The film daily year book of motion pictures (1932)

President, M.P.T.O. of St. Louis, Eastern Mo., and Southern III. FRED WEHRENBERC • The Motion Picture Industry has withstood the depression better than any other industry. In fact far better than merchandising lines of business, due to the fact that it is a necessity and of its stability. It is true that some of the large and small producers and exhibitors have been hurt by the depression, but not nearly as much as in other lines. In looking over the horizon of 1932 I see many bright spots for the exhibitor if he will get down to Real Showmanship and work hard, sell himself and his theater to this public, see that his cashier, doorman and ushers greet his patrons with a kind good-evening on entering and a kind good-night when leaving his theater. Make them feel at home and that you are mighty happy to have them come. Keep his theater neat and clean at all times and above all, well ventilated. Nothing is so obnoxious to a patron than a foul smelling theater, it has driven away more cash customers than anything that I know of. The exhibitor who is wide awake, shouts out loud, tells his public what he has to sell, need not fear for his success. Of course he must have good pictures, and I have every reason to believe that the producers are going to deliver them this year. There are but two things that should be utmost in our minds. Showmanship and Good Pictures. M. E. COMERFORD • As to the future of the motion picture business I am optimistic. We have passed on through the days of speculation and extravagance and on throuj^h these more recent days of business distress. It has been our first test under real fire and from this experience, I know, have come fine lessons that mean for the betterment and advancement of a great industry. We have a fine asset in this wonderful form of entertainment — the only form extant that has a mass or universal appeal. Let us always be mindful that we are the stewards of the public in this great field of expression, and that our duty demands that we develop it in fine clean fashion. I feel that our producers are striving to make good, clean and wholesome pictures and I see much evidence of that accomplishment. This is as it should be if we are to endure. I have an abiding faith in the continuing success of our business. President, Comerford Circuit President, Powers Cinephone Equipment Corp. P. A. POWERS "We Are Making Poor Pictures, But We Promise to Make Good Ones." — fl^ This seems to be the theme song of the industry. Not one of the various premonitions of the executives seem to indicate just what they are going to give us. They just trust in God for an inspiration. )oe Schenck says, and he is right: "Too many pictures — too many theaters." But he does not tell us how to remedy the situation without a sheriff. They are all hoping for a break and that something will happen. The big companies are in a tough spot. They are all geared up for high priced productions with high priced non-productive executives supervising the business to death. Success in the industry depends on the director. Give him a chance on his own without interference and you will get a greater percentage of successes. He will find the means to produce pictures if given an honest count on the receipts, and will gamble on his ability to deliver the goods. Successful talking pictures can only be made from demonstrated successful stage plays. Two weeks run stage plays cannot be made successful talkies. The lack of interesting dialogue has to be replaced by motion picture technique enhanced by sound effects. Foreign countries will make their own talkies, but they will still need American motion picture productions, as their dialogue pictures will be no better than ours. With world wide distribution of motion pictures produced in America, we can again regain the world's market. American movies held their interest before, it can be done again. 57