Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

April 28, 1923 Indiana Governor Against Censors Declares "Specified Regulation" Creates Desire to See Taboo Pictures GOVERNOR WARREN T. McCRAY of Indiana is definitely on record against " specified regulation " of the photoplay industry. In a brief speech at a luncheon of the Indiana lndorsers of Photoplays during the annual meeting in Indianapolis last Friday week he declared that he did not favor " specified regulation " of motion pictures because he felt that to forbid folk from seeing things was to create a desire to see them. The Governor never has had an opportunity to act officially on censorship, but his statement is taken here to indicate what he would do with a censorship bill should one come before him. In the last two sessions of the Indiana legislature censorship advocates have met with decisive defeat, chiefly because of efforts of women comprising the Indiana lndorsers of Photoplays. Their creed is that the best way to get clean movies for their families is to indorse the good in monthly bulletins and ignore the bad. Jason N. Joy of New York, executive secretary of the committee on public relations of the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, praised the work of the indorsers at the Friday session. Miss Julia Landers, head of the visual education department of the Indianapolis public schools, praised the indorsers' idea and strongly censured censorship. " Boosting good things instead of advertising bad things is the right idea," declared Miss Landers. Thomas Meighan was the guest of the convention Thursdav afternoon and evening. He declared he had " never earned a dollar by appearing in an immoral or off-color play," and scored censorship because of the ruin it does to really great pictures. C. C. Pettijohn, counsel for the Hays' organization, also spoke. Mrs. Fred L. Pettijohn of Indianapolis was Helpful to Exhibitors Who Would Help Themselves HERE is a lot of truth back of the statement contained in a letter from James H. Patterson, Lo-Net theatre, Wellington, Ohio. He writes: " The Booking Guide is exceedingly helpful to any exhibitor who is willing to help himself BY USING IT." It will not be news to the thousands of exhibitors who have profited by adopting the valuable suggestions published in each issue, but it should prove food for thought for the theatre-owners who have given it passing attention. A physician would be of little use to a sick man, if the patient merely looked at the medicine prescribed. It might do a lot of good, but it has to be taken to find out just how much. It took science some time to find out the various effects of chemicals on certain ailments. Motion Picture News has had years of experience in publishing a paper for exhibitors. This experience has been used in compiling the BOOKING GUIDE. Suggestions from exhibitors have also played a great part in its make-up. The leading showmen of the country have devised ways of exploiting pictures. THE BOOKING GUIDE tells when they appeared in THE NEWS. Profit by their ideas— USE THE GUIDE. unanimously re-elected president. Other officers chosen were: Mrs. David Ross, Indianapolis, first vice-president; Dr. Edna Hattield, Edmondson, Bloomington, second vice-president ; Miss Arthur Twining, Ft. Wayne, third vice-president; Mrs. Wolf Sussman, Indianapolis, fourth vice-president; Mrs. Bloomfield Moore, Indianapolis, corresponding secretary: Mrs. 0. C. Lukenbill, Indianapolis, treasurer; and Mrs. Francis Ake, Indianapo lis, recording secretary. Elaborate Presentation for "Covered Wagon* on Coast The presentation was a feature of the premiere of "The Covered Wagon" at Grauman's Hollywood Egyptian theatre on Tuesday, April 10th. Sid Grauman was in personal charge of the staging of the Paramount special. An elaborate prologue was greeted with special approval and excited widespread comment. The overture consisted of our grand-parents' favorite airs. Colonel J. T. McCoy introduced some twenty-five Arapahoe Indian chiefs, squaws and warriors, who were brought to Los Angeles from the reservation in Montana especially for their appearance in the prologue. Previous to the presentation of the prologue an Indian maiden sang Cadman's "From the Land of the Sky-Blue Water." "Pioneer Days" was the name given the prologue, which opened with Indians in the foreground in camp getting1 their first glimpse of the gigantic train of prairie schooners coming over the mountains in the distance. After the covered wagons approached the Indians departed. Scarcely had they left when the advance guard arrived and made camp. Four big prairie schooners with four horses each moved across the stage prior to the establishment of camp. The fifty odd participated in a Virginia reel and in singing and extending thanks for their safety thus far. Fisher Productions Organize on the Coast Announcement was made this week of the formation of Fisher Productions, which plans to enter the independent ranks of producers. The new concern has engaged studio space at the Hollywood studios and commenced the assembly of a technical force and a cast for their first production. Three productions a year are announced. The officers are: Aaron L. Jaffe, prominent San Francisco manufacturer, president; S. L. Blake, formerly affiliated with the Anglo-California Trust Company of San Francisco, secretary; and Victor B. Fisher, treasurer. Among the players already signed by the Fisher Productions is Virginia Lee Corbin, who will head an all-star cast in the company's initial production. Karachi, India, Contracts for U. S. Pictures A recent report from Consul Aura M. Warren in Karachi states that a contract has been concluded between Madans, Ltd., motion picture distributors in India, and a well-known American motion picture corporation, for the exhibition of American motion pictures in Karachi. 2037 Goldwyn Signs Lew Cody to Long Contract LEW CODY'S acting in Goldwyn's Rupert Hughes picture of Hollywood life, " Souls for Sale " has won him a long-term contract with Goldwyn Pictures Corporation. He will begin work for that concern again as soon as he completes a contract with another firm. Cody was an actor on the speaking stage before entering pictures, having acted in stock and repertoire companies. Goldwyn also announces that it has executed a contract with Edmund Lowe by the terms of which it acquires the services of that young actor. He will be cast' in important roles in some of the corporation's big forthcoming productions. No announcement has yet been made as to which picture Mr. Lowe will first be cast in. Charles O'Reilly Lauded at Installation Dinner Charles L. O'Reilly heard a lot of nice things said about him at the installation dinner of the T. 0. C. C. held at the Ritz last Thursday. Both as an individual and as newly elected president of the organization he was lauded. Harry Reichenbach, as usual, waxed eloquent as well as humorously. Will H. Hays paid high tribute to the new head of the New York exhibitors, as did Charles Pettijohn. Dancing followed the dinner and added gaiety to the party, as did the appearance of several vaudeville stars. S. Carolina Puts Through Ten Per Cent. Tax Bill After the regular session of the South Carolina General Assembly had adjourned, word went out that the motion-picture industry had escaped the proposed 10 per cent admission tax, and it was with genuine consternation that leaders of exhibitor circles learned a few days later that the measure was rushed through its three readings under a suspension of rule during the last day and is now a law and is going to be enforced unless it can be repealed through a special session of the Legislature. It was believed that the bill had been tabled and would not come up again, but the dire need of the state for additional funds led to its revival during the last moments and it was railroaded through without giving those interested an opportunity for a hearing, it is said. There is only one slim chance of escaping it and that is appealto a board which is to be named by the Governor to hear complaints on the different provisions of the sales tax bill. Efforts are already being made to present a strong batch of arguments regarding its unjustness immediately upon the naming of this board by the Governor. LoewMetro Club Names New Officers In the election of officers of the Loew-Metro Club, held Tuesday afternoon in the executive offices of Loew's, Inc., Colonel J. E Brady was chosen as president; David Loew, vice-president; Rose Quimby, recording secretary; David Blum, financial secretary and Charles Quick, treasurer. A board of governors elected includes Paul Berger, Charles Sonin. J. T. Mills, Charles K. Stern, Len Cohen, David Loew and Max Wolff. More than 250 members were present.