Movie Age (1927)

PAGE 4 MOVIE AGE M. P. T. O. Convention Held; C. Williams Again President All Other Last Year’s Officers Also Re-elected; R. F. Woodhull and C. C. Petti john Speak; 200 at Banquet Charles E. Williams was re-elected president of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of Nebraska and Western Iowa, at that organization’s annual convention held Monday and Tuesday, November 14 and 15, at the Hotel Rome, Omaha. The other officers re-elected — all of them having served last year — are: Vice president, H. F. Kennedy; secretary, Esther M. Anderson; treasurer, George H. McArdle. The first meeting of the convention was held Monday afternoon. The op¬ portunity was taken to discuss the re¬ sults of the Federal Trade Conference held in New York recently. It was Mr. Woodhull’s interesting opinion that in time it would be a very great advantage to all those in the industry as a whole. While it was not stated definitely, it is believed that there will be another con¬ ference in the season of 1928. Conklin Urges Fire Protection Another interesting speaker was Frank Conklin who spoke about fire prevention, and urged the necessity of protection of theatres from fire dis¬ asters. He also spoke a few words about sanitation and the necessity of it in the movie industry. Another meeting was called Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Again the Trade Conference was the subject of discus¬ sion. H. F. Kennedy, who was a dele¬ gate to the Federal hearing was the main speaker, giving a detailed report of it. The convention unanimously ap¬ proved of the achievements of the con¬ ference and believed that much good would result therefrom. A number of exhibitors were called upon for a talk, and there were many interesting discussions and suggestions regarding the management of their theatres. The election of officers was then held and last years’ executives were re¬ elected without exception. 200 Attend Banquet. Over two hundred, the majority of which were exhibitors, were present at the banquet which took place at the Rome Hotel Monday evening. Charles E. Williams, president of the M. P. T. O., presided as toastmaster. Walter L. Pierpoint, representing the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, gave the ad¬ dress of welcome. He spoke in very complimentary fashion of the influence CHARLES E. WILLIAMS of the motion picture industry and its far reaching benefits upon education and public opinion. R. F. Woodhull the next speaker, de¬ fended vigorously the moral effect of the movies upon the people. He con¬ trasted the contents of the movies with scandal which appears in the daily pap¬ ers, stating that there is not an inch of film showing any national or local scan¬ dals, and that not one picture can be ac¬ cused of teaching atheism or contain¬ ing anything against patriotism. In Mr. Pettijohn’s talk he attributed the evils of the motion pictures to ex¬ cessive costs of production, excessive salaries, and too many novelty innova¬ tions which he termed as “glorified or¬ gans, resurrected opera stars, cracked violinists, and tin bands.” Pettijohn also stated that every picture made in the last three years could have been made for one-third the cost by the pool¬ ing of studio properties by the rival or¬ ganizations. He also predicts the com¬ ing of many new faces to the movies for sensible salaries and with equal tal¬ ent. After the speakers the Harness Mak¬ ers Trio from the Omaha Tanning Co. sang a few songs. The three Lefholtz sisters also harmonized for a few selec¬ tions. The two striking blondes and the pretty brunette were applauded twice for encores. Dan Desdune’s band gave a good long program of singing, jigging, and clever imitations. Convention Successful The 1927 convention was probably the most successful for many years past. This is attributed partly to the good will created by Mr. Pettijohn and Mr. Woodhull, and to the wonderful co¬ operation of the exhibitors and exchange men. The success and wonderful show¬ ing of the convention was confirmed by the many home office representatives who were in Omaha for activities. Following is the list of exhibitors who attended the convention. From Omaha: E. A. Harms, L. P. Grobeck, J. E. Kirk, W. H. Creal, Herb Bleuchal, F. W. Houston, G. W. Hartman, Walter Creal, Chas. Nepodal and Harry Taylor. From other Nebraska cities: Mrs. O. R. Boettner, Madison; R. H. Robinson, Blair; W. N. Nieuland, Ord; M. E. Schrieber, Wisner; Jas. A. Schoonover, Aurora; E. H. Robertson, Scribner; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Reynolds, Elwood; Mr. & Mrs. J. Grabenstein, Eustis; Frank Trullinger, Clarks; Victor Gross, Os¬ mond; A. Burrus, Crete; Nick Paper, Lincoln; C. J. Kremar, Stanton; H. A. Larson, Oakland; Frank Johnson, Louis¬ ville; Mr. & Mrs. John Cosner, Sargent; Mr. & Mrs. H. F. Kennedy, Broken Bow; Mr. & Mrs. E. E. Gailey, Wayne; R. E. Falkinburg, Lexington; Wesley Booth, Nebraska City; W. E. Dyer, Gretna; J. W. Andresen, Tekamah; A. Beams, Red Cloud; E. R. Winslow, Gibbon; E. C. Preston, Hastings; M. L. Radler, West Point; Carl Bailey, Pawnee City; L. M. Greene, Tecumseh; R. W. Small, Wymore; Walt Bradley, Neligb; Mrs. H. O. Peterson, Genoa; J. W. Crouch, St. Paul; Georgia O. Rasley, O’Neill; F. W. Anderson, Coleridge; Chas. Prokop, Wahoo; Mrs. O. R. Boettner, Madison; M. E. Southwell, Craig; A. W. J. Taylor, Uehling; A. F. Jenkins, David City; F. C. Largen, Creighton and Oscar Gross, Bloomfield. From Iowa: A. L. La Frantz, Ute; Mr. & Mrs. B. B. Holdridge, Shenan¬ doah; Wesley Mansfield, Tama; Dale Goldie, Cherokee; M. Biemond, Loup City; Mr. & Mrs. H. G. Day, Mapleton; Mr. & Mrs. C. H. Sartorious, Hartley; Mrs. J. F. Van Tasell and M. A. Budd, Clarinda; Morris Cohen, Council Bluffs; F. M. Honey and Frank Good, Red Oak; L. Schwidleson, Sioux City; Ben Hard¬ ing, Council Bluffs; J. H. Ebersole, Avoca; Mr. & Mrs. L. H. Ireland, Lo¬ gan; W. T. Biggs, Adair; C. H. Sartorius, Hartley; Chas. L. Nott, Suther¬ land; W. C. Whiting, Whiting; Ray¬ mond Brown, Harlan; Max Drefke, Cherokee and Mrs. W. H. Mason, Mal¬ vern. CONVENTION NOTES A word about Miss Esther Anderson, Mr. Williams’ pretty blond secretary whom we cannot praise too highly for the efforts she put forth to make the convention the big success that it was. Miss Anderson was more than faithful with her circular letters inviting the ex¬ hibitors in and with her follow-ups and close check on the responses. Her good (Continued on next Page)