Hollywood Filmograph (Jun-Aug 1929)

*■ HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 17 OVERFLOW CROWDS HEAR EQUITY'S CASE THURSDAY EQUITY MEETING (Continued from Page 3) make themselves evident at the meeting, though Gillmore asked if they were present. Stating that the petition had not been presented, he said that he had to take the word of the newspapers, "whom, as we all know, always tell the truth." He made the established of Nagel and his supporters appear the most ridiculous action in a controversy that has been highlighted with humorous happenings. Petitioners "Out of Order" He accomplished this by disproving every contention of the Nagel group and by showing that of the 34 purported signers of the petition (account of which appears elsewhere in this issue), 23 were entirely out of order and had no right to sign such a petition except as practice in handwriting, and that of the remaining 11 three signed the petition with the intention of defeating its purpose. Gillmore opened the meeting by stating: FIRST, that anonymous phone calls that the meeting had been postponed, had been received by many members, but that most of the members evidently came "from Missouri." SECOND, reading letters from Louis Stone and Joseph Schildkraut, denying published statements attributed to them and firmly declaring their support of Equity. THIRD, flatly denying an asserted propaganda rumor that Equity was charging a 12 per cent interest from those needy members who received financial aid. FOURTH, that agents', managers' and artists' representatives cannot |, continue to "handle both Equity players and non-Equity players." FIFTH, that Walter Huston had 1 j told him of turning down three important jobs, and had presented a j check for $500 to the organization's > benefit fund. Tremendous Demonstration Gillmore then settled the Nagel question with a few brief and forceful strokes, which were climaxed by ,n i one of the most tremendous demon: strations ever witnessed at a theatrical gathering, when Gillmore ! quoted from Shakespeare to the effect that "he who hath no store in this fight, let him depart" and they who turn upon their fellows are "not fit to die with us." The apt quotation ^ ' was greeted with a roar of approval c' ' from the entire assemblage. Beginning with a plea that the members try to understand the viewpoints of the "secessionist" group, Gillmore proceeded to a cold analysis of Nagel's petition. On Nagel's point that in the 1919 strike in New York, the actors had voted on the j strike, Gillmore stated that there had w| been no vote, but that six days be*h fore the strike the Council had endowed him with plenary powers; and ^ that in the present mandate the body had more to say than in 1919. Nagel's "Misunderstanding" On Nagel's point that many including himself, had misunderstood the purpose of Equity's vote taken some eight months ago, Gillmore read the questions asked in that vote, one of which asked the members if they were in favor of the organization demanding Equity Shop and an Equity contract. He further stated that nine weeks ago he had personally outlined the details of the proposed Equity move to Nagel and a group of his friends at a dinner at Nagel's home, at which time they were enthusiastic. Gillmore also stated that he had prepared the ground by a checkup of the advice and opinion of leading motion picture actors, most of whom also were enthusiastic. In essence he charged that the Nagel move was ostensibly organized for the purpose of breaking the solidarity of Equity ranks, but the usg of schismatic division between stage and screen actors. "Whether an actor of the screen or of the stage — he is still an actor," he declared. Conklin Loyal to Equity Quoting from a letter addressed to him by Chester Conklin, he stated that Conklin denied either having been present at the Nagel meeting, or having signed the petition; adding that Conklin had enclosed copies of letters which were being sent to his agent, and to the Los Angeles Times through his attorney, refuting the statement in their columns to that effect. Just prior to concluding his speech with the quotation from Shakespeare, Gillmore declared that Equity is a religion and that the present fight is "a holy war." Sam Hardy's Declaration Sam Hardy opened his speech by stating that he had not know he was to speak "until two weeks before the meeting — and therefore had come prepared." "I am not speaking as president of the largest theatrical club on the Pacific coast," he said, "but as an actor, Sam Hardy, and a paid-up member of Equity." Dealing with Nagel and points raised at the Tuesday meeting, he said that Nagel as chairman of the Equity advisory board had accomplished nothing at the time he (Hardy) came to Hollywood. Furthermore, that Hardy later became chairman of the second advisory board, and himself telegraphed to New York requesting Gillmore to dissolve the board. Referring to Louise Dresser's statement that she preferred the Academy contract to that proposed by Equity, he asked: "Does Mr. Nagel agree with Miss Dresser?" And further asked: "Does Mr. Nagel agree that contract players should contribute 10 per cent of their salaries to the support of Equity during the fight?" Benefits, he stated, are being arranged locally as well as in New York, Boston, Chicago and other key cities. As to the attempted classifications of screen as against stage actors, he said: "Motion picture actors never muffed a chance to appear on the stage. Which makes us 50-50." "We must make this a dignified fight," he declared