Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

1980 Motion Picture New Main Fight of New York Democrats this Fail Will Center Around Censorship IN a statement issued October 2, Herbert C. Pell, Jr., chairman of the Democratic State Committee of New York, dclares that the main fight of the Democratic party this fall throughout New York State will be against governmental interference including censorship. The statement follows in full: "The mam fight of the Democratic party this fall, throughout the State will be against the tendency toward government regulation, interference and censorship. This tendency is un-American and, in the long run, will work serious injury to the people of this country. The principle of censorship is absolutely foreign to this country. There is today ample law to prevent libelous or indecent matter being published either in newspapers or in motion pictures. " Our traditional principle allows a man to say, or otherwise publish on his own responsibility, and at his own risk, whatec^er he has in mind although, of course, he must suffer the consequences if his publication has resulted in material or moral loss to any one else or to the general public. In spite of the fact a system of licensing has some conveniences to an administration in power, this principle has developed on the ground that freedom of expression, unhampered by authority, is a necessary concomitant of a free government. The censorshop of the motion picture shows, I am afraid, is only the thin edge of the wedge and may result in an attempt to control newspapers. " I believe we should guarantee to each individual the utmost liberty in the expression of his opinion, the management of his property and the conduct of his private life that is consistent with the maintenance of justice and public order. I prefer the happiness of being free to the pleasure of being a tyrant It is for that reason I am a Democrat. " We should bear this situation in mind this fall and guard our liberties by voting for Democratic candidates for public office, against reactionary Republicans." Washington Exchange Managers Organize If enthusiasm means anything, then the Exchange Managers' Association of Washington, D. C, has achieved success at the start. One hundred per cent efficiency was the keynote of the meeting held last week in which the Association became thoroughly reorganized. New officers were elected for the ensuing year. They are: J. H. Beaver, of the Electric and Educational Film Exchange, president ; Paul E. Kreiger, Fox Film Corp., vice-president ; Jules Levey, Washington Film Exchange, treasurer ; and Messrs. S. Galanty, of Hodkinson Film Corp., and Rudolph Berger of the F. B. Warren Corp., as members of the executive committee. One of the first moves made by the newly reorganized association was to put the business matters of the association into the hands of a manager. Charles E. Wagner was selected to fill this position. This meeting, comprising a membership of ninety-five percent of the exchanges of this territory adopted many new plans, and, according to President Beaver, it is the firm intention of those in authority to make this Association one of the strongest and most efficient in the country. Westerly, R, L, Houses Not Controlled by Black Daniel Novogrod, of Westerly, R. I., in requesting the correction of a .statement published in the October ist issue to the effect that the Central and Lyric theatres of Westerly are controlled by the Black Circuit, explains : " The situation is that David Novogrod, owner, lessee, and manager of the Lyric and Central theatres, in Westerly, has taken over the management of the Bliven Opera House in this town, and all three theatres are now under his control." To Deal Direct with NonTheatrical Interests The following letter, addressed by the F. L L. M. Club of New York City to non-theatrical institutions, announces the adoption of a new policy by the member exchanges of the F. L L. M. Club whereby business with these non-theatrical institutions will be done directly and not through middlemen : " Heretofore some middleman has arranged bookings between the exchanges and the non-theatrical exhibitor of films. This practice has been thoroughly unsatisfactory to motion picture exchanges and led to the general practice now prevalent for all motion picture exchanges to refrain from doing business with non-thearical users of motion pictures through the medium of a middleman, but to transact business direct. " This is to advise you that the leading motion picture companies, all of which you find listed hereon, are prepared to transact all their business with you direct. That if it is inconvenient for you to call at the offices of the exchanges, arrangements will be made whereby representatives of all motion picture companies will be pleased to call upon you at a time and place suitable and convenient to you. " We beg to express to you our assurances that the service which will be rendered to you under this system will be of greater value to you ; that your needs and requirements will receive much more study and that through such direct contact, more suitable films vnll be made available for you than were heretofore." Taboo Politics on Screens of Western New York Western New York theatre screens have been closed to political advertisements. Howard J. Smith, president of the western N. Y. unit of the M. P. T. O. A., has sent the following letter to members of the organization : "Some parties are approaching politica' candidates offering to sell our screens. The screens should not be used for politics as it would injure our business. This also applies to programs and circulars. Don't run any slides for candidates or allow any programs with political advertisements to be furnished you." The order is of especial significance on account of the now raging political campaign. A new program company in Buffalo is hard hit by the move. The unit is aiding the national body in refusing to show any productions of an objectionable nature. Censorship Situation in Lc Angeles Unsettled The censor.ship situation is at a staristill, pending the preparation of an or nance by the city attorney. The drafti ; of the ordinance will be completed \\ \t\ 1 the next few days, it is expected. Fii leading ministers spoke on censors! I Sunday night, attempting to answer \\ f Ham De Mille's statement. Florida cit i have wired the producers offering to bu I municipal studios and assuring everv n<essary cooperation for production. T banks have shown interest indirectly kill the censorship movement. The Cha ber of Commerce has gathered statist showing that the average weekl\ pay-r is half a million dollars and that the vestment by the film producing indus in Los Angeles amounts to twenty milli dollars. The Pasadena City Council has pasa censorship ordinance establishing " Better Films " Committee of five, serve without pay. A rider has been a< ed to the ordinance providing for an ; nual tax of forty cents per seat on moti i picture theatres, payable quarterly. T money goes to the General City Fund. Indiana Exhibitors Tak> European Tour B. F. Brentlinger, general manager f the Victor}' theatre here and a compj r which operates motion picture theatres t Indianapolis, Ft. Wayne, South Bt i and other Indiana points, will leave \vi in the next two weeks for Europe \\ i five other motion picture men to stud\ i tion picture production and exhiliit i methods abroad. Mr. Brentlinger expects to bring b < a true idea of the European-pn' ' i ' film and of the manner in which Eu: exhibitors present the Europear: American products. All Iowa Exhibitors Ar< Invited to Convention All exhibitors of Iowa, whether : bers or not are invited to the ^loti^i ture Theatre Owners of Iowa con\xn i at Des Moines, Iowa, October 1 1 and 2. The convention will be held at the Ch kberlain Hotel, President B. 1. \'and;l of the Royal theatre of Des Moines im ing charge of the convention arrai» ments. ■ Miss Donna Risher Joirl R-C Publicity Staff Miss Donna Risher, newspaper wo u and feature writer, has been added tofcpublicity staff of R-C Pictures. ]|s Risher has had a -wide experience in n< spaper and publicity work in the Mi Je West, where she was feature writer id later assistant city editor of the Moines Register and Tribune.