Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

1078 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIV, No. 21. desirable circumstances, he is perfectly willing to tie up to it with his signature and his money. All of which goes to illustrate the moral that a good product and considerate treatment of customers are the factors that control the situation. Service with those conditions is worth more than service without them. The exhibitor is a good example of the American temperament. He wants not the cheapest he can get, but the best he can afford to buy. The producer whose picture-making talent and scheme of delivery gives him that can have both his money and his admiration. Children Unaccompanied A CLEVELAND newspaper makes the astonishing editorial declaration, regarding the protection of children from the picture shows, that the children rather than the pictures need attention. Heretofore it has been the general attitude that the children should be allowed to run wild while the films were restricted for their irresponsible benefit. If the shows interfered with their bedtime, or their school-time, close the shows. That was the sentiment, if not the practice. The greatest weakness of our American social tendency is the neglect of our children. To their appearance, manners and education their parents give ample attention ; but a good part of the time they don't know where the kids are, even after dark. The entertainment they seek, and find, may be entirely innocent, and, to give them credit, it generally is. But when their parents do awaken to the possibilities of the situation, as occasionally happens, they proceed to attack indiscriminately all the outside attractions. It is perfectly obvious and self-evident that a well conducted picture theater is a much safer place of an evening for children and youths than the streets, the parks, or anywhere else except a church social. But, on the other hand, the motion picture has outgrown the limits of a children's show. Today the parents are the patrons who make the business profitable. And while regulating strictly what their children shall see, they themselves want to see something not quite so regulated. It cannot be denied that, as the Cleveland paper suggests, many films entirely harmless and even beneficial to grown-ups are not good mental fodder for the very young. Furthermore, the characteristic immoderation of youth leads to too much indulgence in anything that is good, whether it be pie or pictures. The remedy for that is in the home, not in the show. In Ohio the exhibitors themselves have adopted a sort of curfew regulation whereby each showman takes upon himself the responsibility of sending home, at 9 p. m., all unaccompanied children in his house. Very creditable and praiseworthy of the Ohio exhibitors, who have thus disarmed criticism, forestalled legislation, and made friends with the parents. But we still think the matter is properly one of child training rather than one of exhibitor training. Let the parents be responsible for their children. Why should it be necessary to put the children out at nine o'clock? Why should there be any to put out? The question is broader than its application to the show business. It touches much that is vital to the welfare of the next few generations. Perhaps some film producer will be clever enough to work the theme into a series of pictures, thereby cashing in on some much needed propaganda and gaining the thanks of the harassed exhibitors. Just a Moment Please How'd you like to be an oiler for a sculptor? Those of you who don't "get" this one should beseech "Ruby" to give them a private showing of Thanhouser's "Inspiration." Then they'll tumble. GOSH, WHAT A CHANCE FOR ADVERTISING. The Reelplays Corporation, one of the recently formed producing organizations, announces the near release of "The Cowpuncher," a western mellerdrama in which Little Bull is one of the principals. Just think what a live wire exhibitor might do with an announcement of this picture, and Little Bull. We're not sure whether it was the stinging editorial written about her criticisms or the halo of the honeymoon which still lingers over her, but at any rate the w. k. Kitty Kelly of the Chicago Tribune is growing more lenient with the film manufacturers, and it's been a whole week now since she has taken a real wallop at a picture. • Cheer up, fellers ! A LIFE SAVER'S MEDAL FOR US, PLEASE! Sir:— Unless you print this, thereby permitting me to "make your column three times in succession," and in so doing win a bet that I could pull off the stunt, I'll jump off the Clark St. Bridge. MAC. Speaking of the publication of squibs reminds, us that we seem to have "gotten in wrong" with certain supposed friends in the East, all on account of that sheriff story we ran about Pete Schmid, for we have a certain note that closely resembles a black hand message, signed by Julian M. Solomon, Jr. And Pete is still to be heard from. Just now the easiest way out for us appears to be to force the election of Pete as a sheriff and then appeal to him for protection. How about it, Pete, can we depend on you? Gosh, but it was some shock for us to read the Triangle cast of last week's "Double Trouble" from the Fine Arts studio, for there in black and white it was clearly stated that one of the politicians was Tom Kennedy. We've always known our Tom was a diplomat, but we never suspected him of being a politician as well. Whaddayer doing, Tom, working in "pics" in your spare Speaking of film titles and such, we hope "Ruby" meant to cast no reflections upon the well known and always popular John Rock and his car when he entitled a recent Thanhouser release "John Rocks and the Flivver." ANYBODY SEEN BILL? The last we heard of him good-natured Bill Sweeney was about to remove his Lares and Penates from where he has long resided to a new abiding place. As over a week has elapsed since that time and no report has been received, we're growing anxious. We imagine we can discern the fine Italian handiwork of Tarleton Winchester in some of those "phoney" wires received by Anita King, the Paramount Girl, during the dinner given in her honor at the Hotel Alexandria in Los Angeles upon her return from New York. For instance take a slant at this one : Congratulations on success of drive. Started one myself but had a blow-out. Lord Kitchener. Or this one : Congratulations on your success. Hear you are to be featured. We are sending a wreath of poisoned ivy. League of Moton Picture Actresses. Gosh, fellers, the boy's clevah. N. G. C.