Film Index (Jan-Dec 1909)

THE FILM INDEX An Independent weekly publication devoted to the trado interests ot moving pictures, slot machines and alliod industries. Vol. IV. No. 1. JANUARY 2, 1909. Whole No. 141. Published by THE FILM« PUBLISHING CO. 36 East 23d Stree. iV New York LEON J. RUBINSTEIN, Editor. Terms: Two Dollars per Year In advance. Postage free to all subscribers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Porto Rico and the Philippines. Foreign: Four Dollars per Year in advance, postpaid. (Subject to discount on time contracts.) ADVERTISING RATES Whole Page, 11% x 9 $84.00 Half " 5% x 9 42.00 One-Third " 3% x 9 28.00 Quarter " 2% x 9 21.00 Eighth " 1% x 9 10.50 One Inch, single column 1.85 Want Department— Three cents per word, minimum 75 cents. Remittances should be made by express or postal order, check, or registered letter. Cash sent otherwise Is at the risk of the sender. European Agents: INTERNATIONAL NEWS CO., Breams Building, Chancery Lane, London, E. C. NOTICE. — ALL COPY AND ADVERTISING INSTRUCTIONS MUST REACH US NOT LATER THAN WEDNESDAY OP EACH WEEK. EDITORIAL Reference in another column of this paper will show one of the greatest Christmas surprises in the annals of the moving picture business. After a three-day almost continuous session the film manufacturers furnish the press with a statement of the proceedings. Not a detailed one, of course, but one that tells a long story in a few words. The surprise lies in the readiness with which the press committee of the manufacturers acted. There was no secrecy. It was a plain matter-of-fact transaction. "We have met the enemy, and he is ours." This is a succinct interpretation of the message. However, regardless of opinions that may be expressed regarding the circular letter referred to, those who study the situation carefully must concede that the plan evolved by the manufacturers during the past week is as full of harmony and good promise as the best Christmas pudding is of seasonable cheer. The only difference between the two is that the manufacturers' product will not be cut and served until the second week of January. While it will be a post-celebrant event it will be none the less enjoyable to all interested in the welfare of the moving picture business. The coming annual convention of the film manufacturers will be the most important they have held since the first consolidation of their interests. It will also be the most harmonious. A frank view of the situation is that nothing more for the betterment of the moving picture could have occurred. There is a better understanding regarding mutual interests than ever before. While the general tenor of the published letter may have an arbitrary aspect, in the eyes of some, a careful digestion of it will reveal the principle of self-preservation, in all senses, justifiable. The great drawback to the film business has been the lack of restraint and control. There has been too much of the wildcat business. This element has led the public at large to hold the business at a discount. The "moving picture man" is the phrase. The dignity and Importance which legitimately invested capital commands has been either side-tracked or clouded by the THE FILM INDEX reckless operations of the capitalist of limited means. When the amount invested in plants is coupled with the operating capital of the modern moving picture industry figures climb to an amazing height. The ordinary observer fails to appreciate this. They fail to grasp the details leading up to the production of a picture. Every street scene they see depicted, to their mind, costs nothing other than the negative used. Every set scene they imagin is borrowed from some good-natured theatrical manager; and the costumes — well, anybody can get them as easy as costumes are secured for masquerade balls. The public as a whole deprecates the' picture in proportion to the place of produc tion. The managements have failed to impress upon the minds of their patrons that this or that picture has required thought, pains and expense. Such considerations have never entered their minds. Their sole and only concern has been revenue. Many people incline to the belief that the exhibitors have made the film business what it is today. Others maintain that the film exchanges have turned the trick. There can be no doubt that the active operations of both have done much to increase business, but it must be acknowledged that before either were in the field the manufacturers had their money invested and have since been investing for the improvement and development of that upon which both renter and exhibitor rely and are building. Before the store show made its appearance the manufacturers were at work. They did not produce near the number of subjects per month that are now turned out per week, but with more than 75 per cent, less products they were getting prices that, in proportion, would make existing rates look like 30 cents. Many of the newcomers may scorn at this, but how many of the men now in the business know that films made in the United States used to bring 15 cents per foot net and foreign