorship of pictures except as the same may be properly and judiciously exercised within the industry." Aid to the Texas exhibitors in combating this legislation also was pledged. In discussing the resolution, Vincent said he would not dignify the individual by using his name in the resolution. Fifteen states were represented in the resolution. Lightman Cites MPTOA Service Lightman on Monday read his report of the year's activities. After reviewing all that had led up to the new standard contract conferences, he said "Let it be said now that the Motion Picture Owners of America offered many constructive thoughts and in most instances got what we wanted. Our records can clearly show that." "The thought I tried most to convey," he continued, "was that our organization stands for service — first, last and foremost. We have not gone into a single place that we were not invited. Oklahoma City invited me over. They were neutral. At their last meeting they voted to become members of our organization. And let me say here that four other strong state organizations are considering joining us, and the fine thing about it is that it came from them and not from us. We trust our work is impressive and convincing enough to bring these units into our organization." Ask Notice on Substitutions Specific request was made of distributors that they "notify the exhibitor at least within thirty days in advance of the national release date of any substitution which said distributor shall make." It was an imposing list of speakers who attended the sessions and the banquet. They included Governor Pinchot, MajorGeneral Smedley Butler, Mayor Harry Mackey, Congressman William Connery, Albert M. Greenfield, Harry M. Warner, Sidney R. Kent, Eddie Dowling, C. C. Pettijohn, Con McCole, Harry A. Knapp, George W. Elliott, Lieutenant-Governor Arthur James, Oscar Hanson, Frank Conklin, Joseph Cunningham, Dr. F. S. Irby, A. C. Larue, J. S. Parkinson and others. Huston Leaves for European Trip NEW YORK — Walter Huston, star of D. W. Griffith's "Abraham Lincoln," sailed recently for a vacation in Europe. He plans to visit Eugene O Neill in France. [Dating this from Philly, home of the Quakers, one way streets and the MPTOA Convention.] 'TTIEY came over by every possible loco-* moting vehicle from second installment flivvers to airplanes. Fred Wehrenberg flew up from the southern heart of the Middle West, St. Louis. . . . All the trade paper boys are on deck. . . . And a couple of them saved a buck by taking the bus instead of giving the Pennsy a break. It took longer, but Philly, with all due respect to the inhabitants, is about as lively on the seventh day of any given week as the proverbial door nail. . . . But after all, that's what hotel rooms are for. . . . M. A. Lightman's better half suddenly wired and followed the telegram with a personal appearance Sunday eve. . . . Booklet in hotel room, "The Art of Living Successfully," but you had to bring your own, which just isn't fair. . . . Notice under the glass on the dresser about serving "accessories," but they were after the fact, so that was all right. Charlie Picquet registered an objection when Mike O'Toole, sec. of the 'TOA, put Pinehurst in the "among others" list of locations for next year's convention. . . . He wanted it at the head of the column and accused Mike of not playing golf. . . . Said the Carolina burg was the "garden spot of the world." . . . We wouldn't mind Pinehurst for a few days, either. R. F. (Pete) Woodhull said a "miserable Democrat from Georgia" (meaning Willard Patterson) was talking Sunday p. m. with a "patriotic Republican from New Jersey" (meaning himself). . . . Another one from Pete: "If you asked a schoolboy what was the matter with the U. S. A. and he couldn't tell you, and that boy was mine. . . . I'd give him a dime and tell him to get some buckshot and blow his brains out." When Charlie Pettijohn of the Hays organization got up he said he had no comment to make on Pete Woodhull's speech because he had heard it three times before. . . . Talking about William Horwitz of Houston, Tex., he said, "He's the suit fellow. . . . He doesn't win any but he files them." Joe Kelley, one among us in this burg, pulled one that he'll have to live down. . . . The Fox picture, "Just Imagine," was shown at one of the town houses Monday night, or more properly, Tuesday morn (in the wee hours). . . . and J. K. saw it. . . . He wrote that El Brendel, Swedish actor, was featured over Charles Farrell in the cast. . . . Start laughing. . . . Farrell wasn't even in the picture. The Tuesday a. m. session started with an effective tribute to the purpose for which Armistice Day has been set aside. . . . Just a few words on the Convention Hall screen . . . and the title "Lest We Forget." Edward F. Stevenson, president of Visugraph, Inc. : "Everybody, God help 'em, knows something about the stock exchange the past few years. ..." Last . . . but a long, long way from least in this conglomeration of dots, dashes and quotes. ... If there is anybody anwhere that can throw a better party than that Tiffany outfit (meaning Oscar Hanson, Al Selig and Joe Rivkin) we'd like to meet up with him. . . . The one they put over last week in n y c was just a CORKER. . . . And the caps are all ours. . . . We got the thrill of our life coming down by bus from Yonkers after the preview of "She Got What She Wanted," when we sailed through traffic without a single stop for lights. ... 25 minutes from Yonkers to 54th and 6th. . . . Cop who convoyed (and he knew his stuff) told us later we would have made better time in pleasure cars. . . . We said "No, thanks. . . ." 1241 was the Tiffany room down here last p. m. . . . 'nuff said !— "CHIC" AARONSON.