Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1932)

March 19, 193 2 MOTION PICTURE HERALD 21 WILEY URGES CLEAN STANDARDS; CAUTIOUS COURSE ON LEGISLATION Soundest Opinion Favors Mininnum of Law Making to Set Up Censorship, Business Manager of N. Y. Times Tells MPTOA Adherence to clean standards of showmanship and a cautious course of dealing through wise representatives with reference to proposed legislation were urged upon the industry by Louis Wiley, business manager of the New York Times, speaking before the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America at a dinner at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington Tuesday night. "Part of the name of your organization is 'Owners of America.' America can be bought more cheaply today than a few years ago, and it is well worth buying as an investment. The skies are blue over our land, but the United States is not a blue sky investment," said Mr. Wiley. "On the letterhead of your energetic and able secretary, Mr. O'Toole, is the slogan, 'Protect Your Investment — It Is Worth Fighting For.' I assume some one is interfering with the motion picture theatre business. The desire of some people to meddle with other people's businesses amounts almost to an epidemic and is particularly virulent among legislatures. I do not know in detail what battles you have on your hand just now, but it is well to have a man named O'Toole to lead the fighting. Deal Directly With Public "Your business is much like that of newspapers in one important particular. We both deal directly with the public. From this constant contact we derive many advantages and a considerable number of worries. It is reasonably easy to learn the opinions of an individual. It requires statesmanship to learn and be certain of the collective opinion of large groups. Whoever must deal with public opinion must never relax his vigilance. Public opinions, public preferences, prejudices, are all fluid. We must be prepared to recognize rapid changes in taste and in interests of the people who attend motion picture theatres and buy newspapers. The shrewd leader in motion pictures and in journalism is one who can forecast accurately the coming changes. "Newspapers and motion pictures also have in common the quality of being universal. The languages in which the newspapers are printed or in which the characters on the screen speak may change. But a demand for news is present in all countries, and the interest in the drama on the screen and the pictures you show is born in the human race. Newspapers and the industry you represent serve the universal needs of information and entertainment. News in Pictures "The most valuable quality in newspapers is news. I do not claim to be an expert on motion picture theatre management, and as an appreciative patron of your theatres I know that one of the greatest assets of your program is to have what is new as well as what is good. It is a strong human desire to know the news, to be in touch with the LOUIS WILEY latest events, to be first to know what is happening in the world. "When Adolph S. Ochs, publisher of The New York Times, began his newspaper career in Chattanooga, more than half a century ago, he determined that news should be the cornerstone of his newspaper. "Mr. Ochs, who knew so fully the value of news, recognized the worth of real news pictures. He was a pioneer in introducing the rotogravure picture section to the United States, making such a section a regular part of The New York Times in 1914. Mr. Ochs sought interesting news pictures to be printed in the most beautiful way. "News pictures, of course, are not the greatest attraction at your beautiful and well-managed theatres. I think you will all agree, however, that your audiences keenly enjoy the news reels. The public is interested in the news of your industry and what it ofTers. A local theatre manager will always do well to play up the news quality in his presentations. Censor Not Wisest Agency "We hear a great deal concerning the mistakes of censors, of the different standards of censorship existing in the many States, thereby making the operations of your business more difficult. "In the public interest we need some form of restriction of excesses, but it is rare in human experience that a censor has been found to be the wisest agency for setting up such restrictions. Newspapers are aware that some publications have degraded journalism and have obtained circulation among those of low intelligence and standards by pandering to the baser instincts and interests. There are always some who are willing to make money by exploiting the low and salacious. Public taste seems to go in waves, and we know that serving the lowest tastes may be profitable for a time until an aroused public opinion interferes. In the Desire of Some People to Meddle With Other People's Businesses Amounts Almost to an Epidemic, Convention Is Told long run, however, real success and, above all, the real satisfaction of life can come only from truly serving the intelligent and discriminating members of the community and building up the permanent good-will of the better element. Too Many Laws "Newspapers, the drama, motion pictures, the cause of free speech in every form, have a common interest in watching restrictive legislation which would endeavor to limit their lawful freedom. "The soundest opinion is in favor of a P minimum of legislation which attempts to set up standards of censorship. We have too many laws in this country not supported by public opinion. A strong and aroused public opinion is the best guarantee that laws will be enforced. I urge you to put the matter of dealing with proposed legislation in the hands of your wisest men, who always by their actions and statements will place your industry in the best possible light before our people. "No question with which your association can deal requires abler or cooler heads than that of representing the motion picture theatre owners before the American people, whom it is your privilege to serve." Hughes-Franklin Houses Reverting The Midwest division of Hughes-Franklin Theatres is in process of being disbanded, with the houses involved either reverting to former owners or being otherwise disposed of. The Lindbergh theatre, de luxe Kansas City suburban house, is the first to revert. It is understood four additional houses in Kansas City and one in Chillicothe, Mo., will be dropped shortly. When the Hughes-Franklin circuit bought a group of houses in the territory more than a year ago, rentals were paid one year in advance on leases running five or 10 years. It is said that in certain instances, where the advance rentals have terminated, no rent has been paid. Educational 1932-33 Program Probably Will Equal 1931-32 Educational will release approximately the same number of short subjects next season as during the current production year, Earle W. Hammons, president, has announced. During the 1931-32 season, 52 two-reel comedies are on the schedule. Hammons will leave the home office for the Coast shortly to conclude next season's production conferences, now in progress in New York.