Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1916)

July 22, 1916 MOTIONPICTURENEWS 39S How to Enlist Aid of Women's Clubs in Your Town By C. A. Megown Cameraphone Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio IF ONE stops to think, it is only twelve years ago that railroads exercised a free hand and paid no attention to the public. To-day they are mere bookkeepers for the people. In the same length of time the saloon interests, thinking theirs was a private business of no concern of the public, awoke to find themselves nearly out of business. The same story might be told of street railroads, and public service corporations. What might the picture man, who has to deal and do with the entire public, young and old, expect when he takes the position of nickel grabber. Whether pictures control the lives and destinies of the growing generations may be a subject for proof, but what the public thinks on that question, right or wrong, is a subject to be dealt with. How has it been handled? In the same old way that the railroad, saloon interests, and others handled it with the same results. Here in this city our trouble began with wholesale arrests. The cases were tried, we won, but we saw the future and prepared for it by taking account of the morrow. We called in all classes and had them express themselves freely and fully. We argued for constructive criticism, not negative criticism. We kept at it. We listened ; we heard the argument of the danger of pictures on the youth and the home. We decided that if we could get at the real head of the home we could solve the problem. We called in the Women's Federation of Civic Clubs. We met often and late. We asked them to be fair. They promised. They were. They asked for one night a week for eight weeks in certain houses. They selected eight programs, ran them and then made a report. The report was fair and truthful. In substance it was this : Report on Films from Women's Clubs (1) That the picture fan did not approve of a picked program. (2) That those who wanted or pretended they wanted a family program, interesting, clean, educational and amusing did not patronize it. (3) That if the work was to continue they must assure picture men against loss. They became our friends as the work at the convention in New York showed. They picked good programs, not silly, feeble ones. They showed good judgment and great ability. Their work was worth while. It put the showman in close touch with the situation. It kept him alive. The woman's clubs can and will help us if we go to them in a fair-minded way. In Cleveland we are not hounded with license inspectors ; and only because we keep close to the people and keep ahead of the professional agitator. Let every city try it even if it does hurt. Details will be furnished by the woman's clubs gladly. Results That Have Been Gained As to the children's program we wish to say, different organizations have handled the children's programs at different theatres with marked success. They keep their eyes open to releases and make memorandums of all suitable pictures, going from one exchange to another, getting a list of pictures, then looking them over. These results have followed from this work: (1) The small children have been given a special entertainment all their own, good for them to see. (2) The mothers have been added to the friendship side of the picture business, and have had their ideas broadened and learned fully the folly of narrow mindedness. (3) The picture man became a part and parcel of the community and an accepted co-worker in the development of the community. He has at the same time become a business man and a civic worker. He has gained the confidence of the public to the extent that the people accept his program as entirely fitting and proper. The patrons do not go to the place to find fault but to enjoy themselves. The trouble maker finds no sympathizers. In fact, it is a square deal all around, in that confidence begets confidence and every man knows that when confidence exists good will thrives, and when good will lives, trouble is unknown. Sixth Annual Convention of National League Opens Film Men from Los Angeles, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Principal Points in Texas, Oklahoma and Other States, Pour Into Chicago and Take It by Storm— City, as Large as It Is, Will Be " Owned " by Members of the Industry During Association Event Special to Motion Pictuee News. Chicago, July 10. GOVERNOR DUNNE of Illinois has promised to open the sixth National Convention and Exposition of the Motion Picture Exchange of America in person. The ceremony takes place today. Mayor Thompson of Chicago formally opens the Exposition on VVednesda\-, July 12. The special convention train from New York pulled into the La Salle street Station at noon yesterday. The train was met by a brass band, and a parade formed to move through the Loop. Leading, in Vitagraph's car-load of players, was Anita Stewart, Alice Joyce, and Edith Storey. George Kleine sent Harry Watson, of " Musty Suffer " fame, together with his supporting company. Mr. Watson stopped at various points en route to get locations for a comedy he is now being ^<imcd in. The climax of the picture takes place in front of Chicago's City Hall, and there the comedian completes the film. ^ Special trains carrying delegations of exhibitors from Los Angeles, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Oklahoma, Texas, and other points are scheduled to" arrive in Chicago early. Tuesday, July 11, is National Exhibitors' day at the Essanay studios, when all Convention visitors are the guests of George K. Spoor, to see the huge Essanay plant. Tuesday night, through the courtesy of Thomas Ince, all Convention delegates and their friends are to -see the film spectacle " Civilization." A gigantic banquet is set for Monday night, July 17, and the Exposition is brought to a close Tuesday night, July 18, with a ball. This last affair affords all those present a chance to see the luminaries of the screen taking part in Chicago's celebrated dance, " Walkin' The Dog," and in other Terpsichorean novelties. Room reservations poured into the Loop hotels. The Sherman received in one telegram an order for one hundred rooms. Everybody Welcome at League Booth Practically all the floor space at the Coliseum is sold. The Exhibitors' League calls especial attention to its booth, where all members and non-members are welcome. The credentials of delegates will be examined and O.K.'d at this place. Alice Brady is the studio representative for World Film at the convention, with the executive and publicity ends in the hands