Motion Picture News (May-Jul 1916)

May 2!;, 1?13. MOTION PICTURE NEWS 3039 Board of Trade Exposition Fills the Garden Madison Square Is Packed with Throngs of Eager Picture Fans — Screen Favorites Parade from Columbus Circle on First Day — Leo Stevens Ascends from Roof and Drops Literature from a Balloon Proclaiming Formal Opening — Many Noted People in Public Life Present THE second trade show in as many weeks is now under way in New York under the auspices of the Motion Picture Board of Trade of America, at ^Madison Square Garden. On Saturday-, May 6, all things collaborated for a successful opening. The New York Police Parade, held on the same day, wound up in Madison Square, amid a large throng of spectators. When the police forsook them they turned to the Garden. Then there was the parade of motion picture talent from Columbus Circle to the exposition, and this brought another crowd of eager townsfolk. Thirdly, there was the balloon ascension from the roof of the Garden, and literature dropped by Balloonist Leo Stevens proclaimed all the way from Twenty-third street to Canarsie that the show was ready. J. Stuart Blackton, of the \'itagraph company, delivered the opening address, in which he outlined the purpose of the exposition, cordially greeted the attendance, and spoke of the wonderful growth of the motion picture besides giving the censorship evil a dig. Regarding this last question he said : "The greatest peril that menaces the photoplay is the attempt by professional agitators, by hypocritical reformers and office seeking politicians to apply censorship to the motion picture, which under the Constitution of the United States of America should and must be as free and untrammeled as the press, the stage and the right of free speech. The attempt to apply official and political censorship to the photodrama is equally an endeavor to deprive the public of its inalienable right under the Constitution to decide for itself what it shall read, what it shall see, to what it shall listen, and at what it shall look. No group of five, ten or fifty paid officials, has the right to decide what pictures one hundred million American citizens shall see." Blackton's Speech Greeted with Applause This speech was greeted by rounds of applause by the crowded floor. Commodore Blackton then introduced Dudley Field Malone, Collector of the Port of New York, who continued the attacks against censorship and spoke enthusiastically on the magnitude of the motion picture art. Other speakers were Rear-Admiral R. N. Usher, Rabbi Wise and Dr. Cyrus Townsend Brady. The Rialto theatre orchestra, conducted by S. L. Rothapfel in person, played "America'' previous. to .the addresses, and following rendered "The Board of Trade March," composed for the occasion by ^Ir. Rothapfel. Following the official opening, the spectators were entertained by pictures and dancing until the evening when many of the players appeared, their late arrival necessitated by their promise to lend their presence to closing night of the Exposition at the Palace. During all this time and even before the preparations to receive the crowd were completed on the main floor, Leo Stevens was preparing for his flight upon the roof. He had been engaged by Universal to ascend, scattering announcements of the winner of the Handsome Man Contest, Roy Fernandez, and stacks of Bluebirds and Red Feathers over all New York state. New England and eastern Canada. But the wind upset such inter-state plans and Mr. Stevens, after attaining an altitude of 19,000 feet, was obliged to descend in the wilds of Canarsie. However, several pounds of literature dropped by Mr. Stevens gave those in New York who were not already aware of it a complete idea that something was doing in the general direction of Madison Square. Cameramen from all the companies were on hand to ■"shoot" Mr. Stevens and pictures of his departure have already been exhibited at the Garden. The layout of booths in the Garden has been done in excellent style. With the exception of three or four small booths scattered over the floor all the exhibits are ranged around the side, while over the usual boxes has been erected somewhat of a temporary mezzanine floor, back of which are still more booths. On the east side of the floor is a large stage, equipped with screen and studio lights. Extending back to the center of the Garden are chairs, and throughout most of the day pictures of various companies are exhibited. The Rialto orchestra, when it can forsake the newly opened Broadway house, is on the stage to furnish the music, and here also will be made real pictures for the edification of the public. At the other end of the building, a large portion of floor space has been roped off for dancing purposes. Arrangement Prevents Crowding This arrangement prevents crowding in the center. The space before the booths is wide and the crowd is kept moving continually. A complete list of the various exhibits will be found in last week's issue of Motion Picture News. Among the booths of the producing and accessory companies is the stall of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. This place has been attracting great attention to date. The glories of California are continually on display and the public is enlightened as to the tremendous number of pictures that are produced in the environs of Los Angeles. The exposition opened most auspiciously, the attendance on the opening daj' making new records. On Saturday afternoon and evening, 5,783 persons passed through the gates into IMadison Square Garden, and the cash receipts for both Saturday' and Sunday show that the second day's business was practically as large. Among the more distinguished visitors on Saturday were Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Astor, M. H. De Young, of the San Francisco Chronicle; Fred J. Herrington, William J. Sweeney, and other officials of the National Exhibitors" League of America. J. W. Binder, executive secretary of the Board of Trade, gave a luncheon at the Hotel Astor to W. J. Sweeney, and other officials in charge of the Chicago exposition, on Monday. Every Day Exhibitors' Day Everyday of the exposition is Exhibitors' Day, while the various producing companies have each been allotted a day on which they have first right on the screen. May 7 was Universal Day; on May 8, Bluebird held sway ; Essanay predominated on May 9, and George Spoor was in attendance himself; May 10 is Mutual's Day, when Mary Miles Minter will bid her friends goodbye before departing for the West; Paramount holds the screen on May 11, and Famous Players, Lasky and Morosco will then have their turn ; May 12 goes to the Fox Film Corporation, and Theda Bara promises to be present; Vitagraph gets May 13, and the International Film Service has the last dav of the exposition. May 14. Besides the regular showing of pictures, the dancing and the array of screen stars, there will be speeches on various angles of the business given every day by prominent men in the business. Among the speakers are John R. Freuler, A\"illiam A. Johnston, Nicholas Power, F. H. Richardson, J. H. Hallberg. These addresses will take place in the concert hall of the Garden where those in the trade will be specially invited to openly discuss questions of prominent import. Friday "Preparedness Day" Friday, the 12th, will be Preparedness Day. Marjorie Sterrett, who started the Dime for a Battleship fund, will be present and it is expected to materially swell the proceeds of this cause at the Garden exposition. The Board of Trade made good on their announcement that Sunday, May 7, would witness the appearance of famous soloists. David Bispham rendered three song selections in the evening and hugely entertained the crowd. First he gave a selection from Mendellsohn and he followed this by singing a piece the words from which are taken from Shakespeare's ""Seven Ages of Man." "Danny Deever," Kipling's poem, was his last rendition. Ethel Gilmore, a well-known toe dancer, until recently with the Winter Garden show, took the stage after Mr. Bispham and gave an exhibition of her art. There are the usual souvenirs given away in abundance by the placers and booth tenders. Several of the comnanies have representatives in costume. International has half a dozen or more prettygirls dressed as Red Cross nurses ; the Paragon studio has Bad Bill Censer parading about w'ith Justice enchained ; the Vim company has a trio of clowns which give a short performance on the stage at fre~ quent intervals.