Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

1262 Motion Picture News Results of Better Films Movement Shown (Continued from page 1259) twenty-seven cities, averaged per day. This increase is in reality far greater than indicated, due to the fact that one performance on Saturday morning is being compared with the performances of an entire day over the circuit. " Again, compare the juvenile attendance for these five pictures at the boys' and girls' matinees in specified cities with the juvenile attendance at regular performances in specified cities of corresponding population — the increase is from two to eight times in favor of the matinee. " This chart clearly demonstrates the fact that any work with motion pictures for children, to be conducted on a large scale, must be carried out at such performances by selection according to suitability. " If the attempt is to be made to draw definite conclusions from the information here presented, it will be found that they very nearly coincide with the announced purposes of the Better Films Movement, and they might be listed as follows: "The majority of exceptional pictures are unsuccessful because of a lack of discrimination on the part of the public in selecting its cinema entertainment. " The exceptional picture can be rendered financially possible and entertainingly successful when properly promoted by community leaders. " The Public is susceptible to constructive, positive leadership in regard to the selection of its entertainment, if given accurate information on which to base its choice. " Entertainment is pre-requisite to education in the theatre, the picture patron being a casual seeker for entertainment. " Children do not play a sufficient part in the average motion picture theatre audience to enable the theatre to fully adapt its program to them. This can be accomplished only at a special performance. " The boys and girls of the community will support special performances adapted to them. " The selection and presentation of pictures suitable for juveniles create a higher taste on the part of the children. " The conclusion of primary importance is that the fundamental principles heretofore considered cannot be applied by the theatre alone, but only where the cooperation of the community is secured. "Note: The cities from which records have been taken in compiling these charts are : " Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Griffin, Ga. ; Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, Ft. Myers, Fla.; Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, N. C; Birmingham, Montgomery, Anniston, Gadsden, Ala.; Columbia, Spartanburg, Greenville, Sumter, S. C; Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville, Dyersburg, Tenn. ; Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Plainview, Texas." Sunday Opening Defeated in Mechanicsville, N. Y. By a vote of 614 to 1,697, the Sunday motion picture proposition was turned down by the citizens of Mechanicsville, N. Y., at a special election last week. All churches in the city united their forces in a campaign to defeat the project of opening the theatres on Sunday. The campaign culminated in a parade in which hundreds of Sunday School children participated. Findlay, O., Exhibs. Indicted on Sunday Opening Charge A GRAND JURY returned indictments against a number of motion picture managers in Findlay, O., on charges of violation of the state Sunday amusement law by keeping their theatres Members of the Civic Welfare League, formed recently by church laymen, filed charges in the Mayor's Court, in which the defendants were held for grand jury The league was organized after theatre managers had been acquitted on a Sunday opening charge by a Mayor's Court jury. Selznick Functioning U nder Creditors ' Management Several weeks ago bankruptcy proceedings were started against Select Pictures Corporation, the distributing branch of the Selznick organization. Following this proceeding a meeting of creditors was held and a plan suggested whereby the distribution both of old Selznick pictures and of those now in production should be continued under the direction of a committee of five representing the various classes of creditors. This committee is engaged in securing the consent to the reorganization plan from such creditors as were not present at the meeting, and it is understood that they are making satisfactory progress in lining up the creditors in support of this plan. A second petition in bankruptcy was filed on March 6th against Selznick Pictures Corporation, another company included in the Selznick Enterprises, and it is impossible at this time to determine what effect this new action will have upon the proposed plan for liquidation. The active management of the Selznick business is now under the supervision of Mr. W. C. J. Doolittle, who represents the Utica bankers who are large creditors. An economical system of operation has been effected, and it was hoped that with the reduction in expense and the profits anticipated from the three new pictures just completed, " Rupert of Hentzau," " The Common Law " and " Modern Matrimony," the debts of the company would be entirely liquidated. ChicagoHolds Examination to Select Censors Chicago recently introduced a new idea into the experiment of censorship; an examination was held to determine who should censor motion-pictures shown in that city. Fortythree candidates entered the lists and not one succeeded in securing a passing mark of 70 per cent., it is stated. Here are some of the questions propounded : " What is the meaning of the word ' immoral ' as applied to motion pictures ? " " Would it be harmful to any class of people to exhibit a scene showing a burglar opening a money safe ? " " Would you sanction the showing of a writhing snake ? " " Should a picture be shown that depicts a person administering a hypodermic injection which results in death ? " " What sort of motion pictures would tend to create hatred or contempt for a particular class of law-abiding citizen?" The local papers commented upon the examination and its outcome. As one editorial stated, " Nobody on earth can put issues of taste and decency in question and answer form." Another examination is to be held at a later date. Censorship and Taxi Bill Before Tennessee House Tennessee exhibitors are planning to fight a bill introduced a few days ago into the state legislature which provides for state censorship of all motion pictures and a fee of $50 for each picture reviewed, and in addition levies a tax of five per cent upon all gross receipts of the theatres throughout the state. The bill, introduced by Representative Hamilton, provides for the creation of a Board of Moving Picture Censors, to be appointed by the governor and to hold office for two years. The board shall consist of three members, two of whom shall be known as censors and the third will be secretary. Offices will be provided by the state in Nashville. The two censors shall receive an annual salary of $2,000 and the secretary, $3,600. The secretary is the only one who is required to devote his entire time to the work. Provision also is made for the employment of two to five stenographers at a salan of $1,500, and the secretary may employ one chief clerk at an annual salary of $1,800. In addition to these salaries, allowance is to be made for all traveling expenses. Exhibitors, under the bill, will not be permitted to show any motion picture before a " permit of release " is issued by the board, and application for such permit must be accompanied by a certified check or cash in the sum of $50. Application for release may be made either by producer or exhibitor. Where pictures are to be shown where no admission charge is made, application must be made and the fee of $10 paid the board. Three affidavits are required in this case. Another vital clause of the bill provides that every three months, the exhibitor shall file with the board, under oath, a report of the gross income of his theatre and shall file at the same time a certified check for five per cent of the gross income received during the preceding three months. This is termed by the bill " a privilege tax for showing pictures censored by the censorship board." First National Club Honors J. D. Williams In recognition of the high respect they have for their former " big boss," J. D. Williams, members of the First National Club, of whicli Steve McGrath is president, tendered a luncheon to Mr. and Mrs. Williams last Friday at Jim and Jack's restaurant, and after the speechmaking surprised Mr. and Mrs. Williams by presenting each with a handsome, fully equipped traveling bag. Over one hundred members of the club were at the luncheon. E. Bruce Johnson, manager of the foreign department of First National, M as the toastmaster. Mr. Johnson spoke of the great loyalty of the First National employes for "J. D." as general manager of the company, and "J. D." in answering declared that it was the loyalty of those around him that enabled him to make First National a dominant figure in the motion picture business. "It wasn't an easy battle, but you helped with your loyalty. You thought First National first and I know that you will continue to think First National first. It is a great organization and will continue to grow bigger and bigger. I feel honored to have you assemble here and tell me of your friendship," said Mr. Williams.