subjects were at bargain prices when the price was 20 cents per foot? Compare this situation with that of the present day. The purchaser who is asked 13 cents per foot for new stuff assumes the attitude of a man who has been sandbagged. The first thing he does is to fling in your face that he knows the Eastman Company does not charge more than four or five <ciils per foot for the stock and allowing 100 per cent, more for all other work, the manufacturers should be able to sell films at from 8 to 10 cents per, according to standard. But this fiend is an easy one to the fellow who writes and says he is in the market for from 1,200 to 1,500 feet of first-class film at from 5 to 6 cents per foot, providing they are subjects that have never been used and not over three weeks old. During the past eight or nine months such benefactors of the moving picture industry have bobbed up with a tempting frequency and their baits have been swallowed in many quarters where agreements have not been in force. But we feel confident that they will not land the fish so plentifully during the ensuing period. Scalpers have seen their best day. The moving picture business is as legitimate and has become as much an amusement necessity as any on the list, and more so than most. The manufacturers stand in the same position as all others in the legitimate line. If they invest the capital, spend the time and labor and exert all other diligence towards meeting the requirements of the public they have the undeniable light to demand that the goods shall go through only such channels as will help main 3 tain the standard of their products and bring a revenue that will allow a reasonable profit. Furthermore, they have the right to decide to whom they will or will not sell or lease. The landlord selects his tenants and loses no time in ousting the undesirable. One point has been raised regarding the proposed platform of the convention that excites no little interest. That is the provision that requires a nominal license fee payable to the manufacturers' association. It seems that this provision has come to the notice of certain exhibitors who feel somewhat concerned about it. If the matter has been put right to us, we see no occasion for any apprehension. We look upon this as a sort of defense fund. Some may call it "the yellow dog." The redeeming feature about the matter is that none of the officers of the patents company are salaried, so that it is evident that the nominal fees are not to be appropriated to any "cinches." Where, then, are they to go? Well, we imagine that at some time or other some renter or exhibitor will make a complaint. Then the "yellow dog" steps in. Suppose, for instance, a man who is doing a legitimate business is confronted by one of those peculiar oppositions that confront some people who bump up against a conspiracy. In such a case the fund would prove a friend in need. A sort of insurance, as it were. Since the results of the conferences of the Patents Company have leaked out some expressions have been heard to the effect that the independent movement will take on renewed life. Such faith would be both praiseworthy and commendable if it were founded upon even a color of reason. The Independents have been recognized heretofore as the standard bearers of the American Biograph and Kleine interests. Both these interests have discovered that for the present and future welfare of the moving picture industry an agreement with those who anticipated the evil was the best move. While to many it may appear to be a vicious combination, one intended to control and not consider, it will be found in time to be the best move towards restoring a worthy industry to its rightful standard. Any movement or combination that works to the contrary will not avail. If the idea is to create an independent movement with the aid of low-priced goods to keep alive low-priced exhibitors the Patents Company need feel no alarm. Time and the public will soon settle that issue. For several weeks there have been persistent rumors that after the next annual convention of the Film Service Association a determined attempt will be made to reorganize the New York City local that was affiliated with the parent body until September last. As a matter of fact the New York local was never dissolved. 'It simply Suspended operations. But, regardless of this distinction, some amusement has been occasioned by the rumor. Not a few film exchange people have declared the report a joke. However that may be, there are some who are as serious as they can possibly be in the matter. A representative of one of the leading film exchanges in New York had this to say one day this week: "The renters of this city never had a better stand-by than in the local. True its career was not a serene one. Its meetings may have been stormy and some feelings may have suffered, but the washing out of dirty clothes always led to some understanding. Despite the double-cross work and hypocrisy practiced by some more justice was secured than can be now. When (Continued on page 10.) When writing Advertisers, kindly mention Th« Film Indax.