Motion Picture News (Dec 1920-Feb 1921)

January 22, igzi (Eqaipment Service) 907 far better type of musical instrument than has been generally employed. " Here is a splendid opportunity. We would suggest that those who are interested should communicate with Mr. Charles D. Isaacson, who is the editor of the Music Department in the Motion Picture News, whose editorial offices are at 729 Seventh Avenue, New York, and express their willingness to be present at the various sessions of the convention, where they will meet not only those whom we have already mentioned, but many of the grand opera and symphonic musicians, composers, conductors, members of the musical unions, also members of the various musical organizations. They will also have an opportunity, during the discussions, to express their own views and thus aid the movement, which cannot but result in great benefit to those who publish music or sell it, to those who manufacture pianos, playerpianos, organs, band instruments — in fact, this national movement opens up a field to all those engaged in the musical industries, of vast proportions. Consequently, co-operation with the moving picture people should be wholehearted. " There are to-day, at a modest calculation, at least fourteen thousand movie houses, of which over 90 per cent are as yet not properly supplied with musical instruments and with music, which would greatly enhance the value of the films they show, and so bring in a greater revenue than they now have. The best proof of what good music means is afforded by the leading houses in this city and other cities, which are crowded daily during the entire period of the performances. Most of these houses, where they give us a higher class of films, are enabled to charge higher prices than they otherwise could, because they have found it I>ositively paid to employ symphony orchestras. " Among the pioneers in this regard in New York are Mr. Rothafel, of the Capitol theatre, and Mr. Hugo Riesenfeld, of the Rivoli and Rialto. These enterprising men, fully appreciating the value of music, have seen their endeavors in this direction, which were at first almost ridiculed, bring them a clientele which is surprising both in quality and quantity. Their houses are always crowded. " For these various reasons we sincerely trust that our principal houses will be at least represented at the coming convention of the moving picture men this month, and that they will aid the enterprising publishers 'of the Motion Picture News, who have been active in bringing the convention about and which already promises to be one of the most successful meeting of the kind for the furtherance of a great cause ever held in this country." (Under this heading the new ideas, queries and suggestions arc gathered. This is where the motion picture fraternity gets together on music.) Dear Editor: I have been advised by Mr. M. Winkler to see you in reference to the Convention of Movie Theatre Musicians in which I am interested. If you have seen any copies of The Observer within the last two years, you will have seen that I have been making propaganda for community opera. As the movie theatres will in time to come be inclined to introduce one act operas of a practical nature, I feel that I may get much information for an article in The Observer from the matter coming up at this convention. J. VAN BROEKHOVEN, New York. Dear Mr. Isaacson: I quite appreciate the desirability and importance of cooperation between the motion picture industry and musicians, and in accordance with your request, shall be pleased to say a few words, a very few, at the conference to be held in New York on January 24-26. OTTO H. KAHN, New York City. My Dear Mr. Isaacson : I would like to enroll in the new Music Exchange of the MOTION PICTURE NEWS. I think your new department is very interesting, and what you say will do a great deal of good. I have studied organ a long time and would like to take up picture work. I am a graduate of the Rochester Conservatory of Music under George B. Penny, and am an associate member of The American Guild of Organists. I studied nearly two years with the late Mr. Edward Johnston when he was in Cornell. Last winter I did some special work under Mr. Sidney Steinheimer in New York preparing to play for moving pictures. I took about fifty lessons and worked up quite a repertoire of suitable music. If you know of any position that would be suitable for me I would appreciate it very much if you would let me know. I would prefer a small theatre in a residential suburb of some city where I could go on studying. MISS EDNA STEBBINS, Ithaca, N. Y. What About the Local Personalities Unii ion c Dear Mr. Isaacson : I am very much interested in the work you have done for motion pictures. We are running or attempting to run a metropolitan presentation of the best pictures, but we have our troubles with the music. There are no very competent musicians in Lawrence, and the local union refuses to allow any local musicians from any other town or city to come in here. The consequence is that we have to put up with whatever we can get locally. In spite of this we are going fairly well, but I want to do better. Our orchestra consists of seven pieces, drum, cornet, trombone, clarinet, two violins and a piano. The reason for the assortment is that these are the best players I can pick up, but I intend to enlarge the orchestra shortly It competent players can be obtained. With best wishes for your success, ANDREW COBE, Manager, Lawrence Rialto Theatre Co. Mus ic Publ ishers Pro tective Association Representing the following houses at the Convention Adrian-Reece, Inc.; Irving Berlin, Inc.; Broadway Music Corp ; C. C. Church & Co. ; John Church Co. ; Daniels & Wilson; Oliver Ditson & Co.; Leo Feist Inc.; Fred Fischer, Inc.; Carl Fischer; J. Fischer & Bros.; Harold Flammer; Forster Music Pub. Co. ; Sam Fox Music Pub. Co. ; Goodman & Rose : Gamble Hinged Co.; Chas. K. Harris; Huntzinger & Dilworth ; Hamilton S. Gordon ; Walter Jacobs ; Kendis-Brockman Music Co. ; Edward B. Marks Music Co. ; Joe Morris Music Co. ; Jack Mills, Inc. ; McKinley Music Co. ; Pace & Handy Music Co. ; E. T. Paull Music Co. ; Jerome H. Remick Co. ; Maurice Richmond Music Co.; Will Rossiter; Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. ; Sherman, Clay & Co. ; Skidmore Music Co. : Stark & Cowan ; A. J. Stasnv Music Co. ; Clayton F. Summy Co. ; Harry Von Tilzer Co. ; Van Alstyne & Curtis; Waterson, Berlin & Snyder; Williams & Piron ; M. Witmark & Sons. Lyle Bishop, Grand Theatre, Kinston, N. C. — A thoroughly experienced musical conductor and director. Has complete library and can give you just what you want. Experienced in symphony pictures or vaudeville as conductor and director. A. L. Sloane, 237 West 107th Street, New York City. — ^An experienced organist, and capable to organize an orchestra and lead same. Also arrangei music properly for the pictures. A. L. Morton, P. O. Box 389, Burlington, Iowa. — A musician, pianist and composer of over fifteen years' experience. J. C. Crippen, Box 118, Otturawa, Iowa. — Has had 12 years' picture experience, and three years of that was on Style K Wurlitzer, and two years on a twomanual Kimball organ. Can also handle all newspaper work for theatre. Would like to make a change. Have large library of music. Read Page 848 for the Plans of the Motion Picture News MUSIC CONFERENCE Hotel Astor JANUARY 24, 25, 26 EXHIBITORS! how successful is your MUSIC? You know that tbe person at your organ can do more than any other individual to create the right " atmosphere " for your house. Does your organist know what to play, and how and when to play It, to properly Interpret your programs, and to develop a clientele among lovers of good music? Musical Accompaniment of Moving Pictures written by musicians. E. Lang and O. West, who play for pictures, tells just what an organist needs to know, for successful picture interpretation. Price, $1.25 The Boston Music Co., STREET Boston The NewEra Organ THE MARR & COLTON COMPANY, Inc. This pipe organ has in truth made possible a new era of music for the medium and smaller sized theatre. EVERY OWNER IS A SATISFIED OWNER. {Write for Literature) WARSAW, N. Y. Also Builders of Famous Marr & Colton Concert Organ