Motion Picture News (Apr - Jun 1928)

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June 3 0 , 192 8 2)71 Inside Slants on the Industry PICTURES AND PEOPLE Tie JVlirrors of Filmdom SOME very interesting angles on the condition of theatre husiness as seen at first-hand were given us this week by S. J. McHenry, well-known Southern film man and now operating most profitably with a unique Western road show, which has some remarkable exploitation along with it. His observations show most clearly that the alien operation of circuit houses is passing into the discard. The attempt of a head office to set in pictures where the local situations are unknown to the head office has definitely broken down. In some instances, Mr. McHenry went into towns and played houses that had been closed up by circuits owing to lack of business, and did more at the box-office than some of the theatres that were still open. This condition obtained in many parts of the country and was not confined to any one section. The show which Mr. McHenry is giving is a distinct novelty, and this is the angle which he stresses in his observations. Pointing to "The Jazz Singer" as the prime thing that brought the sound movie revolution, he uses it also as proof that the public must have novelty. There is no question in his mind that the public demands the sound picture. This is true in towns and cities of all sizes where the public has had a chance to see and hear the innovation. * * # I T is well at all times to listen to the voice of the piibl i<-. for it is the public which decides. The newspapers are often the direct reflection of this all-important attitude. For example, Robert G. Tucker, photoplay editor of The Indianapolis Star, said recently: "A musical presentation with a plot will be a further invasion of the legitimate theatre which the latter must be prepared to meet if it desires to continue close to the front of the procession. We are not sure whether the proprietors of the big motion picture theatres are meeting or creating a demand for something different. "Within the past year there has been an increasing tendency to subordinate the picture to the stage show and it may as well be admitted that this change has proved popular. "However it also may as well be conceded that the quality of the pictures — generally speaking is not as high as ii was even a year ago. We do not expect the producers or their representatives to agree with this statement — and we are not seeking an argument or even a discussion. "So far as we are concerned the number of excellent pictures compared to the total output has diminished noticeably. One of these days the producers may awaken to a realization that the permanency and prestige of the screen calls for better pictures even if the present cycle of colorful stage shows is to be continued." * * # Wl E are glad to call attention to a very worthy cause — the Jewish Consumptive Relief Home, located at Duarte, a suburb of Los Angeles, and in behalf of \sliich the Coast film colony is enlisted. A big benefit performance is being given June 30th at the Warner Theatre in Hollywood, with AI Jolson and W ill Rogers as masters of ceremonies, and an array of talent from pictures, vaudeville and the stage participating. Mrs. Marcus Loew has recently endowed a hospital building in memory of her late husband, and buildings have also been contributed and endowed by Mrs. GoldStone, mother of I'hil Goldstone, chairman of the finance committee of the sanitarium, ami others. The chairman of the committee in charge of the benefit on the Coast is B. P. Schulberg; other members being Louis B. Mayer, B. P. Fineman, Joseph M. Schenck, M. C. Levee, Harry Rapf, Carl Laemmle, Jr., Sol Wurtzel. Jack White, E. M. Asher and C. King Charney. This worthy institution is conducted without cost to the patients, and is one of the very few free tuberculosis sanitariums in the country. We understand that twentj per cent of the patients are from New York: ami. it Mould seem appropriate if the industry here would endow and sustain a building, similar to those already contributed by groups in Chicago and other cities. To this end, we suggest a big annual benefit shoM could be arranged in Ncm ^ oi k similar to tin* one being held in California this week. • * m THAT the talkies are taking the play away from most of the other picture houses is strongly in evidence through an analysis of the News' Key City Report department for the past several weeks. In practically every city where sound picture equipment has been installed in a theatre that house is the one generally making the best showing for the week. It is particularly interesting to note that, these pleasing returns are l>eing made during the so-called slack season. June 30, 1928 Motion Picture News Vol. XXXVII, No. 26 Published weekly by Motion Picture News, Inc. Founded in September, 191 3. Publication Office, 729 Seventh Are.. Xcu> York, N. Y .; Editorial and General Offices, 729 Seventh Ave., Nciv York City; Branch Offices, 845 5". Wabash Ave., Chicago, III; Room 616 Security Bldg., Hollywood, California. William A. Johnston, president; Kenneth M. Goodc, vice-president William A. Johnston, editor; Oscar Cooper, managing editor; Raymond E. Gallagher, advertising manager; Paul M. Abbott, manager of accessory advertising; L. H. Mason, Chicago representative; William McCormack, Los Angeles representative. Subscription price, $3.00 per year, postpaid in United States, Mexico, Hawaii. Porto Rico, Philippine Islands and some other countries. Canada, $5.00; Foreign, $10.00. Copyright, 1928, by Motion Picture Newt, Inc.. in United States and Great Britain. Title registered in the United States Patent Office and foreign countries. Western Union cable address is "Picknezvs," New York. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office, New York, N. Y ., April 22, 1926. under the Act of March 3, 1879.