The Film Daily (1921)

tM^v DAILV Thursday, June 30, 19?1 J Indecision over Production Idea Evenly Divided Distribution Idea Causes Considerable Discussion — Some Exhibitors Pledge Money (Staff Correspondence) .Minneapolis — The question whether or not the M. P. T. O. should sponsor the distribution of its own pictures was one of the most important topics under discussion yesterday. From the moment the report was before the convention the discussion raged. Sentiment seemed evenly divided in favor of and against the proposed plan, the chief idea being not to hurry into anything of this size without due consideration. Marcus Loew spoke at length relative to his experiences as a producer and wound up by saying that if the convention had confidence in its committee then the committee should be appointed to proceed with the plans for the distributing company. "Where there's a will there's a way," he said. Joe Moglcr, of St. Louis, offered $5,000 personally to the plan and when Edward Fay, of Providence, said the exhibitors had offers from five or six producers to join with the exhibitors in the plan someone asked who they were. Cohen replied naming Hodkinson and Selznick, "together with others." He also said he had received a wire from Tom'Incc regarding the distribution idea. Mr. Griffith, California, said 100 producers wanted to market their productions through the exhibitors, but John Harris, of Pittsburgh, warned the exhibitors they were starting the very thing they had told the producers not to do. Julian Brylawski, of Washington, also advised caution in the proceedings. Tommy Goldberg, of Baltie, warned the convention they were in a panic now but to think ously of what they were doing. E. M. Heanue, Connecticut, pledged 000 support from exhibitors of his state and John Manheimer, of irk, heartily favored the plan. A. K. Pramer, of Omaha, said the producers had stolen the idea in 1917 and pledged N< braska to the extent of $67,01 The ways and means cot saving of $3,000,000 ble for exhibitors by tin adoption of the idea. He declared y studios were lor sale in Cali ia and quoted the M. P. D. A. to \'< irs and many storii ailrdde for such an idea. Dorothy Farnum to Write Special Dorothy Farnum I • ngaged by the Pine Tr< e I ilm ich is . making a series of pictures for independent distribul n some lories by Jam. • ' Hivi r Curwood, to prepare an adaptation of "Jacqueline." Hamm Against It Northwest Exhibitor Official Thinks Idea Is Wrong— Talk Highlight of Dinner (Staff Correspondence) Minneapolis — There was one outstanding feature of the banquet tendered to the delegates at the Radisson Hotel by the United Theatrical Protective League of Minnesota, and that was the address of William Hamm, of Finkelstein and Ruben. Hamm is a wealthy brewer who entered the theatrical firm when the Volstead Act became effective. He is immensely wealthy and an excellent type of the "big league" business man. Introduced by Senator Walker as the "Hamm that am," he evoked considerable applause when he said, "I say to producers; if I was in the producing business I would make the road of the small exhibitor as easy as I possibly could." Later he declared that it would be a grave mistake for the exhibitors to get into the production game. "It would lead you to complications that would pull you down," he said, "but the distribution idea can be worked out." Touching upon the so-called trustification of the industry he said: "I have no fear of trustification. I am not afraid of it. The financial interests of Wall Street with their interest in Famous Players, Goldwyn, and Loew's, all are drifting in the same direction. But that doesn't frighten me. It is too big a proposition, too big even for Wall Street to attempt. I have told my associates that if that time ever came when a trust was attempted that there would spring up over night producing companies making product just as good as that made by the producers in a trust and 1 have told them let it come." This brought a tremendous cheer. "Your organization has a value that most people in the industry don't see," he said. Touching upon the question of censorship he held the producers to blame, exonerating the exhibitor by saying that the pictures were usually bought in bulk upon the claims and promises of the producer, and that the exhibitor did not know what was coining to him. "But." he said, "when you show these pictures to your audiences they don't know that and they naturally hold you to blame." A set of handsomely prepared resolutions was tendered through W. Stephen Bush to Dr. Francis Holly of the Bureau of Commercial Fcons, and in expressing his thanks for them Dr. Holly made one of the most interesting addresses of the evening. He suggested an international organization of exhibitors to control the screens of the world. 'I he banquet was not over until vi i \ late and then the executive committee and the special committee handling the distribution problem i into session . Both were at until after three o'clock yesterday morning. The name GASNIER will never appear on any production that does not measure up to the highest standards of the motion picture loving public of America GASNIER — Director of Specials