Motion Picture News (Jul - Sep 1926)

July 17 , 19 2 6 211 Censors Needless, Bloom Tells Congress Representative of New York Credits Hays Office with Gaining Approval of Churches and Critics in Speech at Capital By C. L. LINZ Washington Correspondent, Motion Picture News Washington, D.C. — The motion picture industry has done much to regulate itself and is in no need of Federal control, Congress was told last week by Representative Sol Bloom of New York in a speech on the floor of the House. Tracing the history of the industry from it inception, Mr. Bloom showed that every effort is being made to keep the screen clean and that the approval of the churches and of former critics is gradually being gained as a result of the effects of Will Hays and other leaders of the industry. With but seven per cent of the world's population, America produces 85 per cent of the world's motion pictures, he pointed out, as compared with 80 per cent of the world's automobiles, our next greatest commodity, and 150,000 persons are regularly employed in the production, distribution and exhibition of motion pictures, the most popular form of amusement the world has ever known in all its history, he declared. Pays Tribute to Hays Bloom paid high tribute to the work of Will Hays as head of the industry's association, and told of the results accomplished through Mr. Hays' "open door" policy. "I have said that credit for the present status of the motion-picture industry and the present quality of the pictures themselves should go to the manner in which tin' industry has been self-regulated by those who control it," declared the Congressman. "I should add that credit should likewise go to those splendid men and women who have served the department of public relations, and credit should go particularly to Will H. Hays, who brought the public and the producers together to sit at the same table in conference on motion pictures. "From time to time we have had demands— not especially significant demands, but demands, nevertheless — for some sort of Government regulation of this industry. It seems to me that no regulation could possibly bring about the beneficial results thai are now being brought about by Mr. Hays' association, and the splendid men and women representing the organized better thought of the public. Discusses Censor shift Discussing the demand for censorship, he pointed out that the screen has been kept free from "dirt" and that many of the plays and books which aroused comment in the press have been barred from the films, although some of them have broken records as originally produced. "This," he asserted, "was indeed regulation of the motion picture industry, but it was regulation not by any political body, not by any board of censors, but by the industry itself. And it was far more effective than any outside regulation possibly could be. The pictures themselves are convincing proof of the success of the industry in carrying out these purposes, he declared, summarizing the films running currently on Broadway. He also spoke of the various pictures which have been produced for the purpose of teaching the history of the country and patriotism, telling of the conquering of the West, the activities of the Government, and the great stories of other nations. "Of course, no thought l'ul person can reasonably expect all motion pictures to be constructed to lit the psychology of the twelve-year-old bo\ or girl any 'e than a thoughtful person would expect all books to be written for the child's mind," he said. The primary purpose of the motion picture is entertainment of the mature. ''There are certain problems in life which much be picturized if we are to have drama (which is based fundamentally upon a conflict between good atid evil, and some of these problems to be depicted perhaps are not just the sort of things for the young to see. Vet if these things are eliminated altogether, and if all pictures arc made to appeal to the adolescent mind only, then adults will not wish to go to the theatres and the motion picture will quickly pass out of existence. "The faults of the motion picture are largely of the past. The accomplishments of the motion picture have been great and their future is infinitely greater. "While today there is little to apologize for and very much to be proud of, there is very much to be done. I would suggest, in fairness, that thought be given to what is right with the movies. Everything will be entirely right if everyone — and I include, of course, those who with honest motives and sincere desire to do good an asking for this legislation — will give to the problems involved their sympathy and constructive advice and co-operation." Individual Campaigns in New York Exhibs. Plans Own "Movie Season" Drive Under Direction of General Committee; Other Cities Launch Movement JOSEPH L. PLUXKETT, managing director of the Mark Strand Theatre, New York City, has been elected general manager of the Greater Movie Season Campaign for that city and the exhibitors have worked out a slightly different plan of drive that may help in other cities, where there is a disagreement as to the amount to be contributed by exhibitors to the general fund. In New York City there will be only a small general fund, to pay for minor expenses, to which all theatres will contribute. Instead of contributing to a large fund, each exhibitor will spend his own money in his own way to put his theatre over during the season. Theatres Increase Ads Each theatre that now uses newspaper advertising will increase that space to advertise Greater Movie Season as it is being celebrated in that theatre, and the exhibitor will buy his own posters, banner-, pennants, trailers, heralds, novelties and other accessories. In this way even the smallest theatre can take part in the campaign, even though its participation is limited to the purchase of a few one sheets, some cards and a ban ner. Tulsa Organized Oklahoma will put on a state-wide Greater Movie Season celebration. Tulsa already i organized with Everett Johnson, of the Orpheum Theatre, a General Manager. The Oklahoma state managers are A. B. Mo nianil of Shawnee, R. E. Griffith of Oklahoma City. Fred Pickreal of Ponca Citj and Charles Sassen, District Manager for Publix Theatres. Cleveland exhibitors large and small will join in the Greater Movie Season Celebration in that city. Last year few beside the Loew theatres took part. This year about thirty-five of the neighborhood houses will join the down-town theatres in the campaign. Guy Kin i r. of the Arcade Theatre, will be General Manager of the Jacksonville. Fla., campaign. The entire Commerford Circuit will celebrate Greater Movie Season. "Our e\ perience is that Greater Movie Season greatly stimulates mid-summer attendance al the theatres," writes M. J. O'Toole, from Scranton. Cleveland formally launched its Greater Movie Season Campaign last week with a meeting in the office of the Cleveland Exhibitors' Association in the Film Building. Wm. J. Raynor of Reade's Hippodrome was elected General Chairman. William Hanks, secretary of the Cleveland Exhibitors' Association was made General Secretary. The members of the Genera] < mittee are J. J. Harwood, president of the Cleveland Exhibitor-' Association, and Dr. IS. I. Brody, president of the Broadway Circuit of theatres. Full Support in Cleveland This means that this year Cleveland will have a city-wide Greater Movie Se Campaign with exhibitors large and small taking part. The Loew and Keith theatres are giving full support to the movement. The .Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Maryland at a meeting at the Emerson Hotel, Baltimore, on Thursday, endorsed the Greater Movie Season Campaign and agreed to contribute to its supp