Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

2034 Steffes Heads Minnesota M.P.T.O. Large Gathering Attends Annual Session and Many Resolutions Are Enacted PRESIDENT AL STEFFES and vicepresident Theodore Hayes, of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Minnesota were re-elected by acclamation at the closing session of that state's annual convention on April 12th. Clvde Hitchcock was elected secretary and Fred Holzapfel treasurer, the vote in every case being unanimous. A larse crowd attended the closing banquet, which was held at the Hotel West, and was marked by cheers for Al Steffes for national president," but the fighting president of the Minnesota organization refused to make a formal statement of his candidacy. The Minnesota division passed many resolutions at their session, among the principal of which was the one regarding the music situation. Steps are to be taken to effect a compromise of matters in dispute between its members and the American Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers. It was resolved that members be urged to make no individual settlement of the controversy, but that all such matters be handled by the association. It was proposed to take immediate steps to secure the co-operation of legitimate theatres, hotels, cafes, bands and orchestras in the matter. Terms of the compromise are to be left up to the association. In order to explain to non-members of the association the many constructive movements and accomplishments of the body it was resolved that every member be pledged to call upon non -members and ask their aid in subscribing to the fund now being raised to finance the organization. Based upon financial conditions resulting from depressed prices in farm products a reso lution was passed urging producers and distributors to revise quotas now imposed upon pictures distributed in the territory. Among other resolutions passed were those Hays Introduces Films Into Schools THE Will H. Hays office recently introduced films into school class rooms for educational purposes, which should be a welcome piece of news to motion picture exhibitors. These films will not compete in any way with those shown in theatres. One exhibitor aptly spoke as follows: " We will not have competition from the class-room films, but actual assistance, I believe. In this manner, the school children, becoming used to motion pictures with their lessons, will seek motion pictures for entertainment outside of school hours. The fact that school children have to read lesson books in the class-rooms does not decrease, but rather increases their desire for reading — only when they seek reading after school the type they choose is that which entertains them. So it will be with the films, I believe; and I really think the introduction of motion pictures into the schools will make for us millions of new fans." At the meeting in the Hays office, which was between a committee of educators and a committee of producers, the latter group offered to the teachers $5,000 with which to begin experimental work. The gift was accepted and the work will begin at once. advocating clean films, community co-operation, limiting features to five and not over seven reels, showing one or more short subjects on each program, and engaging the services of a competent person to act as secretary and organizer of the association. Sydney S. Cohen Serves No tice on Music License In a letter addressed to the American Society of Authors, Composers, and Publishers under the date of April 12th, Svdnev Cohen, president of the M. P. T. 0. of A", serves notice of the termination of any agreements that he may have had with that organization. After calling attention of the publishing concern to the expiration ''a long time ago" of his music license arrangement, he writes : '"As a result of my study of the situation and from my interviews with hundreds of people throughout the United States, including not alone exhibitors but legislators and the Government's legal experts and other persons holding both private and public office. I have concluded that the monopolistic control of which you now boast as the justification for the extension of your society, not only has earned the condemnation of all fair thinking people but will soon reap its just reward in suitable legislation which will prevent in the future any repetition of your methods of oppression, supplemented by your system of espionage." Alleged Fake Operator Is Taken in Canada F. J. Halsey, who was arrested in Toronto, recently, on a warrant issued by the Kitchener police, and who is also wanted in Guelph, Canada, in connection with the operation of what is alleged to have been a fake motion picture advertising scheme in which the name of "William A. Johnston, publisher of Motion Picture News, was fraudulently used, was taken to Guelph, from Kitchener, by Provincial Constable Mennie last week and charged with obtaining money to the amount of $30 from George Wallace, a local clothier. As Crown Attorney Kearns was not ready to proceed with the case. Halsey was held without bail. It is said the accused is also wanted in Kingston, Woodstock and Oshawa on similar charges. Finest of China Cinema Houses Completed Just at the time of the announcement by the Commerce Department of the increasing utilization of industrial motion pictures to exploit American products, the department received news of the completion of a new cinema theatre, reputed not only the largest in Shanghai, but perhaps the finest in China. Many American firms now appreciate the beneficial influence of the screen in promoting new and mutually helpful international trade relations. The China organizations of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce offers film laboratories, makers of industrial film and users of industry and trade promotion films its services and advice in securing efficient distribution in China. American films predominate to the extent of eighty per cent. Motion Picture News Industry Golfers Display Form in Coast Event Seventy golfers of the film industry at Los Angeles heeded the call of President Nat Deverich, and Secretary J. C. Jessen, and attended the second handicap tournament of the Motion Picture Golf Association, held at the California Country Club at Culver City, on Sunday, April the 8th. The following are the gross, handicaps and net scores of players under the eighty mark : Baby Hardv 89—26—63 William Farnum 92—24—68 Colin Kinnev 95_24— 71 Al Crowley* 87—16—71 Wid Gunning 93—22—71 David Butler 96—24—72 Jene Hornbostel 92—20—72 Jack Warner 103—30—73 Larrv Semon 95—22—74 Ben "Wilson 104—30—74 A. D. Riplev 99—24—75 Lex Neal 99—24—75 Bob Reed 96—20—76 William Conklin 93—18—75 Mike Farlev 87—11—76 T. Roy Barnes 92—16—76 Howard Hawks 88—10—78 George Ovev 90—12—78 L. H. Beulil 90—12—78 Slim Summerville 103—24—79 Tom Kennedv 93—14—79 Walter Hall 89-10—79 Lou Seiler 109—30—79 Frank Borzage 103—24—79 The permanent low gross trophy, the Larry Semon cup, won in the first tournament by L. H. Beuhl, was awarded to Johnny Mescall, cameraman of the Goldwyn Company, whose low gross was eighty-four, he having taken the first half in forty-two, and repeated the performance on the second half in the same number of strokes. Second low gross has not been awarded, as three tied for this trophy, a eup given by Motion Picture News. Mike Farley, Assistant Director at Fox studios, Edward Hawks, of Hawks-Morosco productions, and Al Crowley, Exploitation Director for the Los Angeles Goldwyn exchange, all made gross scores of eightyseven. The winner of the lowest is Babe Hardy, scenario writer and comedian of the Vitagraph-Semon Company, who played far ahead of his usual game. The second low net was won by William Farnum, who receives the eup given by Sam and Jack Warner. In the afternoon prizes were offered to the best ball of each foursome and these were won by Harry Beaumont, A. D. Ripley, Jene Hornbostel, Walter Hall, Wallace MacDonald, George Ovey, Richard Schayer, Brandon Hurst. Clyde Cook, Mike Farley, Slim Summerville and Sam Warner. Builder of Knickerbocker Files Suit Demurrer Frank L. Wagner, builder of the Knickerbocker theatre. Washington D. C, filed on Thursday last, a demurrer in District Supreme Court, to the suits brought by legal representatives of Jacob Urdong, local merchant, and his wife, Rose Urdong, victims of the tragedy. Wagner avers that the declarations seeking to hold him and others connected with the building's construction as responsible for collapse of the building, due to the fall of the roof, not only fail to show the cause of action but show no specific negligence on his part.