in conclusion. "There can be no difference of opinion about Equity's aims, or on scabs on Equity Shop. We will win because we are right" Kirkwood Eulogises Gillmore James Kirkwood aroused the meeting to complete enthusiastic endorsement of President Gillmore by naming the producers individually and declaring that they did not want to meet a man of his type, because he is more than "their equal in honesty, integrity, and ability." He credited the producers as being .workers, fighters, men with guts, and emphasized the fact that their organized strength and lack of snobbery in carrying out their fight. Then said: "It fills me with the flood of shame to think that in this organization there are brothers and sisters without loyalty." Jetta Goudal's Wit Jetta Goudal reiterated her statement on Tuesday night in the nature of a challenge to Nagel's gathering, to the effect that contract players at present employed and unable to enter actively into the fight for Equity, should contribute one-third of their salary to aid the cause. She offered to start the fund off with $500, though she has worked little in the past two years, and "being the Bolshevist of the motion picture world, don't expect to work for another two years." In a speech which contained skillful innuendo, and kept the meeting at a constant pitch of enthusiasm and laughter, she dealt with the so-called secessionists, her own fights with the producers, and the "noise of certain actors who are preventing this fight from being settled quietly . . . Perhaps I am clairvoyant, for I had a feeling that many of those present at the Tuesday meeting would not appear here tonight; so I had a dress rehearsal of this speech at that time." Closed meetings, she averred, appeal to the people to whom the present meeting was perhaps "too draughty." As to the contract, she said that she would have made it much worse; and so far as coast reresentation is concerned, it would be very pleasant if those clamoring so loudly for it did not belong to the "mutual admiration society." Likening the Equity fight to war, she said that when the marshal speaks the soldiers obey, but obey silently. And that those who stay comfortably behind the lines, working, but not in danger, granted the front line army their loyal support. Miss Goudal pointed out that had Equity been recognized in Hollywood at the time there would have been no need for her to fight her battle against producers alone. And that she is confident that she retained the respect of those whom she fought. This, she stated in conclusion, will be likewise true in the case of the present fight for Equity. Her speech was loudly applauded. Cries for "More" Leo Carrillo, as the next speaker, made a plea for dignity throughout the fight. Mr. Gillmore announced the next meeting for Monday night, then called for the pleasure of the meeting, and there were enthusiastic demands for more speeches. In turn George Arliss, George Fawcett, James Gleason, Clark Silvernail and James Buzzell spoke. Highlights of their brief speeches follow: George Arliss: "The producers know that the thing we are fighting for is just, and have respect for those who stand up for their rights." George Fawcett: "This is a moment of exaltation ... to feel this loyalty radiating from this gathering. You are my people." Clark Silvernail: "I hope there isn't a lady in the audience whom I will insult ... I admire and respect the man who has the courage to voice a difference of opinion . . . but hold in contempt he who won't meet in the open ... I guarantee all courtesy possible to those who wish to question the Equity stand before us ... I dare Hearst, the editors of the Examiner and Times, and those who don't hesitate to ask actors to contribute to their stocking funds at Christmas, to print the truth — dare them to say they don't want union labor in this city — dare them to take a statement from President Gillmore and print it verbatim to let the public find out the truth about why we are fighting . . ." Jimmy Gleason: "There is little chance of the newspapers garbling my speech. It is in a few words — what the hell are you afraid of, you've got Mr. Gillmore." The Boycott in Action James Buzzell: "The enthusiasm of this meeting gives the lie to the statement that there is no room for Equity here ... I will not unfold what plans we have in process of formation because there are present tonight men sent to spy and inform . . . men on the payroll of the producers . . . members of the Better American Association, whom I would like to ask, 'By what right do you call yourselves better Americans than the men and women in this room?'" In addition, Mr. Buzzell declared that all peaceful means of arbitration would be used before more drastic means of action would be employed; and that interesting committees were being organized throughout the country after the pattern of one in Seattle, which intends sending "fan" mail to the stars whose statements have appeared in the newspapers. He also told of a spontaneous demonstration against a disloyal Equity member in a Pittsburgh theatre when that star flashed on the screen in a picture, causing the manager to stop the film and replace it. The meeting adjourned at 11 p. m. i 1 1 SEEKING A VEHICLE Mary Eaton has decided not to play the leading role in "Fast Company" according to announcements made this week. Miss Eaton does, however, desire to make a picture on the coast and in the event a suitable story can be found, Jesse Lasky will feature the little star. Miss Eaton is engaged to marry Millard Webb, director.