The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (May-Jun 1923)

#4 THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS. Manrcate, WEDNESDAY. Hi Annual Summer Conierence of the Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association opened here last evening, when prominent exhibitors from various parts of the kingdom assembled in preparation for the Conference and char-a-banc and sea trip whieh were to occupy’ the three days allotted to this annual affair. It must be confessod that the attendance is exceedingly small, probably due to the fact that exhibitors are not attracted by the program outlined, the lack of real business having been freely commented upon in exhibitors’ cireles during the past few weeks. I should say that there are, at the most, uot more than seventy-five exhibitors present, and it probably constitutes a record in the smallness of its numbers for the many Annual Conferences held so far. The usual delegates to the General Council attended in fairly full foree, but the ordinary members of the C.E.A. appear to have entirely ignored the Conference. Another significant feature’ is that not a single renter has graced the proceedings with his presence, and at the banquct which was hold this evening the three gentlemen down to respond to the toast of the trade; viz., Sir William Jury, Mr. Cecil Hopworth, and Mr. George Smith, have each sent a telegram of regret. The Margate Conference will certainly go down in history as the ‘most poorly attended, and with the most uninteresting program that has ever been given. There does not scem to have been a single effort made in any way to make the Conference a real business gathering, und it is quite evident that exhibitors take the view expressed in these pages for the last few weeks, that the times are far too serious for mere joy riding and junketing. Following the usual reception by the Mayor of Margate at the Pavilion and Winter Gardens on Tuesday night, the delegates to the Conference assembled at the same rendezvous this morning in preparation for the opening of the Conference, which was scheduled to take place at 11 o'clock. The main feature on the program was a paper by the general secretary, Mr. Gavazzi King, on the subject of ‘‘ Good Business,’’ which proved to be a really excellent and exceedingly well written treatise. Mr. King delivered his addresg in his own inimitable style, driving home his points with shrewd pieces of humonr which greatly pleased the attendance present. Following Mr. King's much-appreciated paper on ‘‘ Good Business,"’ it had been arranged that there should be a discussion on ‘‘ The Trade aud Its Troubles.’’ The opinion was expressed, however, that such a topic opened up a very wide range for discussion, and that it could not be compressed into the time which was at the disposal of the Conference. Mr. A. J. Gale, the president of the Association, who presided, proposed that the topic for discussion might be suggested by the members. Unity and Loyalty. Several suggestions were made, and eventually it was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. Matt Raymond, that the Conference should discuss ‘‘ Unity.” At the Chairman’s request, Mr. Raymond opened the discussion. Mr. Raymond said it had always been his aim and object to place the trade in a prominent position. At present the kinematograph enterprise was a kind of Cinderella to the entertainment world, but it should become more than that. He considered that by means of a little intelligent anticipation, and the organisation they had in the Association, things could be considerably improved. He urged them not to be soured because business was bad, but to ** keep their peckers up.” Mr. Davis expressed the opinion that many of the troubles of the trade could be alleviated if there was deeper unity and loyalty amongst those Interested. The Association had its critics—those who sat in armchairs in newspaper offices, and even those ‘persons connected with the trade itself. Personally de did not resent criticism, and he said that when it was no June 16, 1923. The Margate Small Attendance of Exhibit Gavbazzi King—V sit of Pr: An Unattractive Bu FULL REPORT OF THE CONFER LUNCHEON AND DINNER. CAP. APPEAL AND ESMOND Ha. longer possible for them to withstand criticism they should ‘finish up,’ but he did ask that such criticism: should be fair. A lot of people who criticised did not realise what was being done by the Association, The Assoviation must do its best to create an atmosphere in which loyalty could grow, Speeches at the Luncheon. At the luncheon at St. George's Hotel, the Chairman, Mr. John H, Wills (chairman Kent County Branch), in proposing “The Cinematograph IExhibitors' Association,’’ said that the little band of stalwarts who in 1912 put the breath of life into the Association must feel highly gratified to see into what a great and powerful organisation it had grown. They built on a sound foundation and they were now reaping the benefit of their wisdom. To them the Association was known us and : spoken of as the ** C.E.A.,"' and, singularly enough, those letters stood for three of the objects for which the Associution was formed. Co-operation the Essence of the C.E.A. Take the letter ‘ C,” Thut was the very essence of its constitution. suecess the Association had achieved had only been made possible by co-operation. The advantuges to be yained by it were so patent that it was almost impossible to believe that even now, after more than a decade, there were stray sheep outside the and at once they yot co-operation. Whatever He said it with bated breath, but he believed there was eye. one exhibitor marooned on the Isle of Thanet, They must send out the lifeboat and bring him safely into harbour, The exhibitor who stood alone to-day was lost. reduced co-operation to a fine art. They sent forth their representatives (very often four in one Ford) far and wide seeking whom they might devour, Woe betide the poor exhibitor who trial to fight single-handed the co-operation of the renters or any of the big organised bodies which the nature of their business often brought them into contact and conflict with. yreat problems which to-day confronted the trade, it was only by co-operative effort that they would succeed in getting their just dues. The renters dad With the The Entente Cordiale. As a practical proof of the value of co-operation they had to-day as their honoured guests M, Leon Brezillion, the president the French Cinematograph Exhibitors’ Association, and M. Chardon, the general secretary. They had come over .to see how the Southerners ran a Summer Conference. Nothing